A-GRADE
St Marys bounced back to their best form in A-grade cricket when they comfortably accounted for an undermanned Dunsborough in their clash at Barnard Park on Saturday.
Dunsborough, depleted by the loss of their import Ricky Small-Boyce with a broken hand and the unavailability of Nathan Whitney, failed to come to grips with a strong Saints bowling attack which gave nothing away.
Saints club president Ben Mattock (2-28 off 10 overs) and seamer Pete Morris (1-25 off 10 overs) set the scene early when they captured the key wickets of Aaron Mott, Josh Reagan and Phil Watts – all without reaching double figures – as Dunsborough struggled to get going after choosing to bat first on a good, but grassy, track.
Wily Saints captain Danny Hatton (4-24) enjoyed his stint at the bowling crease the most, while Pete Grygorcewicz conceded just 11 runs in his 10 overs as he capitalised on some inexperienced batting.
Grygorcewicz had luck on his side when Dunsborough’s Jack Omodei snicked the ball, keeper Brian Hinkley (standing up) dropped it, and the ball rebounded on to the wicket for a fortuitous stumping.
The only Dunsborough middle-order batsman to trouble Saints was Matt Jamieson, whose determined 33 formed the backbone of the innings as his side struggled to 9-93.
The last pair of Lachy Milton (16 not out) and Richard Norrish (10) put on 30 for Dunsborough to bump the total up to 123 all out.
Saints’ openers Mark Ford (28) and Nick Barr (36) all but assured their side of victory with a strong 69-run opening stand in the chase, as only 29 overs were needed to knock off the runs, with six wickets to spare.
Down at Margaret River, Cowaramup pinned their hopes against the Hawks on the much-awaited arrival of star all-rounder Kavy de Silva from Sri Lanka.
It didn’t take long for de Silva to weave his magic.
He dismissed Hawks opener Gareth Edmonds, caught at slip, with just the second ball of the match.
Hawks quickly rebounded, and with a string of contributions from opener Chris McLean (26), the ever consistent Shane Joyce (56), impressive teenager Kade Dittmar (45), import Rumesh Silva (30), hard-hitting Grant Garstone (23) and veteran Ryan Miller (25 not out), they posted a formidable total of 7-250 from their 50 overs.
Cowaramup did not have luck on their side, as Adrian Woodward’s much anticipated return for the club was cut short in his second over by two high full-tosses, and banishment from the attack under the strict current rule for this infringement.
The economical Ben Shepherd (1-19 off 10 overs), veteran Richard Bramston and promising teenager Connor Oates (two wickets) provided the bright lights in the Bulls attack.
De Silva’s typically entertaining 58 runs formed the highlight of Cowaramup’s response of 140 all out, while Connor Oates and young Archer Coates showed some spirited defence – and a few clever shots – as the game wound down.
Mat Kent (3-14), Aaron Thomas (2-16) and Rumesh Silva (3-30) led the bowling honours for Hawks.
B-GRADE
Vasse continued their impressive run of form in B-grade cricket when they comfortably accounted for Hawks at Margaret River.
Sam Shepherd led the way with 4-16 as Hawks were routed for 88, a total which Vasse passed with the loss of six wickets.
At Barnard Park, St Marys outplayed Dunsborough.
Anthony Balkin’s 47 helped Saints total 6-156 from 45 overs, which proved out of Dunsborough’s reach when they responded with 113.
Left-hander Jason Hills wound back the clock with brilliant figures of 5-9 off nine overs for Saints.
