A RETURN to form by fast bowler Haig Colombera held the key for YOBS when they won the top-of-the-table clash against St Marys in the Busselton-Margaret River’s A-grade cricket competition at Barnard Park on Sunday.
The derby between the Busselton sides produced a hard-fought game in top conditions...
- Allan Miller
The derby between the Busselton sides produced a hard-fought game in top conditions, with the turf at Barnard Park showing the benefit of a rest. An opening stand of 58 between Harvey Golding and Nayton Colombera laid the foundations for YOBS’ total of 147 all out in 48 overs. Swing bowler Peter Grygorcewicz starred with the ball for Saints to grab 5-14 off 8.3 overs. Saints were held to 109 all out in reply, with Haig Colombera taking 4-22 and Neil Langenhoven 3-23 for YOBS.
The weekend’s other clash for points in the Yates Shield saw St Marys account for Margaret River Hawks at Gloucester Park on Saturday in a high-scoring affair. Dropped catches played their part as Saints compiled an excellent score of 7-223 from 50 overs, with Marc Ford (41), Ben Lloyd (28), skipper Danny Hatton (36), Jono Lloyd (a fine unbeaten 52) and even Kevin Rice (26) all capitalising with the bat. Hawks’ reply of 187 all out saw many batsmen get good starts, with Rumesh Silva (57) and Ryan Miller (32) the best of them. Pete Morris (3-35) and Hatton (3-34 to complete a great allround individual performance) led the bowling attack for Saints.
The busy weekend of A-grade cricket saw a T20 double-header played on Saturday and also Sunday. Saturday’s double-header at the Dunsborough Playing Fields started with a close game as Dunsborough got up to narrowly defeat the favoured YOBS. YOBS were 75 at the halfway mark of their innings, but were held to 5-126 off their full 20 overs thanks to tight bowling from Lachie Milton (2-17 off 4 overs) and a great display of fielding by skipper Nick Ritchie, who held two good outfield catches despite an injured hand. Harvey Golding hit a fine 50 for YOBS. Dunsborough responded with 6-132, winning in the 19th over with experienced left-hander Aaron Mott (36 not out) the mainstay of the innings, after Josh Reagan started with a breezy 35 in the opening six overs.
The second game at Dunsborough saw Cowaramup recover from the loss of Kavy de Silva for 1 to make a respectable 8-89 from their 20 overs. One incident of concern took place when a bouncer from Haig Colombera failed to get up and Fraser Oates (ducking) was hit in the head, the ball then rebounding on to the stumps to see him out bowled. Spinners Ben Payne and Troyden Thorp took two wickets each for YOBS, who went on to win the game in the 14th over. In-form opener Harvey Golding hit an unbeaten 57 for YOBS to finish the day with 107 runs for once out – a fair performance in T20.
Sunday’s T20 double-header at Margaret River started when Cowaramup were contained to 7-75 off 20 overs by Hawks, with Kavy de Silva (28) topscoring for the Bulls. Rumesh Silva’s unbeaten 43 led Hawks to a nine-wicket win in the 15th over.
The second game saw Dunsborough score an excellent total of 3-189 off 20 overs against Cowaramup, Ben Christmas (56), Ethan Beatty (42) and Aaron Mott (66) all playing their part well. Cowaramup replied with a decent 127, Fraser Oates notching 46 runs and Ethan Beatty (4-15) completing a great day.