BUSSELTON-MARGARET RIVER'S two cricket teams have both enjoyed an outstanding start to the annual Country Week tournament in Perth, by winning their opening two games on Sunday and Monday.
Competing in the demanding A-section, Busselton-Margaret River's number one side defeated Upper Great Southern in their first game on Sunday, played at Burrendah Oval in Willetton, and then followed it up with another victory on Monday, this time beating West Pilbara at Stevens Reserve in Fremantle.
A-section skipper Ben Payne led from the front by taking 4-43 with his offspin in the first game, and then another 4-22 in the second game. Cowaramup's Fraser Oates, who has been playing pennant cricket for Scarborough this season, made strong contributions with the bat of 63 on Sunday and 40 on Monday. Nick Ritchie (47 and 31), Harvey Golding (24 and 51) and Haig Colombera (20 and 21) have also found form with the bat early this week. Overseas player Ricky Small-Boyce has also done his bit for the number one side, by taking 3-47 and 2-35 in the two games.
Busselton-Margaret River's number two team, captained by Matty Braid, defeated Upper Great Southern by 2 runs in a cliffhanger on Sunday, at Abbett Park in Scarborough, and then overcame Wyalkatchem at Breckler Park in Mt Lawley on Monday. Overseas player Taylor Chandler provided the talking point of the week by returning sensational figures of 8-54 (from nine wickets to fall) off 15 overs in Sunday's win for Busselton-Margaret River over Upper Great Southern. Troyden Thorp (59), Dillen Watson (53), Archer Coates (29 and 27) Brandon Stonehouse (63) and Marc Ford (63) have held their own with the bat.
With an A-grade bye for local teams due to Country Week, attention in the Busselton-Margaret River competition focused on the lower grades. In B-grade cricket at the Dunsborough Playing Fields, Dunsborough's 7-161 off 45 overs included an unbeaten 75 from Ben Christmas. In reply, Cowaramup were bowled out for 127, with Andreas Pantelias taking 3-12 for the victors. On the turf at Barnard Park, YOBS were bowled out for 142 (Luke Wedderburn hitting 44), who then responded by dismissing Hawks for just 52 in 31 overs. An excellent knock of 121 by Brian Hinkley formed the bulk of St Marys' score of 8-207 at Vasse Playing Fields. The home side was then dismissed for 130, with Ryan Lohr's 3-17 proving the surprise packet for Saints.
In C-grade, a close finish at Margaret River saw YOBS get up by three wickets to defeat Hawks. Matt Jarvis hit 41 in Hawks' total of 110, with YOBS skipper Darren Cameron taking 4-9 with his left-arm floaters. YOBS winning reply included an impressive knock of 28 by 12-year-old Aston Brooks. At Bovell Park, Bruce Siney's great season for Dunsborough continued when he hit 66 runs in a total of 8-178. St Marys were routed for 63 in reply, with 15-year-old Brodie Gould finishing with sensational figures of 5-2 off five overs for Dunsborough. At Nannup, Vasse scored 8-179 off 40 overs, and then bowled out Nannup for 107, with Ben Lullfitz compiling 39 for the losing side.
In 25-over Masters cricket at Bovell Park on Sunday, Gerry Hat-Tricks (128) held off Numbats (120) in an exciting finish.
COUNTRY WEEK SCORES - A-Section: Sunday: Bsn-Marg River 246 (59.2 overs) (F. Oates 63, N. Ritchie 47, D. MacLeay 28, H. Golding 24, H. Colombera 20) b Upper Great Southern 7-223 (60 overs) (B. Payne 4-43, R. Small-Boyce 3-47). Monday: Bsn-Marg River 172 (53.5 overs) (H. Golding 51, F. Oates 40, N. Ritchie 31, H. Colombera 21) b West Pilbara 129 (46.5 overs) (B. Payne 4-22, M. Kent 2-19, R. Small-Boyce 2-35).
For the full results go to busseltonmail.com.au.
