ST MARYS bounced back from their first-round drubbing by scoring a comprehensive win over YOBS in Saturday's A-Grade cricket at Barnard Park.
The 48-run win by Saints has left reigning premiers Margaret River Hawks (who defeated Dunsborough at Dunsborough) as the only unbeaten team after two rounds in the major competition in the Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association.
Batting first at Barnard Park after winning the toss, Saints made the most of the better batting conditions by scoring 175 all out in exactly 50 overs, with skipper Danny Hatton leading the way with 55 off 64 balls.
Former Cowaramup cricketer of the year Justin Chandler hit 31 on his debut for Saints, supported by Nick Barr (20) and Jono Lloyd (21 not out).
Dropped catches proved costly for YOBS, whose best bowlers were veteran Neil Langenhoven and left-armer Matt Connaughton (both claiming 3-35 off 10 overs), Matty Braid (2-27) and spinner Ben Payne (an impressive but wicketless 0-24).
YOBS lost three early wickets in the chase and were dismissed for 127 in 44 overs, with Ben Mattock (3-25) the star performer with the ball for Saints, well supported by Chandler (3-25) and club veteran Aaron Smith (2-23).
At the Dunsborough Playing Fields, Hawks duplicated their first-round effort with another demolition victory, this time routing Dunsborough for 85 all out in 40 overs.
Left-armer Grant Garstone, who was called up due to Hawks' B-Grade side having a bye, made the most of his opportunity with an outstanding spell of 4-8 off 10 overs, with 7 maidens.
Opening bowler Leigh Westcott again impressed with 3-15 off 10 overs, while allrounder Kavy de Silva claimed the fielding highlight with a brilliant low catch at mid-off to dismiss key Dunsborough batsman Matt Jamieson.
Dunsborough skipper Ian Purcell played a lone hand with 32 not out to easily top score for his side.
Chasing 86 to win, Hawks made the chase look easy, thanks to a classy 38 not out from opener Rhys Willmott, which featured some excellent drives.
Billy McGowan claimed the only wicket for Dunsborough, as Hawks won by nine wickets inside 15 overs.
B-Grade cricket featured two outstanding games. At Dunsborough, Vasse scored a cliffhanger win. Only one wicket separated the teams.
Batting first, Dunsborough compiled a fairly defendable 7-180 from 45 overs, with Ben Cadd (52 not out) leading the way.
Chasing, Vasse got up to win with one over and one wicket to spare, scoring 9-181 with Miles Darragh and Chris Cook both notching half-centuries.
On the turf at Bovell Park there was a runfest, with YOBS hitting 8-218 off 45 overs with Alex Logan (99 run out) and Cam Snow (38) making hay after skipper Justin Gilbert won the toss and batted first.
Saints skipper Pete Grygorcewicz chimed in with three wickets.
Chasing an unlikely 219 for victory, the hero of the day for Saints was Kye Barrow who hit an outstanding 117 not out from 127 balls, including 13 fours and 6 sixes, to win the game for his side with just 9 balls to spare.
Ryan Gianola claimed the bowling honours for YOBS with four wickets.
In C-Grade cricket the tight finishes continued, with Cowaramup scoring a nail-biting 2 run win over Hawks at Margaret River.
Finn Barrett-Lennard batted through the innings for Cowaramup for an excellent 81 not out as his side compiled 5-173 from 40 overs.
Hawks nearly snatched the game when they responded with 6-171, Michael Earl scoring a typically hard-hitting 71 not out in the late stages.
Nannup comfortably defeated Vasse, with Jay Wynd hitting an impressive 84 for the victors in their total of 7-225. Vasse were dismissed for 107 in reply, with Leigh Guthridge taking 5-25 for Nannup.
The remaining game saw Dunsborough tally 9-249 against YOBS, with Bruce Siney striking 85 off 87 balls.
YOBS were dismissed for 171, with no fewer than 10 bowlers appearing at the crease for Dunsborough.
