PRESTON VALLEY v BRIDGETOWN
PRESTON VALLEY Cricket Club extended its winning streak to nine-zero by successfully defending a modest total of 130 against Bridgetown in the top-of-the-table clash at Egan Park on Saturday afternoon.
Preston won the toss and chose to bat first in overcast conditions, and got off a to flying start with Scott Tynan setting the tempo early with his aggressive stroke-play.
Tynan found the boundary three times, including one six, but eventually mistimed and was well caught by Darren Tassos for 26.
Andrew Clifford then teamed up with brother Wayne in a 37-run partnership for the third wicket, to ensure Preston in a strong position at two for 93 at drinks.
Straight after drinks, Wayne Clifford fell the first victim to Hugh Mitchell, bowled for 19.
Similar to the previous time these two sides met, Shane Glancy had the better of pinch-hitter Nathan Smith (7), and caught Andrew Clifford leg-before for a well earned 37, which started a collapse that Preston never recovered from.
Apart from Luke Asplin (16), the Preston tail provided little resistance as Hugh Mitchell ripped through taking six wickets with him, with the side bowled out for 130 in the 37th over.
The best bowlers for Bridgetown were Hugh Mitchell (9.5-2-27-6) and Shane Glancy (3-0-12-2).
In reply, Bridgetown survived a few dropped catches early on to post 34 before Luke Asplin removed the dangerous duo of Darren Tassos (14) and Kim Gardiner (0) in successive balls.
Hugh Mitchell and skipper Shane Glancy then teamed up in a strong partnership for the third wicket, frustrating the Preston bowlers as the score raced to two-89.
Nathan Smith made the vital breakthrough, having Mitchell caught in the slips for 27; and had his revenge after bowling Glancy for an important 42, with the score on 4-89.
Shortly after, Preston skipper Shaun Gardiner brought himself into the attack, which proved to be the defining point of the match, with a tight spell of bowling.
The key wicket for Preston lied with Ron Roberts, in which the momentum quickly shifted on his departure, after hitting one straight to Nathan Smith for 14.
Tight bowling from Gardiner and Danny Hartnup towards the final five overs of the match saw the number of balls remaining rapidly become less than runs required, putting more pressure on Bridgetown tail. A few quick wickets made the total even harder to achieve, with 13 required off the last over.
Gardiner finished with three dot balls and five runs taken off his last over, as Bridgetown fell eight runs shy of the target.
The best bowlers for Preston were Danny Hartnup (9-1-14-4), Nathan Smith (10-0-27-2) and Luke Asplin (10-0-29-2).
Mead smashes his way into record books
BOYUP BROOK versus GREENBUSHES-BALINGUP
IN the other match this round, Boyup Brook skipper Tristan Mead smashed his way into the Association history books, after scoring an impressive 192 runs and taking six wickets, in his side’s win over a depleted Greenbushes-Balingup at Dylongup Oval on Saturday.
After winning the toss, Greenbushes-Balingup chose to bat first with only 10 players.
Early wickets fell before Chadd Richardson found some form, posting 11 before being out-psyched by Tristan Mead, spooning a catch to silly mid-off.
Mead continued his deadly spell and cleaned up the middle order for little runs; Rob Hornum was run out by the deadly Ty Bancroft after failing to ground his bat, and Bob Taylor (15no) provided some resistance for the tail.
Greenbushes-Balingup was eventually bowled out for 44 in the 18th over. Only three bowlers were used by Boyup, with Tristan Mead finishing with his first five-wicket haul (9-1-13-6).
In reply, Boyup lost early wickets off tight bowling from Troy Van Dimen and Chadd Richardson, before Tristan Mead took to the bowling in spectacular fashion.
Despite being dropped several times, Mead smashed 12 boundaries and 14 sixes over the fence of Dylongup Oval, including three sixes off consecutive balls.
Ben Mead (23) was dropped twice before being held out the third time at mid-off; after beating the bat several times, Rob Hornum finally bowled Eion Gray (15), and youngster Jacob Van Bavel took a spectacular catch off his own bowling to remove Ty Bancroft (7).
Mead finished unbeaten on 192, eclipsing the Association record of 162 set by Brendon Stoney last season, as his side finished 7 down for 281 after their 45 overs.
After a long day in the field, the best bowlers for Greenbushes-Balingup were Jacob Van Bavel (9-1-48-3) and Troy Van Dimen (10-1-46-2).
In next week’s matches, Bridgetown host Boyup Brook in an important match, Donnybrook travels to Balingup to tackle Greenbushes-Balingup, while Preston has the bye.
For all match reports, scorecards and statistics, visit the DBCA website at www.dc-ca.com.au.
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