January was a tough month for Donnybrook Cricket Club’s second grade side.
Having won its last two games for 2017, the side came into the new year feeling optimistic.
In round 10, however, Capel succeeded in ruining Donnybrook’s run of victories.
Winning the toss on its home turf, Capel got off to a rollicking start.
Opening batsman Nick Patten notched up 43 runs from 104 balls, including four fours.
His chances of a half century were cut short by Donnybrook wicketkeeper Mark Manea.
Blair Hutton knocked 86 from 135 and Jarrod Withers scored 29 from 30 to put their side in a comfortable position.
Capel made light work of Donnybrook’s bowlers and finished on 5/219 after 50 overs.
Chasing the home side’s total, Manea knocked an impressive 42 from 19 including four fours and three sixes.
Following his dismissal, Donnybrook’s middle order struggled to up the run count.
Despite strong efforts from Troy Skippings (31 off 26) and Norman Bedford (39 from 57), the Dons were dismissed for 200.
Capel bowler Andreas Wijbenga clinched 3/60 off 10 overs to help his side collect the four points.
Donnybrook suffered its second loss for the month in round 11 at Egan Park Turf.
Leschenault quickly sent openers Manea (2) and Stephen Wright (5) back to the clubrooms.
Middle order star Joel Parker hit 23 from 54, before being trapped LBW by Green Caps’ bowler Brendan Stemp (4/20 off 8.2 overs).
Captain james Harcourt was Donnybrook’s saviour, smashing 27 from 59 later in the inning.
The Dons were dismissed for 100 after a lower order collapse.
Neil Robertson bowled Leschenault opener Scott Langford for four, before Stemp was dismissed for three.
With Leschenault stranded on 2/24, fellow opener Luke Slater knocked 27 from 40.
Daniel Standen (26) also assisted in Leschenault’s six wicket (4/103) victory.
The side faces off against Colts in round 12 on Saturday, February 3.
