Donnybrook has extended its lead on top of the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association’s second-grade ladder after scoring two more wins to start December.
The wins over Colts and Marist have seen the Dons continue their winning streak to seven games, leaving them eight points clear of second-placed Collie on the ladder.
After closing November with a crushing win over Collie, Donnybrook continued its strong form with a seven-wicket victory over Colts on December 1.
Colts openers Tim Stewart and Fraser Hislop got the team off to a strong start but Norman Bedford (2/17 from 10 overs) made the breakthrough when he had Stewart stumped with the score on 65.
A batting collapse, which saw no Colts batters outside the openers score more than 16, saw Colts finish their 50 overs with 8/172.
Donnybrook’s run chase got off to a disastrous start with Phil Welsh knocked over for a duck, but wicketkeeper Bradman May (89 not out from 100 balls) was able to stead the ship.
Powerful opener Mark Manea chipped in with a quick-fire 42 from just 23 deliveries as Donnybrook chased down Colts’ total in just 33.4 overs.
The Dons then followed it up with a 59 run win over Marist the following week.
Batting first, Donnybrook was on the ropes as Marist’s Michael Webb tore through the top order, with the Dons reeling at 5/69.
However a strong partnership between Paul Reynolds (108 not out) and Phil Welsh (72) saw Donnybrook take control of the game and post a respectable 7/259 from its 50 overs.
Donnybrook bowlers Chris Morgan (1/22) and Brad Swarbrick (3/51) were dangerous with the ball in hand and Marist’s run chase was almost over before it began when Joshua Bradbury was run out to make the score 5/53.
Stratham Papandroulakis (44) and Cooper Dehring (61) made it interesting, but the damage was already done as Marist limped home to 9/200 from its 50 overs, giving Donnybrook a 59-run win.
Following last weekend’s bye, the Dons will return this weekend for their final game of 2018, away to Harvey-Benger on Saturday.
