THE Collie A-grade cricket team backed up its winning start to the season with a hard fought, five-wicket victory over Dalyellup.

Dalyellup opted to bat after winning the toss and got off to a slow but steady start through openers Ryan and Watson.

Collie’s opening bowlers were J Swallow and W Ferris.

After a solid partnership Watson was dismissed by a J Williamson Yorker that cleaned up the stumps.

An injury to young debutant Jason Chappell brought on the first spinner for the game in R Williamson.

In a sublime spell of bowling R Williamson took three for 29 to rip the heart out of the Dalyellup top order, dismissing Ryan for 25, Duffield for 20 and Lagana for 11.

With Morien and Fitt at the crease and the score at four for 93, captain B Malatesta joined the bowling attack.

After a decent partnership Fitt was run out by R Williamson for 12.

Soon after new batsman Robinson was caught by T Snelgar off the bowling of Malatesta for 1.

This brought Dav to the crease, who with Morien, brought the Dalyellup total to six for 162 from the allotted 45 overs.

All up it was a decent bowling effort by Collie, which was missing the bowling trio of P Bebbington, S Ireland and M Williams.

The run chase got off to a good start with an opening partnership of 24, until opener G Tomasini was bowled for 20.

This brought skipper B Malatesta to the crease.

All rounder R Williamson was soon caught for three off the bowling of Grygowski.

S White was caught LBW by Dalyellup’s Robinson.

J Swallow soon left without troubling the scorers after being trapped LBW off the bowling of spinner Fitt.

With the score at four for 60, the in-form Malatesta was joined by the hard hitting D O’Brien.

In a free flowing partnership that included a massive straight six from O’Brien, the game’s momentum swung in Collie’s favour.

Malatesta celebrated his first half century of the year in style, with the ball flowing off the middle of the bat.

O’Brien was soon caught and bowled by Fitt for a well-made 30.

With 39 runs to win, K Hulls joined Malatesta at the crease.

The pair then steered Collie home to victory with Hulls unbeaten on 16 and Malatesta not out on 78.

Batting

G Tomasini LBW Miller 20

R Williamson c Miller b Grygowski 3

B Malatesta not out 78

S White LBW Robinson 12

J Swallow LBW Fitt 0

D O’Brien c and b Fitt 30

K Hulls not out 12

Bowling: W Ferris 0 for 35, J Swallow 0 for 23, J Williamson 1 for 35, R Williamson 3 for 29, B Malatesta 1 for 23.