Anyone lucky enough to witness the 2017 Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association round four Twenty20 match between Hay Park and Collie, saw one of the fiercest displays of batting in recent memory.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Hay Park captain Jono Whitney came to the crease with the score on 1/4. You’d be forgiven for thinking he was out for a round of golf, repeatedly swinging the ball the fence in a blazing knock of 115 (14 fours, seven sixes).
With Graham Yates scoring 41 at the other end before retiring hurt, the Redbacks finished 3/175.
Many of Collie’s batsmen made starts including Brayden Kent (25), Thomas Plummer (19), Greg Tomasini (19 not out) and Matt Tanner (17) but no one was able to land the killer blow, finishing 8/120.
An equally impressive knock of 115 not out from Dalyellup Beach opener Scott Harber gave the Settlers a big win over Eaton. Harber’s knock led his side to 4/171 with Eaton managing 9/119 in reply.
Adam Bilston did the bulk of the damage with the ball for Dalyellup Beach, taking 4/19.
Leschenault chose to bat first against Marist on Saturday afternoon but struggled to build solid partnerships, posting 8/99 from 20 overs. Kurt D’Agostino (36) was the best with the bat for the Green Caps.
Marist reached the target for the fall of three wickets with solid knocks from Max Bryant (37), Cory Fitt (25), Reece O’Connell (20 not out) and Brayden Clarke (14 not out).
Round three earlier in the day saw Colts defeat Dalyellup Beach by 29 runs.
Batting first, Colts posted 6/135 thanks to Jayden Goodwin (40), Kevin Banwell (41) and Murray Goodwin (21). In reply, Dalyellup Beach were bowled out for 106.
Eaton recorded a 10 wicket win over Collie after the Coalminers made 7/123 that including a lovely half-century from skipper Greg Tomasini (53).
Beaver openers James Hillery (48 not out) and Don Seaman (64 not out) quickly got their eyes in and chased the score down in just 9.1 overs.
Marist also recorded an easy win over Hay Park. The Redbacks won the toss and elected to bat, posting 5/97 with Charlie Home finishing 47 not out.
Marist made relatively light work of the run chase thanks to Bryant (53 not out) and Fitt (34).
After four rounds, Colts sit on top of the ladder undefeated while Dalyellup Beach, Marist and Eaton are close behind. The final two rounds of the competition will take place on November 12 before the semi-finals and grand final on December 3.
The one day competition starts this Saturday.
Andrew Elstermann
Email: andrew.elstermann@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Email: andrew.elstermann@fairfaxmedia.com.au
