Collie took on Leschenault in a must win game to keep finals hopes alive.
The day started well with Collie winning the toss and batting on Leschenault’s pitch which is always a good surface to bat on.
Opening pair Blair Malatesta and Seth White looked solid against Leschenault’s opening bowlers and scored freely until Malatesta was bowled for 12 with the score on 31.
With White batting well at one end, Brayden Kent and Greg Tomasini provided little help, both being dismissed without troubling the scorers.
Fraser Hislop batted well, holding up an end with his senior partner White until both were dismissed in quick succession with the score on 68.
Bailey Moloney and Liam Reuben were very patient and faced many overs until Moloney was out for three.
Dashing left-hander Tom Plummer ticked the score over as normal and got the score to 86 before Liam Reuben fell.
At 7 for 86 Collie was in danger of being bundled out for less than 100, but some great hitting from Plummer and Ayden Parkin got the score to 105 before Plummer was out caught.
Tyson Hayes and Ryan Loxton held up an end for Parkin who’s 22 down the order gave Collie a total of 122.
About 50 runs short of a competitive total but at least something to try and defend.
Collie’s best: S. White 41, A. Parkin 22, T. Plummer 16.
With a good start needed to defend the low total the new ball went to speedster Ayden Parkin and Brayden Kent. Kent was economical as always but couldn’t get the breakthrough.
Parkin bowled with good speed and swing but couldn’t get his bowling rhythm right, going at 6 an over.
It took a bowling change with Ryan Loxton taking the ball to get the first wicket with Parkin taking a good catch under a high ball to dismiss Golding for 22 with Leschenault on 35.
A couple of dropped catches didn’t help the cause as the Leschenault total continued to grow.
Tyson Hayes got a wicket with the score on 61 but Leschenault built a partnership and two late wickets by Loxton and Fraser Hislop were simply consolidation prizes.
Collie’s best: R. Loxton: 2 for 34 from 10, T. Hayes: 1 for 17 from 6, F. Hislop 1 for 27 from 4.3.
Pine Hauliers A-grade Man of the Match: Seth White.
Collie bowled well to ensure Leschenault needed 33 overs to get the total but the Collie total was 50 runs short of what was required.
Improvement is required for the match against Marist at Roche Park on Saturday.
Marist will be looking for revenge after being convincingly beaten at home by Collie earlier in the season.
