Bowling Club has sent an early warning to rival clubs in the new Lachlan Premier Competition, thumping premiership hopefuls Valleys by eight wickets at Twigg Oval on Saturday.
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Nick Berry and Mick Curtale showed ominous signs of what they’re capable of, the pair putting on 68 in less than seven overs to begin their side’s pursuit of Valleys’ 161.
Curtale (58) departed first, however Berry (63 not out) remained at the crease throughout the run chase on Bowling Club’s way to an eight-wicket victory in 26 overs.
Earlier, Bowling Club captain Matt Crawley sent Valleys into bat and the green and golds scored at a respectable rate of four runs an over on their way to posting 161 from their 40 overs.
Jacob McNaught (53) and Scott Wilson (34) formed a valuable 63 run partnership for the third wicket, taking Valleys from 2-44 to 3-107 at the end of the 29th over – when Wilson was bowled by Nathan Thorn.
The green and golds were able to stretch their innings total to 161 thanks to some late contributions from Jackson Moodie (12) and Sam McNaught (12).
Bowling Club’s best with the ball were Nathan Thorn (3-31) and Matt Gault (3-24).
In reply, Bowling Club raced to 68 inside seven overs before Curtale was caught off the bowling of Valleys skipper Ben Houghton.
Ross Graham (31) joined Berry and the pair went about adding 73 runs for the third wicket.
Graham fell to Scott Wilson in the 21st over but that was the last of Valleys’ victims as Berry and Tom Thuaux passed the winning total in the 27th over.
The result gives Bowling Club a perfect start to the new season ahead of a bye in round two this week.
Elsewhere, in the Parkes derby at Woodward Oval, Zac Bayliss’ innings of 79 along with a three-wicket haul led Cambridge to a thumping 91-run victory against Colts.
After being sent in, Bayliss set up Cambridge’s innings of 5-218 with a swift 79 before being falling victim to Phil Dunford, who trapped him in front, in the 25th over.
Jonah Ruzgas (43 not out) and Shane Jones (31) made valuable contributions to boost Cambridge’s total to 218.
Myles Smith and Brent Tucker were the pick of the bowlers – both picking up multiple scalps.
Colts’ run chase never really gathered momentum as the top order slipped to 4-54 after 14 overs.
Phil Dunford (22) and Aaron Halls (39) showed some resistance but when they departed Bayliss quickly removed the final wickets to confirm the result.
Bayliss finished with 3-17 while Anthony Riach also picked up multiple wickets.
This week, Cambridge takes on Valleys at Holman Oval while Colts host Canowindra.
