Cowra’s Bowling Club notched up their first win of the season in the Lachlan Premier League, with an unbeaten century from Ross Graham anchoring a comprehensive victory against Canowindra.
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Scoring 111, including 15 fours and three sixes, Graham’s innings was the key point of difference between the two batting attacks on a synthetic pitch which didn’t offer too much in either direction for bat or ball.
Chasing 151 for victory, Bowling Club (1/153) made light work of Canowindra’s attack, with Ben Colby (16) the only batsman to lose his wicket in the chase.
Otherwise, Graham and Ben Schofield (22 not out) played a steady hand throughout, as genuine wicket opportunities were few and far between, with Graham clinical in punishing Canowindra’s errors.
Despite his innings, Graham played down its significance, instead paying tribute to the efforts of bowlers Colby (Three maidens,1/22) and Aiden Roberts (2/15), who tied down Canowindra’s middle order after a fast start. Cameron Smith (3/43) and Schofield (3/14) reaped the rewards from the tail’s collapse.
“At one stage it looked as though we were going to be chasing 200, but the bowlers brought that right back to a 150 chase,” Graham said.
“On this outfield, with the quick boundaries, it was just a matter of waiting for the bad ball, punishing that, and turning the strike over.”
He also noted that Bowling Club have bolstered their depth despite the sluggish start to the season, with a lot of younger players in this week’s winning XI.
“We’ve got a fairly young side this year, with a couple of retirements and couple of other blokes who have left town,” Graham said.
“It’s enjoyable to play with young kids, though it’s not much fun when they start running threes,” he joked.
For Canowindra, winless after five rounds, a couple of individual efforts stood out despite a tough day.
Peter Guthrie (37 and 1/45) fought hard with ball and bat, while Brendan Traves (40) combined with Guthrie to form a solid opening stand.
Skipper Nicholas Traves (24 and 0/28), exhausted after a long day in the heat, insisted his team simply didn’t take advantage of opportunities when they had them.
“Everyone had the chance to chip in but it just didn’t go our way today,” Traves said.
“We could’ve done better with the bat, but it all comes back to practice.”
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However, he expressed hope that if his team could get all their regulars out on the park at once he was hopeful that his team could turn it around soon.
“Work commitments at the moment is the biggest thing… it’s hard to get them all here at the one time,” Traves said.
Canowindra have a bye this week, while Bowling Club will take on cross-town rivals Valleys in a derby this Saturday afternoon at Holman Oval.
