Cowra’s Valleys Cricket Club will look to bounce back in this week’s cross-town showdown after a loss against league leaders the Royal Colts.
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Sent into the field, the Valleys looked to contain the Colts early with a strong start.
After the cheap dismissals of openers Myles Smith (12) and Peter Yelland (14), and a fast clean out of the middle-order, the Colts were left reeling at 7/60.
Ben Houghton was particularly strong for the Valleys, garnering two maidens to go with figures of 4/24.
However, Peter Dunford (55 not out) stood tall for the Colts, partnering first with Blake Smith (28) and then Phillip Dunford (27 not out) to push the total out to a competitive 9/173.
Valleys’ Greg Garlick said to have the last three wickets score more than 100 runs was particularly frustrating, and may have reflected a side that a got a little carried away early.
“The game’s not over until the last ball,” Garlick said.
Despite this frustration, and a batting line-up missing regulars like Jacob McNaught and Garlick, the Valleys headed into bat with plenty to play for.
However, the Colts rallied, dismissing eight batsmen for individual scores of five runs or less, including three ducks, getting the Valleys all-out for 89.
The Colts’ Sam Carty (three wickets), Blake Smith (two wickets) and Ryan Dunn (two wickets) were ruthless in attack, dispatching the Valleys with ease.
The Valleys’ loss, combined with the Bowling Club’s Ross Graham-led win against Canowindra, sets up an important early match between the cross-town rivals this weekend at Holman Oval.
The Valleys are set to regain the services of both the McNaughts and Garlick this week for the clash, with only Jonte Powderly (who top-scored with 31) unavailable from this week’s loss.
“We’re not quite full strength, but not far off,” Garlick said.
The table has the Valleys sitting mid-table with two wins, one loss, while the Bowling Club sit just below with a win, two losses and a draw to their name.
A win to the Valleys means that there would be a clear two game gap between the top three teams and the rest of the competition.
A loss, on the other hand, would allow the Bowling Club to draw level, a situation that last year’s Premiers wouldn’t mind given their prowess in finals.
The stakes are something the Valleys, who have started slowly in the past, are especially mindful of.
“We’ve never been able to set ourselves in a good position before Christmas,” Garlick said.
“It’s a massive game in the context of the season.”
