After two woeful weeks with the bat when they were rolled for 50 and 74 in their last two games, Augusta’s batsman finally found some form again in their win over Vasse last Saturday in the game played on the Barnard turf wicket in Busselton.
Captain Ben Kennedy won the toss and elected to bat on a wicket that had a bit in it for the bowlers but was also a good batting wicket as well.
Augusta lost opener Brenton Tebbutt in the 2nd over before David Beilken (59) and Brian Halliwell (17) stabilised the innings with a 2nd wicket partnership of 73 in the next 19 overs.
At drinks Augusta were well placed at 2 for 87 before losing Beilken in the 3 rd over after drinks. Tyson Warnke (28) and Ben Kennedy (24) then had a 4th wicket of partnership of 46 in 11 overs before Kennedy went caught on the long on boundary and Warnke was out 3 overs later leaving Augusta 5 for 155 in the 40th over.
The tail failed to wag as the Vasse bowlers claimed 5 for 13 in the next 5 overs to restrict Augusta to 168 off 44.5 overs.
Best of the Vasse bowlers were Dean Ebert (5 for 41 off 8.5 overs) with four of these wickets coming in the last 5 overs, Aaron Beckett (2 for 12 off 4 overs) and single wicket takers being Shaun Uren, John Albury and Alex Eades.
In reply Augusta could have had the dream start but Vasse skipper John Albury was dropped on a duck in only the 2nd over before he and fellow opener Aaron Beckett put on an opening stand of 43 in 8 overs as the Augusta bowlers struggled to find the right length on the turf wickets and their fieldsmen look very apathetic.
After Becketts dismissal Kennedy bought on 13 year old leg spinner Callum Woods and he quickly claimed the wicket of Dave Abel cheaply and then had Albury stumped for 43 as he helped turn the match in Augusta’s favour. Tyson Warnke them claimed two quick wickets to see Vasse under pressure at 5 for 76 in the 18th over.
Alex Eades and Shaun Uren then got Vasse to drinks (5 for 90 off 23 overs) and then got the score to 110 in the 27th over before Callum’s dad Brad bowled Uren (18) to have Vasse 6 for 110. Woods then combined with Tyson Warnke to run through the tail as Vasse lost their last 4 wickets for only 14 runs to be bowled out for 124 in the 34th over.
Best of the Augusta attack were Tyson Warnke (3 for 20, 6.4 overs), Brad Woods (2 for 13 from 4 overs), Callum Woods (2 for 13 from 4 overs) with Braden Warnke and Blake Gillam each taking a wicket.
August now face Cowarumup at home this Saturday in what will be their first game on their newly laid synthetic wicket.
