Hawks A Grade
After what has seemed like an eternity since the Christmas break, the Hawks returned to Gloucester Park to face the much fancied, and premiership favourites, St Mary’s side in Round 13 of the home and away season.
Continuing his good form, Skipper Matt Kent won the toss and the visitors were put into bat on an even deck.
The opening combination of Kent and Garstone soon realised that the ball was coming onto the bat nicely and the home side would have to fight for their wickets.
Lowe was removed early, but following that dismissal was a series of good partnerships for the visitors.
Both sides went into the game without key personnel, however from the sidelines it was evident that the Hawks lacked their trademark energy and pressure.
This manifestation resulted in several dropped catches and general fielding mistakes uncharacteristic of the Hawks this year.
Saints capitalised with a solid series of partnerships and by the end of 50 overs had reached a season high total of 223 against the Hawks.
This total, regardless of the statistics, equates to only 4.5 per over and in this form of cricket should be seen as easily attainable, especially on a good wicket.
The Hawks went into bat knowing this! Gareth Edmonds and Rumesh Silva opened the batting and both looked comfortable until Edmonds skied a full toss from stalwart Pete Morris.
“Weddings, Parties, Ahola“ joined the Sri Lankan at the crease and was looking in control until the Panda turned up the gas on a miss field and promptly BBQued the ex captain with fries and a load of sides!.
Kade Dittmar joined his remorseful brother at the crease and alas the miscommunication between the wickets continued.
If this is not sorted out before finals time there could be tears!
A basic element of cricket, and one the opposition identified and used to their advantage.
To the credit of these two, they worked hard till drinks and at the break the home side were in a potentially match winning position at 2/82.
This meant basically that Hawks needed to score at a run per ball in the ensuing 25 overs after drinks.
A mental shift was required where every run was crucial.
Silva and Dittmar worked it out and managed to ruffle the opposition feathers by taking some quick singles but it was the absence, and time between boundaries, that saw the required run rate steadily climb.
Eventually the pressure from Saints tight bowling and field placement denied the Hawks any home ground bragging rights.
Silva registered his second half century for the club and Kade performed well in a stand - in keepers role but really it was a lack lustre day for a side that expects more from itself.
The Hawks finished all out for 180 which is a reasonable 20/20 score but well below par for a 50 over match on a premium batting pitch.
Back to the drawing board! A reality check and chance to regroup after some analysis and discussion.
- Paul Tognolini
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BMRCA CRICKET
A RETURN to form by fast bowler Haig Colombera held the key for YOBS when they won the top-of-the-table clash against St Marys in the Busselton-Margaret River’s A-grade cricket competition at Barnard Park on Sunday.
The derby between the Busselton sides produced a hard-fought game in top conditions, with the turf at Barnard Park showing the benefit of a rest.
An opening stand of 58 between Harvey Golding and Nayton Colombera laid the foundations for YOBS’ total of 147 all out in 48 overs. Swing bowler Peter Grygorcewicz starred with the ball for Saints to grab 5-14 off 8.3 overs. Saints were held to 109 all out in reply, with Haig Colombera taking 4-22 and Neil Langenhoven 3-23 for YOBS.
The busy weekend of A-grade cricket saw a T20 double-header played on Saturday and also Sunday.
Saturday’s double-header at the Dunsborough Playing Fields started with a close game as Dunsborough got up to narrowly defeat the favoured YOBS.
YOBS were 75 at the halfway mark of their innings, but were held to 5-126 off their full 20 overs thanks to tight bowling from Lachie Milton (2-17 off 4 overs) and a great display of fielding by skipper Nick Ritchie, who held two good outfield catches despite an injured hand.
Harvey Golding hit a fine 50 for YOBS. Dunsborough responded with 6-132, winning in the 19th over with experienced left-hander Aaron Mott (36 not out) the mainstay of the innings, after Josh Reagan started with a breezy 35 in the opening six overs.
The second game at Dunsborough saw Cowaramup recover from the loss of Kavy de Silva for 1 to make a respectable 8-89 from their 20 overs.
One incident of concern took place when a bouncer from Haig Colombera failed to get up and Fraser Oates (ducking) was hit in the head, the ball then rebounding on to the stumps to see him out bowled.
Spinners Ben Payne and Troyden Thorp took two wickets each for YOBS, who went on to win the game in the 14th over.
In-form opener Harvey Golding hit an unbeaten 57 for YOBS to finish the day with 107 runs for once out – a fair performance in T20.
Sunday’s T20 double-header at Margaret River started when Cowaramup were contained to 7-75 off 20 overs by Hawks, with Kavy de Silva (28) topscoring for the Bulls. Rumesh Silva’s unbeaten 43 led Hawks to a nine-wicket win in the 15th over.
The second game saw Dunsborough score an excellent total of 3-189 off 20 overs against Cowaramup, Ben Christmas (56), Ethan Beatty (42) and Aaron Mott (66) all playing their part well.
Cowaramup replied with a decent 127, Fraser Oates notching 46 runs and Ethan Beatty (4-15) completing a great day.
Troy Rasmussen took 2-5 off four overs with two maidens to lead Nannup to victory over Margaret River Hawks in their C-grade T20 game at Nannup on Saturday.
Hawks were restricted to 8-77 off 20 overs, and Nannup went on to win the game in the 16th over in reply.
Ray Pes struck an outstanding 84 not out for Dunsborough in their winning total of 5-154 against St Marys at the Dunsborough Playing Fields.
Dunsborough completed a strong day when they went on to defeat Vasse in the second game.
Lincoln Gray hitting an impressive innings of 60no to set up YOBS’ winning total of 5-145 in their game against Augusta at Cowaramup.
Augusta won on forfeit in the other scheduled game against Cowaramup, whose team was affected by Junior Country Week commitments in Perth.
RESULTS: Nannup 3-81 (15.1 overs) (S. Shaw 24, J. Merritt 20) b MR Hawks 8-77 (20 overs) (S. Mills 3-10, T. Rasmussen 2-5). Dunsborough 5-154 (20 overs) (R. Pes 84no, C. King 35, K. Rogers 4-25) b St Marys 6-130 (20 overs) (B. Hall 39no, G. Sly 36, M. Yarwood 30, B. Keyser 2-17). Dunsborough 5-117 (20 overs) (R. Pes 29no, A. Mahoney 25, A, Coultas 20no) b Vasse 93 (19.2 overs) (A. Coultas 3-10, D. Wheelan 2-5, A. Pantelias 2-20). YOBS 5-145 (20 overs) (L. Gray 60no, S. Maitland 35, T. Warnke 2-22) b Augusta 95 (17.2 overs) (T. Warnke 29, S. Godridge 3-17, J. MacKinnon 2-4, D. Cameron 2-13). Augusta b Cowaramup on forfeit.
- Alan Miller
