Centrals returned to the BOIDC competition with a new look side from the one that started last season’s competition. Round 1 saw them pitted against last season’s runners up, in a tough re-introduction to BOIDC cricket.
St Pats Old Boys openers Andrew Brown (59) and Bailey Brien (28) made good first use of the Wade Park pitch with their opening stand helping their side to 1/94 at the drinks break. Cooper Brien survived two dropped chances before Centrals hung on to the third one shortly after the interval as Satveer Gill (4/35) and Kyle Nonnenmacher (1/31) helped slow the run rate as wickets fell until the Saints were dismissed for 184 in the 40th over.
Batting a player short after Hunter Hobbs injured his knee whilst fielding, the red and blacks toughed it out early but were unable to put together the match winning partnership they needed and succumbed to the St Pats Old Boys attack for 100, giving Saints the bonus point. Rupert Begg top scored with 34, whilst opener Angus Norton (20) and new keeper Freddie Wilkinson (20) made valuable contributions. Blayde Burke picked up 3/15, whilst Ben Parsons and Connor Slattery both bagged doubles.
Across town at Riawena Oval, CYMS captain Tom Belmonte made 82 from 93 deliveries to lead from the front as his team posted 186. Ant Spruce chipped in with 27 and Johnty French an unbeaten 25, while Jamie Cruickshank took 3/41 for Redbacks.
In reply, Bathurst City fell agonisingly short of victory, bowled out 1 run short of the CYMS total with 2.2 overs to spare. Opener Cohen Schubert top scored for his side with 57, while Liam Cain did his best to get Redbacks home with an undefeated 43. Peter Gott, Clint Moxon and Joey Coughlan all picked up 3 wickets for the green and golds.
At Bathurst Sportsground, Rugby Union successfully defended their total of 163 against Orange City. Openers Sam MacPherson (28) and Hugh Taylor (49) got Rugby Union off to a good start, but the Bulldogs looked in trouble until Jayden Brasier added 43 from number 8. Wickets were shared among the Warriors bowlers, with Jarryd Seib, Brett Causer, Gus Cornish and Ollie Brincat each taking 2 wickets.
Harry Grindle made 55 in his first BOIDC match, at the top of the City batting order as the Warriors finished at 9/145 at the end of their allotted overs. Sam MacPherson topped off a good match, bagging the first 5 wicket haul of the BOIDC season, taking 5/31 from his 6 overs.
Meanwhile, at Loco Oval Cavaliers made a good start to their title defence with a 77 run win over the home side. Cam Laird (85), Matt Corben (47), Hugh Middleton (46) and Tom Blowes (33) all made useful contributions in Cavaliers total of 8-267. Connor Brown was best with the ball taking 4/29. Colts made 8/190 from their 40 overs with Cooper Stephen topping the scoring with 56 and Russell Gardner making 30. Dan O’Reilly claimed 3/35 to be the best of the bowlers and help his side to the bonus point.