OLD BOYS continued their impressive post-Christmas push with a second major scalp in as many weeks after trampling premiers South Tamworth in their Tamworth One Day game at Dick Edwards Oval on Saturday.
After compiling 178 in their 40 overs, Old Boys routed Souths for 120.
Their 58-run win followed the previous week’s decimation of competition leaders North Tamworth.
“Yeah, two good wins – North and South,” Old Boys skipper Ben Middlebrook said.
“I’m pretty happy with the way we’re playing. We just want to keep it going good.
“We have Bective next week.
“It would be nice to win that too and beat the top three.”
Middlebrook said “it all looks promising”.
Six of the first seven batsmen reached double figures for Old Boys on Saturday, with Paul Abra topscoring with 32 at number seven.
He ensured the side reached 178 after Simon Norvill (11), Chaise Crough (22), Luke Fox (19), Ben Middlebrook (22) and Dave Heyman (28) had all got starts.
South started well, with Josh Crowe (30) and Troy Osborne (20) putting on 66.
However things went pear- shaped when Matt Fullwood took a good catch on the mid wicket boundary to get rid of Crowe and four balls later Troy Osborne was given out lbw off a big inside edge.
Next ball, James Psarakis was caught and bowled by Will Howard (2-31) and the side had slumped to 3-66.
Will Chesterfield (2-25) and Vic Tharenou (1-22) kept it tight and Matt Fullwood (3-14) and South was humbled.
“They outplayed us in all facets,” South skipper Richard Rowlings said.
“We didn’t bowl or field well but they did bowl well – bowled in the right areas and we didn’t handle it.
“They are obviously starting to play some good cricket.”
Middlebrook agreed.
“The boys are going well,” he said.
“But our top four or five, we need someone to keep going and get that big score.
“Everyone chipped in a bit and Paul Abra batted well, held us together so we got near 180.
“That was a good score on this slow outfield.
“South had a great start too but we didn’t bowl well early.
“We had a good talk at the drinks break and they bowled much better.
“Vic (Tharenou) has been a good pick-up for us too.
“He bowls stump to stump.
“And Will (Chesterfield) is only a young spinner.
“He just needs time and patience and he will be a great player.”