The North West CHS side (back from left) Toby Fox, Scott Brennan, Nick Whan, Harrison George, Matt Kent, Kel Walls (front from left) Michael Dawson, Campbell Baker, Sage Cook, James Psarakis (capt), Matt Everett (vc), Tom Lavender, Jake Brayshaw.
NORTH West slumped to a second successive loss in its State CHS Boys’ Cricket Carnival at Penrith with a second successive disappointing batting display.
Only Armidale’s Michael Dawson and Tamworth’s Matt Everett were able to reach double figures in a disastrous batting display that cobbled together just 96 and a seven wicket shellacking from Sydney West at Jamieson Park yesterday.
NW manager Kel Walls was a despondent figure yesterday after all CHS Carnival matches were confined to synthetic wickets again after more overnight rain had made turf wickets unplayable.
Today’s game against Hunter will also be on synthetic.
“Our batting performance hasn’t been up to standard,” Walls said yesterday.
“We only made 96 off 44 overs.
“We did bowl very well but we didn’t put our heads down and concentrate.
“Michael Dawson (32) opened and batted well but we were 3-6 at one stage.
“He and Matty Everett (41) put on a good partnership and we got back to 4-79.
“Matty has performed very well – he scored 69 on the first day.
“He’s also kept very well.
“I don’t think he’s let a bye go through and put his hand up for selection in the CHS sides.
“Michael batted well too but we just haven’t given our bowlers anywhere near enough runs to bowl at.
“Sydney West scored the winning runs off 26 overs, three down.
“We called the game off at 4-109.”
Scott Brennan was the pick of the NW bowlers yesterday, claiming 2-22 with his spin while Dawson also took 1-22 and Inverell’s Tom Lavender 1-16.
‘We’re hoping for a lot better application from our top order against Hunter,” Walls said of today’s third-round match.
“We need to score some runs to give the bowlers something to bowl at.”