DUMARESQ Colts joined Inverell at the top of the MA Connolly Cup western conference standings with a 31-run win over Glen Innes at Glen Innes on Sunday.
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It was a bit of a stratchy win but the Armidale side got there in the end, dismissing the home side for 98 in reply to its 129.
Their day had got off to an usual start.
Not realising they were playing on synthetic, they all turned up with spikes, skipper Josh Croft said.
It was then a mad rush to get spike keys to take out the spikes.
Batting first, Dumaresq made a fairly solid start.
“We took 11 off the first over,” Croft said.
Openers Lochlan Elks (18) and Aaron Whackett (16) both got starts and, at 2-58, they were looking good to post a good total.
But they lost their way a bit after that, with Alex Brown (25) at three and Tom Benthall (21) at five the only other batsmen to reach double figures.
They did though profit from some wayward Glen bowling.
The home side bowled 20 wides and conceded 26 sundries all up.
While 129 was well below what Croft was hoping for, he thought they did pretty well.
They were a bit skinny on batsmen. He was the last of the recognised batsmen at four.
The outfield was also a bit slow and a lot of balls were pulling up. It was probably worth an extra 50 runs.
Skipper Shawn Mepham led the charge for Glen, taking 3-25, and was ably supported by Blake Steel (2-27), Luke Morris (2-9) and Jake Baker (2-18).
Croft didn’t really know a lot about the Glen side but said they knew if they went out and bowled well and bowled in the right areas they’d give themselves a chance.
Being on synthetic, Elks and Adam Sweeney weren’t as effective with the new ball as they might have been on turf, but did still strike early.
Glen was 3-28 at one stage and went to first drinks 7-72.
“We didn’t muck around much after drinks,” Croft said.
“We got the last three in seven overs.”
He said Jarred Graham was the pick of the bowlers. He came on at first change and claimed 3-15.
Col Starkey (2-27) also bowled well.
“He started doing a bit in the air with the ball and off the deck,” he said.
Jayden Every top-scored for the home side with 30 not out, but, as with Dumaresq’s innings, few made double figures.
Steel (22) and Joel Jackson (18) were the only other two.