OLD Boys blasted their way to victory in typical fashion against West Tamworth at Chaffey Park on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Unfortunately for West, one opening bowler was missing and the other was living it up in the members’ stand at Randwick.
Young up and comer Sam Atwell was thrown in to open the bowling with Jules McGovern against an aggressive Simon Norvill and Adam Lole.
Atwell paid the price of inexperience but even a change in bowlers couldn’t stop the pair who put on an opening stand of 107 after just 11 overs.
When Norvill finally fell to third-change bowler Adam Penman, captain Ben Middlebrook came in and smashed 46 at better than a run a ball.
Lole also fell to Penman as he and Jack Mooney finally pulled the premiers’ run rate up and applied some pressure.
Young medium pacer Mooney ended with three after a good spell but the damage had already been done.
West captain Anthony Crompton praised his bowlers for eventually stemming the tide after Old Boys were 2-165 at drinks before eventually making 250.
“They were on their way to 400,”Crompton said.
“We did well at the end to get on top.”
Unfortunately, West couldn’t offer much in reply as both openers fell to Will Howard for just five.
The dangerous Harrison Kelly played and missed to be bowled before Howard caught Campbell Baker in front on the first ball of his third over.
When Mark Madden was run out by some handy work by Bon Winsor, West was 3-14 and Old Boys were looking at maximum points.
Penman went out to save the day, or at at least save face, and did that with a hard- fought 44 under pressure.
Toby Fox (16) and Adam Cruickshank (21 not out), and Crompton (16) were the only others to break double figures.
West slumped to be all out for 133 and remain clear bottom of the table, while the bonus-point victory has Old Boys in clear second place behind North.
“The boys batted really well for a good solid win,” Middlebrook said.
“250 is a good score on any track.”
The skipper said Norvill’s innings and partnership with Lole at the top cemented the win early.
“Will Howard and Chris Coulton really pinned them back early with the ball as well,” Middlebrook said.
“At 3-54 at drinks, we really took the game from them.”