Michael Rixon carried his bat and the Northern Inland Bolters to a seven wicket win over the Macquarie Coast Stingers in their Plan B Regional Bash conference series clash in Coffs Harbour on Saturday.
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The opener struck an unbeaten 48 off 53 to guide the Bolters to 3-106 in reply to the Stingers’ 9-102.
Skipper Tom Groth had heading into the weekend singled out Rixon and opening partner Simon Norvill as two of the big guns for them, and the pair lived up the prediction getting the Bolters off to a flyer.
They put on 48 for the first wicket in under seven overs with Norvill scoring a blistering 27 off 11 that included two fours and two sixes.
It was all set up for Bolters from there, Rixon taking the reins and with Mick Dowdell (15no off 13) finishing off the job Tom O’Neill had started with a brilliant performance with the ball.
The South Tamworth paceman really strangled the Stingers batsmen early, claiming the first three wickets as they stuttered to 3-18 at one stage.
He finished with 3-16 off his four, and was well supported by Dan Cunningham (2-19), Brad Redshaw (1-14) and Scott Brennan (1-17) in particular.
The Bolters are scheduled to play the Coffs Coast Chargers and Northern Rivers Rock on Sunday with the best-performed side over the weekend earning a spot in the Sydney Sixers Conference play-off at the SCG next weekend.
Northern Inland side: Tom Groth ©, Simon Norvill, Michael Rixon, Tom Fitzgerald, Lachlan Cameron, Mick Dowdell, Craig Trindall, Jack McVey, Brad Redshaw, Scott Brennan, Dan Cunningham, Jai Tasker, Tom O’Neill.