Josh Smith continued his scintillating start to the Gunnedah Automotive Gunnedah Premier League as the the Imperial Hotel Tigers roared to a big win, while the McDonald’s Chargers charged their way to their second win when the second round was played on Friday night.
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Backing up his first game 49, Smith blasted 60 off 28-balls in a 25 minute burst that included three sixes and seven fours.
Stan Gaynor also chipped in with 17, Brad Swain 14, captain Mitch Swain 13 and Andrew Osmond a quick-fire 23no at the end as the Tigers posted 7-155 against the Tamba Industrial Bulls.
Smith’s innings came as little surprise to his skipper with the two having played together at Old Boys.
“Obviously Smithy is more known for his bowling in previous years to his batting,” Swain said.
He has in his view probably been a bit under utilised as a batsmen, generally batting in the tail.
“He’s always been able to bat,” he said.
Knowing how hard he can hit the ball, he has pushed Smith to the top of the order and he has delivered.
“He’s finding the middle of the bat,” Swain said.
He and Gaynor got the Tigers off to a great start putting on 78 for the first wicket, and in pretty quick time.
“We probably lost our way a little bit through the middle overs,” Swain said.
“That was just for chasing runs a bit. A few people went out there to try and push the run-rate along a bit, which is what I asked them to do.”
“We were in a position to be able to do that.”
It is the second game in as many they have scored in excess of 150 after making 4-193 in the first round.
“Anytime you score 150 in a Twenty20 game it’s always hard to chase,” Swain said.
“We needed that – they are a pretty good side.”
The Bulls were though never really in the hunt and replied with 9-106. Kris Lodge top-scored with 24 while skipper Adam McGuirk made 20, and Ben Middlebrook 18 to back up his four wickets.
“I think we just kept taking wickets at the right times and didn’t allow them to get on top of us,” Swain said.
He said they “had a lot” to improve on from the first week with the ball, and was admittedly happier with their bowling performance on Friday night, than their batting.
In the second game opener Jake Vigor hit 30, and James Mack and Blake Small 27 to anchor the Chargers to 8-119 against the Sign Print Stitch Stars.
The Chargers looked to have the Stars under control for much of their run chase but a late burst from Brodie Cleal (23no off 18) and Luke Ryan (15 off 20) saw them fall just five runs short in the end.
Captain Kaleb McIlveen earlier made 20 at the top of the order, while Small, Oscar King and Farran Lamb all claimed two wickets for the Chargers.
