CRICKET: The Marist Blues ascended two spots on the ladder on Saturday with a round 10 victory over the second placed Hay Park Redbacks.
In a game that seemed to seesaw for both sides, a knock of 65 runs from experienced batsman Paul Reynolds was enough to get Marist over the line.
The toss was won by Hay Park who elected to bat first and despite poor performances from openers from Ryan Leybourne (5) and Ross Knoll (3), posted a manageable score.
Steve Florance notched a nice 20 runs but it was a partnership of 54 between Jono Whitney and Kris Miller that put the Redbacks into the game.
Whitney took a slower approach facing 94 deliveries for 36 runs, while Miller teed off with a quick half century, putting up 53 runs from 49 balls.
However Graham Yates was the only tail order batsman to put up much a fight with 16, as the Redbacks finished with 175 runs from 50 overs.
Unlike Hay Park, Marist at least had one opener that was able to do some damage.
Corey Fitt may have been dismissed for a two-ball duck, but Reynolds put his side in charge.
Teaming up with Reece O’Connell (36) for a partnership of 90, the pair put Marist in charge sitting on the score of 2/109 when Reynolds was sent to the pavilion.
Despite two more ducks to Sam Roots and Harry Creasey, Shane Cristaldi (32) and Matt Foreman (26) got the Blues over the line with a score of 5/177 from 43.3 overs.
Next week Marist will take on Colts in a rivalry game at the Recreation Ground, while Hay Park tackles Eaton at the Eaton Sports Ground.
Leschenault def Colts
Reigning premiers Colts suffered another defeat on the weekend, this time to the lowly Leschenault Green Caps.
Credit where it is due though, the Green Caps were finally able to bat out an entire innings, losing only seven wickets to set Colts the target of 215 to win.
Tom Buchanan was solid once again with 58 runs while Jarrad Quinn (34) and Kurt D’Agostino (41) also put in solid efforts with the bat.
Colts fell seven runs short of their target, being dismissed with only three balls left in the innings.
Murray Goodwin scored 78 runs while Matt Nash totalled 44, but it was not enough for the reigning champs, who will stay in second last place on the table.
Collie def Dalyellup
Despite a third consecutive loss, the Dalyellup Settlers remain atop the LGM Industries Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association ladder.
Collie’s Mark Williams destroyed the Dalyellup attack claiming six wickets at the cost of 39 runs.
Scott Harber was Dalyellup’s top scorer with 23 runs.
Not only dangerous with the ball in hand, Williams also got his team over the line in their batting innings.
Williams hit 53 of his side’s total 97 runs, helping Collie to third on the ladder.
