Claiming an 89-run victory over Leschenault in round 14, Eaton is the current favourite to take out the 2018/19 premiership title.
Cricket fans gathered in Leschenault on Saturday for a highly-anticipated showdown between the league’s top two teams.
Choosing to bat first, the Beavers celebrated after opening batsman Cory Fitt made a respectable 39 runs off 54 balls.
Fitt’s first partner, Perrin Quartermaine, was not so lucky, caught by Leschenault captain and wicketkeeper Matt Buchanan after facing just two deliveries.
After slogging five fours and one six, Fitt was also caught by Buchanan.
Top order batsman Christopher Marrow made 35 during his 107 minutes at the crease, before Arron Quartermaine delighted with 33.
Brenden Stemp starred for Leschenault by taking two catches, sending James Hillery (11) and Scott Tynan (0) back to the clubrooms.
Eaton was caught off-guard, with Tynan’s dismissal stranding the Beavers on 5/94.
Middle order batsman Clint Hewson later made a remarkable 69 not out off 52, including two fours and a whopping five sixes.
Clayton Caltsounis (20 off 12) helped the Beavers to a total of 6/230.
Leschenault was hampered by the quick dismissals of openers Matt Fink (17) and Kurt D’Agostino (4).
The home side was then 3/55 after Buchanan was caught by Marrow for 17.
Following the dismissals of Steven Dennison (29 off 41) and Jarrad Quinn (38 off 48), the Green Caps suffered a lower order collapse.
Eaton dismissed Leschenault with 12 overs remaining, collecting a bonus point in the process.
Fitt picked up 2/15 from five overs, while Steven Barron earned 5/28 from 10.
Colts retained third spot after obliterating Hay Park at Bunbury Recreation Ground.
Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, the Redbacks felt a wave of confidence wash over them.
Soon after, however, openers Fraser Thompson (5) and Graham Yates (2) spent only a few minutes at the crease.
Steven Florance (38) provided some relief, before captain Jono Whitney (39) knocked four fours and one six.
Hay Park watched in horror as five of its batsmen were dismissed without mercy.
Assisted by the spectacular bowling of Cruize Ciallella (3/18 from nine) Ethan Kelly (3/19 from nine), Colts saw Hay Park all out for 96.
Following the early dismissal of Jayden Goodwin (2), fellow opener Timothy Stewart knocked a deserving 25.
Top order batsman Murray Goodwin (33, six fours) helped Colts to reach Hay Park’s total in just 16.5 overs.
Marist also scored a bonus point in round 14, notching up a four-wicket win over bottom-placed Dalyellup Beach at Forrest Park.
The Beach Boys got off to a promising start, with Justin Woods knocking 27 including three fours.
Fellow opener Daniel Lomax was dismissed for a duck, before Dalyellup’s Corey Fagan slogged 23.
Captain and wicketkeeper Paul Jones then made an impressive 42no.
Following the disastrous collapse of its middle and lower orders, Dalyellup was all out for 136.
Jordan Stynes (3/20 from 5.3) and Ben Shipley (2/5 from six) were the Blues’ best bowlers on the day.
While chasing Daylellup’s total, Marist captain Reece O’Donnell established himself as one of the league’s best batsmen.
The top order juggernaut made 62 including seven fours, before Mark Steele and wicketkeeper Adam Spinelli hit 21 each.
Reaching Dalyellup’s total in 37.3 overs, Marist collected its third win of the season.
Credit was given to Dalyellup’s Justin Woods (3/32 from eight) for his work with the ball.
After taking a two-week break, the BDCA teams will return to the field on Saturday, February 2.
Dons too strong for Colts line-up
In the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association’s Second Grade competition, Donnybrook remains the team to beat after 12 rounds.
Batting first at Bunbury Recreation Ground, the Dons cheered after middle order star Paul Reynolds knocked 106 runs including a resounding 15 fours.
Putting up a total of 9/282 after 50 overs, Donnybrook crushed its opposition with the ball. Colts had a game to forget, all out for 100 after 33.1 overs.
Second-placed Collie continued its form with a 15-run victory over Capel.
Thanks to captain and wicketkeeper Greg Tomasini (122), the Coalminers were able to post 8/246.
Despite efforts from top order batsmen Nathan Scott (44) and Andrew Hutton (49), Capel was dismissed for 231 with one over to spare.
Harvey-Benger gained a bonus point during its 143-run win over Leschenault.
Helped by a strong performance from captain Scott Fowler (120, including 11 fours), Harvey-Benger made the most of its time at the crease.
Chasing Harvey-Benger’s 6/270, Leschenault’s top and lower orders crumbled.
Marist was outclassed by Eaton in round 12. The Blues were dismissed for 205, before the Beavers cruised to a six-wicket win with 13 overs remaining.
Eaton batsmen Mick Rogers (58) and Leigh O’Mara (63) were applauded for their half-centuries.
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