Burton in the record books

UNHERALDED pace bowler Riley Burton created a piece of local history at the weekend when he captured a wicket with his first and second ever deliveries in A-Grade cricket for Cowaramup at Cowaramup Oval.

It is not known if any bowler has previously achieved this feat in the BMRCA’s 114-year history. If it has been done before the list will be a very short one.

Burton also took a wicket in his second over and would have had a fourth wicket in his third over but for a dropped catch behind the wicket.

The game against Yallingup-Oddbods eventuated into a good contest, despite YOBS being stricken by the absence of five major players due to skipper Nayton Colombera’s pre-wedding celebrations.

YOBS batted first and recovered from 7-74, with debutant Matt Birrell hitting an impressive 33 and allrounder Peter Vrankovich making a gritty 42, to total 9-150 from their 50 overs on a tricky wicket that frequently kept low.

Burton (3-12) and teenager Ben Cook (2-13) were best with the ball for the Bulls, who assured themselves of a comfortable six-wicket win with Cam Smith (37) and Tom Coulson (42) holding up the middle order.

At Bovell Park, Dunsborough gave up their brief tenure as leaders in the battle for the Yates Shield when they were skittled on a greentop for just 74 by Vasse.

Jacques Allen set the course of the game by finishing with 3-15 off six overs, ably assisted by captain Scott Young (2-14) and spinners Chris Dendle (2-7) and Tom Perks (3-7 off eight overs).

Dunsborough’s only decent contributor with the bat was Cain Reynolds with a swashbuckling 27, who benefitted from a let-off after being caught off a high full-toss which was no-balled.

Vasse assured themselves of an eight-wicket win with a 52-run opening stand between the ever-reliable Simon Harkness (33) and Ross Kettlewell (19).

At Gloucester Park, Margaret River Hawks restricted St Marys to 108 on another English-style seaming wicket, with the two most experienced Saints in Marc Ford (24) and Justin Chandler (40) saving their less experienced teammates from a sub-100 score.

Occasional legspinner Chris McLean (5-31) was the surprise packet of the day for Hawks, while another of the lesser lights in Alistair McIlroy (39 not out) led the way with the bat as the hosts secured a three-wicket victory with 10 overs to spare.

Teenager Sean Zahra with 2-12 off nine overs confirmed his promise as the leader of the Saints attack.

In B-Grade at Vasse Playing Fields, Dunsborough mounted an excellent 3-217 off 45 overs (Nathan Whitney 46, Tully Schofield 54 not out and skipper Cam Morris 81 off 69 balls) which proved beyond the reach of the home side,

Vasse responding with a respectable 175 runs, Mat Kammann hitting 43 and Toby Dunning capturing fine figures of 5-38 for Dunsborough.

At Margaret River St Marys totalled 146 which proved insufficient, despite the last pair of Trevor Ayers (35 not out) and Karl Clively (22) adding 43 for the 10th wicket.

Blake Gillam was the star for Hawks, returning 3-26 with the ball and then striking 74 not out as Hawks romped home by seven wickets.

In C-Grade, Dunsborough White routed Cowaramup for 55 at Dunsborough, Michael Byrne taking best figures of 3-11 for Dunsborough and Dillon Payne returning a miserly 2-5 off six overs.

The home side went on to enjoy an eight-wicket win.

At Bovell Park, YOBS Academy totalled 9-186 (father-and-son Justin Gilbert and Lochlan Gilbert hitting 48 and 45 respectively) and then dismissed Nannup for 133 (Colin Fox scoring 38).

Chase Gilbert with 3-11 completed a great day for the Gilbert family.

At Churchill Park, Dunsborough Blue restricted Yallingup-Oddbods to 113 all out (Mathew Cooper taking 3-6 off 7.2 overs) and got the runs with six wickets down, veterans Ian Purcell (39 not out) and Stuart Watson (35) showing the benefit of their experience for Dunsborough.

The last game at Margaret River’s Nippers Oval saw St Marys hold Hawks to 3-156 off 40 overs (Charlie Joyce striking 73 not out) and then total 7-158 in 35.3 overs (Ben Mattock hitting a career best 69no off 74 balls) to see the visitors win by three wickets with four overs in hand.

Scott Smith returned admirable figures of 5-18 for Hawks.