Immaculate bowling and a bundle of strong performances with the bat saw the Peel Cricket Association flex its muscles with a win over West Pilbara Cricket Association on day one of Country Week on Sunday.
It was all-around dominance for Peel in their first game defending their 2015/16 title, dispatching their opponents early and then piling on a solid score with the bat.
After being sent into bat first, West Pilbara started with some nice shots and a 43-run stand between openers Patrick Richards (5) and Corey Rutgers (40).
But things went downhill when Peel broke the partnership, as the eventual victors piled on wickets with regularity and restricted runs.
Jackson Davey did his best to resist the Peel attack with 21 but he could not overcome his side’s struggles.
Ian Bowes tore through the West Pilbara batsmen to claim four wickets at the cost of just 21 runs, while Chris Loveridge and Daniel Abel both shone with two wickets.
Chasing just 92 runs for victory, Peel almost got the job done without losing a wicket.
Waroona duo Jayden Derosa and Ben Wright put on a show with an opening stand of 86. Derosa finished with 76 (nine boundaries) while Wright was bowled out on 45.
Even contributions from the rest of the order saw Peel cruise past West Pilbara and finish on 238 runs from 58.2 overs.
The big win takes Peel’s A-grade side immediately to the top of the ladder.
Peel’s B-grade side was not as fortunate, being beaten by Esperance after a century from Michael McArthur lifted his side to victory.
The PCA side fought hard to chase down the total but fell comprehensively short in their efforts.
But the result was different in the C-grade, as Peel put on a blistering batting display to overcome a century from North Midlands’ Brett Broad.
Broad tallied 103 for his side but Brandon Burt carved out an unbeaten 101 for Peel, teaming with half centuries to Elliot Foote and Anthony Burt to secure a win for the defending C-grade champs.
It was mixed results for the two Peel D-grade sides, with PCA 5 claiming a win over South Midlands before PCA 4 was beaten by Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association.
Day two fixture – Monday, January 16
A-grade
Peel CA 1 v Geraldton CA
Kingsway Sports Ground 1, 10am
B-grade
Peel CA 2 v South Midlands CA 1
Kingsway Sports Ground 2, 10am
C-grade
Peel CA 3 v Albany CA 3
Alderbury, 10am
D-grade
Peel CA 4 v Northam CA 2
Allen Park Syn, 10am
Peel CA 5 v Bunbury and Districts CA 4
Coolbinia Reserve 2, 10am
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
