The Peel Cricket Association’s A-grade side remains unbeaten two days into the 2017 Senior Country Week carnival, thanks in part to some stellar play from batsman Ben Wright and bowler Ian Bowes.
After playing vital roles in the team’s opening day victory against West Pilbara, the duo again fired on day two to lift their side to a win over Geraldton Cricket Association.
Electing to bat first, Geraldton found themselves in some early strife as Grant Coles and Andrew Peckover both snagged early wickets.
Sitting in a 2/11 hole, opener Jai Russell did his best to pull his team out.
But his 28 runs, along with Nigel Routledge’s 32, fell short of putting Geraldton in a strong position as Bowes led the Peel bowling attack to another stellar performance, dismissing Geraldton for just 122 runs.
Bowes finished with the figures of 4/17 from his nine overs, which included five maidens. His performance follows his game one figures of 4/21.
Peckover also impressed with the ball, taking three wickets at the cost of 23 runs.
With the bat, it was Wright who led Peel’s assault.
Wright played the role of sidekick to Waroona teammate Jayden Derosa in game one, but he took full charge against Geraldton, carving out 76 runs
He was supported by Craig Ford who managed 31 runs, and the duo’s impressive display covered for a collapse in the tail as Peel finished as victors with 168 runs.
Led by 69 runs to Adam Bremner, Peel’s B-grade side was able to bounce back from a slow start and claim its first win on day two.
Jaxon Standing tallied a half century with 53 runs while Kane Standing wasn’t far off the mark with 47 of his own.
The trio led Peel to a 264 run total, a target South Midlands could not chase down as they were dismissed for 183.
In the C-grade, Albany was no match for a Peel side flexing its muscles.
Batting first, Peel received strong contributions from a number of batsmen including 38 from Anthony Burt, 30 from Grant Matthews and 30 from Dylan Gray.
The side was eventually dismissed for 221 runs.
Albany barely sniffed the total they were chasing as Peel’s bowling attack made light work of their top and tail orders.
Andy Lister’s 37 top-scored for the side but they failed to resist the bowling of Nicholas Ranford who claimed 4/16 from just six overs.
Each of the D-grade sides also picked up victories, making it five wins from five games for Peel on day two.
For Peel CA 5, it was Bradley Williams who put on the show of the day as he smashed 170 runs without losing his wicket.
His innings included a massive 26 boundaries, 11 of which went over the rope for six.
Nicholas Scholl top scored in Peel CA 4’s victory with 73.