The second of the weekend’s Round Two Barrier District Cricket League (BDCL) A Grade fixtures took place at Alma Oval on Sunday morning and saw West remain undefeated, with a 15-run victory against Central who suffered a second consecutive loss to start the 2023/24 season.
Central won the toss and elected to field and inside the first four overs of the day, David O’Mally (3/39) had claimed the wickets of both West openers.
In came Paddric Attard (59 off 94) who, after taking a few overs to get going, steadied the ship for his side, striking the ball well with six fours and a six, and forming several strong partnerships, including a 34-run third-wicket partnership with Peter Christos (28 off 53), followed by a 75-run stand alongside Max Everuss (20 off 39) saw West 4/122 in the 34th over.
Paddric would ultimately fall to Kade Ticehurst (4/20) as the Central bowler found himself on a hat-trick after Laurence Hebberd fell for a golden duck before West’s tailenders took the side’s innings into the final over, being bowled out for 162 and setting Central a target of 163 for victory.
Central faced their own struggle to get going in the early stages of their innings, with Colby Stenhouse (3/31) taking the scalps of both opening batters inside the first six overs. However, just like their opponents, Central looked to have a saving grace at number four in the form of Sheldon Hall (74 off 41).
Sheldon hit seven fours and five sixes on his way to his total and at the time of his wicket – bowled by Callum Rosewarn (4/31) trying a reverse sweep – Central was 5/123 at just over the halfway point of the innings. His wicket brought about Central’s downfall, losing the next five wickets for 24 runs, falling short of the target, all out for 147 runs.
“The boys found it a little bit difficult to bat early. There weren’t many runs out there,” West captain, Mackenzie Attard, told the Barrier Truth.
“Central set a good field to every single one of our batters as they always do, JP (Jarred Paull) is an excellent captain. We lost a couple of wickets early, but we tightened the strings and knuckled down. Paddric batted wonderfully as he has the last couple of weeks. It was a real good contribution all around.”
The BDCL A Grade competition takes a break this weekend for the Representative Game against Red Cliffs.
Round Three begins on Friday, November 10. West face North at Alma Oval from 6pm, and on Sunday, November 12, Central play South from 12.30pm at Alma Oval. Both are T20 fixtures.
PICTURES: JASON IRVINE
