Ducks into premier mix with 57-run Hawks rout
A rampant Dunsborough Cricket Club have bustled into contention for this year’s Busselton Margaret River Cricket Association premiership with a comfortable 57-run win over the Margaret River Hawks on Saturday.
Margaret River have dropped their last three matches and slipped from top spot to second with the steadily improving DCC quickly gaining a competitive edge with a formidable top-order batting line-up.
Dunsborough opener Aaron Mott is in good form, having scored more than 350 runs this season including one half-century, two knocks above 40, and three in the 30s including last Saturday’s 33.
Mott, an aggressive off-side batsman, was caught at slip off a tempting wider delivery from Hawks all-rounder Grant Garstone after middling several powerful shots that quickly went to the boundary.
First-drop Phil Watts helped Dunsborough continue on their merry way after the dismissal of Mott, but when Watts was caught by Garstone off the crafty leg spin bowling of Hawks veteran Peter Crimp, Margaret River were looking to restrict the Ducks to less than 150.
In strode flamboyant and skilful Barbadian Riccardo Small-Boyce, who proceeded to flick the Margaret River bowlers effortlessly around the park for a top score of 44.
Small-Boyce was left six runs shy of a half-century in a welcome return to form, as Dunsborough posted a commanding first-innings total of 193 off 50 overs.
Hawks’ Sri Lankan imports Charitha Jayampathi (45) and Rumesh Silva (49) provided a solid resistance, but when Silva was caught by Mott off Mik Vogelsanger, the Hawks were all out for just 136.
With just four rounds to go, Dunsborough will host top-of-the-table Yobs on Saturday at Dunsborough Playing Fields, with the winner taking a major confidence boost heading into finals.
Yobs easily accounted for St Mary’s for the second week in a row last Saturday, and the T20 premiers are looking to carry their superb form into the finals with a consistent and healthy squad.
The Hawks will host bottom-of-the-ladder St Mary’s at Gloucester Park on Saturday and will be desperate to rediscover their early season form.
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