Beavers continue the push to finals

The Eaton Beavers kept up their chase on Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association First Grade leaders Colts when hostilities resumed after the mid-season Christmas break on Sunday.

After dismissing reigning premiers Hay Park for 146, the powerful Beavers’ top order peeled off the target in just 34 overs for the loss of four wickets.

Batting first, the Redbacks top order fell to Arron Quartermaine (1-18) and Steve Barron (2-22) for 36 before captain Jono Whitney (53 runs) and youngster Michael Tassone (25) gave the Redbacks a precious 46 run partnership.

Ryan Leybourne scrapped a handy 22 runs, but a lower order collapse had the visitors bowled out in the 49th over.

Two costly run outs of Tassone and coach Chris Waddingham slowed the run rate down, while the tail failed to wag, with Chris McMillan and Grant Milbanke both failing to trouble the scorers.

Whitney was caught by wicketkeeper Matt Davies off-spinner Matt Foreman to start a slide of six wickets for 15 runs, with the latter finishing with 3-23 off five overs to be the best of the bowlers.

Redbacks bowler Reon Tither gave the visitors hope, dismissing opener James Hillery for just eight runs, but some steady partnerships and a solid 56 run knock by Don Seaman put the Beavers in control.

This left Quartermaine (14 runs) and Clayton Caltsounis (26) to wrap up the game with an unbroken 42-run stand and hand the Beavers a six-wicket victory. This weekend Eaton battle Dalyellup, while Hay Park play Marist.