Marist arrest losing streak

Marist and their prolific captain Reece O’Connell are back in business.

On Saturday, the Blues arrested a Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association major league three-game losing streak at the Recreation Ground where they defeated depleted arch rivals Colts missing wicketkeeper Jordan Stynes, Blaze Rosinski, in-form seamer Eathan Kelly and Jon Boyle by four wickets in a thriller that went to the penultimate over of the match.

And largely responsible for the win was O’Connell steering his Blues past Colts’ 152 for the loss of six wickets with seven balls to spare.

Starting the season with a flourish courtesy of a hot trot by captain O’Connell, Marist led the points race early but with a brief loss of form by their big gun they hit the skids.

O’Connell was back to his best on Saturday, opening the Blues’ attack with his spinners and taking 3-30, following that up with an undefeated 55.

The match started with Colts winning the toss and batting but in early trouble with the loss of in-form junior Connor Ipsen in O’Connell’s first over for five and fellow youngster Jayden Goodwin caught by wicketkeeper Adam Spinelli off former Colts colleague Jack Wilson for 14 at 41.

English import Tim Raglan joined Murray Goodwin in a 55-run rescue act before Corey Fitt bowled Murray Goodwin for 47 at 3-96 with Raglan dismissed by Sam Roots at the same score.

Alan Utterson and O’Connell between them scattered the Colts’ middle order for a 2-96 tally to 152 all out.

All rounder Ipsen made up for failure with the bat with four of the six Marist wickets before a solid stint by Lee Sorfleet in a half century stand with Kyle Davis before they were both ousted by big Joe Barningham.

Another 55 had been added by Davis and O’Connell taking Marist to 3-112 and in sight of the target.

With 40 runs required off 10 overs the middle order men Brayden Clarke, Bryant and Spinelli were out for two runs between them, courtesy of Ipsen.

Marist looked shaky but with their prolific captain still in command they zoned in on their target.