O’Connell stars again

Marist captain Reece O’Connell put on another dominant display as the Blues stormed to the top of the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association table with a strong win over Leschenault at Forrest Park on Saturday.

In a carbon copy of his massive first round heroics, O’Connell tore through the Leschenault lower order to take 5-20 after sending the Green Caps into bat on an overcast day.

But the all-rounder was not finished there, smashing an unbeaten 77 in a successful run-chase to give his side a handy five-wicket victory.

Leschenault’s perennial hero, skipper Tom Buchanan, was another star on the day, scoring 63 to lead the visitors to 9/144 from their 45 overs.

Buchanan glued his Green Caps together on the grey, damp afternoon, but when O’Connell brought himself on in the 26th over, he immediately made his presence felt.

O’Connell took the wicket of former skipper Brody D’Agostino (0) before a brief cameo from Riley Italiano (18 from 27 balls) was ended by Brayden Clarke (1-38 from seven overs).

From then it was downhill all the way for Leschenault with two run-outs, one by O’Connell who also added the prize wicket of Buchanan to his tally when he caught the batsman off his own bowling.

Marist made a shaky start to their chase for the 145-target with seamer James Letchford removing openers Max Bryant (five runs) and Corey Fitt (four runs) in his first six overs to give the Green Caps some hope.

But new recruit Kyle Davis (21 runs) put up his second successive cameo in a 79-run partnership with skipper O’Connell to haul the Blues back on course before Michael Newman had Davis caught by Josh Grime.

Clarke (4) and Sam Roots (8) were both dismissed by Matt Dodds (2-27 off eight overs), before O’Connell was joined by former skipper Adam Spinelli (15 not out) to guide the Blues home in the 41st over for their second win.