Rocket is launched to power Dalyellup’s win

Rodney Shemeld, known as the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association “Rocket”, was launched from Forrest Park North on Saturday.

In doing so, he spearheaded Dalyellup Beach’s five-run victory over Marist – a defeat which resigned the Blues to their second consecutive loss by five runs or less.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the visitors lost opener Corey Fagan to an injudicious pull shot off the second ball of the innings, before the “Rocket” joined Mitchell Boyle at the crease with the Beach Boys’ scoreboard still blank.

Supported by a 49 ball innings of 19 by Boyle, Shemeld reloaded to take the visitors to 1-52 before they lost their second wicket following Boyle being run out.

The batting list was much of a one man show from then on, with Dan Lomax trapped leg before wicket by Ben Shipley.

Captain Paul Jones (19) and Jacob Robinson (eight) were promptly dismissed by rising star Brayden Clarke (2-44 off nine overs) as Dalyellup Beach staggered to 7-158 off their allotted 45 overs.

The Blues struggled at the start of their chase for 158, with Noah Greenmount (3-15 off seven overs) snapping up the wickets of openers Ben Clarke and Brayden Clarke along with Jaxon Cornford.

Reeling and needing a lift, the Blues fell further into the mire at 4-40 when Reece O’Connell was caught by Fagan off Zane Verhaaf’s bowling.

The hosts then received a boost when Shipley (48) and Kyle Davis (43) put on an enterprising 83 run middle order partnership.

Needing a further 23 runs for victory, the Blues wilted following the injection of Dan Lomax (3-8 off four overs), who cleaned up the lower order and ensured the Beach Boys recorded their first victory of the campaign.