T20 BDCA match reports

Last season’s reigning champions Hay Park were part of the big hitting entertainment at Forrest Park on Saturday, with wicketkeeper Ash Sbizzirri smashing the ball into the a number of backyards several times during a frenetic 58 in his side’s win over Dalyellup Beach.

The Redbacks chased down the Settlers’ target of 7/131 in double-time for the loss of just five wickets with Hay Park stalwart Mark Steven partnering well with Sbizzirri.

With the likes of Ross Knoll and English teenager Oliver Westbury no longer in the side and coach Chris Waddingham nursing a sore knee, the Redbacks were given little hope of retaining their title but they put in a strong sortie in spite of the absences.

In the blistering hot midday sun, the Redbacks started their Twenty20 campaign on a winning note and put their competition on notice.

The First Grade games at Forrest Park started with a strong win by Dalyellup Beach over Marist, thanks to Scott Harber (56) and Dan Lomax (56) who slammed half centuries to set a solid target of 8/175.

Dalyellup then restricted the Blues to 7/141 courtesy of captain Ben Cooper, who took 3-14 off four overs.

Marist made up for their loss in the third set of fixtures with English import Tyler McGladdery scoring a blistering 68 not out, backed by rising star Brayden Clarke (21 not out) to claim a comfortable win over Collie.

The Blues dismissed the coalminers for 115, with Matt Anderson (3-21) and Alan Utterson (3-22) taking scalps before their batsmen got them home for the loss of just three wickets.

Will Cleggett was the top scorer for Collie, hitting 33 not out, including two sixes and two fours, with teammates Thomas Plumber and Fraser Hislop the only others to reach double figures.

James Hillery belted the Eaton Beavers to two crucial victories in the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association T20 round robin at the Leschenault Turf on Saturday.

Hillery played a vital role in Eaton’s respective matches, smashing an unbeaten 59 against Leschenault and then 46 verses Harvey-Benger.

Hillery and Clint Hewson forged a 103-run first wicket stand in the opening encounter against the Green Caps to build a solid foundation for the Beavers.

COLTS have continued their hot form in the one-day competition in the league’s shortest format, making light work of both Collie and Hay Park at the Recreation Ground on Saturday.

The Coalminers were the first to feel the wrath of a determined Colts outfit, who claimed a comprehensive 56-run victory to open their Twenty20 campaign.

Batting first, stand-in captain Cruize Ciallella made a patient 53, with Murray Goodwin (37) and Nick Barr (18) in support, helping the hosts post 130 off their 20 overs for the loss of just the three wickets.

Collie were in trouble early when opener Blair Malatesta fell for a first ball duck, before steady wickets fell to see the Coalminers bowled out for 74 in 18.1 overs.

Ethan Kelly was the main destroyer with the ball, taking 3-16 off 3.1 overs, while Ciallella contributed with two wickets for just 11 runs.

Reigning Twenty20 champions Hay Park played Colts in the afternoon and put up more of a fight, but an excellent 60 from 52 balls by Murray Goodwin had the home side set a competitive 143 for victory.

Stephen Green supported Goodwin with a handy 44, as Colts took to the Hay Park bowlers with ease.

James Ewing was the pick of the bowlers for the Redbacks, taking 3-21 off his four overs.

Hay Park’s run chase began promising, with openers Dave Taylor (25) and Kris Miller (32) putting on a first wicket stand of 49.

But some tight bowling by Joe Barningham (2-16 off four overs) and Ciallella (2-17 off four overs) kept the Redbacks to just 119 off their 20 overs, 25 runs short of the target.

Chris McMillan tried hard down the order for the Redbacks, scoring 21 from 19 balls, but could not get his side home.

Stand-in Leschenault captain Kurt D’Agostino eventually ended the partnership, bowling Hewson for 66.

However, Hillery was undeterred and combined with Matt Davies (50) to propel Eaton to 181 at the compulsory close.

Leschenault were left to rue missed opportunities, after dropping five catches during the innings.

In reply, the Green Caps were unable to find any momentum and were skittled for 104 in the 18th over.

Daniel Standen offered resistance during Leschenault’s run-chase, muscling 30 in a knock which included two sixes.

The Beavers claimed a nail-biting win in the second fixture, chasing down Harvey-Benger’s target in the final over with just one wicket remaining.

Eaton had Harvey-Benger reeling early following a batting collapse, before skipper Scott Fowler (45) rallied to help the side to 108 off 20 overs.

Harvey-Benger’s bowlers worked to restrict Eaton’s chase, with young quick Zak Italiano claiming three wickets.

Yet, Hillery (46) and Clint Hewson (23 not out) overcame the lively attack and helped the Beavers achieve the target with just three deliveries and one wicket left.

Rod Shemeld guided Leschenault to a 23-run victory against cross-town rivals Harvey-Benger in the final clash of the day.

Shemeld blasted 51 off 22 balls against his former side in a 91-run opening stand with D’Agostino (51) which lifted the Green Caps’ total to 180 at the innings closure.

Youngster Italiano was again the most lethal Harvey-Benger bowler, snaring 3-28 off four overs, while Francois Roelofsz claimed 3-29.

Harvey-Benger was unable to reach the total, despite a swift 67 from Haydn Jones, reaching 6 for 157 at the compulsory close.

Shemeld claimed 3-26 for the Green Caps, while left-arm quick James Letchford took 2-34.