Bothwell Cricket Club claim first grade scalp in captain's 100th game
Bothwell Cricket Club has stunned premiership contenders in a nail-biting finish, claiming their first win after four consecutive losses in dramatic fashion.
It had been a tough start in the Southern Cricket Association first grade competition for Bothwell Cricket Club having lost the opening four matches after being promoted from second grade this season.
But in his 100th game as captain, Cody Eyles led his side to claim its first win of the season against a premiership contender, Weily Park KLM Kings.
“The last few overs were intense, they were creeping closer but the boys held their nerve and finished it off beautifully,” Eyles said.
“It hasn’t been the best start to the year for us, we made some mistakes, dropping catches which cost us a few games early on which we could have.
“But it was awesome to get the win, finally get the first win in first grade and coming in my 100th game as captain as well was pretty awesome, it’s something I’ll never forget.
“There were some big celebrations that's for sure, it was a close game, we dropped one catch early and took the rest so that was probably the big difference.”
Eyles top scored with 65 from 54 balls after opening the batting, helping his side get to 156 before being bowled out in the 32nd over.
The Kings, who are sitting second on the SCA ladder, on paper looked like they would run the total down easily.
At 4-108, the game looked all but done with the Kings went on to lose 6-47 and lose by just one run.
“Matty (Eyles) and Caleb (Mayne) both bowled really well in the middle overs, they really did just change the game for us,” Eyles said.
“Bailey (Mayne) bowled really well, was great to watch and see him get us over the line and to take that final wicket, was just awesome to get the win.
“I probably didn’t think we had enough runs to be honest, they are a good side but I was really proud of how we bowled.
“It shows that the boys can do it and now we look to the next game.”
Bailey Mayne was the pick of the bowlers with 4-35 from 9.4 overs, including the final wicket of the match.
Fellow bowlers Matthew Eyles, who picked up 2-14 from his 10 overs and Caleb Mayne, who picked up 1-30 from his 10 overs, bowled in a “partnership” according to Cody Eyles.
Around the grounds:
Wellington have held onto their undefeated season by just 16 runs after claiming victory and its fifth win of the Southern Cricket Association season.
Coming up against a struggling Gurkha Legends, Wellington batted first with the top five struggling to make any real score as Wellington fell to 5-61.
Dylan Keating took his chance batting in the middle order with 40 from 76 balls as he was the eighth wicket to fall at 143.
The lower order, along with Nathan Kopper’s 23 from 47 balls helped steer Wellington to a defendable total of 160.
Legends opening bowler Dulaj Abeykoon and Janidu Colonne did the damage with the ball, both picking up 3-21 and 3-22 respectively.
In reply, Legends needed 52 for victory with one wicket in hand, with Anuradha Dissanayaka, the set batter, trying everything he could to get his side over the line.
Dissanayaka was the final wicket, caught on 52 from 50 balls, combining for a 35-run last wicket partnership to fall 16 runs short.
Wellington’s Colin Kelly picked up 4-41 from his eight overs, including the match winning wicket.
Around the grounds, New Norfolk’s batters returned to form with Jack Bowerman (132 from 110 balls) and Thomas Briscoe (112 from 75 balls) smashing their side to a 88 run win over Sorell.
The duo combined for 122 runs for the second wicket before Briscoe was dismissed in the 25th over.
Sorell’s Mathew Ford did the damage with the ball, picking up 5-41 from his 10 overs as the Redcaps finished at 9-311 from their 50 overs.
Timothy Smith led Sorell’s fight back with 81 from 70 balls but it wasn’t enough as Briscoe (3-43) and Josh Rowlands (3-42) rolled through the top and middle order.
Claremont have kept their season alive with four wicket win over Rokeby led by Kobe Bennett.
Bennett, who top scored with 88 not out from 75 balls, came in when his side were struggling at 4-102, needing a further 136 for victory.
Combining with Jade Clay (35 from 44), the pair put on 95 for the fifth wicket which changed the match.
Claremont finished at 6-244, passing the score in 43rd over.
It was Rokeby Ian Callinan who had a day out, top scoring with 55 from 73 balls to steer his side to 7-238 while also picking up 4-47 with the ball.
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Originally published as Bothwell Cricket Club claim first grade scalp in captain's 100th game
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