Crusaders beat Riv, Colts thrash Titans

BY MICK CATTANACH

Two cricket matches were played on the weekend.

Saturday saw the traditional rivals Riverina Rattlers take on the South Hay Crusaders.

Batting first, the Crusaders were kept quiet by the Rattlers opening attack of Liam Whitbourne and Bill Auldist as they fell to two for 17 after eight overs.

However, Simon Bunyan combined with Zac O'Neil and they lifted the scoring before Simon lost his wicket for 29.

This brought Conrad McGinty to the crease.

He contributed with some big hitting at the end of the innings to push the Crusaders’ score to a respectable 136 off the 25 overs.

In reply, Liam Whitbourne combined with Jason Aylett to get the Rattlers to 46 after the early loss of skipper Dean Aylett.

At that point Simon Bunyan removed Liam for an aggressive 37.

The Rattlers then lost a further three wickets with the addition of only three runs.

The innings never really recovered despite Bill Auldist, who is recapturing his batting form and Dan Jamieson both keeping the Crusaders bowling at bay.

However, they were unable to seriously threaten the Crusaders score, finishing on 87 for their overs to see the Crusaders run out comfortable winners by 49 runs.

South Hay Crusaders 5/136 (C McGinty 44 not out, Z O'Neil 31, S Bunyan 29, B Phillips 2/22) defeated Riverina Rattlers 7/87

(L Whitbourne 37, H Casmiri 17, B Auldist 11, D Jamieson 10 not out, S Bunyan 2/4, P Jubb 2/8).

In the other match the South Hay Colts turned the tables on the Hay Titans, after the Titans had beaten them at their last encounter.

The Titans batted first and were in trouble early against the Colts opening attack of Rupert Lilburne and Josh Gardiner falling to three for 13 early.

However, Titans experienced players Ajay Patel and Pintoo Goswami combined to keep the Colts bowling at bay as they ensured the Titans were able to post a total.

Despite Jensen Hargreaves and Josh Gardiner picking up late wickets, the Titans were able to bat their allotted overs finishing on 98 runs off the 25 overs.

In response, the South Hay Colts were able to gather in the total in over 17.

Initially Jensen Hargreaves combined with Will Simpson and Ben Arandt, before brother Hilton Hargreaves then combined with Josh Gardiner to lead the chase.

Hay Titans 9/98 (A Patel 40, P Goswami 24 not out, J Gardiner 3/12, J Hargreaves 3/24) were defeated by South Hay Colts 4/100.

(J Hargreaves 38, H Hargreaves 26 not out, J Gardiner 11, W Simpson 10, B Arandt 10, A Patel 2/27)

Pictured are Liam Whitbourne (left) and Ben Phillips (right), two cricketers who have enjoyed great seasons this year. Image: The Riverine Grazier/Margie McClelland.