A 168-RUN partnership between Imran Qureshi and Ryan Peacock helped Rugby Union to its first win of the Bathurst District Cricket Association 2017-18 season on Saturday at the Sportground.
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Rugby downed a vastly different Bathurst City side to the one which beat it in last season’s grand final, winning the round five match by 83 runs.
While acting Redbacks captain Ben Orme did his best to inspire his young side – keeping things tight with the ball when others were punished and hitting an aggressive 24 opening the batting – his efforts were not enough.
On the back of Qureshi’s 114 – his second century in first grade – and Peacock’s 92, Rugby posted an imposing 4-276.
In reply City was all out for 193, Mark Day’s fighting 86 the highlight of Redbacks’ innings.
Rugby skipper Sam Macpherson, who took a handy 3-11 off six overs for his side, was delighted to see his Bulldogs open their account after a frustrating start to the season.
“The boys batted really well. [I’m] Very happy for Imran and Peackers, they batted superbly and showed their talent,” Macpherson said.
“We didn’t bowl or field too well for the first 20 overs, which is what we’ve done really well in the start of the season. [But] Tight bowling from spinners and Alby [Chris Albon] and some good catches finished it off nicely from us.
“We’re just happy to get the win and it’s a good feeling in the club at the moment across all three grades, which is great.”
Batting first at the Sportsground, Rugby lost Chris Albon early for seven, but that saw Peacock join Qureshi at the crease.
Western Zone representative Peacock got off the mark with a single then cracked four boundaries as he made a good start to his innings. He finished with 11 fours and a six on his way to his third-highest score in first grade.
Qureshi also regularly found the boundary, sending the ball to the rope 15 times as almost every member of Redbacks’ attack was punished.
When Peacock finally fell to Clint Moxon it was 2-179 and number four Tyler Horton kept momentum going as he made 20 before departing.
In the last over Imran Qureshi finally fell to Adam Orme, his 114 adding to the unbeaten 100 he scored last season against ORC.
Ben Orme was the best of Redbacks’ bowlers with 1-26 off eight overs, three of which were maidens.
He then opened the batting for his side in impressive fashion, belting three boundaries then a pair of sixes before falling to Jeremy Thackray for 24.
Mick Tobin (26) and Mark Day (86) kept things ticking along as they took the score into triple figures before the former was stumped off Peacock’s bowling.
That made it 2-106, but from there Day found little support aside from Daniel Carter’s 21, Macpherson earning a pair of leg before wicket decisions in his three scalps.
Albon chipped in with 2-6 off his two overs as Redbacks lost its last six wickets in the space of 21 runs.
The result means every side now has a win this season. Rugby is still on the bottom of the ladder and Pat’s on top with three victories.
ORC, City Colts, and Centennials Bulls all have two wins heading into the Twenty20 portion of the season, which commences with a double-header this Saturday.