ORC have made sure that they’ll take a win away from a disrupted one-day Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade season thanks to a convincing nine-wicket win over an understrength Blayney side at King George VI Oval on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Blayney were rolled for 95 off 24 overs and it took ORC just half of that time to chase down the total in what was a show of raw batting power from the visiting side.
Blayney’s captain Nick Bird (34) provided the only bright spot in what was otherwise a bleak innings from the hosts, and the day didn’t get much better with the ball in hand.
ORC didn’t muck around in their chase with captain Trent Fitzpatrick (47 not out) and Jeremy Judge (28 not out) to wrap the match up early.
Jameel, Imran and Yousef Qureshi plus Dave Rogerson were all absent from the Blayney line-up and ORC took full advantage.
It’s been a long wait for the first win but the taste was very sweet for Fitzpatrick.
“They obviously missed the three Qureshi boys. We just got stuck into them early and got it done quickly. I’d say the 10 wides was the only bad thing to come from out in the field,” he said.
“That really felt like our first game of the season. We’ve had a loss, a bye, four washouts but now a bonus point win, so it’s great that we’re able to take something away from the one-day games which have now ended.
“A lot of the guys have probably been a bit rusty, so for them to play the way they did against Blayney was very impressive.”
Economical and strong, consistent bowling from ORC kept Blayney on the back foot throughout their innings.
Tim McKinnon’s leg spin proved difficult to contain as he led the bowling figures for the visitors with a 3-11 off just four overs.
Judge (2-15) and Mick Fardon (2-17) were also enjoying a great day with the ball.
Fitzpatrick team’s positive intent with the bat was evident from the opening deliveries.
“Wayne Sellers came out with aggression and only got 12 runs but it didn’t come off many balls. Myself and Jeremy Judge came in and we continued that trend,” he said.
“I think we can take a lot out of that game. We were very consistent with our line and length. Tim McKinnon was especially pleasing with his leg spin, which is something that he switched over to and is still a work in progress. It’s come along well.”
The match was just the second completed fixture of the season for Blayney as well, who will also go into the two-day matches with one win and one defeat.