Despite being heavily depleted, Rugby Union managed a strong win against bottom-placed St Pat’s Old Boys at The Scots School on Saturday.
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Bulldogs had five absentees, but that did not stop their determination to get the result.
The six wicket win for the Bulldogs keeps them in touching distance of ladder-leaders Bathurst City in Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade.
Saints went out to bat first and were just under three overs short of staying on the field for the whole 40 overs, finishing with 130 off 37.1.
When the Bulldogs went out to bat, they raced to 4-132 off 26.2 overs to win their fifth match of the season.
Bulldogs captain Sam Macpherson said his team worked hard to get the final result.
“The boys fielded and bowled really well,” Macpherson said.
“We probably let them get a bit too many at the end, but nevertheless we got a bonus point win.
“A few of the boys got good starts with the bat, but didn’t capitalise on it.”
Chris Albon opened the batting with Michael Tobin and Albon top-scored with 40 off 55.
Tobin managed only seven off 12 before he was given out leg before wicket from a Matt Fearnley ball.
Jeremy Thackray was in excellent form with the ball, taking 4-15 off eight overs, including one maiden.
Macpherson was next best with the ball, taking 2-9 of 2.1 overs.
Saints went out to bat on Saturday focused on staying in for the whole 40 overs.
They came agonisingly close to their target, being 2.5 overs short.
While Bulldogs were short by five players, the Saints were missing rising star Ben Parsons, Adam Ryan and captain Brendon Cutmore.
Saints stand-in captain Matt Fearnley spoke last week about how too often the middle order is collapsing after reasonable starts, and on Saturday there seemed to be a decent improvement.
Shane Broes top-scored for the Saints with a score of 36 and number seven batsmen Nic Millar was second-best with a score of 24.
Fearnley was best with the ball for the Saints, managing 2-36 off eight overs.
Broes took 1-14 off four overs and Adam Webber took 1-14 off one over.
Bulldogs’ next match is against play-off contender City Colts at George Park 2.
“Next week we have Colts, who always play a good, tough game,” Macpherson said.
Colts are fresh from a win against Centennial Bulls and currently sit third on the ladder.
The match on December 3 will start a run of three challenging games, with games against undefeated Bathurst City and ORC.
The Saints will host ORC on December 3 at Morse Park 1.