THEY were the best performed team in the Bathurst District Cricket Association’s first grade one-day fixtures for season 2016-17, and on Saturday Rugby Union showed they will be tough to topple in two-day matches as well.
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The Bulldogs posted a three-wicket victory over Centennials Bulls at Brooke Moore Oval, successfully chasing the 274 required for victory as they finished at 7-283.
Having reached stumps at 1-50 on day one, top order batsmen Chris Albon (71) and Ryan Peacock (63) continued to build on Saturday.
Their partnership, which lasted 27 overs, took the score to 2-98 and set a solid platform.
Good contributions from skipper Sam Macpherson (68) and Andrew Smith (26), plus James Tristrum’s unbeaten 25 off 10 deliveries followed to see the Bulldogs over the line.
“Great chase by the boys, no-one threw their wicket away and batted with patience,” Macpherson said.
“Alby and Peackers got the boys off to a good start and while Andrew Smith only got 26, it was very patient and did the job in tough circumstances.
“James Tristrum’s heavy hitting at the end – he hit the ball clean and long – got us over the line.”
Twelve months earlier when Rugby Union and Centennials squared off in a two-dayer, the Bulldogs suffered an outright defeat. This time things were different.
This time the Bulldogs had good contributions throughout their batting line-up.
“With four or five regular first graders out, it’s great to see second graders stepping up and playing for their spot. [I’m] Very proud of everyone’s effort today,” Macpherson said.
While Albon and Peacock’s efforts in the opening hour on Saturday afternoon had Bulldogs in a good position, when the stand was finally broken by Mick Curtale there was still work to do.
Bulls rallied to put the pressure back on at 5-145, before Macpherson and Albon swung momentum again with a 56-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Macpherson scored at more than a run a ball before he fell with 30 runs still needed for victory.
Smith and Tristrum, who had taken 3-55 on day one, saw Bulldogs home for their seventh win of the season.
Tristrum’s short but aggressive stint at the crease produced a pair of sixes as well as two boundaries.
Curtale, who had made 76 on day one, produced a big effort with the ball for the beaten Bulls.
He bowled 26 overs, of which 11 were maidens, and finished with 2-48.
Bulls’ skipper Toole snared 2-34 off 10 overs, while Jamie Wicks (1-30 off 12) and Jeremy Nash (1-46 off 1) also took wickets on Saturday.
