Western has set up a mouth-watering third round clash with NSW country cricket giants Newcastle after another win on day two of the McDonald’s Country Championship at Inverell.
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Western secured a two wicket win over Central Northern at McCosker Park No.1 on Saturday, limping somewhat to the all-out total of 104 the hosts set.
Pommy leg-spinner Darrel Williams was the star for Western, taking 5-33 from 9.2 overs as the defending champions tore through the Central Northern line-up.
Dubbo pair Jordan Moran (0) and Jordan Peacock (4) fell early in pursuit, though, leaving Western with a rebuild at 2-4, one that looked a increasingly shaky when Mitch Bower (19) and Ryan Peacock (4) both departed before the score ticked past 30.
But contributions from the middle order helped Western to the two-wicket win, Henry Railz top scoring with 26 not out while Greg Buckley’s 22 was also instrumental in the chase.
Newcastle is also undefeated after its opening two games of the northern pool carnival and posted totals of 8-274 and then 8-264 on days one and two respectively.
Western’s batting will need to improve to combat the in-form Newcastle arsenal, but Orange quick Jackson Coote, who backed up his 2-17 against North Coastal with 2-12 on day two, says his side’s bowling attack is on-song.
“The bowlers bowled in pairs and tightened things up and applied pressure, it was great to see,” Coote said.
“We definitely made it hard for ourselves with the bat but we took the game deep and was great to come away with a win.”
Western takes on Newcastle from Varley Oval from 10am on Sunday. The winner will progress through to the country championship final later in November.