CITY Colts’ Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade season is building momentum following the club’s third straight win on Saturday.
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Colts stamped their authority over Rugby Union early in the Sportsground contest and rarely gave the blue and golds an opportunity to strike, galloping away to a 99-run win.
An unbeaten 80 for Colts’ Dave Giorgio and figures of 3-7 for Dave Henderson were the highlights for the winning side.
Colts’ Pat Hill said there were very few stumbles for the team against a high flying Rugby Union side, who boasted an unbeaten record heading into Saturday’s meeting.
“That’s three really good wins in a row. Apart from that first game, where we shot ourselves in the foot a bit, we’ve started the year pretty well,” he said.
“It was a big all-round team performance with the bat and ball and we didn’t fall away at any stage.
“It’s great having one person getting a big score but when you’ve got four other people making contributions then it makes a competitive score.
“That’s probably the best I’ve seen our team bowl for a long time, especially in those first 20 overs. We had them at around 5-57 at drinks and it left them with a big second 20 overs of chasing.”
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Number four batsman Giorgio hit 10 boundaries and couldn't be shaken at the crease.
Giorgio didn’t do it alone across his impressive knock – his second half century across all grades this season.
Henry Shoemark (38), Matt Kelly (32 not out) and Dan Casey (30) all helped to shoulder the load and push Colts out to 6-222 at the end of their 40 overs.
Casey and Giorgio put on 65 runs together.
Chris Albon (2-38) and Tyler Horton (2-46) were multiple wicket takers for Rugby Union.
Bright moments with the bat were hard to come across for Rugby.
Imran Qureshi (59) received little to no support in a tough day for his team. Steve Locke (24) was the only man to join Qureshi in double figures.
Colts came close to knocking over Rugby within 30 overs, going just three balls beyond. Rugby were all out for 123.
Wayne Sellers (3-19) and Matt Stephen (2-13) were the other damage dealers with the ball for Colts.
The result is only a slight setback for Rugby Union who had enjoyed a three-game winning run of their own going into Saturday.
Hill is confident that Colts can keep the wins coming in the run towards the Christmas break.
“We’re just keen to play cricket every week and vibe around the club, especially first grade, is really good at the moment,” he said.
“Everyone’s enjoying each other’s company and I think that’s showing in the way we’re playing cricket at the moment.”