WHEN Dave Glasson rocked up to the Sportsground on Saturday for his first game in the re-formed Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket competition he had one simple aim: Just try and help an understrength Rugby Union out as much as he could.
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And 88 unbeaten runs later he'd done more than just help out a little.
The former ORC player may not have played a chance-less innings but he made the most of the opportunities that came his way as he helped Rugby Union chase down Centennials Bulls' total of 8-191 with five wickets in hand.
With Rugby's Jameel and Imran Qureshi plus captain Ryan Peacock away on representative duty it was a chance for the Bulls to strike but Glasson put a spanner in the works.
Glasson was playing in his first top grade match since February 2017, and it's his highest score since hitting back-to-back presidents cup centuries in February 2014.
But remarkably it may end up being the only BOIDC innings Glasson plays this season.
"It was an innings to help the boys out on rep duty, that's all," he said.
"I plan not to be playing too much because I have a junior side in the morning, otherwise it would be cricket for the whole day.
"I don't think I can remember when my last first grade game was. I played a bit of president's cup with my boy when he was growing up and a bit of second grade.
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"The boys just needed somebody to hang in there so that's what I did. It was a bit of a fluke. There were a couple of chances I gave so I was lucky to get away with the score I did."
Last week's rain made Saturday's game effectively a one-day affair, so Bulls went out to score quickly.
The Aubin brothers, Blake (48 runs) and Kyle (43), led the way as Centennials declared after 42 overs of play.
A wicket in the very first over got the Bulls on the front foot early but first drop batsman Glasson kept the scoreboard ticking over.
His stand with son Brad (7) didn't last long but he had plenty of support through the middle order.
Together with stand-in captain Sam Macpherson (42), the pair put on 78 runs together to steer momentum back in their favour.
Bulls' Tyler Horton was the best of the bowlers with 4-79.
"Tyler bowled really, really well. The Aubin brothers were unstoppable with the bat too. They continued on their good form. They were seeing it really well," Glasson said.
"But for me I'm a one-and-done. I'm only helping out."