HE described it as "just one of those lucky days", but there was more than luck involved on Saturday as Brad Molenkamp produced the most successful bowling spell in City Colts' history.
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Molenkamp claimed 9-76 as he bowled 32.2 consecutive overs for Colts on day one of their Bathurst District Cricket Association two-dayer against second grade rivals ORC.
It's the best bowling performance of the 2020-21 second grade season thus far and according to City Colts stalwart Bob Clancy, it's the most success in an innings for any bowler who's played for the club.
"I've never had a nine-for and I believe it's the best individual bowling for Colts - there's been a few eight-fors and sevens from guys like Matt Stephen - but Bob Clancy tells me no-one has ever got a nine," Molenkamp said.
"It's just one of those days really, just one of those lucky days.
"I have had 10 in a match and a couple of five-fors before, but never anything like that."
Molenkamp's previous best single-innings figures was 5-20 in a second grade match against Bathurst Bushrangers in 2018-19.
That same match he claimed another five scalps in the second innings to finish the game with 10-67 off his 19.3 overs.
Just as that was a special performance, so too was Saturday's effort. It ranked on top of the MyCricket list of best bowling in community cricket across Australia for the weekend.
Molenkamp, who has also played first grade and presidents cup for Colts, had already taken seven wickets with his off-spin from three games prior to Saturday.
After ORC won the toss and decided to bat first at George Park 2, Molenkamp opted to take the new ball for Colts.
His decision certainly paid off.
Molenkamp tossed the ball up and while not getting a lot of turn off the pitch, his variations tested the ORC batsmen.
"You've got to give it a bit of flight don't you?," he laughed.
"I didn't get much turn, not really. I spoke to Tim Halloran who I bowled a lot to during the innings and it was just varying the pace, I didn't bowl too many bad balls really.
"There was some stumpings, bowled, some lbs and some catches - so there was a mix of everything."
Colts had ORC all out for 198 after 65.2 overs, but they did lose two wickets before stumps.
Molenkamp certainly put Colts in a strong position, but he praised his team-mates for their effort as well. In particular he was pleased to see how some of the younger players continue to perform.
"It's a team game, everyone chipped in. It was a good day out, one of those lucky days out really," he said.
"We had a couple of young fellas playing with us for the first time, a couple of 14-year-olds, Charlie Rendall and another fellow, and we had Angus Rendall who is 17.
"So we've got a couple of new players and we need juniors at our club which is great, they were very impressive.
"We'll have a crack next week and hopefully it's not as hot."
City Colts will resume at 2-17.
