St Anthonys was nearly perfect in its execution of Saturday’s Gisborne District Cricket Association match against Ashfield.
The Saints cruised to a 107-run victory, smashing 164 from its 40 overs after batting first. Top order trio Wayne Turner, Ryan Dobbie and Paul Scott combined for 98 runs.
Cashing in on the hot start, lower order batsman Jason Orr blasted three fours in a quick-fire 28 to put his side in the box seat.
In reply, Ashfield met a barrage of firepower in the middle, to which it had no answer, bowled out for just 57.
Daniel Tennant and Shane Newton were the pick of the bowlers. Tennant finished the match with 4-12, while Newton claimed 3-15.
The weekend’s win maintains St Anthonys’ outstanding start to the season. The Saints are undefeated on top of the B-grade ladder and take on seventh-placed Lancefield this week.
Meanwhile, in A-grade results, Diggers Rest Bulla secured a nail-biting win against Romsey.
Set 138 for victory by Romsey, Diggers Rest looked to be cruising at 2-52 but the loss of three quick wickets put the match back on an even keel.
Middle-order batsman Lindon Dowsett was intent on making sure his side didn’t miss out on reeling in the small total. Dowsett scored what proved to be a match winning 42, as Diggers Rest went on to pass its target with two wickets remaining.
Also in A-grade, it was a close finish between Bacchus Marsh and Sunbury United. With 175 from its 40 overs, Bacchus Marsh bowled Sunbury out for 169 in the final over.
