Watts whacks Yobs off park

Dunsborough Cricket Club have firmed as A-grade contenders after defeating top-of-the-table Yobs on Saturday.

The comprehensive 128-run win, combined with Saint Mary’s 111-run upset win over the Margaret River Hawks, pushed Dunsborough into second place on the Busselton Margaret River Cricket Association ladder.

Dunsborough have both scored and conceded the most runs this season but a solid bowling performance, including a hat-trick from dynamic quick Riccardo Small-Boyce, provided a classy victory.

The win was orchestrated by Veteran batsmen Philip Watts , who scored a powerful 72, complemented by Aaron Mott (28) Chris King (24) and Cameron Morris (29), as Dunsborough posted an imposing 7-202.

In reply, Yobs’ top order could only manage 74 runs from 28.3 overs as Jesse Gautrey, 2-16 from nine overs and Jack Omodei, 2-11 from six, tightened the screws.

Mik Vogelsangers took a one- handed diving screamer in his 50th match to dismiss Yobs danger man Troyden Thorp for 30.

Yobs were missing some stars including veteran Neil Langenhoven and Haig Colombera but the win provided Dunsborough with further belief and, with two weeks until finals they find themselves one point ahead of the fading Hawks with bottom of the ladder Saint Mary’s at Barnard turf on Saturday.

In the other game, the Saints’ were bolstered by inspirational leader Danny Hatton who opened the batting on Saturday scoring a reliable 31, with runs from before being bowled by Hawks spinner Rumesh Silva. His start was not the only contribution from the Saints who found much needed runs from Jono Lloyd (37), Nick Ritchie (35) and Dwayne Franklin (33 not out) helping them reach 8-195.

The Hawks had no answers, succumbing for 85.

to an all too familiar collapse in a run chase, only Charitha Jayampathi (17) looking to get his eye in before also falling as the Hawks posted another meagre 85.

Franklin was the pick of the bowlers for the Saints with 3-9 with three maidens off just five overs.

Margaret River will look to reclaim second spot on Saturday when they take on Yobs at Gloucester Park, a venue that was a fortress earlier in the season.