Sunday at Ward Oval. ▪ Photo contributed
An impressive bowling performance, highlighted by Phil Harley and a standout innings from Jake Harbison, led to a well-deserved victory for Cobar against Bourke in the opening round of the Brewery Shield competition on Sunday.
In the gripping encounter at Ward Oval, Cobar emerged victorious, claiming the match win by 50 runs.
Cobar won the toss and elected to bat first, aiming to set a challenging target for Bourke.
Cobar’s innings got off to a shaky start, losing key wickets early.
The top order batsmen found scoring difficult.
Jayden Potts scored 15 runs before being caught by Ben Nott off the bowling of Eric Den Hartog.
Tom McKenna added just seven runs before falling to Den Hartog as well.
Niduka Gunawardana contributed three runs while having to weather the storm from a very disciplined Bourke attack.
However, Jake Harbison rose to the occasion, scoring a brilliant 63 runs off 68 balls, featuring eight boundaries and two sixes, which significantly stabilized Cobar’s innings.
Cobar’s captain, Tristan Everett, was dismissed for a duck followed by the quick loss of the wickets of Stephen Nicholson (2), Ryan Urquhart (3), and Jed Noonan (4).
Phil Harley contributed 10 runs, while Tim Hillam added seven.
Anthony Mitchell remained not out with 11 runs, bringing Cobar to a total of 143 runs in 39.2 overs.
Troy Hayman took 4/19, Den Hartog finished with 3/30 and Benjamin Taylor had 2/13.
Chasing a target of 144 runs, Bourke’s innings struggled from the outset.
Russell Tiffen was dismissed for a duck by Noonan, and Will Mitchell went first ball bowled by Everett.
Jarryd Samuelsson provided some resistance with 31 runs off 60 balls, but the rest of the order faltered under pressure.
Captain Ben Nott managed only four runs before being caught by Mitchell off Noonan’s bowling.
Archie Nott and Mathew Ayliffe fell cheaply for six and four runs, respectively.
Mick Willoughby tried to stabilize the innings with 24 runs off 25 balls, but Bourke’s batting lineup struggled to build partnerships.
Ultimately, succumbing to a disciplined bowling performance from Cobar, Bourke was bowled out for 93 runs in 24th over.
Harley finished with brilliant figures of 4/9, Noonan took 2/7, Harbison 2/23 and Everett 1/10.
The match at Ward Oval underscored the importance of partnerships and disciplined bowling, setting an exciting tone for the rest of the season.
Cobar will take on Dubbo in Dubbo this Sunday in Round 2 of the competition.—contributed
