Wandering win second straight match after strong batting performance in second round of UGSCA

Towns have come up short in round two of the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association, as Wandering’s total of 192 proved enough to get them over the line at Clayton Road Oval on Saturday.

Wandering elected to bat first and made a bright start with Jacob Schorer and Bryan Hardie sharing in a 73-run opening stand.

Schorer was caught out for 31 and Hardie was dismissed for 44 before Blake Warburton was skittled without adding to the score.

However, solid knocks from Ben McMillan (44 runs), Troy Warburton (30 runs) and Brendon Hardie (30 runs) gave the away side a defendable total.

Openers James Nicholson (52 runs) and Tom Munns (29 runs) got Towns off to a very promising start before Aaron Quartermaine added 28 runs. However, Towns then lost 8-57 as their middle and bottom order failed to fire, finishing all out for 159 from 42.3 overs.

Wandering’s Lewis Parsons took 3-33 in a terrific bowling display while Adam Prowse returned solid figures of 3-44 in a losing affair.

Meanwhile, Williams notched a round two victory over Cuballing despite the best efforts of Cuballing opening batter Joe Dowling, who scored 93.

Most of Cuballing’s middle order fell for single figures with late cameos from tail-enders Wouter Moolman (17) and Jake Hiscock (29), helping them to a total of 173.

In reply, a crucial innings from opening batter Robert Rose (77 not out), with support from Rodney Ford (37 runs) and Michael Cowcher (26 runs) helped Williams complete the run chase with six wickets in hand.

Rodney Ford returned impressive bowling figures of 3-29 for the winners while Roger Ballard was the pick of the bowlers for Cuballing (2-31).

Elsewhere, a sparkling century from Jack Blechynden helped Pingelly-Noonebin emerge as winners over Lake Grace on Saturday.

Blechynden whacked 106 off 124 balls in an innings that included 13 fours and two sixes.

Opener Jack Carruthers (40) was the highest scorer for Lake Grace, with useful contributions from Shaye Bowron (23) and Mitchell Smith (20).

But Lake Grace were all out for 146 as Pingelly-Noonebin bounced back from their round one loss against Towns.

Koltyn Tholstrup (3-34), Lucas Hull (2-5), Henry Blechynden (2-19) and Kacey Beard (2-34) all had success with the ball for the reigning premiers. Mitchell Smith (2-28) was the pick of the bowlers for Lake Grace.