UGSCA 2023-24: Towns claim major scalp with big win at home over reigning premiers in A-grade season-opener

Towns have started the new Upper Great Southern Cricket Association A-grade season in red-hot form, thumping reigning premiers Cuballing by seven wickets at Clayton Road Oval on Saturday. The resounding result was the only match played so far in round one with the other A-grade fixture between Lake Grace and Williams to be played this Saturday. Towns bowlers produced a superb performance as they dismissed Cuballing for 113 and the small total proved easy for the home side as big-hitter Nick Corner helped his side secure victory in just 20 overs. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Grady Francis and Blair Forrest were the first to take to the crease for Cuballing. The partnership was short-lived as Towns’ Liam Renton bowled Forrest for two and Francis was dismissed for three after a quick catch was taken by agile wicketkeeper Vagi John. Versatile all-rounder Joe Dowling proved a tougher scalp for Towns with the big-hitter looking dangerous as he found the boundary seven times. Towns’ Mitchell Ackland rose to the challenge, however and the youngster bowled Dowling for 39 putting a stop to the damage. An equally solid display was put on by Cuballing’s Bevan George who managed to collect a tidy 40 runs and a swag of fours before he was trapped lbw by Renton. Cuballing had three ducks in their lowly innings and only Dowling and George reached double figures as they were bowled out in 39 overs. Renton (3-12) and Liam Sweeney (3-27) were superb up front for Towns while Ackland also chipped in with 3-33 from eight overs. After the break James Nicholson and captain Perrin Quartermaine strode to the crease to start the chase for Towns. The pair combined for 41 runs before Quartermaine was dismissed for 17 by Cuballing opener Dowling. Replacing captain Quartermaine was Corner and the heavy-hitter wasted no time as he smashed his way to nine fours to dent Cuballing’s hopes. Nicholson fell to Dewing on 24 but Corner was not messing around as he blasted an unbeaten 50 from 36 balls to power his side to a big win. Lega Tau (6) and Scott Langford (13 not out) played small cameos with Corner hitting nine boundaries in his quick-fire innings. Dowling claimed 1-22 from four overs and Dewing returned 1-27 while Wouter Jacobus Moolman was the other wicket taker for Cuballing.