Uppers duo Bailey Parsons and Kalan Joyce perform strongly for WA Invitational XI in defeat

Despite strong performances from Upper Great Southern Cricket Association duo Bailey Parsons and Kalan Joyce, the WA Invitational XI went down by eight wickets to Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association in round two of the Belt Up Country Cup on Sunday.

After an impressive win in round one, the WA Invitational XI were not able to match it with an impressive Bunbury and Districts outfit at Abbett Park in Scarborough.

Joyce opened the batting for the WA Invitational XI and put on a 57-run opening stand with Callum How before the latter was out for 44.

Former Katanning local Jacob Wintle then produced a superb spell of bowling claiming a hat-trick and taking four wickets in five balls.

Wintle dismissed Harvey Golding, Tyler King and Lachlan Seabrook to secure the hat-trick before removing James Courtney-Bennett two balls later as WA Invitational XI crumbled to 5-68.

Joyce was next to go for a well-made 26.

Parsons (17) shared in a 35-run stand with captain Ben Payne (29 runs) but their side was bowled out for 139.

Wintle finished with superb figures of 5-36, while Cory Fitt took 3-24.

In reply, Bunbury and Districts lost Nico Le Roux in the first over but Brayden Clarke and Bradman May shared in a 81-run stand to put their side in the box seat.

Parsons was the man to break the partnership, removing Clarke for 46.

However May and Blair Malatesta steered Bunbury and Districts home finishing on 2-141 off 24.5 overs.

May was unbeaten on 61, with Malatesta unbeaten on 22.

Parsons was the pick of the bowlers for WA Invitational XI with 1-29 off seven overs.