CAVALIERS skipper Richie Venner continued his incredible run of form with the willow on Saturday, blasting his third century of the 2013-14 Orange District Cricket Association first grade season.
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Venner made himself at home on a flat Riawena Oval deck, piling on 104 not out including 11 fours and one six, as Cavaliers secured first innings points over Kinross on day one of their round 12 clash.
The students won the toss and batted first, but were put in a spin by Brad Wright who took 5-15 from 13 overs as Kinross was bowled out for just 104.
Venner and Middleton (35) opened Cavaliers innings with a 67-run first wicket stand, before the latter was caught. After Luke Wilson was run out without troubling the scorers, Kinross’ day then went from bad to worse.
Cavaliers vice-captain James Ryan joined Venner at the crease at 2-67 and the pair proceeded to add 176 for the third wicket, before Ryan was bowled on 82.
Josh Doherty (2 not out) saw out the day with the skipper, leaving Cavaliers 3-252 overnight.
This is the kind of cricket Cavaliers are capable of, Ryan said, but putting this performance together consistently is the challenge.
“Everyone bowled really well, particularly Brad,” he said.
“Batting wise, Richie is in incredible form. It was great to be at the other end again while he did that. Personally, I probably threw away a ton, but it was at a time when we were pushing for a big lead.
“That’s how we want to be playing every game, we know we can do it. Everything clicking consistently is what we’re building towards. We’ll push for an outright win next week, and hopefully keep building like this into the finals.”
Kinross player-coach Andrew Litchfield commended his team’s effort, and praised the work of Cavaliers.
“My guys never gave up,” he said.
“They fielded really well, and unfortunately our attack lacked a bit of variation. Tommy Rogers also copped a knock and couldn’t bowl, but Richie scored a great ton, and Stu and James batted well too. They just punished the bad balls.”
Litchfield said Kinross would have to fight hard to avoid an outright loss on day two this Saturday.