CENTRALS captain Jake Pauletto said his team’s goal for round 12 of the Orange District Cricket Association first grade competition was to “knock CYMS off”.
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Pauletto and his troops won’t get a better chance after Saturday’s performance.
After winning the toss and batting first, Centrals worked its way to 170, with Dean Turner top scoring with 49 against his former club.
Adam Shepherd chipped in in the middle order, compiling 40 before being caught of leg-spinner Pat Madden.
Madden was the best of the CYMS bowlers, taking 3-46 from his 14 overs. Al Dhatt took 2-52 from a marathon 22 overs, while Sam Dwyer (2-28) and Nick Garton (2-17) also snared multiple wickets.
With just 11 overs left in the day Mark Wiegold produced a perfect spell of outswing bowling, taking 2-1 to leave CYMS in a less-than-ideal situation at 2-8.
Pauletto said the addition of Turner and Shepherd to the red-and-blacks’ middle-order was a welcome boost.
“They add a bit of steel, and reliability to our middle-order,” Pauletto explained.
“It’s great to see us playing more of the cricket we want to week-to-week. Granted I think we were still 30 or 40 short of where we would have liked to be, but to have CYMS on the ropes gives us a big chance to get a win up next week.
“We need to keep the pressure on and take our chances, the result should come with that.”
CYMS skipper Hugh Le Lievre was full of praise for his team, and said the effort in the field was nothing short of outstanding.
“Restricting them to under 200 was a great effort,” he said.
“Deano and Shep threatened to take the game away from us but we fought back well.
“It’s a tricky time to bat late in the afternoon. Centrals have some of the best new ball bowlers in town, and Mark managed to get two knicks with his nice outswingers.
“Next Saturday presents another challenge for the group, but I’m confident we’re good enough to get over the line.”
The second day’s play is on this Saturday.