BATTER UP: Pat Rosser puts bat to ball for Lachlan. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 1020sgcrick2
A FIVE-WICKET haul from Orange’s Liam Gough and 71 with the bat from Jameel Qureshi has helped guide Mitchell Cricket Council past a strong Lachlan representative outfit at Wade Park on Saturday.
Batting first, Mitchell posted 9-237 from their 50 overs.
Qureshi was the star, belting 71 and together with Mudgee all-rounder James O’Brien compiled an important 92-run fifth-wicket partnership which took Mitchell from the precarious position of 4-70 to, when O’Brien was dismissed for 45, 5-162.
Handy contributions from Brendan Inwood (20) and Max Hope (20) helped steer the home side to the competitive total of 9-237.
Impressive young quick Joe Kershaw was the pick of the Lachlan bowlers, picking up 3-31 which included the wickets of Mitchell skipper Trent Colley (eight) and Qureshi.
Whether or not 237 was going to be enough against a Lachlan side boasting renowned representative players in Anthony Heraghty, Peter Yelland, Scott Knight and Pat Rosser made for an interesting equation at the change of innings.
However, Gough soon answer had all the answers.
After Lachlan started modestly with Heraghty and Yelland combining for 38, Gough removed Heraghty (24), Yelland (15) and then Knight (10) to leave the visitors reeling at 3-56.
O’Brien then chimed in to dismiss Simpson (nine) and then dangerman Pat Rosser (11).
Other than a composed 58 from Kershaw, who was equally impressive with the bat as he was with the ball, no other Lachlan batsman was able to kick on against Mitchell.
Gough finished with 5-45 from 10 overs, while young Bathurst spinner Max Hope netted 3-35 from 9.3 overs to help wrap up the 43-run victory.
Mitchell coach Matt Taberner was full of praise for his side, especially the 17-year-old Gough who was in just his first game for Mitchell’s opens outfit.
“He bowled really well, got a couple early and in his second spell cleaned up the tail which is what your strike bowlers have got to do,” Taberner said.
“We were commenting (Saturday) night that was the best prepared and the best looking side Lachlan has put out in ages, so it was a really good win and we knew it was going to be tough after they beat Macquarie.”
However well Gough bowled, Qureshi’s knock of 71 was equally important.
“That got us back into the game,” Taberner added.
“We had a lot of emphasis on playing the 100 overs out, right to the end and just enjoying it.
“When it got tough we just wanted to enjoy it and keep working hard to the end.”