The Lithgow Lightning once again proved they’re no flash in the pan, the reigning Royal Hotel Cup champions shot to the top of the standings with a second consecutive win on Friday night, taking a massive scalp this time too.
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The Lightning waltzed home over a powerful Centennials Bulls outfit, one many labelled title favourites after their first-up win, in a rain-affected clash, again showing how adept they are at chasing.
Led by skipper Ben Sheehan’s unbeaten 53, the Lightning finished 1-80 after just 11.3 overs, in reply to the Bulls’ 124.
Rain halted play and because both sides had received the minimum of five overs the result was determined by the comparative run rate method which, considering Lithgow was cruising along at more than seven an over, was always going to be a Lightning win.
The victory had an extra edge to it for Lithgow as well, considering several of last year’s title-winning side now play for Centennials.
The Bulls’ powerful top five – Mick Curtale (8), Josh Toole (13), Ryan Gurney (25), Andrew Brown (17) and Aaron Seymour (13) – didn’t produce the fireworks they’re known for, adding 76 between them.
The only other bat to hit double figures was Troy Kenny (13), Lithgow’s Tanvir Singh (3-29) and Nick Miller (3-27) doing the damage and helping restrict the Bathurst-based side to 124.
Then Sheehan went to work, dismantling Centennials’ attack with ease to notch a half-ton and steer the Lightning to an ultimately match-winning position when the rain came. Joel Gurney was 14 not out too.