Cavaliers picked up the massive scalp of reigning champions Centennials Bulls in their opening Royal Hotel Cup clash on Friday night, coming away with a six-wicket win as Matt Corben continued his scintillating early-season form.
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Cavs were able to chase down Bulls’ total of 7-132 in 18.3 overs, but for a while it looked as if Centennials would hit an unreachable score after batting first as whirlwind danger-man Mick Curtale combined with Dallas Tilley for a 56-run opening stand.
Curtale hit 35 of those runs, and Cavaliers’ all-rounder Josh Doherty admitted “it was starting to look grim” until the danger man was caught behind of Wes Lemmis, with fellow opener Tilley following Curtale back to the sheds shortly after.
However, that only brought more trouble to the crease in the form of Ryan and Joel Gurney, who hit 30 and 10 respectively.
Despite the carnage Doherty managed figures of 0-9 from his four overs opening the bowling while Curtale teed off, and said it was easy to not have Curtale ruin your bowling figures – get him stuck at the other end.
It was a pretty good all-round performance, Corben is in ripping form, he’s been great.
- Cavaliers' all-rounder Josh Doherty
“He’s a class player and he was teeing off at the other end we did a good job to get him early,” Doherty said.
“It was starting to look grim, he’s one of those guys that can do a lot of damage if he gets going”
It was a lesson Mitch Black (0-31 from four) learnt the hard way, while Doherty said he also had help from the pitch in moving the ball, as did Hudson Izzard and Hugh Middleton, who both bowled well at the death to pick up two wickets and constrict Bulls’ final hitters.
“We bowled really well at the end there, especially Hudson, and on a really good wicket and a fast outfield we thought we were a good chance,” Doherty said.
Things didn’t go to plan early as Cavs lost two of their biggest hitters in Doherty for eight – who couldn’t believe it when he whacked a full toss to mid-on – and marquee player Wayne Sellers for one, leaving the hosts 2-21.
However, captain Corben took their reigns to be the anchor of the innings, hitting an unbeaten 28 while Ryan Kurtz hit a quickfire 32 and Lummis scored 28, while Kaleb Cook helped his skipper guide the side home with 12 not out.
“It wasn’t ideal losing the two openers out early but Corben did his thing and rotated the strike and the blokes at the other end could open the shoulders, which they did well,” Doherty said.
“It was a pretty good all-round performance, Corben is in ripping form, he’s been great.
“It gives us a lot of confidence to go out there and have a guy like that coming in next, it’s really comforting.”
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