Orange skipper Lachie Coyte is certain a horde of his troops have forced their way in Country Cricket NSW Colts Championship contention after helping their Bluebaggers storm to last weekend's Western Zone Under-18 crown.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Bluebaggers rolled to wins over Dubbo and hosts Bathurst to seal the 2019-20 title and, at the very least, it looks as though Hugh Middleton and Harry May have cemented spots in the Western Zone side.
Middleton smashed 132 from just 101 balls in Orange's 65-run win over Dubbo on Saturday and took two wickets as well, then claimed 4-19 from 10 miserly overs in Sunday's three-wicket, decider win over Bathurst.
While May was quiet on day one but he all but won Sunday's decider for Orange, taking a match-turning hat-trick on his way to figures of 3-42 and then sparked the Bluebaggers' chase with a timely half-ton.
I'd hope there's quite a few Orange guys though, I was really impressed with everyone's efforts to get us over the line.
- Orange skipper Lachie Coyte
"Harry virtually won that second game for us on his own," Coyte said.
"He was just excellent and would be thoroughly deserving of a spot in the Western side on the back of that performance, so would Hughy.
"If he wasn't already pencilled in I think he's cemented his spot, it was great to see him get that ton because he's in some serious touch, and he bowled well both days too.
"But the selectors have their process to go through in the next day or two, they said they'd aim to name the side on Tuesday, so whatever happens happens.
"I'd hope there's quite a few Orange guys though, I was really impressed with everyone's efforts to get us over the line and winning games certainly helps everyone's individual claims."
Coyte also pressed his claims with a composed knock of 62 in Orange's mammoth, day one total of 8-343, which proved more than enough despite Tom Coady (88) leading Dubbo to 9-278 in reply.
Outside May and Middleton, Harry West did a superb job in guiding the Bluebaggers home with an unbeaten 46 after the side had slumped to 6-74 in reply to Bathurst's 179.
He combined with May (56) to add 96 for the seventh wicket and steer Orange to a three-wicket win with five overs in the bank as well.
"I was getting a bit nervous towards the end of that second game, but when you've got a guy like Harry West in your side you're always a chance because he can bat and he can win you games," Coyte said.
"He and Harry May did a great job at the end to get us over the line, I'm absolutely stoked to have won the trophy, it's nice to see Orange back on top."
Bathurst had beaten the Chairman's XI by 10 wickets on the opening day, before Dubbo handed the composite side a convincing, six-wicket defeat on Sunday.
Ben Wheeler finished unbeaten on 100 in Dubbo's successful chase on the second day to put his name up in lights as well, with Nate Ambler (60 not out) doing the same, while Gil Chaseling banged out 70 on day one.
Chairman's XI skipper Lachie Endacott made sure he'll be in contention as well with an unbeaten 77 on Saturday, before Bailey Brien (88 not out) and Hamish Siegert (74 not out) pressed their claims by leading Bathurst's 10-wicket win.
The Western Zone side is expected to be named on Tuesday.
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS AND SPORT?
- Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
