Orange CYMS has snuck into the Bathurst Orange Inter-District Cricket top four following a top-order driven, seven-wicket win at Wade Park on Saturday.
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The green and golds knocked off the Centennials Bulls in a rain-affected clash in Orange, the only BOIDC match to end in a result.
All four other games - Centrals versus St Pat's Old Boys, City Colts against Kinross, the Rugby Union and Bathurst City match-up and the grand final rematch between Orange City and Cavaliers - all ended in a draw, with rain putting a dampened on the round.
Despite three rain breaks and a terrific knock of 66 not out from Blake Aubin, CYMS' batting line-up got the job done and chased down the Bulls' total of 5-166 with seven wickets still in the sheds and 16 balls remaining.
In his first game for the club in 2020, Tom Satterthwaite (48no) top scored while contributions from Tom Belmonte (46), Dave Neil (39) and Le Lieve (25no) ensured CYMS got the job done relatively easily.
The vital eight points shoots Le Lieve's side into fourth on the ladder behind unbeaten sides Cavs, St Pat's and defending premiers Orange City.
Le Lieve said CYMS wasn't in that calibre, yet, but as long as his side's battling line-up was firing a mountain of runs would ensure the green and golds remain, as he said in the pre-season, competitive this summer.
He brings great energy to the team.
- CYMS skipper Hugh Le Lievre on Tom Satterthwaite.
"From what I've learned in Orange cricket, if you have a few contributions every week you're in with a good chance," Le Lieve said.
"We move into two-day cricket now though, and bowling becomes more crucial. Finding a way to take 10 wickets will be key for us.
"I wouldn't say we're confident of making finals at this point, but we'll be continue to be competitive."
Satterthwaite's addition adds some real steel to that CYMS middle order.
"He's a CYMS junior and more than handy," Le Leive said.
"He's keen to be involved as much as his work allows. It's great to have some of his ilk in the set up, and as we've seen with his football he's a real competitor, he brings great energy to the team."
Le Lievre praised the conditions at Wade Park and the work of curator Bruce Cousins. He said the quality of the field is one of the reasons why the CYMS-Bulls game was the only round three contest to achieve a result.
He added the willingness of the Centennials players to continue to play was also appreciated.
"I think early in the season always want to try and play as much as you can. It's important to bank a few wins," he added.
"Full credit to Centennials guys, they didn't shirk the weather. They drove across and wanted to play."
Veteran seamer Angus Wilson was the pick of the bowlers on the day, snagging 3-33 in his return to the top grade line-up.
"He's 47 and he got 3-for yesterday. He's a very consistent, experienced player and was great for our bowling line-up," Le Lieve added.
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