Hawks pull off mighty fighting victory

The Busselton Margaret River Cricket Association kicked off on Saturday with the Margaret River Hawks and Dunsborough Cricket Club taking out A-Grade wins.

The Hawks’ season kicked off against last season’s grand finalist YOBS and upon arrival to Barnard Turf, a green bowler-friendly wicket greeted the two captains.

YOBS won the toss and sent the Hawks into bat, taking the first wicket — Hawks danger man Rumesh Silva for just one run — in the second over of the innings.

Chris MacLean (37 runs) and first drop Shane Joyce (47 runs) then settled their first innings with a 65-run partnership, with the Hawks reaching 2-75 at drinks. With three more wickets soon falling, Aaron Thomas and Grant Garstone came together for a 58-run partnership.

Garstone was eventually dismissed for 42 runs off just 28 deliveries and Thomas for 29 runs with the Hawks all out for an impressive 196.

Haig Colombera was the best of YOBS bowlers with 4-38 including cleaning up the Hawks tail with the final three wickets.

Augusta recruit Braden Warnke and Thomas opened the bowling for the Hawks and applied pressure to the YOBS batsmen immediately, allowing only four runs to be scored off the first eight overs.

This immense pressure brought about the first wicket, with Thomas dismissing YOBS gun opener Nate Colombera for a duck.

Both Harvey Golding and Tait Spowart capitalised on a pitch that was becoming much easier to score runs on, with a 122-run partnership, placing the Hawks under pressure in the field.

Warnke toiled away in his second spell and eventually took the prized scalp of Golding after an excellent 80-run innings.

The pick of the bowlers was Aaron Thomas with 3-27 off 10 overs. With the final over completed, the Hawks recorded their first victory of the season, beating YOBS (6-183) by 13 runs.

Vice-captain Garstone said he was happy with the Hawks opening batting innings suggesting 180 runs would be the benchmark this season.

“Special recognition should go to the Augusta recruits, Braden and Tyson Warnke, on their A-grade selection,” he said.

“Upcoming youngster Darcy Bailey, also applied himself well in his third A-grade match.”

In B-grade, Hawks debutant Blake Gillam took 7-10 off nine overs but YOBS were just as strong with the ball eventually winning by 13 runs.

The Hawks’ next match will be against the premiers from last season, St Mary’s, at Barnard Park on Saturday.