UGSCA 2024-25: Wandering undefeated with gritty three-wicket win over Lake Grace, Rodney Ford belts ton

Wandering remain the only undefeated team through the opening three rounds of the Upper Great Southern Cricket Association A-grade competition after notching a hard-fought three-wicket win over Lake Grace on Saturday. Wandering bowled out Lake Grace for just 141 in the 31st over in Wandering before overcoming a horror start to seal their third consecutive victory. Ben McMillan (3-43) and captain Bailey Parsons (3-25) combined for six wickets in a brilliant bowling display. In reply, the hosts fell to 4-27 before a crucial 33-run seventh-wicket stand between Ben Sherry (22) and Lewis Parsons (22 not out) got them over the line. Williams’ Rodney Ford continued his stellar start to the season, belting a rapid 94-ball century — his third straight milestone of the season — in a 20-run win over Cuballing in Cuballing. Rodney Ford smacked eight fours and two sixes in his superb knock while James Moore scored 61 not out as the pair smashed 150 runs for the fourth wicket. The visitors finished their 45 overs at 4-209 with Cuballing’s Damon Watt (1-27), Grady Francis (1-44), Brock Francis (1-30) and Thomas Fleay (1-37) all picking up a wicket. For an undermanned Cuballing, Byron Blevin scored a super 83 in reply before being run out by a red-hot Rodney Ford before they were bowled out in the second last over for 182. Mitchell Hogg was Williams’ only multiple wicket taker with 2-26 from six overs. Towns rapidly chased down newly promoted Wickepin-Harrismith’s total to secure a four-wicket win at Clayton Road Oval. Openers Jordan Draper (35) and Perrin Quartermaine (41) led the charge with a 65-run stand before late hitting from Nuwan Arachchige (23 not out) and Lega Tau (25no) ensured they passed the travellers’ score of 8-175 in the 36th over. Caen Taylor took 3-22 from 10 overs and Marty McLean (2-50) as the other main contributor for Wickepin-Harrismith. Wickepin-Harrismith’s captain Arron Quartermaine scored 57 and Josh Hobley added a vital 45 in their batting innings while Towns’ Arachchige, Sam Ellis and Caleb Dewing combined for six wickets.