CRICKET

It looked lopsided on paper and that's exactly how it turned out as Dubbo comprehensively outclassed Orange in their SCG Cup fourth round match at Lady Cutler 1 yesterday.

The Dubbo side has made the SCG Cup their priority this season and with the strongest side in some time at captain Tim Cox's disposal they look more than capable of making a run deep into the finals of the statewide competition.

The understrength Orange side could only make 56 against the home side's star-studded bowling attack at Lady Cutler 1 with Tim Berry this time the standout, taking 6-7 from 7.1 overs.

It marked the third representative match this season in which one bowler has starred after Ryan Medley and Ben Strachan took eight wickets each against Cowra and Parkes respectively last month.

Dubbo then cruised to the small total for the loss of just one wicket, leaving Cox again overjoyed at his side's performance, especially with the ball.

"I couldn't be happier," he said.

"I lost the toss but I wasn't too bothered because I saw there was a bit of grass on the pitch and knew our seam bowlers could do a bit if they hit the right areas and we all bowled pretty well but Tim Berry and Strachany (Ben Strachan) were magnificent at first change."

Strachan finished with 2-21 while the other wicket-takers Ben Patterson and Cox, who both took 1-13.

Matt Baker was the only visiting batsman to make double figures as he made 24 at the top of the order and Orange captain Dave Boundy admitted his side were no match for last season's Western Premier League champions.

"We were completely outclassed, we had troubles during the week and coming to Dubbo you've got to play a pretty damn good game to compete, you have a look at the team Dubbo have obviously it was going to be a struggle but we really thought we'd compete a bit better than we did," he said.

"When you've got the likes of Tim Berry with the ball on a string it's a struggle."

Orange reached 14 for the loss of no wickets but Patterson then had young gun Charlie Litchfield caught behind and soon after Matt Corben was dismissed in the same fashion off the bowling of Cox.

As the temperature passed 40 Berry and Strachan took the ball it was a procession of wickets as neither bowler gave any respite.

"When you bowl tight and bowl good areas you're going to trouble them and Tim Berry just put on an exhibition, having him back really adds to the depth and it's great as a captain to be able to go to those blokes," Cox said.

Berry had the Orange batsmen in all sorts of trouble as his regular consistency was rewarded in the best possible fashion.

Dubbo's run chase got off to a poor start when Asher Robins was trapped in front off the bowling of Western Zone quick Curtis Free for a second ball duck.

But Mitch Bower joined Paul Hulthen and the pair had little trouble in reaching the target in just 10.1 overs with Bower finishing on 26 and Hulthen 22.

"There's a long way to go to the finals but it was very pleasing and to finish it off like that just sends a positive message that we're here to play and it all worked out well," Cox said.

Boundy lamented the fact his side couldn't play their strongest 11 but said many of the younger players in his side would benefit from seeing what it was like to take on a side of Dubbo's quality.

"These young fellas are really keen, they want to get out there and have a go and they get a feel for how well you've got to play at this level," he said.

"It's a good experience for them and won't hurt their confidence any, we came here with the underdog tag and as long as you play with good spirit and just don't give in too easy but we were just totally outclassed."