Another century from star batsman Mitch Bower has helped South Dubbo score a handy 7/326 in their RSL-Whitney Cup clash against CYMS on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The NSW Country representative and Hornets captain posted an unbeaten 168, leading by example in the final round game that he labelled must-win for his side.
“We sort of just stuck with a bit of a game plan of keeping a few wickets in hand,” Bower said.
“We went out there and tried to play our shots and keep the run rate up there and stay in the game.
I think if we can't defend that then we don't deserve to win.
- Mitch Bower
“That’s what we did and it came off.”
The Hornets got off to a strong start, with openers Mark O’Donnell and Josh Williams posting 29 and 20 respectively before they both fell to Ben O’Donnell (2/40).
Young all-rounder Ben Knaggs (2/37 from 15 overs) saw off fellow junior Henry Railz (7). With three maiden overs, Bower said Knaggs was the pick of the Cougars’ bowlers.
“Ben Knaggs continued to bowl in his good form,” Bower said.
“He made it pretty hard to get shots away.”
Will Lindsay replaced Railz, and combined with Bower to post an impressive 155-run partnership before Bower fell to Brandon Dodd.
Lindsay (69) combined with Scott Tucker (17) to score another 27 runs before the pair were seen off in quick succession by Knaggs and Dodd.
Bower was impressed with the team’s performance and – ever humble – credited clubman Mick Fraser with his recent rise in form.
The Hornets captain has long dominated with the bat in Dubbo cricket, but on Saturday he took it to another level, hitting eight 6s and 15 4s on his way to 168.
“I’ve been training with Mick Fraser quite a lot in the last few weeks and you can tell the difference when you go and have a hit in the nets,” Bower said.
“We’re just hitting our straps at the right end of the season and we had a few batters out so to do it without the likes of Greg Rummans and Mat Finlay was good for us.
“We’re playing good cricket and we’re starting to peak at the right end of the season.”
The strong total bodes well for the Hornets, who need a win against CYMS to guarantee themselves a spot in the RSL-Whitney Cup finals series.
A loss next Saturday would leave them at the mercy of other results. Souths would fall out of the top three if CYMS won by a bonus point and Macquarie beat Rugby.
But Bower was confident his side had done enough.
“I think that’s a big enough total to win the match, for sure,” Bower said. “I think if we can’t defend that, then we don’t deserve to win.”