Ben Strachan has been involved with the CYMS Cougars for roughly a decade but few victories have left him as satisfied as Saturday’s win over Newtown.
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Two of the genuine premiership contenders this season, the Cougars and Tigers did battle at No. 3 Oval and early indications was the game would turn out nothing like that eventual enthralling contest that transpired.
After CYMS captain Ben Knaggs won the toss and batted his under strength side started slowly before a Ben Patterson-enforced capitulation saw the Cougars fall to 5-45.
But Brock Larance and the tail, led by Gilbert Chaseling, dug in to help their side post 148 and then a brilliant bowling and fielding performance saw the Cougars go on to win by 22 runs.
“It was a win where we played together as a team. There was no one or two standouts,” Strachan said.
“The fielding was absolutely amazing. The young fellas who came up from second grade were outstanding, especially in close where they put their bodies on the line.
“I think we would have saved 20 or 25 runs in the field. That effort and the way we gelled in the field, you don’t get better.”
The victory sees CYMS move level with Newtown on 28 points while RSL-Colts remains clear at the top after a dominant win over Macquarie on Saturday.
And while booming all-rounder Strachan is delighted with the “buzz around the whole club” at the moment, he knows his side does need to get back to its best with the bat.
His side crawled to victory against South Dubbo when the Hornets posted 147 and Saturday’s win was anything but comfortable, while the were thumped by Colts last week when posting just 113.
Even with a low score we’re prepared to go out there and fight and not give up.
- CYMS' Ben Strachan
On Saturday, Larance and Stuart Naden made a patient but solid start however when the latter was bowled by Patterson for 16 a collapse ensured.
Incredibly, no batsmen from three to six for CYMS got off the mark as Patterson went on to finish with a fine 4-22 from eight.
Knaggs, Strachan, Nathan Hawke, and Connor Watts all departed without scoring as it was left to Larance (47) and Chaseling (29) to dig the side out of trouble.
“We definitely do need to lift with the bat, especially in the middle order,” Strachan said.
“But that (collapses) will happen and it shows even with a low score we’re prepared to go out there and fight and not give up.”
Strachan’s opening spell was vital as he picked up the huge wickets of Dan Holland (5) and Patterson (9) on the way to finishing with 4-13 from eight.
Wayne Dunlop made 25 before departing while Steve Skinner (39) threatened to get his side back into it before chopping on against the bowling of Knaggs (2-22 from eight).
The task proved too much for tail as Newtown was dismissed for 126.
“In terms of my runs and wickets, it’s just all for the team,” Strachan said, now with 194 runs and 13 wickets to his name.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
