The Bowning Buffaloes dodged last-place on the Triggs Shield ladder on Saturday, overcoming a gritty Royal Hotel Pirates outfit.
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Players decked themselves out in pink for the event, to raise money for breast cancer and the McGrath Foundation.
But, despite winning the toss, the Buffaloes were far from pretty in the bright colour, slumping to five for 18 early on in the innings.
The Bowning side was able to recover and bat out its overs but could only manage 92. The Pirates’ bowlers were tight in patches but Andrew Holgate shone, taking the career best figures of eight for nine. Things would have been a disaster for Bowning, if not for a gritty 33 not-out by youngster Tim Hazell.
The Pirates would have fancied their chances chasing a modest total, but again batting proved the side’s Achilles heel. Only Ant Broers (22) and Nick Pollack (17) really got starts and the Pirates were comprehensively rolled for 70.
Andrew Swaffield toiled away for the Buffaloes and was rewarded with the figures of four for 16.
With a decent turn out, both sides were able to raise $2000 between them.
“It was a good turn-out, and it was a great day, it was just a disappointing performance for us,” Pirates wicket-keeper Brad Wylie told the Tribune.
Over at Victoria Park, in the top-of-the-table fixture, the Golf Club proved too strong for the Soldiers Club.
On a day for the bowlers, the Golf Club batted first and limped to a modest 106. The Piranhas were all out in the 41st over with Chris Doyle (30 not-out) the main batsman offering resistance. Adrian Waters helped, but only added 19.
Mark Garland’s left arm orthodox work was the standout of the innings as he proceeded to take four for 24 of his nine overs. Craig Irwin, Steve Okkonen and Chris Rawlinson chipped in, taking two wickets a piece.
In response the Soldiers Club could only manage 70 runs before they were all out in the 33rd over. Troy Scanes top-scored, remaining unbeaten on 17.
Golf Club captain Robert Field, who grabbed a hat-trick last week, continued his good form with the ball, taking four wickets with his medium-pacers.
“Our bowling has been really good the last three weeks,” Field told the Tribune.
“But we need to do a bit of work on our batting as it’s not where it was this time last year.”
Soldiers Club captain David Field was equally disappointed with his side’s batting performance but remained optimistic about his side’s Shield chances.
“We need to figure out how to bat our overs out. We played some bad shots at bad times but we’ll be right, we’ll bounce back.”
The last round of the regular season will take place on Saturday when the Buffaloes play the Snipers in Bowning, and the Golf Club play the Pirates at Victoria Park.