Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association open A-section with convincing win over Upper Great Southern

Hopes of the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association reaching the A-section senior country week final at the WACA remained alive after Anthony Stubberfield’s men opened the carnival with a convincing 104-run win over Upper Great Southern at Hillcrest Park on Sunday. Set 233 for victory, only a lone hand from Arron Quartermaine (63 off 97 balls) kept the Uppers in the game for as long as they were — although a late burst from all-rounder Brayden Clarke quickly extinguished those faint hopes. Players were greeted with warm conditions as they made their way out into the middle. BDCA skipper Blair Malatesta won the toss, and given the calibre of batting at his disposal, promptly sent his side in. Openers Ben Clarke and Bradman May wasted little time in getting down to business against the UGS seamers, and quickly notched up five boundaries inside the opening 25 minutes of their innings. The BDCA players, who were watching on from the pavilion, resoundingly endorsed each piece of play, with the run-rate ticking along nicely inside the opening 10 overs. Unfortunately for Clarke, his fun in the sun came to an end early in the ninth over, after he was trapped in front by David Head for 21. But this dismissal merely inspired the BDCA on to bigger and brighter things — with Bevan Bennell, Tom Buchanan and Michael Tassone all showing plenty at the crease. Keen to finish off their good work, the South West side refused to give an inch during the Uppers’ run chase, with Josh Topliss (2-9 off six overs, two maidens) and Cory Fitt (0-8 off five overs, two maidens) setting the example early during their respective spells. With his side almost on the canvas at 4-88, Quartermaine did all he could to try and lift his side. However once he was removed by clever spinner Brayden Clarke, the Uppers fell in a heap and never recovered.