Redbacks unbeaten after a fortnight for second time ever as Donnybrook are pushed aside at Egan Park

Hay Park defied a top-order wobble to push past Donnybrook at the weekend and produce their first 2-0 start since their debut season — more than a decade ago. Chasing Donnybrook’s scratchy 129 at Egan Park, the Redbacks were steered through early trouble by captain Steven Florance, before Jonathan Calver was brought in to power the visitors home with a knock punctuated by three towering sixes. James Harradine fell for three, Tom Scott for four and highly touted youngster Adam Worlley for a duck as they found themselves 3-31, with the skipper the only resistance. A gritty 12 from 50 balls from teenager Jonah Lincoln, who made an even 50 on his first-grade debut the week before, helped the Redbacks navigate the middle overs. When Florance’s pull-shot-laden innings came to an end on 38, his side had recovered to 4-69 — and when a sharp take by Bradman May saw the end of Lincoln before another run was scored, it brought experienced pair Calver and Grant Millbanke to the crease. More cricket: Millbanke struggled early against the bowling of Paul Reynolds, before consecutive boundaries helped turn his innings around. But Calver was still the dominant force in the partnership, striking a six off the final ball of the 31st over, which landed in a nearby construction site. As the chase became more comfortable, greying skies became a factor, but the weather held off and a quick-fire 12 from Daniel Sheppard saw the Redbacks over the line. Earlier, Mitchell Kemp was the best of the Dons’ batters standing up at number four in the absence of reigning Goodwin-Dehring medallist Adam Bilston. Kemp’s patient 57 came off 114 balls, with support from his captain May, who second top-scored with an equally composed 25. Millbanke was the best of the Redbacks bowlers, taking 4-26 from his nine-over spell. It is the first time last year’s preliminary finalists have won the first two games of the season since the 2010-11 season, when they beat Eaton and Dalyellup on their way to a finals appearance in their inaugural season.