Bridport remains unbeaten in cricket 20/20
• Association leading batsman Bridport’s Matthew Taylor.
February 01, 2023
After a month of twenty/20 cricket in the NECA, Bridport remains unbeaten although their gala day at the seaside oval on Saturday was dominated by Branxholm batsman Jimmy Hayward who smashed five 6s in a single over in his demolition of the Scottsdale attack in the final match of the day.
Chasing 100 against Scottsdale, Hayward went on his belligerent way in the third over eventually top scoring with 64 (eight 6s and one 4) earning the applause from the well lubricated crowd.
Scottsdale with some new faces had batted steadily with Witherana top scoring with 26 not out, but their total of 100 was never going to be enough.
In the opening match of the gala day, Scottsdale batted first against Bridport, and once again fell short in the batting department. Brent Jones remained not out 33 but he failed to gain much support, as spinners Jason Sarich and Kyle Lanham did the damage with a couple of wickets each.
Opener Matthew Taylor looked set for another big innings but he was brilliantly caught at mid wicket by teenager Lochie Bowerman before Lachie Mason (46 not out) and Will Brown (38 not out) saw the home team home.
In the next match, Branxholm batted first against Bridport, and Joel Hayes (58) and Bryton Mullins (33) got them to 5/124 off the 20 allocated overs.but it was Taylor (58) again and Danny Freeland (24 not out) who made sure that Bridport reached the total despite the best efforts of teenager Zac Sheehan (2/7) and old timer Phil Mullins (2/19).
In previous weeks it was Bridport who established themselves as the team to beat in the competition.
Matty Taylor began the NECA cricket season in sparkling fashion scoring 41 and 62 in the first two matches.
Against Scottsdale on January 13th, Taylor led the way with 41 after boundaries off the first two balls, supported by Adam Wesley (23) and Cooper Hayes (18).
Bridport finished with 7/127 off their 20 overs.
Tyler Bennett (2/9), Darcy Kitchin (2/13) and veteran Troy Bowen (2/27) were the best of the Scottsdale bowlers.
In reply Scottsdale fell short despite solid contributions from Bennett (46) and Brent Jones (29 not out). They finished on 5/111 after losing two wickets in the opening over.
Adam Wesley (4/8) and Josh Nunn (1/17) shared the wickets for Bridport.
Against Bridport, Branxholm could only manage 6/89 from their 20 overs. Cousins Phil and Bryton Mullins top scored with 18 although Bryton's innings was interrupted when he top edged a delivery into his nose.
Cooper Hayes (2/19), Lochie Mason (1/4) and young Jamieson Nunn (1/8) led the Port bowling attack.
Bridport took just nine overs to overhaul the target after Taylor smashed 22 off Kieren Mullins first over, and then took just 17 balls to post his half century. Phil Mullins and Hamish Auton each took a wicket for Branxholm.
On Friday night at Scottsdale the home team will host Branxholm.