By Casey OÇonnor
An impressive 76 from 74 from the bat and four wickets with the ball by Sam Dowie guided RSL to a 92-run victory over Valleys at CF White Oval in the opening round of the 2020 Stanthorpe Cricket Competition.
RSL set Valleys a solid run chase finishing their innings 9/202 thanks to Dowie’s innings.
It took him no time at all to settle back into batting becoming the lynch-pin of the RSL innings, with his form and shot selection not showing any hint that he had a nine months or more break away from the game
Stefanon and Amerena were the best of the Valley’s bowlers. Amerena taking 3/26 and Stefanon 2/35.
Carmichael was good in the field taking three catches while youngster Jackson Haynes grabbed two catches.
In reply Valleys were never allowed to get into the game with a steady fall of wickets.
Savins and Amerena tried to steady the ship before Amerena was dismissed with the score at 2/55. Captain Damien Anderson was looking in good touch before being dismissed for 28.
Unfortunately there were no heroics from the tail and Valleys were all out for 110. Sam Dowie starred with the ball as well as the bat taking four wickets.
On Sheehan Oval, Wanderers had first use of the wicket for the season posting a more than competitive score of 230 runs.
It was a good performance from most of the top and middle order who all managed to get going. It was captain Brock Patti who topped the scoring with a well-constructed 75 from 73 deliveries. When Patti was dismissed the score was 4/216.
The tail added only a handful of runs but it was score that proved beyond the reach of South’s.
In a shock start to their season they were bowled out for just 85 – including 21 extras.
In the bowling stakes Liam Lanza finished with five wickets for South’s (5/24). Andrew Einam and Brock Patti took a bag each. John Halford turned back the clock for Wanderers taking four catches.
