Hawks claim thriller

The Margaret River Hawks remain undefeated in the Busselton Margaret River Cricket Association A-grade competition, narrowly defeating Dunsborough last Saturday at Dunsborough Playing Fields.

The match was tight from the outset with a disciplined bowling display from the Hawks after stand-in Dunsborough captain Josh Reagan won the toss and elected to bat.

Young Dunsborough opening batsman Jack Omodei got his team off to a solid start, scoring a patient 28. In-form Hawks fast bowler Leigh Westcott managed to claim the prized wicket of Aaron Mott for just 17 runs after the opener made a fast start.

First drop Phil Watts then steadied the ship for Dunsborough, top scoring with 29, and combining with Omodei for an important 33-run partnership.

Aaron Andrich and Reagan looked to be in good form in the middle order, building a strong run rate, however when the skipper fell with the score at 4-115, it triggered a mini collapse. Hawks keeper Shane Joyce was again instrumental, stumping Andrich and dismissing wild card Ricc-ardo Small-Boyce caught behind off the leg spin bowling of Peter Crimp. Crimp took three wickets in one over to leave Dunsborough reeling at 7-115

However, the Dunsborough tail again wagged with Ryan Martin and Ben Christmas looking to clear the boundary at all costs.

With a target of 150, the Hawks began the chase confidently before elevated opener Kade Dittmar edged one to slip off an out-swinging delivery from Small-Boyce. The Hawks were cruising at 2-104 until a late Dunsborough fightback saw them lose 6-21.

Hawks captain Matthew Kent stubbornly held firm to get his team over the line with six overs to spare.

The T20 competition begins this week, with Dunsborough playing Yobs at noon and St Mary’s at 3pm at Dunsborough Playing fields. The Hawks play St Mary’s at noon and then YOBS at Barnard Park from 3pm.