It may have been the first game for the Reedy Creek Raptors in this years Lachlan Premier Cricket competition, but the Parkes side showed no signs of rust as they demolished the Cowra Valleys by a massive 146 runs at Woodward Oval on Saturday afternoon.
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After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Raptors copped an early blow when Connor Robertson (0) departed for a duck; but that just brought the dynamic Ben Coultas (80) to the crease.
Coultas combined with opener Jimmy Kuntze (79) for an entertaining 148 run partnership over 31 overs, leaving the Valleys fielders chasing plenty of leather.
Both batters rotated the strike superbly, giving the side a healthy run-rate of 4.4 before Isaac McFarland (1/50) broke through for the wicket of Kuntze.
Valleys bowler Ben Houghton (3/17) was able to trigger a mini collapse, but the Raptors were still able to post a very competitive total on 187.
In reply, the Valleys never got a sniff as the Raptors opening pair of Blake Smith (3/7) and Brad Parker 3/17) strangled the life out out of the batting lineup.
Just three batters managed to crawl to double figures, with Mitch Amos (11), batting at 10, managing to save the Valley from complete embarrassment.
In the end, the Valleys were bowled out for 41 in just the 17th over, consigning them to a 146 run defeat; with Houghton (10) and Jacob McNaught the other two to reach double digits.
Next weekend the Raptors will travel to Cowra to take on Bowling Club while the Valleys return to Woodward Oval to take on the Parkes Colts.
Best and Fairest votes:
- 3 votes: Ben Coultas
- 2 votes: Jimmy Kuntze
- 1 vote: Blake Smith
