Golden City upstage KBCA rivals to grab seventh victory

Golden City landed a key blow against St George last Saturday in a battle of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Cricket Association’s top-two in a decisive victory at Shepherdson Park.

After batting first and compiling 5-165, Golden City warded off a 76-run partnership from Francois Richard and Terence Meere to restrict their rivals to 8-145 and secure a competition-best seventh win.

It was an opportunity lost for St George, after openers Brendan Evans (27) and Jackson Cooper (12) put on 44 runs.

The side slumped to 4-49 before Richard and Meere dug-in for scores of 40 and 26 respectively.

Richard’s knock came off 40 balls and included seven boundaries and Meere defied the opposition attack for 48 deliveries.

But the last three wickets fell for two runs on the back of Michael Boucaut’s 4-17.

His spell was complemented by Rob Mills’ 2-15.

Earlier, opener Blake Harte underpinned Golden City’s innings with a hard-hitting 47 from 58 balls.

It featured eight boundaries and Boucaut needed just 21 balls to compile 34 with five boundaries.

Nathan Fishburn (25) and Mills (11) were the not out batters as Shaun Purcell grabbed 2-20.

Despite the result, St George hold second place, a game clear of both Goldrush and Sunrisers.

Sunrisers drew level on five wins with Goldrush after proving their masters last weekend.

When Goldrush were routed for 102, Sunrisers compiled 4-103 in 20.5 overs after Aravind Chegonda top-scored with 37 off 33 balls.

He struck six boundaries and the total was boosted by 20 sundries, including 14 wides.

Matt Cannan earlier led Goldrush’s batting with 37 off 52 balls, but they crashed to 5-45 and were bowled out in 25.5 overs.

Sunrisers rolled-out a nine-pronged attack, with five bowlers each claiming two wickets.

In the other match, Hibernians needed just 21.3 overs to chase down Veterans’ 8-75.

Veterans batted first, but Tony Thomsen’s 15 off 18 balls was the top-score when Kelvin Kretschmer (3-10) and Tom Hughes (2-10) combined for five wickets.

Hibernians’ 5-78 in reply featured Nick Edmeads’ unbeaten 30 off 48 balls.

The last round before the Christmas break will be played this Saturday when St George oppose Goldrush at Morrison Oval from 11am.

Veterans play Sunrisers and Hibernians take on Golden City, both at Shepherdson Park from 1pm.

Ladder:

Golden City 21 points; St George 18; Goldrush 15; Sunrisers 15; Hibernians 12; Veterans 0.