RSL stays on top of the table with another win

Narrabri RSL Cricket Club’s first XI scored a crucial victory on Saturday, one that could seal the top-ranked side the 2020-21 Narrabri District Cricket Association first grade one day minor premiership and its first grand final appearance since the 2014-15 campaign.

In its round 14 match against the Western Razorbacks at Collins Park, RSL was victorious by four wickets.

It restricted the Wee Waa-based side to 8-143 from its 45 overs which it chased down in 37.3 overs for the loss of six wickets.

That victory ensured RSL remained on top of the table for another week.

It is still level on points with second-placed Civeo, but RSL leads on runs scored and conceded and wickets taken and lost percentage.

Civeo won its round 14 match against Tatts by 145 runs at Leitch Oval on Saturday.

There is now just one round remaining in the regular season, with RSL scheduled to take on Tatts at Leitch Oval on Saturday and Civeo to meet the Western Razorbacks in a Collins Park showdown.

However, rain has been forecast from Wednesday to Monday, which means that Narrabri cricket could be washed out for the third time in four weeks.

If that unfolds, RSL will be crowned minor premiers and will advance to the grand final where it would meet the winner of the preliminary final match which would be contested by Civeo and the Western Razorbacks.

In round 14 on Saturday, RSL started in style as opening bowling duo Nathan Trindall and Cooper Brayshaw ripped through the Razorbacks’ top three with ease.

Trindall dismissed Toby Reynolds (0) in the second over. The Wee Waa opener was caught behind by RSL wicketkeeper Craig Summers which made the score 1-4.

The RSL duo produced three consecutive maidens in overs four to six, then Brayshaw dismissed Ty Baker (1) who was caught by Tim Shields.

In the 11th over, which was Brayshaw’s sixth straight to start the match, the RSL bowler removed Razorbacks big-hitter Chris Smith (4) who was also caught behind.

That left the Razorbacks struggling at 3-18 with Daniel Hamilton and Josh Trindall at the crease. That duo combined for a 39-run partnership to steady the ship and take their side past 50 runs.

In the 24th over, RSL’s leading wicket-taker Jake Brayshaw broke the partnership when he dismissed Trindall (12) with assistance from his brother Cooper.

Two overs later he claimed his second of the game when he removed Clay Hoffman (0) who was caught by Shields.
Hamilton lost another partner just before the second drinks break when Jay Hall was stumped by Summers in the Matt Tubner-bowled 30th over which made the score 6-80.

Hamilton eventually departed for a team-best 39 in the 34th over, caught by Shane Murphy from the bowling of Tubner.

That made the score 7-96, which became 8-117 in the 37th over when Jake Brayshaw dismissed Angus Galagher (2) who was caught by Jake’s brother Zaac.

That was the last wicket to fall in the innings. Razorbacks duo Nathan Hamblin (38) and Brandon Couley (11) remained unbeaten after the final ball had been bowled as they guided their side to 8-143.

Jake Brayshaw was RSL’s best with the ball with 3-20 from nine overs.

Cooper Brayshaw (2-20 from eight overs), Tubner (2-36 from six overs) and Nathan Trindall (1-10 from seven overs) combined for the other five.

Just as RSL did, the Razorbacks also claimed an early wicket to start their fielding innings on the front foot.

Hall made the early breakthrough in the third over when he bowled Summers (2) during a wicket-maiden.
That was the only wicket to fall in the first session as RSL entered the 15-over drinks break at 1-34.

The batting side added 14 more to the total before Zaac Brayshaw (10) was caught by Couley in the Baker-bowled 21st over which made the score 2-48.

Cody Kember entered to partner Tim Shields at the crease and started his innings in style as he got off the mark with a six from the second delivery he faced.

The RSL duo combined for a 37-run partnership before Shields (38) was trapped in front by Hoffman in the 26th over.

That made the score 3-85, which became 4-102 in the 29th when Murphy (4) was trapped in front by Couley.

Kember eventually powered his way passed 50 as he guided his side towards victory. He smashed his fourth sixth of the innings to bring up the half-century in the 35th over, but two deliveries later he was caught by Reynolds for a match-best 57.

That made the score 5-140, which became 6-141 in the 36th over when Mick Dowdell (0) was bowled by Hall.

However, it was too little too late for the Razorbacks as Jake Brayshaw scored the remaining three runs in the 38th over to seal the victory for RSL. Brayshaw brothers Jake (3*) and Cooper (9*) finished unbeaten for the chasing side.

The Razorbacks’ best with the ball was Couley with 2-21 from five overs. Hall (2-29 from 8.3 overs) also bagged two wickets, while Hoffman (1-30 from seven overs) and Baker (1-31 from eight overs) claimed one each.