Dowdell century powers the Colts to a memorable win over Tourist

The SignPrintStitch Colts juniors got to witness one of the Narrabri District Cricket Association’s best batsmen in recent history in fine form on Saturday as their skipper Mick Dowdell scored an unbeaten 133 runs to guide the side to a maiden 40-over competition win.

The Colts batted first against Tourist Hotel at Leitch Oval in the third-round clash and were struggling at 6-35 as Dowdell joined his son Jakson at the crease in the 10th over, but the duo put on a 50-run partnership to take them to 85.

The SignPrintStitch team then lost 3-10 to find themselves on 9-95 in the 25th over as Dowdell’s nephew Lucas Dowdell arrived for the final-wicket partnership.

The youngster played with patience and discipline as his uncle did the damage at the other end, and they put on a 93-run stand together.

Lucas (3) was bowled by Tourist Hotel co-captain Chris Smith in the 38th over as the Colts finished on 188 runs with nine balls to spare.

The Colts’ captain smashed 17 fours and five sixes on his way to a season-high score of 133*, and his opposing skipper Smith was Tourist’s best with the ball as he finished with 4-13 from seven overs.

Smith then led the way with the bat in the match’s second innings as he top-scored with 42 runs.

Other key contributions from Tim Hayne (40*), fellow co-captain Adam Gordon (35) and Aaronn Baker (20) gave Tourist Hotel a fighting chance to win the game, but they fell 14 runs short of the required total when Jobe Ford took the match-winning wicket in the 35th over to bring the match to an end.

He took 3-18 from five overs to help restrict Tourist Hotel to 175 runs, and Gareth Lamond (2-20 from six overs), Mick Dowdell (2-21 from six overs), Blair Lennox (1-15 from two overs), Gus Ford (1-24 from four overs) and Michael Harris-Clayton (1-39 from five overs) combined for the other seven.

The other round three second grade game did not go ahead as Tatts were forced to forfeit their fixture against RSL do to player availability.

The round four games on Saturday, November 30, will see Tourist Hotel challenge RSL at Leitch Oval and the SignPrintStitch Colts meet Tatts at Gately Field.