Cobden prevails in round one

COBDEN has scored a 79-run win over Simpson in the first round of the new Colac-South West premier division one cricket competition.

New Simpson skipper Jackson Rock won the toss and sent Cobden into bat in the match at the Simpson Recreation Reserve.

Cobden openers Matthew Boyle and Campbell Walsh took the score to 29 before both were dismissed in quick succession.

Contributions from Matthew Kemp (39 from 57 balls) and Parker Walsh (38 from 64) helped set up the visitors’ innings.

“It was good to get off to a relatively good start,” Cobden captain Johno Benallack said.

“Kempy and Parker batted well and gave us a good platform that we probably didn’t really capitalise on.”

Benallack led the way in the second half of Cobden’s innings, finishing unbeaten on 45 from 55 balls as the Knights were bowled out for 198 in the 48th over.

“We thought it was a decent score on that ground, it played really well though it was a little soft after the recent rain.”

The best of the Simpson bowlers was Shaun Baines, who was on debut for the Tigers after crossing from the Forrest Cricket Club.

“Shaun has been at every training, he bowls with a nice bit of swing, we thought he’d be a good option with the new ball,” Simpson skipper Rock said.

“He was good in his first spell without luck, he came back on and got a few wickets and bowled really well.”

Another Simpson debutante, English import Ben Smith, also performed with the ball with his off spinners.

“Ben hadn’t bowled at all in the English season as he is a wicketkeeper over there,” Rock said.

“He was really good, he flights the ball nicely.”

Smith took 2/38 from eight overs, with pace bowler Zach Anderson also taking two wickets.

Rock himself bowled tightly, taking 1/27 from nine overs.

Simpson’s reply was disastrous early.

The Tigers went from 0/9 to 5/12, then 6/26 and 7/42.

“We definitely had nerves with the bat going up a grade,” Rock said.

“We played shots that got ourselves out.”

For the Knights, teenage all-rounder Parker Walsh took three of the first five wickets, ending with 4/17 from 9.2 overs.

“Parker is a good little player, he does his job with a minimum of fuss,” Benallack said.

“He bowls good areas and was really on the spot on Saturday.”

A fit Eddie Walsh, who took 2/21 from six overs, was a big plus for Benallack.

“Eddie has recovered from the knee issues he had last season, it’s great to have him back bowling.

“He’s worked really hard, he’s probably been our best performer in the pre-season.”

Ben Smith top scored for Simpson with 43 from 55 balls with three fours and a six, while the Tigers lower order gave respectability to the total, the last three wickets putting on 77 to get the home team to 119 before being bowled out.

“Ben batted really well, while Bradey Fratantaro supported him well, holding up an end and working singles where needed,” Rock said.

Fratantaro finished unbeaten on a patient 17 from 70 balls, while number 11 Kris Ackerley made 18 from 22 balls.

“There’s lots to tighten up on, but we can definitely take plenty of positives out of the game,” Rock said.

Both teams will have their next encounter against Apollo Bay, with Simpson to host the Sharks this week, and Cobden heading to Apollo Bay in round three after a round two bye.