Euro stays in the Country Plate

In what is proving to be one of the best senior representative seasons for a few years, Eurobodalla showed plenty of fight to overcome their more fancied opponents, after travelling a number of hours to Shellharbour. In fact, two players from Dalmeny were that keen to get to the game, they slept at the ground overnight.

Eurobodalla won the toss and decided to bat. Matt Sethi and Jeremy Wales got the side off to a fine start before losing Wales for 27 with the score at 46. The potent middle order failed to capitalise on the fine start, and at 5-101 the Eurobodalla side were in plenty of trouble, with Sethi contributing a gutsy 26.

Matt Corbett steadied the ship with 16, but it was left to the tail to build a respectable total. Mitch Wales showed plenty of class and powerful stroke play to guide the lower order to the imposing total of 180.

Wales was out on the last ball for a fine 42, after combining for a last-wicket stand of 30 with Paul Britt (1 not out), which in the wash of the game was the match-winning partnership.

The Shellharbour City side were never in the hunt to run down the total as they staggered to 8-136. The tight Eurobodalla bowling and the excellent captaincy of Tim Hartshorn never allowed the South Coast side into the match.

Best with the ball for Eurobodalla were Mark Stiller (4-28), Nick Mason (2-19) and Matt Corbett (0-4 off five overs). The side is looking forward to the next round with a home game and with the winner moving into the final four of the NSW Country Plate, to be played at Orange just after Christmas.

Tim Hartshorn said he was pleased that his side were able to post a competitive total.

“Matt Sethi batted with maturity and did what he was asked to do which was bat for as long as he could,” he said.

“Paul Britt did a great job of holding up an end and ran well between wickets so Mitch Wales could do his job and lift the run rate at the end of the innings.”

Hartshorn also praised his bowlers who gave nothing away to the Shellharbour batsmen.

“Marc Stiller bowled the best spell I’ve seen from him and Nick Mason bowled well again without much luck,” he said.

“The opening bowlers really set the tone though. Matt Corbett bowled tightly and made it difficult for their openers to score.”

Hartshorn said the team’s Country Plate run is only going to make cricket in the region stronger.

“The experience is only going to improve our players,” he said.

“It’s good to see because we’ve put in some solid performances to get this far.”