Batemans Bay falls short in return to first grade

Ulladulla began the final day of the two-weekend match at 1/34 after losing the wicket of opener Bradley Field late on day one.

They suffered another blow early on day two, with Mark Allsopp being trapped lbw in front of his stumps by Anthony Mortimer for 15.

Batemans Bay would not be able to take advantage of this early break though, as United quickly got the upper hand.

Connor Hawkins combined well with Aaron Wester to push Ulladulla’s run rate, as both men were knocking the ball around the park.

Hawkins quickly brought up his fifty, as both men looked settled in to take Ulladulla towards the target of 272.

The spin of Lachlan Croke would eventually draw a loose shot out of Hawkins for 68, an innings that included 12 boundaries.

Joel Turner would join Wester at the crease, but his short lived innings of 16 was brought to an end by Croke, and the match looked evenly poised heading into the second half of the day.

United skipper Peter King would make sure his side would take home the points, as he joined Wester for a match-winning partnership.

Wester frustrated the Batemans Bay bowlers, looking completely comfortable at the crease as his innings ticked past 50.

King would fall to the bowling of Lachlan Croke late in the day for 41, but Aaron Wester made sure of the win not long after, bringing up his century to cap off a fantastic individual performance.

Batemans Bay will have to wait two weeks for their chance at a first victory, as they travel north to Nowra to play Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen in a two-day match beginning on Saturday, October 28.

Ulladulla will play their first home game of the season against Bay & Basin at Lighthouse Oval.