Welcoming back pace bowler, Darcy Knight and left-arm wrist spinner, Lachlan Croke, as well as the wily veteran, Tom Purcell, 2nd Grade looked to rebound from their disappointing season opener the previous week against Sussex Inlet.

Bowling first, Batemans Bay showed greater commitment in the field and generally bowled very well to restrict the opposition to 9-156 from the allotted 40 overs. Catches were held and a last ball run-out effected in what was a more disciplined and pleasing fielding effort.

Darcy Knight led the way for the visitors taking 3-22 off seven overs, which included a whopping 11 wides. Lachlan Croke was similarly inconsistent, but showed enough in his spell of 2-26 to suggest he could be a crucial cog in the 2nd Grade machine.

Josh Lee (2-22) bowled with pace and control, evidently relishing the Berry wicket. Praveen Varghese turned in yet another economical spell of seamers and was unlucky not to be rewarded in the wickets column.

Two other wrist spinners, Tom Purcell and James Dickinson, challenged the Berry batsmen with their guile.

Needing to overcome sluggish one-day starts, Batemans Bay got off to a flier in the shape of Anthony Mortimer (15). His unfortunate dismissal, however, slowed the run rate and, while several contributors kept the Bay in the contest, ultimately they fell 18 runs shy of their maiden win for the season.

Best of the batsmen was Tom Purcell who crafted a mature innings of 26, while Lachlan Paterson compiled a handy 25 in the middle order. Lee contributed a valuable 16 in a 43-run partnership with Purcell.

Batemans Bay captain, Stephen Knight, has identified the need for the batting group to work hard this week on shot selection, strike rotation and game management.

BBCC 4th Grade v Shoalhaven Ex-Servos

After their exciting but frustrating loss last week, Bay’s 4th Grade side turned out to be no match for the Shoalhaven Ex-Servos team on Saturday.

Travelling away to Nowra, Batemans Bay lost the toss and were invited to bat first. In a total of 84, Mark Tuckwell was the standout, going in at the fall of the 2nd wicket and remaining unconquered with 32 not-out, as wickets regularly fell at the opposite end – an impressive effort from young Mark.

Veteran mentor Chad Salmon was the only other batsman to reach double figures against the accurate bowling attack.

The standout Ex-Servos bowler was Ollie Ellery who took 5-21.

Taking the field, the Bay Bowlers had no answer for Ex-Servos opening batsmen Hancock and Goldfinch. They scored 40 and 39 runs respectively in overhauling the Bay’s total with no wickets lost. Captain Chad Salmon was upbeat, saying this was a good young side with loads of potential.