A captain’s knock from Haydn Pascoe and six-wickets from Dean Bennett has seen Griffith keep hold of the cup for another week after a convincing performance against West Wyalong at Exies No 2 on Sunday.
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In hot and humid conditions, West Wyalong was the first to bat and after an 11-run opening stand between Gerard O’Brien (4) and Dan Victor (5) before Satvir Chahal (1/21) struck to remove Victor.
O’Brien and Jesse Hampton looked to try and build their side towards a solid target before Marc Tucker (2/24) struck twice in two balls to remove O’Brien and West Wyalong captain Al Edis.
Hampton and Rahul Kumar came together with their side looking in danger at 3/27, but the pair were able to steer their side away from an early collapse with a 43-run fourth wicket stand.
Even after Bennett removed Kumar (18), Tristan Buttenshaw maintained their forward movement with a 22 run stand with Hampton.
West Wyalong was put on the back foot as Bennett (6/25) started to take wickets at regular intervals to see the visiting side fall from 5/92 to be all out for 112 after 30 overs.
Griffith captain Pascoe was quick to credit the young spinner who turned the game in their favour.
“Obviously Dean Bennett bowled really well with a six-fa,” he said.
“As soon as we took the pace off the ball the wickets started falling.”
Griffith’s reply didn’t get off to the best start as they lost Dom Brown (1) in the second over to the bowling of Will Roberts.
While Phil Burge and Dean Bennett made a decent start for the home with a 19-run partnership, it was broken when Buttenshaw (1/17) removed Bennett (8) to bring Pascoe to the crease.
The senior heads of Burge and Pascoe put their side on the path to victory win a commanding 63-run partnership before Burge became Roberts (2/16), second victim.
The fall of Burge had little impact on the chase as Jimmy Binks (15*) and Pascoe (49*) were able to guide the home side to a seven-wicket win to set up a showdown with local rivals Leeton next weekend.
While happy with his performance a drained Pascoe said it was just good to have time out in the middle.
“I had a few lucky chances there, but that’s cricket,” he said.
“ The first half of the season I haven't been batting a lot with a few washouts and heat restricted games, so its good to spend some time in the middle.”
The three wins in a row also means there will be a special moment for those who have been involved in all three games.
“There will be a few green hats getting handed out next week which is good,” he said.