ROEY LOOK GOOD IN 20/20 OPENER

20/20 cricket in Broome got of to a flying start on Sunday when Roebuck took some solace from last seasons Grand Final loss, with a great win over the 2008 premiers Mangrove.

The opening game of the AUSLEC 20/20 Cup was a high scoring affair with Mangrove winning the toss and batting first. Dean Holder looked in fine form early, but after his dismissal, the Mangrove crashed to 6 wickets for 63 runs off 10 overs against fine bowling from Jarrod Withers and Lynton Phillipson. Big hitting Wade Kingsley single handedly led a Mangrove revival that saw 102 runs scored off the last 10 overs as the Mangrove reached 9 for 165 off their 20 overs. Kingsley top scored with 78 including 7 sixes, while Holder made 20. For the Roey, Withers took 4 for 32, while Phillipson took 2 for 12 and Danial Foster 1 for 21.

In reply the Roey were solid from the start and after 12 overs were in a strong position
on 4 for 95. A 5th wicket partnership of 55 between Pat DeSouza and prodigal son Glen Bowman took the Roey to the brink of victory. The Roey finally overhauled the Mangrove total with a couple of overs to spare, finishing on 5 for 177 after their 20 overs. Captain DeSouza led from the front and top scored with 62 including 7 sixes while Bowman made 44 not out including 4 sixes, Phillipson made 18 and Joel Unicomb 16. For the Mangrove, Holder took 2 for 19 while Dave Bear took 1 for 18, Matt Jarvie 1 for 30 and Adam Pusep 1 for 39.

The afternoon game saw the woodern spooners for the last two seasons, the Dirty Dozen, start the season in fine fashion with a comprehensive victory over the Wanderers. Winning the toss and batting first, the Dozen got off to a solid start with openers Anthony Collopy and Scott Hanna putting on 38 for the 1st wicket in 7 overs. After 10 overs the Dozen were 2 for 55 and finally finished on 7 for 124 after their 20 overs. For the Dozen, Hanna top scored with 28, while Collopy made 22, Brett Morley 17 and Warren Sturrock 15. The Wanderers bowlers all bowled consistently and shared the wickets. Ronan Maher took 2 for 37, Tyrone Garstone 1 for 17, Wayne Edgar 1 for 18, Brad Tolentino 1 for 23 and Dominic Tracey 1 for 28.

The Wanderers started cautiously against the tight Dozen opening combination of Rhys Colreavy and Simon (Bruiser) Ross. The introduction of the Batt boys (Stuart and Scott) into the attack after the 7th over was the beginning of the end for the Wanderers who crashed for 1 for 31 to be all out for 63 on the first ball of the 18th over. Tracey was the only Wanderers batsman to reach double figures top scoring with 21. Stuart Batt was devastating with the ball taking 4 for 13 from the last 13 balls of his 4 over spell. Sturrock took 3 for 5 to clean up the Wanderers tail, while Ross took 1 for 6 and Scott Batt 1 for 26.

Next Sunday sees round 2 of the AUSLEC Cup played at Male Oval. The Wanderers play Mangrove at 10:30 am while the Dozen tackle the Roey at 2pm. The Auslec 20/20 Cup will comprise 6 qualifying games during July and August with the final played on the 23rd of August at 2pm at Male Oval between the 2 top placed teams.