Letchford and Jones ensure opening win

Harvey-Leschenault stamped its claim to the WA Country Cricket Championship A-section title on Sunday, with a defiant win over the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Cricket Association at Hillcrest Upper Reserve.

The side began the campaign in dominant fashion, posting 9/266 for 60 overs after opener Haydn Jones blasted 89 and youngster James Letchford chipped in with a quick-fire 46.

Jones’ experience at the top of the order proved pivotal for the exuberant Harvey-Leschenault outfit as he negotiated Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s attack to build the innings’ foundation.

Jones ensured the run-rate ticked over, while fellow opener James Yorath struggled to adjust – scoring eight from 57 deliveries before he was dismissed leg-before-wicket by Matt Rieley.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder looked to regain momentum when Dharmendra Singh claimed Jones’ wicket – just 11 runs short of a century.

Anton Fimmano (7) and wicket-keeper Nathan Douch (12) then fell quickly after to have the score flailing at 5-138.

However, Letchford and tail-ender Michael Newman (21) combined to blast a 46-run stand for the eighth wicket – lifting Harvey-Leschenault’s total to 266 at the compulsory close.

Letchford transferred his battling form to the ball when Harvey-Leschenault took the field to defend the total and claimed 5-39 in an emphatic bowling display.

The left arm tearaway tore through the Kalgoorlie-Boulder batting order, while Newman chipped in with the tidy figures of 3-53 off 15.3 overs.

Singh (56) and Garry Miller (46) were the only Kalgoorlie-Boulder batsmen to offer resistance during the run chase as the side were skittled for 163 in the 50th over.

Harvey-Leschenault were set to face the Great Southern Cricket Association at Abbett Park in the second fixture of the five-game championship when the Harvey-Waroona Reporter went to print yesterday.