O’Connell puts Hay Park in a spin

A bowling masterclass from Marist captain Reece O’Connell led the Blues to a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Hay Park at Hay Park East on Saturday.

O’Connell took 5-5 off 10 overs as the Redbacks were bowled out for just 83 runs, before the Blues chased the modest total down in 11.1 overs. An undermanned Hay Park batted first after captain Jono Whitney won the toss, with Jono Miller (0) the first to fall after edging to wicketkeeper Josh Vague off the bowling of Alan Utterson (2-22 off 10 overs).

Whitney (14) and Charlie Home (30) worked hard to establish a solid start, before Whitney spooned a catch to Corey Fitt at cover off the bowling of Sam Roots (1-17 off five overs).

Just a few overs later Home was sent back to the pavilion when Utterson grabbed his second wicket, opening up a modest middle order to Marist’s strong bowling attack. Kris Miller (14) was O’Connell’s first victim when he hit a soft catch to Josh Seale at square leg.

Tom Scott (6) and Punya Bahl (2) were both sent packing by Ben Shipley (2-15 off eight overs) who was bowling quick and accurately on a flat deck.

At 6-67 Hay Park were in deep trouble and O’Connell was not going to let them off lightly.

The left-arm orthodox spinner first trapped James Harradine (3) lbw, before he took a fantastic catch off his own bowling to dismiss a stubborn Marty Foster, who scored two runs off 57 balls.

O’Connell then bowled Ben Hare (0) and had Richard Ewing (0) was stumped by Vague to leave Hay Park all out for 83 runs in 37 overs.

Marist never looked in trouble when chasing the total, with Corey Fitt hitting Whitney for a six off the third ball of the innings.

Fitt hit 29 runs from just 14 balls before he was bowled by Jack Charters (1-31 off four overs).

Kyle Davis (3) chopped the ball onto his own stumps off Home (1-7 off three overs) before Sam Roots (41 not out) and O’Connell (5 not out) finished off the chase.