Shemeld on song in Dalyellup win

A superb knock of 77 from Rodney Shemeld helped Dalyellup Beach avoid a shock loss to Collie, as the all-rounder led them to a six-wicket win at Roche Park on Saturday.

Batting first, the Coalminers posted a sub-par score of 129 from 41.4 overs, but early wickets sent shockwaves through the Settlers’ camp.

Collie openers Tom Plummer (4) and Brayden Kent (4) were unable to get the home side off to a solid start, before Blair Malatesta (35) and Austin Kent (8) pushed the innings along.

Bailey Moloney (22) fought hard with the bat in the middle order, while Seth White (38 not out) was in excellent touch, but the likes of Mark Williams (5), Fraser Hislop (0), Jason Borrett (2), Steve Ireland (3) and Ryan Loxton (0) offered little support.

Dalyellup’s bowling attack shared the wickets, with Corey Fagan (3-24 off 8.4 overs) leading the way.

Shemeld (1-23 off eight overs) got the key wicket of Plummer, while Zane Verhaaf (1-18 off four overs) sent Brayden Kent back to the sheds. Daniel Lomax (2-24 off seven overs) and Liam Renton (2-28 off 10 overs) were both handy with the ball.

The modest total became harder to chase when Scott Harber (4) and Fagan (5) were both dismissed by Brayden Kent (2-51 off eight overs), while Lomax was trapped lbw by Borrett (1-23), leaving Dalyellup in trouble at 3-27.

But Shemeld would dominate the bowling, hitting nine fours and three sixes in his 69-ball knock off 77. Mitchell Boyle (22) partnered Shemeld to steady the innings and the pair put on 89 runs for the fourth wicket, which helped Dalyellup to an easy win.