Cricket: Nowonty stuns with unbeatable 72
A representative team for the West Pilbara Cricket Association is on its way to Perth in March next year for the Country Cup after taking out the Pilbara qualifying tournament on the weekend.
The WPCA side started off with a rout of a team representing the Port Hedland Cricket Association.
Batting first the local boys put up a score of 3/144, with half of the runs coming off the bat of Matthew Nowonty who hit an unbeaten 72 runs to give his team a fairly comfortable total to defend, despite a decent showing by Hedland bowler Glen Robertson who took two wickets for 19 runs.
There was an excellent bowling spell from Warwick Durack, who usually played for the Karratha Kats club in the local competition, who took two wickets for five runs, while Shaun Kelly picked up 2 wickets for 21 runs as the WPCA bowlers had the visitors in disarray dismissing them all out for 93 after 17 overs.
Nowonty had all the answers in the second game against Fortescue Cricket Association, hitting an equally impressive 64 runs for WPCA's massive 4/172 run total.
Shane Edwards helped out for WPCA with 41 runs not out.
Although the Fortescue side were no slouches, they couldn't seem to build any decent partnerships against the WPCA bowling attack who kept them honest at 7/106 at the end of 20 overs with good bowling from WPCA's Adam Palumbo who took two wickets for 8 runs.
The last match was a dead rubber where Port Hedland beat Fortescue.
WACA country cricket co-ordinator Tim Lees said the WPCA's two wins locked in their spot for the Country Cup.
"They're going to be up against powerhouses like Peel, Bunbury and Eastern Goldfields who have won the last two in a row … they're going to come up against some stiff opposition so we'll have to wait and see," he said.
The qualifying tournament will be held in Tom Price next year at the refurbished oval which is currently getting its finishing touches.
Seniors wasn't the only cricket being played on the day though as youngsters got stuck into 40 minute Twenty20 Blast style matches after the WPCA versus Fortescue match.
Country cricket's Pilbara co-ordinator Paul Marion said it was the first season the format had been run here.
"We've got 32 registered participants, but we've brought in the bigger kids this weekend to have a bit of a bash," he said.
"It's the next step up from beginners' level cricket for the little kids … and it's following in the format of Twenty20 cricket."
Juniors play on weeknights in an entertainment-driven atmosphere.
Anyone interested in more information about junior cricket can ring Marion on 0400 116 005 or email wpjca@hotmail.com.au .
