Mixed fortunes for EGCA in Perth
The Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association had mixed results in Sunday's first leg of the annual Country Cup finals in Perth.
Seeking a fourth title in six years, the EGCA easily beat Fortescue in the first game on the strength of skipper Chris Johnston's impressive batting.
Johnston arrived at the crease with the EGCA in trouble at 2-36.
But the left-hander steadied the ship via a patient 71 and Gavin Bailiff (29) and Blake Willis (22) also made solid contributions in the EGCA's 4-167.
Fortescue slumped to 6-64 in reply and were bundled out for 78 in 14.2 overs as Gavin Bailiff grabbed 4-5 off three overs.
Game 2 against Bunbury and Districts was a different story, however, with the EGCA restricted to 9-114.
Opener Warren August made 27, but no-one else could go on with the job as Clint Hewson, Reece O'Connell and Corey Fitt each took two wickets.
In reply, Bunbury cruised to 2-115 in 15.3 overs.
Michael Harling took both wickets, but the attack had no answer to the strokeplay of Bunbury opener Jon Whitney, who was not out 76.
Whitney's knock, carved out over 55 minutes, included five sixes and three boundaries.
Goldfields were due to play Peel and Albany yesterday.
Domestic fixtures resume next Sunday when Lake View play North Kalgoorlie and Great Boulder oppose Hannans in the second-last round of qualifiers while the grand final is set for March 28.
