ST PATRICK’S import Jason van der Merwe underlined his class with a matchwinning century in the Patties’ 58-run win against Lavington at Xavier Oval on Saturday.
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Van der Merwe smashed through the 600-run barrier for the season with a majestic 101, with opposition coach Robbie Mackinlay saying he was the difference between the teams.
“It was a brilliant innings: he’s a classy batsman and was the difference really,” Mackinlay said.
Van der Merwe’s score enabled St Patrick’s to reach a competitive 7-235 before three run outs ended any chance Lavington had of reeling in the total.
The Panthers were in a solid position at 2-82 before Sam Harris and Nathan Brown were run out in successive balls and Bryce Swift fell in the same manner several overs later.
The absence of Jay Banks, Andrew Mackinlay and Mick Howard didn’t help either.
“We were a little off the boil but at 2-82 I thought we in the game.” Mackinlay said.
“We lost our way with the run outs; St Pats were a bit good.”
St Patrick’s coach Mark Butters was outstanding with the ball, taking 3-31, while first-gamer Ryan Lade, the 14-year-old son of Tallangatta star Andrew Lade, chimed in late with 2-15.
East Albury opener Tom Wells muscled a century in the Crows’ comfortable win against New City at Alexandra Park.
Wells, who is returning to England soon, hit 11 boundaries and five sixes in his 122 with Hayden Coulson and James McNeil providing support with half centuries in a score of 5-311.
New City captain Mitch O’Brien led a chase with 81 but was unable to get on top of Cameron White (3-49) and McNeil (3-51).