Rockhampton 2nd XI beat Bishopston 2nd XI by 47 runs

ROCKHAMPTON seconds started their 2017 campaign with a comfortable victory over Bishopston seconds in a pre-season friendly on Saturday at The Boundary Field.

Opener Harry Collins was the star man for Rockhampton as he made a brilliant 121 not out.

Rams skipper Alastair Douds won the toss and elected to bat on a good looking pitch, and opening batsmen Collins and Jeremy White were soon into their stride.

Bishopston suffered a blow as opening bowling Harry Fitzgerald limped off with a torn hamstring after managing to deliver only 3.4 overs.

Collins and White both passed 50 but with the score on 137 and White looking to increase the run rate he was caught at long off by Richard Hobson off leg spinner Joe Cook.

James Dryden joined Collins at the crease these two were able to take the Rams through to the end off the innings. Rockhampton reached a formidable 244/1 off their 40 overs with Collins uneaten on 121 and Dryden 47 not out.

Bishopston’s reply got off to a solid start with Richard Hobson and Dan Whetton opening up. Rams opening bowlers Chris Pearce and Will Brisco were both unfortunate not to pick up early wickets with White dropping chances off both at slip.

The breakthrough came when young leg spinner Sam Long was introduced as he had Whetton well caught by debutant Max Curtis. Long then bowled Rajh with a beauty and removed the dangerous Hobson caught in the deep by Dryden.

Ben Stevens and Stuart Bell put together a good partnership for the visitors but the run rate was always climbing. Curtis and Matt Taylor bowled good spells keeping things tight for the Rams. Bell reached his fifty with a sweep for four, but was out foxed by Douds with the next ball and was caught by Taylor at point.

Captain Ben Perry came in and finished the innings unbeaten on 30 with Stevens still there on 23 at the other end. Long was the pick of the bowlers for Rockhampton finishing with 3 for 27 off his 8 overs. Bishopston finished on 197-4 off their 40 overs giving the Rams a win by 47 runs.

Rockhampton seconds start their league programme next Saturday with a home game against Ullenwood Bharat starting at 1pm. The first team travel to Cheltenham.