NYAH District all-rounder Charlie Boulton proved unstoppable with both bat and ball in his team’s 92-run win over rivals St Mary’s Tyntynder on Saturday.
The Demons maintained their grip at the top of the SHDCA A Grade ladder as Boulton proved a class above in compiling a hard-hitting 88 from just 81 balls.
He then ripped the heart out of the Bulldogs middle order with the ball, taking 5/21 from 6.1 overs.
Demons captain Ben Shadbolt praised the performance after the victory, which also confirmed his team’s place in this season’s Kookaburra Cup grand final.
“It shows how much ability (Boulton) has, he’s not even 20 years old yet and he’s coming off a run up that’s a handful of steps, so there’s plenty of room for improvement with the ball as well, which is great signs for us,” Shadbolt said.
“He was due for a big score. He’s been getting a start nearly every week and he finally got off the chain on Saturday and if it wasn’t for an absolute screamer of a catch from Jake Foster he probably would have made it to triple figures.”
Boulton’s fellow opener Mitchell Grinham carried his bat for an unbeaten 77 off 112 deliveries.
A 126-run opening stand gave Nyah District the ideal start, with the Demons compiling 3/214, their second score above 200 this season.
“(Grinham) rode his luck a bit, which he’ll happily tell you, but he’s been in sensational form so far and he’s making the most of the opportunities that he’s gotten,” Shadbolt said.
“I reckon he’d be the leading run scorer and by a fair way now, which is a credit to him for toiling away for so long and making the most of his opportunity.
“When we have the likes of ‘Walshy’ (Joel Walsh), Dean (Harrop) and even Nash (Richman) when he settles into the team, when you have blokes like that who can come in and hit the ball as hard as they do and you’re none for 100-plus at drinks, it’s a really good platform for us and can make such a big difference.”
It was the first game in Demons colours for recruit Nash Richman, who was solid after bowling four overs (0/15) and making three not out batting at No.5.
The defeat was fifth of the season for St Mary’s Tyntynder’s, last year’s grand finalists sitting last on the ladder, and a game and a half behind Ultima TUF and Wandella in fifth and sixth place.
Chasing the Demons’ target of 214, the Bulldogs’ reply started off in shaky fashion, losing their first three wickets for 32 runs, before a 37-run partnership between Aydan Symons (26) and Riley Daniels (11) breathed life into their chase.
The was until Boulton entered the fray with his five-wicket haul, along with Cooper Andrews and Ethan Curran, who both finished with two wickets.
Jake Foster (14), Bailey Codling (12) and Robin Sebastian (16) all reached double figures, but were unable to go on after getting a start, with St Mary’s Tyntynder bowled out for 122 in the 32nd over.
The A Grade fixture between Ultima TUF and Wandella was washed out after rain on Saturday morning left the Alan Garden Reserve surface unplayable, with all other B and C grade SHDCA fixtures also abandoned without a ball being bowled.
