The Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association (BMRCA) kicked off its 2024-25 season with a thrilling match as reigning champions Cowaramup secured an emphatic eight-wicket victory over the Margaret River Hawks. The rematch of last season’s grand final took place at Gloucester Park on Saturday, where Cowaramup showcased their dominance right from the start.
Former Australian fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile was the standout performer, capturing five wickets as the Hawks struggled to post a competitive total. After being introduced to the attack in the 10th over, Coulter-Nile initially had a slow start, taking just one wicket in his first four-over spell. However, he quickly turned the tide, claiming four wickets in just 12 balls and finishing with remarkable bowling figures of 5-4 from six overs. The Hawks were bowled out for a mere 87, a total Cowaramup chased down in just 15 overs.
Despite the collapse, the Hawks saw some resistance from Grant Garstone, who scored 33 runs off 39 balls, and opener Jack Green, who added 18 runs from 79 balls before falling to Coulter-Nile. The team’s last eight wickets fell for just 20 runs, illustrating their struggle against Cowaramup’s bowling attack.
In response, Cowaramup’s No. 3 batsman Fraser Oates quickly sealed the game, scoring an impressive 63 not out from 48 deliveries, which included 12 boundaries and a six. His performance was instrumental in bringing the match to a swift conclusion.
At Dunsborough Playing Fields, Dunsborough began their campaign with an equally convincing eight-wicket win against Yallingup-Oddbods. Chasing a target of 150, Dunsborough faced an early setback, losing both openers to Matty Braid, who finished with figures of 2-39 from eight overs. At 2-19, the hosts needed a solid partnership to recover.
That partnership came in the form of an unbroken 123-run stand between Alex Cooke, who scored 60 not out from 84 balls, and Taylor Ingham-Hill, who contributed 53 not out from 70 balls. Their efforts allowed Dunsborough to chase down the total with 20 overs to spare.
Dunsborough’s bowlers also performed well, with Harry Sutherland leading the attack, taking 3-44 from ten overs. Every bowler used in the innings claimed at least one wicket, showcasing a well-rounded performance.
In another match, St Mary’s started their season with a commanding win over Vasse, defeating them by 117 runs at Barnard Park. Opener Zoraiz Saeed led the Saints with an impressive century, scoring an even 100 and helping the team to a formidable first-innings total of 3-310. Vasse struggled in their chase, being bowled out for 193 runs, with Ajith Rajapaksha providing some early momentum with a brisk 54 off 48 balls. However, the lower order crumbled under pressure from St Mary’s bowlers, particularly Tyler Campbell and Will Snaddon, who took 4-36 and 3-23, respectively.
The opening matches of the BMRCA season highlighted the competitive spirit and talent within the league, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
