Taverners storm to five-game winning streak with 78-run victory over Karratha Falcons

Pegs Creek overcame a shaky start against Wickham Wallabies to secure a 60-run victory in the penultimate round of the West Pilbara Cricket Association 40-over competition.

Pegs Creek won the toss and elected to bat first in the round six clash at the Karratha Leisureplex on November 18.

The move appeared to backfire when Pegs slipped to 4-51 in the 12th over on the back of a blistering opening spell by Matt Parker and Mitchell Crosby.

Matthew Smith (47 from 73) hunkered down, absorbing early pressure before steadying his side’s innings with support from Sam O’Hare (26) and Nick Hegan (27 not out).

In the end, Pegs recovered to finish their 40 overs at 9-198.

Parker was the pick of the bowlers with 4-21 from eight overs with Smith taking 2-36.

In reply, Wickham got off to a steady start before a collapse of 4-20 ripped out the Wallabies middle order.

Pegs bowlers kept control of the momentum, dismissing Wickham for 138.

Matthew Smith was the stand-out batter with 47 runs, while Mitchell Smith and Ben Cattani took three wickets each for Pegs.

Meanwhile, a rampant Nickol Hawks thrashed Baynton Lions by 245 runs in a brutal game.

Batting first, Nickol seized control with a 135-run opening partnership between Aziz Saghar (90) and Clint Pollock (33).

It was all Hawks from then on with the middle order taking advantage of the strong foundation to finish at 7-310 from their 40 overs.

Baynton’s run chase never got started with the side’s top order losing four wickets for 10 runs.

In the end, Baynton were bundled out for 65 runs in the 22nd over.

All five bowlers picked up wickets, with Sunil Kumar the stand-out with three scalps.

In the final game of the round, Dampier Taverners extended their unbeaten run to five straight games with a 78-run victory over Karratha Falcons.

Batting first, Dampier made their way to a steady 9-140 before skittling Karratha Falcons for 62 in the 18th over.

Dampier’s Craig Shirley was the stand-out player with 60 runs before backing it up with three wickets.

The final round of the regular season takes place on Saturday, November 25.