By Casey O'Connor
In a move that proved costly RSL after winning the toss asked Wanderers to bat first on the CF White turf.
In the initial stages of the game, it looked like it could have been a gamble that was paying off when runs looked difficult to come by. When opener Aiden Halford (2) was dismissed midway through the sixth over the score was 1/3. Having Fellow opener Mitch Drayton was also having trouble getting the ball away when Jamie Carnell joined him in the middle.
The pair had moved the score along to 32 when youngster Luke Brady and Noah Mackenzie combine to dismiss Drayton (18) in the 18th over. Jamie Carnell and Andrew Einam were the heroes of the batting line up. Carnell top scoring with 41 and Einam out for 29.
Wanderers went on to make before they were all out in the 44th over.
The RSL bowlers well to restrict the total to 114. Ryan Hines finished with the best bowling figures taking four wickets off this 11 overs. Rohan Brady also bowled well claiming three wickets including the important wicket of Jamie Carnell. Noah Mackenzie also took two wickets.
RSL fielded well. Luke Brady taking four catches, youngster Chris Haynes held two catches and Noah Mackenzie added a catch to his stats.
The picture was not so rosy for RSL when they batted. Will Dowie was dismissed first ball by Tim Harslett. Not the return to the game he had been hoping for. There were some promising partnerships but, in the innings, but players struggled to get beyond the high teens, The only batsman to make it into the twenties was Duan Lihou (24) who was the last batsman dismissed.
RSL were all out for 83 in the 43rd over.
RSL had difficulty playing Brendan Barker’s bowling. His 15 overs included six maidens 4/2 took four wickets and the most disruptive of the bowlers took 4/25. Clancy Toms took 2/15 from his four overs. Other wicket takers included Tim Harslett (1/12 ), Andrew Einam (1/21), Ned O’Reilly (1/9) and Jamie Carnell (1/0).
Wanderers picking up a win and the four points.
This weekend Valleys play Wanderers on the CF White and RSL take on Valleys on Sheehan Oval in the first days of the second two game of the season.
All eyes are sure to be on the weather this weekend with the opening round of the Mitchell Shield Rep season due to kick off on Sunday.
Stanthorpe set to host Lockyer at CF White Oval in the round one.
