BIG HIT: Nowra’s Ben Lahene smashed 88 for Nowra against Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemens in the first day of the two-day match.
NOWRA showed why it is sitting at the top of the competition table after posting 286 runs in the first day of the two-day match against Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemens at Bomaderry Sporting Complex.
Nowra won the toss and elected to bat first.
Opening batsman Kurt Quinlan took the edge off the ball to make 12 runs before he was unlucky to be declared out for LBW off a Brady Spelta delivery.
Sam Watts got in some big hits to claim 36 runs before he was caught by wicketkeeper Paul Meakins off a Shane Phillis ball.
Matthew Junk (42) and Daniel Bryant (36) continued to show Nowra’s good form with the bat, however Rohan Hutchison went back to the change rooms early after he was found LBW off a Phillis ball.
Nowra’s light was starting to fade as the heat of the day started to take its toll.
Coming in at sixth, Ben Lahene stepped up to the crease and did not mess about with making 88 runs. His reign ended when he was bowled by Spelta.
Although it was not his usual big knock, captain Michael Coulter did well to make 33 runs before Trevor Thomason caught him from a Matthew Tyler delivery.
With Chris Nation (4 n.o) still at the crease, Nowra declared with 7/286 on the scoreboard after 50.3 overs.
The Ex-Servo bowlers were impressive all round, with Spelta (2/42), Thomason (1/44), Jones (1/45), Phillis (2/47), and Tyler (1/5) all taking wickets.
Captain Daniel Gleeson, Meakins, Thomason and Spelta all took catches.
Going in to bat, Ex-Servos’ Spelta looked to be on his way to a solid innings, hitting five fours and one six. But he was found leg before wicket from a Rohan Hutchison delivery. Tyler (2 n.o) sat tight at the crease for the eight overs, taking his team to 1/45. He will return to bat this Saturday with Paul Meakins as his partner.