AN electric 78 from Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemens captain and opener Daniel Gleeson laid the platform for this side’s big victory on Saturday.
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Against Bomaderry, who had won their two opening encounters of the 2017/18 season, Ex-Servos won the toss and elected to bat at Bomaderry Oval.
Openers Gleeson and Chris Bramley started strongly, reaching 104 before the latter was dismissed off the bowling of Justin Ganderton for 24.
This dismissal did little to slow the visitor’s captain, who looked on track to score a century, before he was run out on 78 – an innings which included eight boundaries and five sixes.
Following Gleeson’s dismissal, Trevor Thomasson (75) and Darren Jones (38) helped the visitors reach the imposing total of 7/277 from their 45 overs.
With the ball, Bomaderry were best served by John Muggleton (2/38) and Justin Ganderton (2/62).
Without the services of Blake Munilla, Zac Blattner, Nick Jennings and Graham Davidson, the Tigers needed a big score from star all-rounder Michael Coulter.
Coulter looked like he was once again going to deliver for his side, blasting 51 in quick fashion before he was dismissed by a sharp catch by Chaise Boulding, off the bowling of Nate Jones.
This wicket triggered a mini collapse, as Josh Coulter (25), Nick McDonald (four) and Travis Roth (two) followed in quick succession, leaving the hosts at 4/84.
But a 76-run partnership from Jarryd Sue (16) and Justin Ganderton (51) saw the hosts fight back into the match.
But once those two fell, with the score on 166, the final four wickets fell for 64 runs – leaving the Tigers all out for 230, 47 runs short of the Ex-Servos total.
In their third straight win, the Ex-Servos were led by Nate Jones (3/43) and Matt Tyler (3/46).
“We batted extremely well, on what was a great toss to win – the wicket was flat, hard and dry and I knew we would have to post a big score as Bomaderry Oval can be a hard ground to defend runs on when the wicket is like that,” Ex-Servos skipper Daniel Gleeson said.
“Our top four batsmen did a great job and Darren Jones came in late in the innings and hit some much needed late boundaries to get us over the 250 mark.
“Then Nate Jones and Matt Tyler did a fantastic job in helping us defend the 277 total.
“It was also good to see Trevor Thomason bowl his full complement of nine overs for the first time in over 14 months.
“I’m pleased with the guys efforts thus far however it is a long year and we need to keep working hard if we want to stay on top of the ladder.
“It's a very even competition and anyone can beat anyone on their day.”