REIGNING premier Strathdale-Maristians improved their Bendigo District Cricket Association record to a perfect 10-0 on the back of a Travis King century and whirlwind innings from Adrian Pappin on Saturday.
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Playing Huntly-North Epsom at Poyser Motors Oval in their one-day game, the Suns pounded 4-265 off their 45 overs on their way to a commanding 141-run victory.
King anchored the innings as he scored his maiden BDCA century with an unbeaten 122, but for 36 minutes he was forced to take a backseat to the “Pappin Show”.
Pappin lived up to his reputation as one of the biggest hitters in the BDCA when he blasted a whirlwind 75 off just 27 balls after coming in with the score at 2-133 in the 34th over.
Pappin’s brutal innings included nine sixes and one four, while he scored off 19 of the 25 balls he faced.
Pappin was only at the crease for seven overs, but during that time he and King added 97.
Among the bowlers to feel the full brunt of the Pappin onslaught were Power captain Linc McRae, whose five overs conceded 60 runs.
Pappin’s memorable innings came to an end when he was run out by a direct hit from Matt Rule.
Left-hander King faced 132 balls for his 122, with his innings laced with nine boundaries and two sixes, while he brought up his century in the 43rd over.
As well as the 97 he put on for the third wicket with Pappin, King – who is now averaging 69.2 – also shared in a 125-run partnership for the second wicket with Jono Davidson (47 off 93, three fours).
After ending 2012 with three-straight centuries, 2013 hasn’t been as kind to Suns’ opener Cameron Taylor, who was dismissed by Rule (1-20) in the fourth over for one.
For the first time in his 25 game since joining the Power last season, Sam Johnston (0-43) went wicketless.
Needing to score at almost six an over to win, the Power were bowled out in the 32nd over for 124.
The Power were on the back foot from the outset after losing opener Brannon Stanford (4), plus their two leading run-scorers this season in Brodie McRae (6) and Ryan Grundy (12) inside the first eight overs before the score had reached 30.
Only Josh Collinson (32 off 46, five fours) and Isaac Hogan (24 off 40) passed 20 for the Power, who are now 12 points outside the top four and unlikely to replicate last season’s finals appearance.
Spin twins Craig Howard (3-23) and Taylor (3-33) combined for six wickets for the Suns, who this weekend against Golden Square will be aiming to stretch their unbeaten run to 20 games.