BDCA - Demons' batting blitz as Rhys Irwin, Gavin Bowles score centuries

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RHYS Irwin's first ton and Gavin Bowles' 12^th century propelled White Hills to a dominant win over Bendigo United in the BDCA on Saturday.

The Demons made light work of the Redbacks' total of 241, replying with 1-286 in a Scott Street batting blitz.

And the Demons' tally could have been plenty more too had stumps not been pulled in the 71^st over after Bowles reached his century.

Bowles finished 100 not out - his second century in as many seasons against the Redbacks - while Irwin was unbeaten on 119.

Irwin's maiden century came in his 109^th first XI innings for the Demons and was met with a standing ovation from his team-mates after he played a cut-shot and scored the single he needed to get to 100.

All-rounder Irwin was unlucky not to score his first century last season when he made 96 against Strathfieldsaye.

Irwin faced 258 balls and struck nine boundaries.

Veteran Bowles' innings lasted 134 balls and featured 11 boundaries, with he and Irwin sharing in an unbroken partnership of 204 for the second wicket.

The only wicket to fall was White Hills' skipper Mitch Winter-Irving (52) in the 24^th over.

Needing 242 to win, the Demons were already well on their way to their target at the tea break when they were 1-127 off 39 overs.

Saturday continued a strong period with the bat for the Demons, who have now made scores of 1-286, 285 and 291 in their past three innings.

Captain Miggy Podsoky (1-50) was the only player to take a wicket for the Redbacks.

TEAM RECORDS:

White Hills: 2-2-1

Bendigo United: 1-3-1

There are no unbeaten teams left after five rounds following Golden Square's win over Strathdale-Maristians at Wade Street.

Just like their semi-final clash also at Wade Street last season, Square again had the measure of the Suns after they backed up their day one performance with the ball with a strong showing with the bat.

Resuming at 0-10 in reply to the Suns' 176, Golden Square won by six wickets, reaching 4-177 after which stumps were pulled.

Square opener Ryan Hartley showed his class with a superb knock of 96 off 139 in which he cracked nine boundaries and four sixes.

Hartley and fellow opener Jake Higgins (36) laid the groundwork, putting on 100 for the first wicket as the Suns took until the 33^rd over to get their first breakthrough.

Hartley, who now has 196 runs in his past three hits, was denied what would have been his first century for Golden Square when he was caught by keeper Linton Jacobs off Chris Sole (2-46).

With only a moderate 176 on the board to defend, the Suns didn't help their cause by conceding 33 extras, which included 19 byes.

Jacob DeAraugo was the standout with the ball for the Suns, taking 2-19 off 15.2 tight overs.

Golden Square has now beaten the Suns four times in a row.

TEAM RECORDS:

Golden Square: 2-2-1

Strathdale: 3-1-1

Josh Williams and Nick Farley proved the heroes with the bat in Eaglehawk's win over Strathfieldsaye at Tannery Lane.

Eaglehawk was staring down the barrel when Farley joined Williams at the crease with the Hawks 8-143 chasing the Jets' 9-213.

But what unfolded was a stellar rearguard action from the pair, who not only reeled in the 71 needed for victory, but took their partnership beyond 100 as the Hawks closed at 8-248.

Williams scored his maiden first XI half-century with his unbeaten 65 off 100, while No.10 Farley's 46 n.o. was also a career high.

Earlier, Hawks' opener Ben Williams batted for more than two hours in compiling 42, while Jets' left-arm spinner Savith Priyan bagged a five-wicket haul for the second time in three games, finishing with 5-62 off 29 overs.

TEAM RECORDS:

Eaglehawk: 2-2-1

Strathfieldsaye: 2-2-1

Eight wickets between all-rounders Alex Pearson and Kyle Humphrys continued Bendigo's solid start to the season at the expense of Sandhurst at Weeroona Oval.

Pearson took 4-62 and off-spinner Humphrys claimed 4-50 as Bendigo's tally of 253 at Weeroona Oval proved beyond the Dragons.

The Dragons were all out for 182 in reply in what was an innings where opener Joel Murphy again put a high price on his wicket, but didn't have enough support.

Coming off 77 against White Hills last round, Murphy compiled 86 in a 261-minute stay at the crease.

The only partnership of substance for the Dragons was the 69 Murphy and Shasheen Fernando (23) added for the second wicket.

Apart from Murphy and Fernando, Sam Sperling (26) was the only other Sandhurst player to make more than 20.

Murphy batted until he was seventh wicket to fall with the score on 167 when caught and bowled by Humphrys and the innings was wrapped up soon after.

Among Pearson's four wickets was the Dragons' previous round century-maker Ben Leed (6).

While he didn't take any wickets, Bailey Goodwin was economical in conceding just 27 runs off his 16 overs for the Goers.

TEAM RECORDS:

Bendigo: 3-1-1

Sandhurst: 1-3-1

Lewis Stabler and Tharindu Darshana combined to defy Kangaroo Flat as Huntly-North Epsom won a thriller at Strauch Reserve.

Needing 182 to win, the Power were a dicey 8-167 before Stabler (12 n.o.) and Darshana (7) added 16 runs to take Huntly-North Epsom to victory

Stumps were pulled when Darshana fell soon after the winning runs as the reigning premiers closed at 9-183.

Danushka Wijemanna (72 off 98) top-scored for the Power before his dismissal was one of four quick ones the Roos took as Huntly-North Epsom crashed from 4-158 to 8-167.

While he's renowned for his capacity to tie batsmen down with his economical bowling, Brett Elvey, who opened the Power innings, was himself tied down, spending 76 balls at the crease for three.

Skipper Brent Hamblin (3-36) was the Roos' leading wicket-taker, while Adam Burns' figures of 2-37 off 22.3 overs included his first 10 overs costing just nine runs.

Liam Jones (1-11 off 12) also made scoring difficult for the Power.

TEAM RECORDS:

Huntly-North: 3-1-1

Kangaroo Flat: 1-3-1

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