Dovey ton gets Park home

A third century of the season to Collingwood Park batsman Nathan Dovey lifted his side to their maiden one-day win of 2017-18 after they comfortably chased down 206 to prevail over North County at Turf West on Saturday afternoon.

Park entered the round 6 clash without a win to their name in the one-day competition, but Dovey’s run spree powered them across the line with seven wickets in hand to keep their finals hopes alive.

Dovey made the Bulldogs pay for a couple of early chances, surviving being caught off a no-ball from Tyler Crommelin and then three dropped catches before he set about leading them to victory.

After losing his opening partner Ben Grey cheaply, Dovey shared in a 73-run stand with captain Tim Pyle before the latter fell to Aaron Williams for 25.

Veteran Craig Tonkin knocked over Leroy van den Dool for eight to leave Park at 3-110, but they couldn’t get the prize wicket of Dovey at the other end.

He passed 50 and then raced his way towards a century, eventually finishing unbeaten on 113, which included 10 fours and two sixes.

Dovey and former Bulldog Nick Barrow guided their side home as they put on 96 runs for the fourth wicket and almost secured a bonus point, passing the total in the 42nd over.

Barrow was unbeaten on 36, while Dovey’s ton takes him to 370 runs in the one-day format already this season.

Earlier the Bulldogs had two terrific partnerships at the top of the order as they reached 6-205 from their 50 overs.

Tonkin and Williams put 54 runs on before Ricky Weight bowled Williams for 24, but Graeme Weinert joined the stand-in Bulldogs skipper as they pushed the score past 100.

Shortly after drinks, Tonkin fell for 50 after combining with Weinert for a 64-run partnership.

An unbeaten 55 from Crommelin and Weinert’s knock of 28 helped the Bulldogs pass 200.

Ray Padfield finished with 2-19 with the ball for Park, while Weight was tidy in his 10 overs with 1-19.