Dovey’s big innings propels Park to easy victory

Collingwood Park have opened their account, winning their first game of the season on the back of a commanding half century from Nathan Dovey as they cruised to a 79-run win over Denmark at McLean Park on Saturday.

The two sides were winless after two rounds but a superb innings of 90 from Dovey set-up Park’s bonus-point victory as they set the Magpies 210 to win.

Despite rain in the lead-up to the round 3 fixture, the game went ahead as Park won the toss and elected to bat.

They were in early trouble at 2-15 when both openers Jesse Spaanderman and captain Matt Heberle fell cheaply.

Dovey and Nathan De Graaf, who moved across after starting the season with Railways, came to the crease together and put on a 53-run stand. De Graaf hit some lusty blows, including four fours and a six before he was bowled by Brad Stewart on 32 and it sparked a mini collapse as Park lost 3-3 and were reeling at 5-71.

Adam Ditchburn joined Dovey and they produced a terrific 85-run partnership to help Park surpass 150 before Ditchburn was dismissed for 39. Dovey was on 63 when Ditchburn was removed by Englishman Ben Attrill, but he lifted the tempo as his next 27 runs came off just 11 balls.

Dovey fell short of a hundred for the second week running, making 80 in round 2 and was dismissed this week for 90, bowled by young spinner Aden Montague.

Park finished on 9-209 as the pick of the Magpies was Stewart, who claimed 4-14 off his nine overs while Graeme King and Montague each took two wickets.

An impressive half century from captain Dan Robson was one of the few positives in the home side’s run chase.

Opener Matt Burton and Attrill were both dismissed early in their innings to leave the Magpies at 2-26. Robson and Peter Ross combined for 65 runs before Robson was dismissed for 57 in an innings containing seven fours and two sixes, leaving the Magpies 3-91.

Ross was dismissed the next over for 14, with both experienced batters back in the shed.

The Magpies’ bottom order could not put up a fight like last week, as their last five wickets fell for 37 runs to be bowled out for 130 in the 41st over.

Jesse Spaanderman finished 4-15 off seven overs to do the damage for Park while Chad Myors and Ben Grey snared two scalps each as their side recorded a bonus-point win, their first points of the A-grade competition.