Steven Castle scored his fourth ton this season, with blazing century against Heytesbury on the weekend.
A SHIFT back to opening is paying dividends for Pomborneit and former skipper Steven Castle, who blazed his fourth ton this season on Saturday.
Castle made 100 as the Bulls chased down Heytesbury Rebels’ 7-227 with five wickets in hand to consolidate top spot on the South West Cricket (SWC) division one ladder.
The 34-year-old has made 756 runs at an average of 58.15 this season, including four centuries and two half-centuries.
“The difference this year, instead of getting out for 70 or 80, I have been able to turn them into hundreds,” he said.
“It’s always good. It’s satisfying to get 100, no matter when or against who. You appreciate them when you get them.”
Castle, who had opened for the Bulls for many seasons, had been batting in the middle order recently to add stability.
But a shift back to opening had made a difference to his productivity.
“This year I have looked to try and open as much as I can and spend more time at the crease,” he said.
“If you spend more time at the crease hopefully the runs come.”
He said the switch to one-day games instead of two-day matches may have also contributed, as he had batted more times this season.
Castle combined with skipper Craig Sargeant (73) to add 177 for the opening partnership at more than six runs an over, setting up the Bulls’ innings.
He said the Rebels had batted well in making 227 but, while Pomborneit continued to make runs, he said his side needed to improve in the field.
“We’ve just lacked consistency with our bowling and blokes putting the ball in the same spot,” he said.
“Since Christmas, we have had to chase down four scores of 230 and higher and that’s risky business.”
Division two skipper Glen Bernoth (0-30) and youngster Stephen Birrell (2-30) had been promoted to address the lack of consistency, he said.
The result left the Rebels fifth, despite third-placed Cobden (151) suffering a 62-run defeat to second-placed Mortlake (9-213). Terang (9-216), on the back of a century-opening stand by Jay Wynd (77) and Tom McKenzie (44), climbed to third on the ladder at the expense of Cobden after scoring a 51-run win over arch-rival Noorat (165).
James Gellie’s 60 at the top of the order for Bookaar (9-200) helped it to a comfortable win over eighth-placed Camperdown (132).
grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au