Cobden cricketers Brayden Crow (left) and Ryan Simmonds (right) welcome teammate Josh Fagan to the winners’ club on Saturday.
COBDEN captain Leigh Walsh isn’t revising his side’s expectations despite celebrating its first South West Cricket division one win in almost three years on Saturday.
Cobden, which did not field a division one side last season, comfortably defeated Camperdown in its return to the competition’s top grade.
Chasing 127 for victory from 50 overs, Cobden finished at 8-188.
It was the first division one success for the club since December 5, 2009, when it defeated Bookaar.
Four members of Saturday’s side — opener Ryan Simmonds, who top-scored with 54, Simon Morris, Brent Goonan and Brayden Crow — were part of that last victory.
Walsh said the win was good for the club but it wouldn’t change his outlook.
“We have no real expectations — just go out there and try and win,” he said.
“On our day we have some good kids who will play really well. As the season goes on they will play some good cricket.”
Saturday’s side included 14-year-old leg-spinner Jono Benallack (1-35 from seven overs) and 15-year-old pace bowler Jake Reed (1-20 off 10 overs), plus Simmonds, who is also under 20.
Walsh said both Benallack and Reed had bowled well and had bright futures.
“The club’s pretty happy,” he said.
“We fielded three sides for the first time in a while and we didn’t have to ring around everywhere.”
Cobden set up the win with tight bowling.
Left-handed opening batsman Simmonds, the son of club legend Neil, and Crow (43) combined for a match-winning 78-run fourth-wicket stand after Cobden had been in early trouble at 3-30.
When Simmonds was dismissed, Cobden was within 20 runs of victory.
Cobden faces another young side, Heytesbury Rebels, on Saturday.
In other games, defending premier Mortlake flexed its considerable batting muscle with a big win over Pomborneit.
Mortlake posted a daunting 6-248 after Clinton Baker (81), Josh Barr (64) and Todd Lamont (52) took to the Pombo bowlers.
Pomborneit managed 131 with number 11 Steve Walters top-scoring with 36.
Boorcan successfully defended its score of 9-175, dismissing Noorat for 142.
grbest@standard.fairfax.com.au
