KINGOWER has given a masterclass T20 performance to take Saturday’s points against a youthful Bridgewater.
Top order batsmen Matt Rowe, Will Deason and skipper Jayden Leach belted 201 runs off 120 deliveries.
Rowe had boundaries off the first three deliveries and featured in the opening 99-run partnership until Deason who was caught by veteran Dave Harrison off the bowling of youngster Connor Alexander.
Short deliveries had been punished by Kingower but Alexander, fronting up for his second game of the day, eventually had the length to frustrate Kingower’s stars and ended his dominant time at the crease that had 10 boundaries in a hit of 65.
Deason’s hook landed straight into the hands of Harrison.
It had been third time lucky for the Bulls with two field drops in the 10th over.
It was another 99 runs before Bridgewater had a breakthrough when another Bulls’ youngster, Xavier Power claimed the crucial wicket of Rowe.
Kyle Simpson arrived at the crease for the final over, facing five balls and hitting a boundary.
Leach’s top-scoring hit of 81 unbeaten had 12 boundaries and a six.
Power was the most economical of Bridgewater’s bowlers in a tough stint in the field.
The Bulls did well to bat out their 20 overs. Brad Wickham came out of retirement to open with Dave Harrison and stayed at the crease for 47 runs off 60 balls.
His effort included a hard-working three-run effort.
Harrison showed early danger with a couple of boundaries before Simpson took successive wickets - the opener caught by Leach for eight and first drop bat Seth Hewett-Scull out next ball for a golden duck.
Wickham’s efforts kept the Bulls’ innings alive but he was running out of crease partners and overs.
Of partners, only Nate Harrison made a score above one. He was dismissed off the bowling of Kingower recruit Tynan Hywood for eight.
With Wickham taking the lead, Bridgewater had lifted its score from 6/19 to 7/62 when Harrison was dismissed.
Kingower takes on Arnold this Saturday with the Redbacks starting to assemble a team of depth in their pursuit of back-to-back flags.
Wedderburn returns from the bye to take on Bridgewater at Market Square and push to keep top spot.