IT was a day for brothers, when Luke and Scott Pitcher combined for a century partnership to help Upper Beaconsfield’s Bgrade side to 232 against Tooradin at Maryknoll on Saturday.
As Agrade bowler Ricky Holland started to tear through the top order of Upper Beaconsfield, the Pitcher brothers came together and stood firm to first block the influence of the Holland impact, then create a partnership and place the Maroons in a sound position.
At one stage Upper Beaconsfield was 3/15, but Luke Pitcher began to assert his influence over the contest and was assisted by brother Scott as the pair gradually took control of the situation.
Luke Pitcher, playing his best innings for the season, went on to score 88 as he struck the ball to all quarters of the oval.
Scott Pitcher, who has been in consistent batting form, peeled off another steady 28 runs.
This partnership was the foundation for further later partnerships as Glen Kilburn (28) and Matt Scanlon (31) steered the ship into safer waters to have Upper Beaconsfield finish on 9/232 the fourth score over 200 for the season.
C GRADE
Returning to form was the theme for some of the Maroon’s batsmen as the team encountered a plucky Officer attack that kept the game under wraps for the first hour.
The Bullants opening pair, Liam Main and James Quinn, nagged away for the first 90 minutes to have Upper Beaconsfield struggling at 3/35, but some progress was made as Chris Curran (22) played a dashing cameo.
However it was newcomer David Ardley who took the attack to the bowling and defied all attempts to send him on his way.
Assisted by a few dropped chances, the upright strokemaker was able to dominate the bowling on his way to the first century for Upper Beaconsfield in more than 12 months.
Ardley finally reached three figures as the Bullants wilted in the late afternoon.
Ardley (124 not out) enjoyed magnificent support from Daniel Williams (38) in a 78run partnership as the talented lefthanded bat was returning to the game after a break.
Additionally Ardley was also helped by Barry Auhl (33 not out) who played some lusty shots and dared to dance down the wicket to even the quicker bowlers.
This pair also added 70 for the unbeaten eighth wicket.
Upper Beaconsfield finished the day on 7/ 250 with the bowlers feeling that they will have a great score to defend next week.
