Singh strikes to keep Baynton Lions alive

A brutal spell from paceman Shamsher Singh has kept Baynton Lions’ finals hopes alive, helping his side to a three-wicket win over Rec Club in Bulgarra last weekend.

Singh claimed 4-9 through the middle overs to suck the life out of any hopes of a big score from the home team.

Rec Club was looking good at 4-75 on a wicket where low scores were commonplace.

Each of the top four batsmen made starts before falling to good line-and-length bowling.

Singh was introduced to the attack just as Brodie Leo (16) looked to be putting the foot down and had immediate effect.

He caught the edge of Leo and Junaid Khan in successive deliveries to spark a collapse, with Rec Club losing their final six wickets for eight runs.

Chasing 95, Lions openers Gayan Wijesingha (26) and VK Rajput (17) got off to a flyer, easing the score past 50.

Shane Miles (5-23) came into the attack and removed both openers in quick succession.

He followed that up with the big scalp of Muhammad Khan to breathe some life back into Rec Club’s innings.

A rearguard effort from newcomer Amol Virkar (14) and skipper Lokendra Ranawat (9 not out) ensured the Lions crossed the line to stay in touch with the top four going into the final two rounds.

Dampier Taverners continued their hot form in a nailbiting victory over Wickham Warriors.

Wickham batted first and opener Scott Atkinson (54) and first drop Lachlan Smith (79) took no time to hit their strides, going at well over a run a ball to help the home side race away to 124.

Mark Saunders (4-25) led Dampier’s fightback, helping peg Wickham back towards the end of the innings to be all out for 216.

Saunders (62) then picked up the fight with the willow in hand, combining with Michael Ainsbury (76) for a 131-run opening stand.

Dampier’s innings looked to follow a similar trajectory as Wickham started to fight back after removing both openers, but they managed to finish the job off with two balls and three wickets to spare.