A MAGNIFICENT century by Crusaders batsman James Smith highlighted their team’s win over the Family Hotel Blues at Albert Park on Saturday.
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Batting at number three, Smith scored 107 as the Crusaders posted the impressive score of 5/226 from 40 overs.
Family Hotel Blues were outclassed, replying with 9/59, the win seeing the Crusaders undefeated after three rounds.
Smith, who is 17 years old, came to the wicket after the Crusaders openers Nick Heggaton and Craig McTavish had added 44 runs.
Smith was involved with a number of partnerships, the best being for the fifth wicket with Zac Craw.
The pair added 66 runs with Craw continuing his good form scoring 37 not out.
The day belonged to Smith, however, as he enjoyed plenty of width given him by the Family bowlers delivering the ball either side of wicket.
His knock included 14 fours and, following his 56 not out against Country Club and just two against Stockinbingal, he leads the Merrin Cup batting aggregate on 165 runs.
Family Hotel Blues skipper Joel Pearson used eight bowlers to try and stem the run flow, James Dallas possibly the pick of the bunch, capturing 1/19 from four overs.
The Family innings had one highlight in the batting of Matt Knagge.
The youngster came to the wicket with the score at 3/10 and he was last batsman dismissed for a defiant 20.
Big Dean Bradley bowled with plenty of pace and fire to capture 3/16 from 10 overs, while the star of the day was Angus Rowan who snared 5/17 with his off spinners.
On Saturday the Crusaders will enjoy the bye, while the Family Hotel Blues return to Albert Park to play the Central Hotel.
COY: 3 James Smith, 2 Angus Rowan and 1 Dean Bradley