WESTS IN LINE FOR SHIELD

Points split after rainy weekend

The rain couldn’t dampen the feeling of topping the Harding-Madsen Shield for Wests.

After a successful double-header weekend earlier this month Wests put themselves one point ahead of the undefeated Laidley team.

This was after Wests dropped their first game of the season to Laidley.

“It was a bit of a shame to lose to them in the first game and they would be disappointed to not be on top, being undefeated,” Wests’ bowler Shaun McCarthy said.

“But we were able to capitalise on some good wins and turn them into bonus points.

“We have had a better run with bigger wins, that’s what has put us on top.”

Wests are out to reclaim their title after winning the competition last season in its inaugural year.

McCarthy believes it’s theirs for the taking as long as they can finish top two.

And Wests haven’t even put their best team on the park yet with players unavailable, injured or on representative duties throughout the year.

“We have good enough depth in the reserve grade to manage,” McCarthy said.

As for the weekend most games were washed out.

Wests game against Southeast Redbacks was shortened to 44 overs a side after a 50-minute delay.

After 29 overs the rain set in, play was abandoned and match drawn.

“It was a shame it was washed out because it was setting up to be a good game,” McCarthy said.

He predicted a close game against the Redbacks who sit third on the ladder.

“They were bowling pretty consistently and we were batting quite well,” he said.

Wests scored 2-121 after 29 overs.

Alex Flett opened the batting with 28 and Brian May scored 49 not out.

Playing just around the corner at Rockville Oval, Highfields Railways were playing Northern Brothers Diggers.

Diggers went in to bat after winning the toss and made 6-140.

Stephen Thompson led the batting with 53 not out followed by Blake Anderson who finished at 32 when play was abandoned after 39 overs.

Metropolitan-Easts also split the points with Laidley while University didn’t even make it onto the pitch against Ipswich Brothers.

PHOTO: KEVIN FARMER OUT: Highfields Railways celebrate Corey Doith (left) catching a Northern Brothers Diggers player out in their Harding-Madsen Shield game at the weekend at Rockville Oval.