Photo: Greg Symes.
Coastal Warriors quest to snare a club record equaling fourth straight ECA Esperance Toyota Cup is well on track after a commanding seven wicket win against Esperance at the Old Oval on Saturday evening.
Having lost to the Warriors by 57 runs in the rescheduled round six clash at Gibson Oval the previous weekend, Esperance made a promising start reaching 3-86 at the drinks break, opener Mitch Weir facing 51 deliveries for 32 runs.
The dismissal of Zach Warren for nine in the over after drinks sparked a collapse of 6-16 as Esperance were dismissed for 122, enigmatic batsman Cameron Irvin (35) top scoring for the Bulldogs.
Photos: Greg Symes.
Promising youngster Mitch Guest snared 3-2 from only 2.1 overs as the highly touted newcomer for the Warriors, Rhys Irvine 3-16 (7), did the early damage with the ball.
The Warriors run chase never got out of second gear compiling the 123 required in 25 overs for the loss of only three wickets.
Opener Mark Harris 37 (66) was the backbone of the Warriors innings, carrying his bat combining for match winning partnerships with Hilton Hardman 31 (18) as Liam Norwood remained unbeaten on 28 (36).
Meanwhile, The ECA will enter into new territory tomorrow evening as the five clubs set aside their longstanding rivalries for the launch of the inaugural Cape Le Grand Slam T20 competition at the Esperance Oval.
With the final squads settled by ballot early this week and all four franchises looking evenly matched on paper, the Elders Finance Flames and RSM Renegades kick proceedings off at 2.30pm as the Elders Insurance Invincibles and Lister Electrical Sparks will meet under lights from 5.30pm.
