Williams win after run rate rockets with Cavanagh and Ford

Williams claimed their first victory of the 2019-20 Upper Great Southern Cricket Association on Saturday, easily overcoming Towns at Clayton Road Oval.

Skipper Rodney Ford and Roger Gillett settled the visitors’ nerves at the crease after early wickets to Blake Heil, and Jack Hilder reduced Williams to 2/24 in the 11th over.

Ford and Gillett combined for a 60-run partnership before Gillett was trapped LBW by Adrian Dabinett on 23 runs.

With Ben Cavanagh coming to the crease, Williams’ run rate rocketed. Cavanagh and Ford posted 65 runs together, before Ben McMillan dismissed Ford on 73.

Unbeaten on 64 runs off 61 balls, Cavanagh pushed the visitors’ total for the innings to 5/215, with the assistance of Craig Ford (31 runs off 23 balls).

Similar to Williams, Towns’ innings was shaky earlier on, as the home side found themselves 2/17.

Perrin Quartermaine (35 runs) and McMillan (27 runs) steadied Towns at the crease, adding 64 runs to their side’s total.

But Rodney Ford again did the damage with the ball, claiming both of their wickets, leading to a Towns’ collapse.

The home side went on to lose their next eight wickets for just 45 runs.

Ford finished with 3-12 of his 6.5 overs, while Brock Titko claimed two wickets for nine runs off three.

Towns’ Jordan Draper-Gibbs was unbeaten on 30 runs.