Lightning to strike often in Cup blitz

Openers Ben Sheehan and Ryan Gurney launched the Lightning to a crushing 10-wicket win over Kinross.

In the first traditional Royal Hotel Cup game played this season under lights at Wade Park on Friday night, the Lightning lit up the match with Sheehan 53 not out and Gurney 45 not out, crusing past the students’ total of 7-107 with 33 balls left in the tank.

Gurney’s carrying of his bat capped a fine all-round game for the young opener, earlier claiming 2-17 – including the key wickets of Hugh Britton (29) and Angus Cumming (1) – to help Lithgow restrict Kinross to the modest total of 107.

Lithgow quick Chris Redding praised the all-round prowess of Gurney, a player the Lightning lent on early in the game as the adjustment from red to white ball cricket took its time.

“We fielded well to restrict them to 107,” Redding said, claiming 0-23 off his four overs with the new white ball.

“It did take a little bit of time for the boys to adjust to the lights and the white ball.

“Ryan Gurney bowled and batted well and Ben Sheehan batted well and rotated his bowlers brilliantly.”

Earlier, Kinross start the match reasonably well.the 

Opening with in-form veteran Steve Geyer and young Louis Carr, the students made it to 47 without dropping a wicket.

Michael Palmer (1-14) and Mick Hutchinson (1-24) produced twin break-throughts, though, breaking the crucial partnership to help Lithgow gain the ascendancy, later securing for the duration of the game when Gurney trapped the big-hitting Britton leg before wicket on 29.

Including Britton’s fall, Kinross lost 5-21 to tail off at the backend of their innings with the bat, limping to 7-107 as Gurney and Dallas Tilley cleverly cleaned up, the latter picking up 2-6 from a tidy two overs.

Then, it was over to Gurney and Lithgow skipper Sheehan, neither of the two mucking around as they ran down Kinross’ total none done, opening their return to the Royal Hotel Cup emphatically.

Lithgow played in the 2014-15 Orange District Cricket Association Twenty20 competition, but missed last year’s tournament as a result of a competition shake-up.

Now back and clearly banking on making an impact, Redding said his side was capable of producing in the shortest form of the game – and they’re making the trek to Wade Park to prove it.

“It’s a great start for us. It’s great to be back in the Royal Hotel Cup,” he said.

The win places Lithgow on top of pool B, but their next two clashes will be tough, with former Royal Hotel Cup champs CYMS (December 2) and Bathurst City (January 20) rounding out the Lightnings’ fixtures.

Defending champions Cavaliers play Orange City in pool A on Friday night.