Golden City extends lead at top of KBCA standings as competition enters Christmas-New Year break

Golden City extended its lead in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Cricket Association standings on Saturday after second-placed St George slipped to a three-wicket loss against Goldrush.

Golden City had defeated St George the previous weekend to open up a gap on the ladder, then cruised to an eight-wicket victory against Hibernians at Shepherdson Park on Saturday.

Hibernians won the toss and elected to bat first, but compiled only 6-128 off their allotted 30 overs as Jason Bolt took 3-15 off six overs and Thirumurugan Manickam 2-27 off four overs.

Benny Black and Kris Thomsen scored 31 apiece for Hibernians, but the total was never enough as Golden City cruised to 2-129 in 23.5 overs.

There were even contributions from the four batters — Blake Harte (28 runs off 32 balls), Matt Piparo (23 off 31), Bolt (31no off 35), and Mitch Graham (39no off 45).

By contrast, St George were not able to hold off Goldrush after winning the toss and electing to bat at Morrison Oval.

Adam Woolley was strong for St George from the No.3 spot, blasting 60 runs off 54 balls with eight fours and one six.

Blake Gambale also made a useful 30 from 27 balls (four fours, one six) from No.4, but no other batters made significant scores as the innings finished on 8-176 from 30 overs.

Goldrush’s Garrett Knoll, Josh Chapman, and Matt Cannan took two wickets each.

Jason Knoll was the key to the Goldrush chase from the No.4 spot, scoring 75 not out from 61 balls (seven fours) and getting his team past St George’s total with seven wickets down and three balls to spare.

Chapman also made a good contribution by getting Goldrush off to a fast start with his 31 runs off 16 balls (three fours, two sixes).

Rowan Doab was once again excellent for St George, taking 4-30 off six overs.

In the other match of the round, Sunrisers accounted for Veterans with a seven-wicket victory after winning the toss and putting Veterans into bat at Shepherdson Park.

Veterans were only able to make 103 before being dismissed in 22.5 overs, with Nara Jorige leading the way for Sunrisers with 3-22 off six overs.

Openers Bharath Goud Kasani (32 off 40; two fours, two sixes) and Guna Surya Madhasi (26 off 12; three fours, two sixes) led the way in the defending champion’s successful run chase.

The KBCA now takes a break during the Christmas-New Year period, resuming on February 1 with round 11 when Golden City takes on Veterans and Goldrush play Hibernians at Shepherdson Park, and St George and Sunrisers clash at Morrison Oval.

Points: Golden City 24; St George, Goldrush, Sunrisers 18; Hibernians 12; Veterans 0.