Coach Paul Knight was happy with his side’s first efforts.

“Most of the boys have not touched a bat or ball since last March,” Knight said.

“We put the side together and on paper it looks fairly strong and it is only a matter of the side gelling in the coming rounds.”

In their first match, they knocked over Gulgong with Dallas Tilley the hero who played an inspirational innings before retiring injured.

Lithgow scored 169 and then bowled Gulgong out for 145.

Batting first Lithgow did not get away to the best of starts with openers Ryan Gurney and Mick Hutchinson falling cheaply.

A good partnership between Joel Gurney (32) and Tilley (59 retired hurt) got Lithgow back on track with other good innings being recorded by Jake Gerard (13) and Thomas Thompson (17).

Orange’s best with the ball was Darren Coubrough who took 3-30 off six overs.

Like Lithgow, Gulgong’s openers fell for only four runs with their best being Will Jackson (16), Steve Haney (27), Damian Doherty (23 not out) and Mick Jarvis (13) with Gulgong falling for 145.

Josh Howarth was on fire with the ball taking 4-34 off nine overs with good support coming from Joel Gurney (3-32 off five overs).

Lithgow v Orange

Lithgow failed to come out on the Sunday with the same intensity and after scoring only 117, Orange passed their total at 118.

Again, the openers Josh Kitchener and Michael Hutchinson failed to get going with Lithgow’s best with the bat being Thomas Thompson who showed all his experience for a good 37 not out.

Others to make it into double figures were Joel Gurney (17) and Ryan Gurney (19).

Orange were never in trouble with their best being M Corben (24), M Hanneley (48 not out) and A Besley (13) all contributing to their 118.

The Lithgow district side has gained good sponsorship through Westfund and Maritime Mining Power Credit Union and the Lithgow Cricket Association would like to thank these businesses for their support.

Lithgow will be playing at home this Sunday with the game starting at 10am.