Both sides featured a mix of senior and junior players however it was the home side who proved to be in better form.

Lithgow batted first and only managed to score 121 runs off 36 overs.

Opening batsman Ben Sheehan topped scored with 35 before being bowled by Bathurst’s Mitch Taylor. 

Bathurst chased down the required runs in just 22.3 overs, with seven wickets to spare.

La Salle Academy student, Tanvir Singh, grabbed Lithgow’s only wickets on his way to 3-45 off 10 overs.

Bathurst’s stand-in captain Sam Macpherson said he was very pleased with the team’s effort.

“We had a couple of misfields and drop catches but besides that, I was very pleased with the effort,” he said.

“Lithgow batted first and we got one early wicket, which helped. Their run rate was not big and they tried to play-out the 50 overs. We took 6-50 at one stage. 

“Connor [Slattery] and [Andrew] Browny played really well with the bat.

“I was pleased with the bowling. Everyone did their best and bowled really tight. 

“The wicket was like a road. It was good to bat and bowl on.”

Brown (17 runs) and Mark Day (five runs) opened the batting for Bathurst. 

Connor Slattery topped scored with 43 not out, alongside Ben Orme who scored 25. 

Macpherson said the game provided valuable experience for up-and-coming juniors Day and Slattery.

“It’s pretty valuable experience, with the juniors playing with the seniors,” he said.

“They learned a lot and it’s a chance to teach them what we know. The talent going around in this team shows the quality that is in Bathurst first grade cricket.”

Mitch Taylor was impressive with ball, taking 4-12 off six overs and Luke Powell bagged 3-25 off nine overs. 

Both Orme (2-23 off eight overs) and Matt Fearnley (1-17 off six overs) were the only other players to take wickets for Bathurst. 

Powell and Fearnley bowled three maidens each, while Orme, Taylor and Macpherson bowled one maiden each.

Matt Willis was the original captain for the game but after taking a “stinger” on Saturday, while playing for Bathurst City against ORC, he wanted to coach from the sidelines.

Bathurst will now play Blue Mountains on October 29, at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue. 

Teams from Gulgong, Wellington, Mudgee, Nyngan and Cobar have all featured in the Western Plate Zone already, while Bathurst and Orange will play teams featuring a mix of both seniors and juniors.

Once players are called up to the Bathurst first XI, players can no longer play in the plate competition.

Macpherson said he’s not sure whether it will be the same team that plays Blue Mountains in two weeks time but is confident it will be a similar side to the one that played on Sunday. 

The winner of the next match will progress to the semi finals stage of the Western Zone Plate.