WATERBOARD Wests Cricket Club have reaped an early dividend from major recruit Bryce Causley in the Newcastle District Cricket Division Two men’s competition.
After giving the Nelson Bay Makos sterling service over many summers as a star all rounder and dedicated club president, the evergreen Causley has linked with the Ducks for the 2025-26 season.
Turning up to his old stomping ground at Salamander Bay Sports Complex last weekend to make his Waterboard debut against his former club, the Makos legend did a double take.
He then helped engineer a 32-run victory over his ex-team mates.
Causley padded up at number five after being sent in to bat by Nelson Bay skipper Reegan Connors.
He came to the crease with Waterboard tottering at 4-61 and had an immediate impact – smashing six sixes and five boundaries in a dashing knock of 75 to help the Ducks post a total of 169 in the third round one-day fixture.
Causley combined with number six Joel Kahler (22) in a crucial partnership of 91 before he was bowled by good mate Rowan Connick, who proved the pick of the Makos bowlers with figures of 3-26 off seven overs.
Other Nelson Bay bowlers to shine were quicks Tom McCoy (2-21 off seven) and Andrew Wilson (2-33 off six).
With opener Ben Lynas clouting an unbeaten 54 and number three James Alexander (26) and all rounder Ashish Prasher (20) making handy contributions with the bat, the Makos remained in the hunt for winning points.
Enter Causley and with 18 deliveries he snared the match-winning figures of 3-17 with support from Simon Page (3-15 off seven overs and Ryan Clarke (2-14 off seven) to dismiss the home side for 137 in the 31st over.
In Division Nine action, Nelson Bay (156) rolled Cardiff-Boolaroo (147) in a nine-run thriller at Barnsley’s Taylor Park.
Skipper Shannon Jackson top scored for the Makos with a power-laden 60 that included eight boundaries and a six with Mark Grayson hitting 20 runs in the number 10 position.
Bill Brill (2-29 off seven), Stephen Jenkins (2-33 off seven) and Joseph Connor (2-39 off seven) picked up wicket doubles as Cardiff-Boolaroo – led by a whirlwind 64 from Ishan Lawrence with four sixes and seven boundaries – fell shy of their run target.
Valentine Eleebana (6-171) registered a four wicket victory over Nelson Bay (166) in Division Six with fine contributions from Makos’ players Dean Gibson (38), Hunter Chappell (24), Ajith Thanugundla (22 and 2-34).
By Chris KARAS
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