BDCA records first day duck

Four from four is a now well-worn phrase pertaining to the current champions of the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association.

That four from four was a boast by the Colts Cricket Club several seasons ago when the champions started their four in a row race for BDCA honours.

However that four from four chant took on a far different meaning on day one of the 2015 WA Country Cricket Championships on Sunday.

Bunbury started its Country Championship quest with defeat in all four grades on the opening day of the competition.

Starting at the top, the Bunbury First Division team crashed to reigning champions Albany.

The Second Division side were beaten by West Pilbara with the Thirds lowering their colours to Northam and the Fourths, playing in Division Five, losing to Fortescue.

English import spinner Ben Saunders was the First Grade star of the show with 5-53 off 24 overs in the broiling Lilac Hill heat.

But it was not enough to stop Jason Crudeli, part-time Eaton Beavers gun, from firing 98 runs in Albany's 9-203 off 61 overs.

Saunders enjoyed limited support from the rest of the Bunbury bowlers with Michael Tassone's 1-18 off five overs the second best return of the day.

In reply Bunbury got off to a solid start before quickly losing WA Country Xl top order men Paul Jones, Ross Knoll and skipper Jono Whitney to fall to 3-63.

When opener Corey Fagan (48) joined his teammates in the shed with the score at 74 Brendan Jones and Clatyon Caltsounis combined to hold up Albany momentarily.

But with their departure for 23 and 20 respectively, and against a solid bowling attack, Bunbury lost wickets steadily to fall short by 55 runs at 148.

Closer ties came in the Second Xl sortie where Bunbury's 184 was overhauled by West Pilbara who finished on 216 despite skipper Jaysen Miguel claiming a useful 4-20.

The Second XI will rue missed opportunties with the bat with a number of players failing to capitalise on starts.

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