NOT only is Darren Rushton the president and red-ball A grade captain at Tigerland, but he can also add run machine to his growing list of jobs at Woorinen Cricket Club after the opening weekend of the SHDCA season.
Rushton started his and the Tigers’ 2023-24 season off in perfect style, scoring his first century against Murrabit in Woorinen’s 107-run win.
Opening the batting, Rushton dominated from the outset, compiling 116 runs from 102 balls, including 13 boundaries and four sixes, to help his side to a commanding first innings total of 7-251.
It was the first time Rushton had reached triple figures, having been dismissed several times in the 80s and 90s across his cricketing journey, so the Woorinen president was happy to finally get the monkey off the back.
“I was a bit shaky at the start but I came good pretty quickly after that,” Rushton said.
“I’ve made a couple of decent scores in the past but never gone on with it so it was good to get to three figures.
“I knew when I was getting close but it took a while to get there as ‘Jase’ (Jason Mangiameli) hogged the strike for about three or four overs before I made it.
“I was sitting there waiting for a while but he was hitting them well also so I was happy to sit down the other end for a bit.”
Mangiameli (67 not out) and Rushton combined to put on 108 runs for the fourth wicket before Rushton eventually holed out to Simon Ettershank off the bowling of Murrabit veteran Nathan Henry.
The damage had been done by that point, the Tigers having already passed 200, with Rushton bringing up his century in the best way possible – by launching a slog sweep over the mid-wicket fence for six.
Rushton’s day didn’t end there however, as he also cleaned up with the ball, taking 3 for 32 from his allotted eight overs, including the key wickets of Toby Gray, Leigh Sobotnicki and Murrabit skipper Blake Watts.
“It was a pretty good win first up, we came in with a plan and it all worked out for us,” Rushton said.
“(His aggression at the top of the order) allows the boys down the order to play with a bit more freedom, play their shots and not have to worry about putting the score on the board.
“We had a good day as a team but next week will be another challenge (against Nyah District).
“We always have good games against each other and it will be good to have another hitout and see where we’re at.”
It was Murrabit’s first game in the SHDCA, and although the final result didn’t go their way, they impressed in their run chase, amassing 144 before being bowled out with one over to spare.
Toby Gray led the way with the bat for the Blues, scoring 46, with Archer McKnight (22 not out) adding some valuable runs late.
Guri Singh and recruit Smit Patel took two wickets each for the Tigers.
