Oban Win 2013 Opener

Oban started their 2013 campaign with a comfortable win vs Helensburgh at an overcast Taynuilt.

Batting first, the hosts had Leach and Kelly to thank for a strong opening 15 overs. Kelly was brilliantly caught at mid-on for 24 and Leach scored seven fours before retiring for 57. This brought big-hitting Tristan Carre and the equally as explosive Daniel Booker to the middle. The Helensburgh fielders were in for a work-out as the Oban pair smashed a succession of boundaries. Booker scored 47 and Carre blasted five sixes in his 48 to leave Oban 208 for 7 after 40 overs.

Helensburgh would have to score just over five runs an over to win and their chase got off to a poor start when Santos bowled Sullivan. Booker continued his fine form with three wickets to leave the visitors on the ropes at 10 for 4. Helensburgh needed their tail to wag and it did just that with Chambers adding a crucial 28. Just when it looked like the fightback was on, Thornton was undone by a ball from Kelly which spun and clipped the top of the off-stump.
Belshaw took the final wicket to bowl-out Helensburgh for 96 and to leave Oban winners by 112 runs.

This Sunday Oban welcome Carradale to Taynuilt for the opening Argyll League game of the season.