It was ANU student Sam Carters Western District/UC squad, rather than ANU’s First XI, who celebrated after the first one day match of the cricket season on Saturday.

Batting first, ANU set a solid target of 223 from their fifty overs. However, Wests/UC reached the required total with ten balls and three wickets to spare.

ANU batted solidly for the first half of the innings, losing only one wicket for 98 runs in the first twenty five overs. The second twenty five, however, saw a significant increase in the rate of both runs and wickets and ANU finished at 8/222.

Despite seeming unable to get on top of the bowling for large stretches, sensible strokeplay and good running between the wickets kept ANU in the hunt throughout the morning.

Opener Max Wakefield top scored with an impressive 68, while Wests/UC’s Adam Hewitt finished the innings with 3-42 off 10 overs.

Western District UC started shakily after lunch, with Theo Valeri caught by Scot Murn off Angus Forth with the score at 19. Darren Richards and third man in Carters (the younger brother of NSW wicketkeeper Ryan Carters) rectified the situation though. Both batsmen finished the day with 44 and helped steady the ship with a crucial 64-run partnership.

Although he was eventually dismissed by ANU paceman Joel Stewart, Carters showed his quality with a number of impressive shots behind square and set a good foundation from which Wests were able to get the victory.

Joseph Cooke (56) top scored for Wests/UC, while Murn and Jonathon Warren each picked up two wickets for ANU. The full scorecard is available on the Cricket ACT website.

Despite the close loss, ANU Cricket Club looks in fine shape to start the season. First Grade next plays Tuggeranong Valley on Saturday the 18th of October in Chisholm.