A MAMMOTH performance with the bat from first-drop Bradley Couch has Colts in the box seat against Laharum in the Horsham Cricket Association.
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Couch crafted a tremendous unbeaten 128 from 191 deliveries on day one, guiding Colts to their highest score of the season, 8-202 at Dudley Cornell Park
Couch said he was pleased to finally capitalise on a good start with the bat in hand.
"I've been seeing them pretty well through the year, and have made a couple of 50s. I just haven't been able to make that big score," Couch said.
"I really wanted that big score, so it was nice to get onto a few and finally get one."
Couch admitted his day could have been a lot different, as he made Laharum pay for a dropped catch early in the innings.
"I was scratchy the first few balls, then got dropped on probably less than five," he said.
"I sort of cracked it with myself and said, 'You idiot', then got back into it.
"It was just like, 'Righto, let's make some runs now. Since I've been dropped, I've had the lifeline, now it's time to make some runs.'
"It was coming off nicely and it all went really well."
A century in the penultimate round of the season caps off a terrific return to cricket for Couch.
It is his first season back in the Horsham Cricket Association in five years, returning to play alongside his brother Jay Couch.
"I'm loving being back," Brad said.
"I haven't played any sort of sport in probably four years, so just to get back into sport and a competitive game has been great.
"To muck around with a great bunch of blokes and have a hit with my brother, it's been unreal fun.
"I don't want the season to finish at the moment."
Opener Danny DeGruchy (19 from 64) and skipper Brad Millar (14 from 93) helped Couch along the way, while Laharum veteran Damien Bunworth (4-61 from 29 overs) was the pick of the bowlers.
Couch hoped Colts could defend their highest total of the season next week. Laharum meanwhile will be desperate for victory to remain in a tight fight for finals places.
"We haven't made 200 this year, so it was nice to get to that mark and give ourselves something to bowl at next week," he said.
"It's not a huge score, but it's definitely defendable.
"It gives us a proper chance of winning the game against a quality side."
More on other A Grade contests around the league tomorrow.
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