A remarkable batting recovery laid the platform for the Bulldogs’ first win of the season, who went from a precarious 3-3 to 7-120 , but it was veteran seamer Ben Willis who did the damage in the 36-run victory.

Willis snared 3-16 from four overs – his second three-wicket haul in as many games – to cripple Saints’ run chase and lock down RSL’s first points of the season.

Few would’ve picked a Bulldogs’ win after a horror start saw coach Neil Morton (0), opener Dylan Koop (0) and first drop Beau Wright (3) fall inside the first two overs. 

With the score teetering at 3-3, Tim Cameron joined Todd Henderson at the crease and set about rebuilding the innings with a gutsy 67-run partnership.

Cameron (37) and Henderson (25) both fell to Nick Fahey but useful knocks from Sam Perry (20 not out) and Ethan Perry (10) kept the scoreboard ticking over to a reasonable total of 7-120.

It turned out to be more than enough as Willis, Nick Grant and Paddy Prest ran through the Saints attack with Henderson and Cameron all collecting wickets of their own. 

Ethan Perry was particularly influential with a tight spell of 2-13 from four overs and two catches in the field for the Bulldogs.

“It’s always good to get your first win of the season, so happy days,” Morton said.

“After losing 3-3, I was hoping for the rain to come along but Tim and Todd put on a beautiful partnership and put us on track.”

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