First Grade pays tribute to John Covelli with huge total against Centrals

TWIN TONS: Joey Coughlan (left) and Charlie Tink after their BOIDC centuries against Centrals at Country Club Oval on Saturday.

In the first Bathurst Orange Inter-District Cricket game since John Covelli's passing, Orange CYMS Cricket Club's First Grade side has honoured the club legend in the best way possible.

Batting against Centrals at Country Club on the first day of their two-day clash, the CYMS top-order was firing on all cylinders, knocking up 4-392 in just shy of 59 overs before declaring.

The innings was fueled by centuries to opener Joey Coughlan and number three batter Charlie Tink, with both players acknowledging Covelli upon reaching their milestones.

MAGIC MOMENT: Joey Coughlan brings up his century.

Coughlan smashed 140 off 106 balls, including 28 boundaries. In doing so, he combined for a 144-run first wicket partnership with Will Oldham (40 off 65 balls).

Oldham's dismissal brought Tink to the crease, the Year 12 student hitting 18 fours and a pair of sizes on his way to 118 off 105 balls.

MAKE THAT TWO: Charlie Tink hits a single to take himself to three figures.

Good contributions from vice-captain Rory Daburger (41) and all-rounder Sam Austin (38 not out) pushed the total out to within touching distance of 400 before skipper Tom Belmonte declared.

Belmonte said the loss of Covelli was being felt on and off the field and it was pleasing to see the team perform so well in his honour.

Speaking about Covelli to both teams and the umpire before a minute's silence at the start of play, Belmonte described Covelli as "one of the greatest people you could hope to meet".

"We have lost someone very special in our club, someone who did so much for the club over more than three decades," he said.

PAYING RESPECTS: Centrals and CYMS players, along with umpire Chris King, observe a minutes' silence before Saturday's game.

Speaking to the Central Western Daily, Coughlan said Tink was a welcome addition to the team after an absence in the first two rounds brought on by his HSC exams.

"He's a good little cricketer, one of the team favourites," Coughlan said.

"That's his third hundred before he's turned 18 and I think I've hit five and I'm 32. He's going alright, the young fella."

In the 19 overs remaining in the day after the declaration, the CYMS bowling attack was able to take two Centrals wickets, one each to Peter Gott and Ben Orme, who opened the bowling.