Luke Bartier and Kurtis Patterson created history for St George on Saturday as the pair recorded the highest ever NSW Premier Cricket limited-overs partnership in Saints’ win over Western Suburbs.
Bartier and Patterson combined for a 309-run second wicket stand during the one-day, round nine fixture at Hurstville Oval, beating Fairfield-Liverpool pair Grant Lambert and Dean Attard’s previous mark of 264.
The Saints duo also claimed the club’s record second wicket partnership, previously held by Norm O’Neill and Bill Watson which had stood for more than half a century.
Players observed a minute’s silence prior to the start of the match for Watson after the legendary former St George, NSW and Australia player died a fortnight ago aged 87.
Wests captain James Psarakis won the toss and elected to send St George in to bat.
It looked a wise decision when Haris Rauf had Saints opener Nick Stapleton dismissed without scoring.
That brought Patterson to the crease to join Bartier. From there the pair destroyed the visitors’ bowling attack, plundering 25 fours and nine sixes between them as they raced towards a 300-run partnership.
Bartier was eventually dismissed for 133 from as many balls, with the opener hitting eight fours and fives sixes in his knock.
Patterson remained unbeaten, with the NSW batsman belting 167 runs from 147 deliveries including 17 boundaries and four sixes.
St George finished their innings at 5-349 with Wests facing the prospect of a daunting run chase.
Saints had captain Trent Copeland back on deck, with the NSW quick taking 2-36 from his 10 overs.
Tom Ortiz (3-34), Tom Engelbrecht (2-28) and Bartier (2-13) ensured the Magpies would fall well short of their target, bowled out for 194 inside 48 overs.
The bonus point win saw St George climb off the bottom of the table up to 13th.
At Glenn McGrath Oval, Sutherland let slip their grasp on a top six place as they were upset by Northern District.
The Sharks were sent in by NDs captain Ben Davis, with Sutherland skipper Chris Williams top scoring with a patient 94.
Young wicketkeeper batsman Aiden Bariol (41) also made a start for the hosts as Sutherland were bowled out for 236 in the penultimate over.
Davis’ unbeaten century anchored Northern District’s run chase as they passed the Sutherland total for the loss of five wickets with an over to spare.
See more photos online at theleader.com.au.