CENTRALS have firmed as the favourites for the 2011-12 Orange District Cricket Association first grade title after bowling their way to victory against Cavaliers at Riawena Oval on Saturday. On the back of an impressive 5-40 from young leg-spinner Nick Duffy and 3-34 from quick Dan Sandford, the defending champions bowled Cavs out for 176, 44 runs short of Centrals’ first innings total of 220, in the pair’s first meeting since last year’s grand final. Centrals now sit on top of the ladder on 20 competition points ahead of Orange City on 16, with Cavaliers and Kinross rounding out the ODCA’s top four on 14 points. CYMS sit in fifth on 10 with City Warriors on eight. Centrals skipper Adam Shepherd said while his side’s unbeaten start to the 2011-12 summer was the best possible start to their title defence, there was no complacency within the group. “We always start the year pretty well, it’s just we’re probably a bit more confident this season,” Shepherd said. “Everyone knows their role now, we’re probably a bit more mature. Everyone did their job and at the end of the day, that’s all you can do against a pretty good side like Cavs.” Cavaliers started well, with openers Trent Colley and Craig Wallace putting on 35 for the first wicket. However, Sandford soon struck, taking the wickets of Colley (24), Richie Venner (2) and Liam Gough (6). And when Englishman Matt Jones removed Ant Spruce for a duck, Cavaliers were reeling at 4-50. But when Stu Middleton entered the crease, momentum quickly turned back in Cavs’ favour. Middleton (44) and Wallace (49) put on 82 for the fifth wicket but when Duffy removed Wallace with the score on 132 and then claimed the wicket of Middleton a run later, Centrals took control at a crucial time of the game. Beau Cox (28) provided Cavaliers with some wag in their tail but Duffy removed him, along with Matt Corben (7) and Brad Wright (0) to complete his five-wicket haul. Mitch Harvey then sealed the 44-run win, bowling Greg Martin for a duck. Shepherd was impressed with the way Duffy, just 15, performed in a pressure situation. “Nick bowled well. He came on at a time in the game when Stu was batting well, they were putting on a bit of a partnership and he ended up getting both of them and got five. That was probably the most rewarding thing to come out of the game,” Shepherd said. “He is our No.1 spinner. It was a challenge I knew he’d be up for.” Centrals take on Orange City next weekend at Wade Park. Shepherd believes his side must be on top of their game to account for another ODCA heavyweight. “It’s still a strong competition,” he said. “Anyone can beat anyone on their day. We’re not getting cocky or over-confident. “We’re just going to play every game to the best of our ability.”