KERANG hosted Swan Hill at East Turf, and as both clubs were coming off disappointing losses in round 1, this served as a good chance to right the ship.
Swan Hill elected to bat and after a solid opening partnership looked steady at 3/54 at the main break, but a spell of 5/14 from spinner Scott Wishart saw the resistance away and Swan Hill were all out for 101.
Johannes Diederiks was the best of the batters with 21 off 35.
Led by captain Ron Bright with 58 off 33 balls, Kerang were able to chase down the target in the 17th over.
After a week off due to rain, Barham Koondrook hit the ground running with a dominant display against Ultima TUF.
None of the Ultima batsmen were able to find space at the crease and they were all out for 65. Nathan O’Toole and Josh Powley both took three-wicket hauls.
In reply the experience of Steve Farrant (31 not out) and Jacob Barrington (26) saw the Raiders home comfortably at 1/66.
Wandella headed up to Woorinen for their first game after the rain stalled round 1, and they got to work early with the ball.
Young Harry Pearson achieved a phenomenal 4/9 off five overs. Robert Gordy also chipped in with three wickets.
Woorinen set a respectable 9/128 on the average deck.
With the bat, Greg Dickson (45) was in to settle the ship after the wicket of Alec Copland early. Robert Gordy steered the Bombers home with a staunch 29 from 39.
In what could be an early finals sneak peek, Murrabit headed to Lake Boga to face the Lakers.
Murrabit set a respectable 7/132 with the bat, Matt Webb (32) and Tim Millard (29) steadying the middle of the innings.
The Lakers, with gutsy innings from captain Braydon O’Bree (79), Fahad Khalid (28) and John Lazarou (24), finally found their form at the crease and limped across the line in the 39th over, Matt Webb again leading the way for Murrabit with 4/2 off his three overs.
In round 3, Kerang head to Nyah, Wandella host Sea Lake, Barham Koondrook are off to Calder United, and Murrabit are t home against RSL. This week will also be the start of C Grade, with all four Gannawarra clubs fielding teams, a testament to the hard work of many volunteers.
