LAST season’s Northern District Cricket Association A Grade grand finalists recorded wins in the opening round of competition on Saturday.
Defending premiers, Leitchville/Gunbower produced a 33-run win against Nondies, whilst Wandella – led by a 124 not-out effort from Isaac Hogan with the bat – defeated Cohuna United by 59 runs.
United’s decision to send the Bombers in to bat first backfired, with Hogan and fellow opening batsman, Brodey Farley (63) combining for a 111-run stand.
Hogan then united with Sam Radcliffe for a 78-run fourth-wicket partnership to help the hosts score 4/251 off its 45 overs.
Six United batsmen produced starts, with the 40-run eighth-run stand between Oscar Cooke (35) and Peter Taylor (26) the highlight.
However, three late wickets to Radcliffe ended United’s inning at 195 with 19 balls remaining.
Across at Cohuna, James Keath (39) and Sam Colvin (three wickets) ensured Leitchville/Gunbower opened its premiership defence with a win.
The visitors elected to bat first, but were restricted to 9/150 off their 45 overs thanks to the efforts of Oscar McGraw and Liam Treacy, who took two wickets each.
Colvin helped to have the hosts reeling at 5/42, but a 57-run sixth-wicket stand between Treacy (33 not out) and Sam O’Shea (24) had Nondies well placed for an upset win.
However, the loss of O’Shea sparked a lower order collapse, with Nondies dismissed for 117 with 31 balls to spare.
Strong record continues
LEITCHVILLE/GUNBOWER’S strong record against NDCA B Grade defending premiers, Wandella continued at the weekend.
Last season’s preliminary finalists produced a 52-run win against the Bombers, with Michael Moritz (82) and Todd Gelletly (three wickets) standing out.
Moritz helped the hosts – who elected to bat first – score 5/187 off its 45 overs, with the opening producing a 109-run first wicket stand with Josh Hawken.
Ricky Walsh and Gelletly – who both scored 30 runs – ensured the Bombers would have a tough total to chase.
Brent McKnight was the pick of the Bombers’ bowlers, claiming three scalps.
The visitors struggled in reply, with Andrew McDonald (32), McKnight (23) and Marty McDonald (21 not out) the only Bombers batsmen to surpass 20 runs, with the side posting 9/135 in reply.
It was a different situation for Wandella’s second B Grade team, with the Wandella Warriors recording a debut three-wicket win against Kerang Fairley Town.
Electing to bowl first, Paul Grayling (four wickets) gave the Warriors an early edge, leaving the Riverside Park rivals reeling at 5/69.
Brad Lake (53) and Ethan McKnight united for a 51-run sixth-wicket stand, with some later order hitting from Paul Goodson (25) helping Kerang Fairley Town’s cause.
Matthew Messer had other ideas, with the Warriors bowler claiming four late innings scalps to dismiss Kerang Fairley Town for 153 in the 30th over.
Kerang Fairley Town had the Warriors in early trouble at 3/9, but a 71-run fourth-wicket stand between Messer (51 retired not out) and Joshua Teasdale (30) helped the visitors back into the game.
A lower order cameo from Grayling (35) helped the Warriors to the win and a total of 8/177 off their 40 overs.
In the final match of the round, Nondies recorded a nine-wicket win against cross-reserve rivals, Cohuna United.
Sent in to bat, United fell for 51 in the 21st over, with Liam Pascoe (three wickets) dominating with the ball.
Andy Rigg (36) guided last season’s grand finalists to the win, with Wade Mathers (58) helping Nondies score 233.
Zeb Ellwood took five wickets for United.
