COHUNA United won its first Norther District Cricket Association A Grade opening round match in four seasons on Saturday, accounting for Barham/Koondrook by five wickets.
In a high-scoring affair, Aaron Wilson (two wickets) and United’s middle order ensured the side produced its best start to a season since 2012/13.
Electing to bowl first, United had the border side reeling at 3/36, before Paul Molin (48) and Shane Guerra (55 not out) helped the middle order settle.
Barham/Koondrook set United a 171-run target off 45 overs, which Brad Griffiths (45), Logan Spittal (43) and Daniel Cooke (40 not out) helped chase down.
Ian Mathers also chipped in with 30 not out to prevent any middle order collapse, with Barham/Koondrook sharing its wickets around.
In the weekend’s other A Grade match, Leitchville/Gunbower began its title defence with a nine-wicket win against Wandella in a rematch of the 2015/16 decider.
Wandella’s decision to bat first did not go the way the Bombers planned, with captain Isaac Hogan (34), Greg Dickson (23) and late order resistance from Sam Radcliffe and Zak Sambrooks the difference between an easy target and a defendable score.
Wandella fell for 120 in the 40th over, with Sam Colvin taking three wickets for the composite team.
Kurt Brereton, who top-scored with 91, and Casey McNaught put together a 58-run opening wicket stand, with Jack Elliott (51 not out) and Adam Decicco (31) helping the hosts score 6/228 off 45 overs.
Liam Radcliffe was the pick of Wandella’s bowlers, claiming two wickets.
Premiers’ dominant display
RHYS Bradley and Lachie Harbinson helped Nondies begin its B Grade title defence in top form on Saturday.
Bradley (three wickets) and Harbinson (99) guided Nondies to a nine-wicket win against 2015/16 preliminary finalists, Barham/Koondrook.
Batting first, the border side struggled to capitalise on well-established partnerships in the top order, finishing with 9/139 off 40 overs.
Garry Lolicato was the only Barham/Koondrook batsman to surpass 20 runs, whilst Bradley’s 3/19 was the standout for the bowlers.
Harbinson dominated with the bat in reply, scoring 99 in a 117-run opening partnership with Andy Rigg, who united with Bradley to guide the side to a win.
Some lower order support from Nick Gilbert (54 not out) helped Nondies reach 8/242 off its 40 overs, whilst Mitchell O’Neill took three wickets for Barham/Koondrook.
Across at Leitchville, a dominant display with the ball helped Leitchville/Gunbower record a nine-wicket win against Cohuna United.
The decision to bowl first paid off for the hosts, who dismissed United for 50 off 14.1 overs.
Peter Taylor scored half of United’s runs, with Ryan Prendergast and Jaxson Kennedy-North claiming two wickets each.
The composite side surpassed the victory target with nine wickets in hand, with Prendergast (47 not out) and Blake Gellertly (44) guiding the home side to 6/174 off 40 overs. Darren Hancock took three wickets for the visitors.
In the final match of the round, Wandella continued its strong record against Kerang Fairley Town, winning by 115 runs.
Being asked to bat first paid off for the Bombers, with Rohan Oliver (91) and Jacob Wilson (27) helping Wandella set their Riverside Park co-tenants a 214-run victory target.
The score could have been larger if not for the efforts of Mark Higgs, who took three wickets.
Kerang Fairley Town struggled to put together any sustaining partnerships, with Ayush Chopra (20) top-scoring as the side fell for 98 in the 30th over.
Shannon Burton was the pick of Wandella’s bowlers, taking four wickets.
