THE SHDCA’s top three all made fast starts in the opening weekend of the McDonald’s T20 competition.
Are Able Bulldogs, Autopro Bombers and Beverford Tavern Demons all went undefeated from their first two matches, impressing with bat and ball.
Pizza Kitchen Tigers and cluBarham Raiders also claimed points.
Are Able Bulldogs showed why they are regarded as the team to beat, starting with a 50-run win over Murrabit, followed by a five-wicket win over RSL.
In the first game, a 113-run fourth-wicket partnership between Jack Shannahan (75) and Charlie King (55) meant the Bulldogs set a target of 162.
Despite a 54-run opening partnership between Nathan Henry (32) and Tim Millard (12), Murrabit found themselves behind the run rate, as consistent wickets hampered efforts to reel in the score.
A similarly strong Bulldogs bowling display against RSL stemmed another opponent’s ability to find the boundaries.
Led by 44 from opener Jonty Chaproniere, the Bulldogs were always in control, chasing down the target five wickets down with three overs to spare.
Autopro Bombers defeated Stihl Shop Roodogs and Murrabit on Saturday.
Batting first, the Bombers posted 3/170, Laine Gibbons (83) and Daniel Higgs (58 not out) having a 151-run opening partnership.
Set a mammoth chase, the Roodogs’ reply never got going, consistent wickets curtailing any momentum in an innings that ended 7/107.
The Bombers were made to work much harder against Murrabit, who set a target of 143 thanks largely to Nathan Henry (48) at the top of the order.
In reply, the Bombers were in significant trouble at 5/30, before a 78-run partnership between Ethan McKnight (70 not out) and Patrick Oliver (28) changed the match.
McKnight got his side home with 10 balls to spare.
Beverford Tavern Demons, despite the absence of key all-rounder Joel Walsh, secured wins against Tyrrell Cricket Swans and Stihl Shop Roodogs.
Young opener Charlie Boulton stepped up, top-scoring in both games, firstly with 40 in a 52-run win over the Swans, before bringing up his maiden A Grade century with 100 not out from 66 balls in a 43-run win over the Roodogs.
Boulton wasn’t the only centurion, however, after RSL veteran Ryan Hinton smashed 109 not out from just 44 balls.
Hinton belted Pizza Kitchen Tigers to all parts of Gurnett Oval in pursuit of an imposing score of 7/178.
Openers Cooper Fox (36) and Connor Fletcher (57) got the visitors off to the perfect start, and Jason Mangiameli provided a late cameo with 44.
It was all to no avail, however, with Hinton, Ben Hallam (45) and Stuart Patterson (10 not out) chasing down the target with 19 balls to spare.
Tyrell Cricket Swans hosted cluBarham Raiders, the visitors opening their T20 account with a 46-run win.
Batting first, the Raiders amassed 6/174, Jamie Strong smashing 79 from 52 balls.
Lachlan Edwards tried all he could to get his team over the line with a dominant all-round performance, scoring 81 not out with the bat and taking three wickets, as the Raiders restricted the Swans to 2/128.
