By Michael Floyd
NAR Nar GoonMaryknoll caused a major upset in an exciting opening round of the Kookaburra Cup on Sunday when it defeated Officer by six wickets.
Craig Lewis (2/19) and Scott Musgrove (2/18) put the early breaks on the Bullants’ innings and despite the best efforts of S. White (29) Peter Quinn (24) and Chris Savage (22), Officer could only reach 7/107 after 20 overs.
In reply, the home side got off to a flying start, thanks to Matt Lownds (37) and despite losing three quick wickets in the middle overs, S. Somers (20 not out) and Lewis (26 not out) steered their side home with two overs to spare.
Savage was the Bullant’s most effective bowler, taking 2/17.
Trevor Johnston hit the highest score of the round, blasting 70 off just 35 balls to guide his side to 5/182 against Merinda Park.
The Seagulls’ skipper was ably supported by Adam Richmond (57 off 46), the pair putting on 126 for the first wicket. Jess (2/24) and Shannon Matthers (2/47) were the most successful Cobra bowlers.
In reply, veteran Brett Armitage blasted 70 off 48 balls and Jess Mathers 34 off 30 were the only Cobra batsmen to challenge the defending Kookaburra Cup champions’ attack as the visitors struggled to 7/145. Ben Mantel (3/33) was the chief wicket taker.
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Upper Beaconsfield and Nyora upstaged their more fancied Agrade opponents, defeating Pakenham UpperToomuc (PUT) and Catani respectively.
Paul Ryan (2/12) and Jason Wingrove (2/14) took two wickets each as the Yabbies restricted the visitors to 128, however Darren Warne provided a lone hand in the run chase, remaining 51 not out as the Maroons steamrolled PUT for 105 in 18 overs.
Luke Pitcher claimed 3/24, while Scott Pitcher (2/20) and Glen Kilburn (2/8 off three) also took wickets.
Last year’s runnersup Nyora also got its campaign off to flying start, defeating Catani by 25 runs.
A consistent Maroon batting card, headed by Mark Pearce (24 off 20) and Rory Gilliatte (22 off 10), helped lead Nyora to 148 off 18.1 overs.
In reply, Catani could only muster 123 before being dismissed in the 16th over.
Nic Close (30 off 18) and Paul Govaars (29 off 19) flew the flag for the Blues, while Paul Hendry (3/26) and Gilliatte (2/23) were the Maroons’ chief destroyers.
Devon Meadows captured a bonus point after making light work of a sizeable run chase against Cranbourne Meadows.
Peter Zauner tore through the Rebels’ middle order with a superb spell of 4/18 off four overs, however Trevor Poole (46 off 21), Wayne Diss (28 off 18) and Amran Tabassum (34 off 23) helped Cranbourne Meadows reach 7/171.
In reply, the Panthers made a shaky start slipping to 2/17 early before Doug Louden blasted 26 off just nine balls.
Darren O’Brien and Travis Canavan then cruised to their target in the 14th over, the pair sharing an undefeated 125run stand. O’Brien finished on 56 off 30 balls, while Canavan blasted six sixes on his way to 68 off 37.
Kooweerup also claimed a bonus point after defeating Lang Lang by 64 runs.
Chris O’Hara (49), Trent Cochrane (40 not out), Jack Carson (31) and Ben Miller (29) helped the Demons to a massive 10/201 despite Kurt Nestor (3/19) and Alan Jenkins (3/26) claiming three wickets apiece.
Aaron Creasey (33) and Nestor (24) were the only toporder batsmen to threaten, leaving Jenkins 18 not out as the Swamp Tigers were dismissed for 137. Brendan Wilby (3/6) and Paul Bright (2/17) were the Demons’ chief destroyers.
Jack Benbow claimed the round’s bowling honours with 5/22, but was upstaged by Jarred Williams who claimed a hat trick off his first three balls as Beaconsfield beat Emerald by 37 runs.
Brad Miles continued his good form with 51 from 35 deliveries as he joined Luke Sibley (38 off 22) for an 81 run opening stand. Cameron Williams (3/40), Andrew Ferrier (2/27) and A. Cameron (2/28) led the Bombers fightback and eventually dismissed the home side for 177 in the 19th over.
However the Bombers had no answer for Benbow, who claimed the first five Emerald scalps. Paul Benbow claimed 2/11 but it was Williams who ended the Bombers’ innings in the 19th over, claiming 3/0 in his devastating threeball spell.
Cardinia were victorious in the final match of the round, defeating Clyde by 18 runs.
Shane Webster (2/24) dismissed key Cardinia pair Mark Cooper and Ben Darose in the first over, however a powerful 41 off just 21 balls (including two sixes and three fours) from Luke Turner, and support from Steve Patterson (37 off 26) and Jamie Glen (21 off 27), helped guide the Bulls to 148.
Nathan Lillee claimed 3/12, Clayton Blair 2/29 and Brian Guthrie 2/34 in solid Cougar bowling performance.
Noel O’Brien (36 off 33) and Michael McGuinness (23) shared a 49run fifth wicket stand to give the Cougars a chance at victory, however the Bulls proved too strong, dismissing Clyde for 130.
Six Cardinia bowlers took wickets with Dwayne Doig (3/18) and Brad Goodman (2/19) leading the way.
The next round of matches will be played over 3, 10 and 17 of December.
For ladders and latest news, visit the website kookaburracup.cricketvictoria.com.au.
