Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
BENDIGO'S top-order batsmen fired up to win lTuesday Twenty20 cricket clash on the Sandhurst Dragons turf.
The Goers and Dragons both had a 2-1 record going into the fourth round match at Bendigo Door Centre Weeroona Oval.
Set a target of 119 for victory, Bendigo did so in the 17th over as opening batsman James Seymour and Kyle Chant dominated the run chase.
The marquee player in the Bendigo team, Seymour hit two sixers and six fours on his way to reaching 50.
Chant finished unbeaten on 51.
His innings included six fours.
A highlight was a six to bring up his half-century off what would be the final delivery of the night.
There was a lot riding on the semi-final aspirations of both teams.
The Goers attack worked extremely well to limit the run-rate to less than six an over.
Alex Pearson took 2-20 off four overs, and the experienced Mick Galvin finished with 2-23 off four.
Leading run-scorer for Sandhurst was Isaac Conway on 33 as the Dragons reached 8-118.
The in-form Bendigo faces White Hills, which also has a 3-1 record, in the next round on the Demons' turf at Glen Loddon Homes Oval.
White Hills beat Bendigo United.
After deciding to bat, Bendigo United was 3-20 before Leigh McDermott, 18 off 11, and Riley Treloar took charge.
McDermott was brilliantly caught by Sam Farmer.
Treloar went on to score 32 off 25 balls, two sixes and two fours, as the Redbacks reached 9-107.
Opening bowler Corey Dickins took 4-24 off four overs, and marquee player Kyle Winter-Irving captured 2-26.
The Demons' innings exploded when Brayden Stepien hit 18 off the first four deliveries of the eighth over.
The next ball, Stepien's innings of 35 off 23 balls, one six and five fours, was ended when caught.
Kyle Winter-Irving, 26 not out, and Tyler Oliver, 25 not out, teamed in a stand of 42 to clinch a seven-wicket victory.
Strathdale-Maristians is still unbeaten.
Sent in at All Seasons Oval, the Suns reached 7-120 as Dom Matarazzo, 47 off 26, and Sam Johnston, 21 not out, led the way against a Golden Square attack in which Liam Smith, 2-13 off four, and Josh Blencowe, 2-22, were best.
Hamish Schumacher, 56 off 42, and Smith, 17, teamed in an opening stand of 67.
Square finished on 8-117 as Johnston took 4-12 off four overs.
Rain-affected wickets meant there was no play at Eaglehawk or Kangaroo Flat.
Bush's Produce Player of Year votes:
Sandhurst v Bendigo: 3 Kyle Chant (Bgo), 2 James Seymour (Bgo), 1Isaac Conway (Sh).
Golden Square v Strathdale-Maristians: 3 Sam Johnston (SM), 2 Hamish Schumacher (GS), 1 Dom Matarzaao (SM).
Bendigo United v White Hills: 3 Corey Dickins (WH), 2 Kyle Winter-Irving (WH), 1 Riley Treloar (BU).