KANGAROO Flat began its Bendigo District Cricket Association Twenty20 campaign in style last night, defeating three-time defending premiers Strathdale-Maristians by five runs at Bell Oval.
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In a rematch of last season’s grand final, Kangaroo Flat fought back brilliantly with the ball to defend its score of 4-152.
Having been strongly placed at the halfway mark of their chase at 2-100, the Suns, who were close to full strength, scored just 47 runs off their last 10 overs to finish at 7-147.
The loss was Strathdale-Maristians first in its past 12 Twenty20 matches, with the Roos becoming the first team since Bendigo United in the 2009-10 season to defeat the Suns in the shortened format.
After winning the toss and batting, the Roos’ Brent Hamblin continued on from his good opening form of last season, batting through the 20 overs to finish unbeaten on 59 off 54 balls, which included four boundaries.
The other standout with the bat for the Roos was captain Adam Burns, who made a brisk 56 off 31 and put on 90 for the fourth wicket with Hamblin. Burns hit seven fours and one six in his innings.
Adrian Pappin (2-15) was the only multiple wicket-taker for the Suns.
The Suns had their top six batsmen all make double figures, with opener Cameron Taylor leading the way.
Taylor scored 59 off 44 balls (seven fours, one six) to kickstart the Suns’ run chase, with Ben DeAraugo (20 off 24) the only other player to get to 20.
Liam Jones (2-19) and coach Brad Perrow (2-34) took two wickets each for the Roos.
● At Canterbury Park, Strathfieldsaye scored a comfortable 93-run victory over Eaglehawk.
The Jets were always going to be hard to beat after smashing 6-190 off their 20 overs.
Captain Ben Gunn, who opened the batting, and No.3 Cory Devanny both scored half-centuries.
Devanny top-scored with 69 off just 39 balls, while Gunn made 54 off 33.
Cory Jacobs was the pick of the bowlers for the Hawks, taking 3-26, including the wickets of Gunn and Devanny.
Eaglehawk could muster just 97 in reply before being bowled out in the 14th over.
Cameron McGlashan (29 off 14) was the only Hawks’ player to make more than 15.
Left-arm spinner Liam Smith bowled well for the Jets, taking 3-16 off four overs.
● After failing to win a game last season, Bendigo United opened its campaign with a six-wicket win over Golden Square at Wade Street.
The Redbacks restricted Square to 7-112 on the back of 4-21 from spinner Patrick Naughtin, who opened the bowling.
Jamie Bysouth was the mainstay of the Square innings with his score of 39.
Bendigo United took until the 19th over to chase the score down as it replied with 4-114, with Naughtin capping a fine all-round game by finishing 43 not out, having put on 66 with Wayne Fidler (34 n.o.).
● White Hills defeated Huntly-North Epsom by 27 runs at Integrating Technology Oval.
Kyle Patten (57, eight boundaries) was the best of the Demons’ batsmen in their score of 8-130, while the Power’s Sam Johnston produced 4-21 off four overs.
The Power were held to 8-103 in reply, with No.3 Josh Collinson (32) top-scoring.