GOLDEN Gully capped a successful run-chase against Spring Gully in Saturday’s finish to the Emu Valley Cricket Association’s opening round.
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Playing at home on the California Gully ground, Golden Gully was set a target of 231.
There were plenty of solid contributors to the chase as Shaun O’Shea, 41; Nathan Shatwell, 40; Will Horan, 35; and Jeremy Rogerson, 35; led the way.
Best of the Spring Gully attack were Shaun Makepeace, Nick Manley and Jarrod Quirk on two wickets apiece.
Mandurang hit back from a middle-order collapse to take the points against Marong at Pearce Reserve.
The Panthers captured 6-22 as Mandurang fell to 8-150 and needing a dozen runs to clinch victory.
Batting at No. 9, Craig Oates struck 27 runs to ensure the reigning premiers would start with a victory.
Key recruit Ben Rodda hit 47 at No. 3, while all-rounder Leigh Haw completed a great match by scoring a team-high 56.
Marong captain Jeremy Ross took 2-17 off 20 overs, which included eight maidens, while Duane Anderson, 3-35, and Jayden Laubsch, 2-30, also bowled well.
After dominating with the ball on day one, United’s Alex Collins did so with the willow on day two.
Collins opened the batting as United chased Emu Creek’s score of 212 at J.G. Edwards Oval in Strathfieldsaye.
The target was passed for the loss of just one wicket as Collins, 158 runs, and Michael Webb, 82, smacked the ball around in a 258-run stand.
Emu Creek captain Daniel Chamberlain took 3-49 off 16 overs.
Axe Creek started the season with an 82-run win against West Bendigo at Longlea.
Rob Fisher and Simon Rogers scored 57 and 53 runs respectively as the Cowboys fought back from being 5-73 as they chased the Redbacks tally of 155.
Best for West Bendigo were captain Dion Prange, 4-37, and Brad McHugh, 2-38.
Sedgwick captain Dustin Elliott, 30 runs, and the experienced Scott McKenzie, 63, played key roles in a great win at Maiden Gully’s Evolution Oval.
The Sedgwick line-up finished on 231 in reply to Maiden Gully’s tally of 152.
Gully’s attack was led by Ben Manning, 4-46, while Rob Brown and Glenn McCoomb also bowled well.
Round three hits off this Saturday, with Sedgwick to face Mandurang, while United takes on Golden Gully.
Other matches are West Bendigo at home to Marong, Spring Gully hosts Maiden Gully, and Axe Creek will be eyeing consecutive wins when it plays Emu Creek at Longlea.