STANDOUT performances from Travis O’Connell and Brendon Lummins have enabled West Bendigo to start the Emu Valley Cricket Association season with a bang against Bendigo United.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Opening bat O’Connell was the rock in the Redbacks’ 40-over total of 9-230 with 61, before Lummins picked up four wickets with the ball as Tigers struggled to 9-127.
O’Connell shared in an opening partnership stand of 49 with Darren De Marchi ( 21) and 48 with Tom Floyd (16).
An unbeaten 50 from Tarran Kilcullen, with solid support from Lummins (17) and Mark Burgess (18), helped the Redbacks to a healthy total.
Harry Whittle was the pick of the United bowlers with 3-21 off seven overs, including the wickets of O’Connell and Floyd.
The Tigers were always on the back foot in reply after losing opener James Smith for one with the score on four.
Lummins (4-28) and the economical Gary Singh (1-18 of eight overs) ensured the wickets tumbled at regular intervals as the Tigers – apart from Xavier Walsh (42) – struggled to gain any momentum.
The win will fill West Bendigo with plenty of confidence ahead of next week’s clash against Maiden Gully, which opened the 2018-19 season with a bye.
At Marong, Spring Gully opened its premiership defence in fine style with a solid win over the Panthers.
Jesse Marciano (77 not out), who was man of the match in last season’s premiership triumph against Sedgwick, Rhys Webb (56) and Wimmera-Mallee league recruit Isaac McPherson (53) were all among the runs for the Crows, who blasted their way to 7-229 from their 40 overs.
In reply, Marong could only manage 6-143, despite good contributions from Greg Toomey (44 not out) and Adam Brown (40).
James Fox was the sole multiple wicket taker for Spring Gully with 2-24 off six overs.
At Pearce Reserve, a rebranded California Gully – formerly Golden Gully – showed improved signs after claiming the wooden spoon last season and was brave in defeat against Mandurang.
Sean Rashleigh started the season confidently with the bat to post 55 for the home side, and with Phillip Berry (38) at the top of the order and Wil Hill (37) lending good support, Mandurang helped itself to 9-233.
In reply, California Gully was all out for 209 in the 36th over.
The Cobras lost their last four wickets for the addition of just nine runs, after Josh Hutchinson (43), David Cannings (25) and Geoffrey West (20) had combined to give their side a chance of victory.
Michael Shatwell fired at the top of the order with 44.
