Some big hitting highlighted the opening round of the EVCA Twenty20 competition on Tuesday night.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Emu Creek edged out Mandurang in a game where 382 runs were made in 38.4 overs.
While the J.G Edwards Oval in Strathfieldsaye is batsman friendly, you still need to strike the ball well to clear the boundary and that's exactly what batsmen from both sides did.
The teams combined for 18 sixes and 39 fours in an entertaining battle.
Mandurang recruit Corey Dickins fell four runs short of a century as he set up his side's total of 4-189.
Dickins strode to the crease with his side in trouble at 3-38. He combined with Phil Berry (37) to add 131 for the fourth wicket.
Dickins struck 10 fours and five sixes in his 58-ball stay. He needed to hit the final ball of the innings for six to bring up his century, but could only manage a single.
Simon Marwood (2-35) was the only multiple wicket-taker for Emu Ceek.
In reply, Emu Creek wasted little time in running down Mandurang's big score.
Opener Simon Marwood blasted 45 off just 20 balls, including six fours and three sixes, and acting-skipper Tyrone Downie added 37 off 19 balls, including four fours and three sixes, to put Emu Creek in strong position.
Tyson Webster ensured Emu Creek victory by taking just 22 balls to reach his half-century.
He hit six fours and four sixes before eventually falling for 59 off 27 balls.
The bowling figures weren't pretty for Mandurang. James Pietromonaco (3-21) was the only bowler to escape punishment from the Emu Creek batsmen.
Down the road at Club Court Oval, Sedgwick cruised to a comfortable win over Marong.
The Rams posted 3-184, thanks largely to a quickfire half-century from Jordan Ilsley late in the innings. The in-form all-rounder hit six sixes and four fours in his 59 off just 28 balls.
Captain Greg Thomas (48 off 41) and Andrew Sheehan (29 off 17) made key contributions with the bat.
Ilsley backed up with 3-12 off three overs as Sedgwick skittled the Panthers for just 110.
David Blume (35 off 23) and Scott Ross (23 off 17) were the only Marong batsmen to score more than 12.
United made a bright start to its T20 campaign by defeating California Gully by 55 runs.
The in-form Harry Whittle (48 not out and 3-11) once again led the way for the Tigers.
Whittle hit three fours and two sixes in his 37-ball stay, while Joe Hartney gave the innings momentum with a quickfire 36 off 18 balls.
The Tigers finished 7-145, with Jesse O'Connell (3-19) the best of California Gully's bowlers.
California Gully's reply was less than inspiring.
O'Connell (22) and Geoff West (20) were the only batsmen to reach 20 in their side's total of 90.
In the final game of round one, West Bendigo outclassed Axe Creek at Ken Wust Oval.
Axe Creek battled to reach 8-87 off its 20 overs, with Jakk Trenfield (39) the only batsmen to test the Redbacks' attack.
West Bendigo took 14 overs to pass the score as Sam Hitchcock (35 not out) and Zac Makeham (26 not out) top-scored.
Round two fixture next Tuesday night: Spring Gully v Axe Creek, Marong v Maiden Gully Marist, Emu Creek v Sedgwick, California Gully v West Bendigo.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
