Kilmore opened its Seymour District Cricket Association season with a five-wicket win over Eastern Hill in its one-dayer on Saturday.
The visitors won the toss, with Eastern Hill captain Dallas Bergowicz electing to bat.
Kilmore quick Josh Buttler struck early, taking the wicket of Matthew Collard for 17.
Eastern Hill had the potential to put up a decent score at 5/93 before a lower-order collapse spelt doom for the visitors.
Kilmore’s Connor McLeod stormed through the Eagles’ lower order, taking 4/11 in five overs, including the breakthrough wicket of Eastern Hill top scorer Alan Sinclair for 46.
Eastern Hill lost its last five wickets for just 20 runs on its way to being bowled out for 113 after 42.2 overs.
Kilmore started its innings well with a 55-run partnership between openers Josh Buttler and captain Matt Rose before Rose was dismissed leg before wicket for 18 by Alan Sinclair.
Ash Lovick came in at first drop and put together a 38-run partnership with Buttler before the latter was caught just six runs shy of a half-century.
At 2/93, Kilmore had the game in the bag but three quick wickets planted a seed of doubt as the hosts went to 5/104.
The top order’s hard work paid off as Kilmore was able to reach the target in 35 overs for its first win.
Reigning A Grade premiers Tallarook got its title defence off on the right foot with a 23-run win over Broadford at home.
Broadford won the toss and sent Tallarook in. It looked like the move paid off early as Tallarook were 3/35 early.
A 58-run partnership between Jac Smith-Williams (51) and Leigh Irving (70*) steadied the ship for Tallarook on its way to a total of 6/160 from 45 overs.
Lee McKenzie (2/22) and Jeremy Bradshaw (2/39) led the bowling attack for Broadford.
Broadford was in trouble early at 2/10 before Braden Hickey (32) and Liam Collier (18) got the visitors back on track, but it was to no avail as wickets fell quickly towards the end of the innings. Broadford was bowled out for 137 from 41.5 overs.
Coby Schultz (4/30) and Mitchell Itter (3/21) did the bulk of the damage for Tallarook.
After falling just short of the premiership last summer, Yea Tigers started the season well, posting a strong total on their way to a 44-run win over Seymour at Chittick Park.
Yea were sent in to bat by the hosts and finished the innings 8/182 from 45 overs.
Cameron Armstrong top scored for the Tigers with 74 runs while opener Nathan Beattie made 59 as the two had a 115-run second wicket partnership.
Seymour was in trouble early at 3/38 and wickets continued to fall consistently throughout its innings. Hayden Gawne (32) was the only batsman to score more than 20 runs for the hosts.
Lachlan Beattie led the Tigers bowling attack with 3/37 from eight overs.
