The Seymour District Cricket Association season opener on Saturday did not disappoint, with Broadford scoring a 10-run upset win over defending champions Tallarook.
Broadford won the toss and elected to bat at Harley Hammond Reserve, making a solid start before Blake Coyle took two quick wickets, bowling opener Evan Mills for 13 and dismissing Cooper Mason caught behind for two, as Broadford fell to 2/34.
Opener Riley Mason made 30 before he was caught by Tallarook captain Lachlan Watts off Mitch Itter’s bowling. Broadford captain Ash Wood followed soon after when he was bowled by Watts for one, with Broadford 4/63.
Jake Martin led the charge for Broadford’s middle order, making 36 before he was run out at 6/104.
Braden Hickey made 25 before running out of partners when Broadford was bowled out for 130 from 44.2 overs.
Coyle took 3/22 from 8.2 overs while Itter took 2/18 from eight overs.
Broadford was immediately able to put the pressure on with the ball with Ashley Gurney dismissing both openers, Benjamin Cooney and Mitch Itter, Matthew Martin and Luke Marshall in quick succession. Watts was run out soon after as Tallarook fell to 5/18.
Cameron Muir was able to stem the bleeding, making 43 from 64 balls before he was caught behind by Wood, off Jack Connell, at 8/83.
Coyle tried his best to get Tallarook home, making 42 from 49 balls, but it wasn’t enough as he was the last wicket to fall with Tallarook all out for 120.
Gurney took 4/11 from nine overs with three maidens, while Connell took 2/18 from nine overs.
Kilmore had a comfortable win in its first hit out, defeating A Grade newcomer Pyalong by 80 runs at home.
Captain Josh Buttler helped Kilmore off to a flying start, making 43 before he became the first of Joseph Ryan’s five victims with Kilmore 2/86.
Wicketkeeper Matthew Rose was able to steer Kilmore though a minor collapse, putting on a 33-run stand with Kevin Craddock to see out of the 45 overs.
Rose made 32 and Craddock 13 as Kilmore finished its innings 7/168.
Ryan took 5/21 from nine overs with two maidens.
Kilmore were immediately on top with Benjamin Dawson collecting two run outs early while Corey Dennehy also struck early on his way to 3/32.
The wickets came thick and fast early before the Pyalong tail was able to slow the momentum somewhat.
Michael Fairweather top scored for Pyalong, making 19 batting at number eight.
Kilmore bowled Pyalong out for 88 from 27.3 overs to seal the first-up win.
In other results, Eastern Hill defeated Seymour by 22 runs and Yea defeated Alexandra by six wickets.
