KILMORE extended its undefeated streak to seven games with a 52-run win over Seymour in their Seymour District Cricket Association clash at home on Saturday.
After winning the toss and batting, Kilmore was in control from the outset with captain Josh Buttler and opener Dale Tassone putting together a 74-run partnership that lasted beyond the drinks break.
The opening stand ended when Tassone was dismissed leg before wicket by Danny Fountain for 37. Buttler followed suit shortly after, caught out for 34 after more than an hour and a half in the middle.
Seymour capitalised on the momentum, dismissing Matt Rose for 1 followed by Shane Topham for 11 and Ben Dawson for 7 to have Kilmore on the ropes at 5/106.
Kilmore’s lower-order was able to consolidate the innings with a 31-run stand between Jacob Walton and Marcus Davern which ended when Walton was run out for 35.
Davern put on another 30 runs with Jayme Lowe before he was bowled after making 21 with Kilmore 7/167.
After 45 overs, Kilmore finished its innings at 8/172.
The hosts took control of the game with the ball almost immediately when Brett Buttler dismissed both Seymour openers cheaply, with Simon Van Duinen bowled for 13 and Daniel McLarty caught by Corey Dennehy for 9.
Dennehy ran out Damian Murphy in between the two openers’ wickets to have the visitors in trouble at 3/36.
Kilmore continued to take wickets consistently as Topham (3/10) took three of the next four wickets during a middle order collapse which left Seymour at 7/67.
Michael Woldhuis and Sanam Panjeta were able to stop the bleeding, putting on 44 runs together before Panjeta was caught behind by Matt Rose off Xavier Stute for nine.
Dennehy took Seymour’s final two wickets without much trouble, bowling the visitors out for 120 after 34.3 overs.
Buttler said it was pleasing that his side was able continue to put together solid team performances.
“We had a pretty good opening stand which set up our innings pretty well and allowed wickets in hand and for us to accelerate a bit in the back half of the innings,” he said.
“Shane’s a very integral part of our side with both bat and ball and it was with ball he did most of the damage of the weekend. He’s a very important part of our side and showed that on the weekend.
“I was most happy with that it was a very good team performance with both bat and ball, it wasn’t one individual, the whole team did their job.
“The fact we can still get better from this and improve on that performance is very pleasing.”
Broadford cruises to win
Broadford continued to push for second spot on the ladder, currently tied with Yea on points, after a comfortable 113-run win over Alexandra at Leckie Park.
Alexandra won the toss and sent Broadford in, a move which immediately backfired as Broadford captain Ash Wood and opener Riley Mason put on a 91-run opening partnership.
Wood made 57 from 62 balls with eight boundaries before he was caught.
Broadford continued its momentum, making 6/211 from 42 overs.
Broadford’s bowling attack tore through Alexandra’s batsmen easily, with Taylor Shell taking a remarkable 3/0 from five overs as the hosts failed to get close to the total, finishing their innings at 9/98.
Tallarook captain Lachlan Watts starred for the reigning premiers, making 77 in their 20-run win over Eastern Hill at home.
Leigh Irving also made 50 as the pair put on a 95-run partnership, setting their side up to make 5/195.
Despite a strong innings of 78 from Brayden Speechley, Eastern Hill failed to reach the target and were bowled out for 175.
Kalon Winnell did most of the damage, taking 3/29 form nine overs.
Pyalong remains the one winless team in the competition after a 111-run loss to Yea at home.