With an unbeaten half-century, Paul Dugard led from the front in Pyalong’s victory over Avenel in Saturday’s Seymour District Cricket Association, SDCA, A Grade match.
Pyalong headed to Avenel, where the home side elected to bat first.
Cutting through Avenel’s batting lineup, Pyalong bowlers sent the opening partnership out for 36 before making quick work of the next four batsmen, including Mitchell Wittig sending batters Angus Nash and Oliver Valladares out for ducks.
Wittig took 3/18 while Ryan Mumford, in his debut game, and Jason Ryan took two wickets each as Pyalong bowled out Avenel for 106.
Opening Pyalong batsman Dugard proved to be immovable for Avenel’s bowlers, making 50 not out, while Daniel Sowden stepped in at first to drop to make the second-highest run count for Pyalong with 17 off 31 balls.
The impressive efforts of Dugard and Sowden helped Pyalong win in 30 overs, reaching 5/114.
Pyalong captain Jamie Pryor said all bowlers stepped up on Saturday.
“All of our bowlers played their role – particularly both Pratt boys early who kept things tight and built some pressure before Jason Ryan, Mitch Wittig and first gamer Ryan Mumford all chipped in with wickets as well as a few run outs,” he said.
“With the bat, Paulie was the standout making his 50 with the winning runs.”
Pyalong will host Seymour at home on Saturday.
“Playing Seymour is another good test for us. Moving up to A Grade, we will face some challenges along the way as our side has a lot of younger guys,” Pryor said.
“We have lots of room for improvement in all areas but getting a few wins banked early is good for the confidence in the group, and it will be a good chance to see where we are at coming up against Seymour this week.”
Over at Chittick Park Seymour, the Maroons defeated Tallarook 7/172 to 10/140.
Winning the toss, Seymour elected to bat with openers Jason Brown and Hayden Gawne mounting the strongest partnership with a combined 101 runs. Brown retired on 46 while Gawne was run-out on 55.
The next three Maroons batsmen went out for a combined five runs before captain Brodey Pointon and Daniel McLarty picked up the run rate.
Tallarook captain Lachlan Watts led the wickets with 2/35 while Xavier Arandt and Leigh Irving both recorded two maidens.
In reply, Watts led the way for Tallarook with 38 before being run out.
Tallarook’s run rate picked up as Xavier Arandt and Shane Topham made 22 and 26 runs, respectively.
However, it wasn’t enough, with Seymour getting Tallarook all out for 140.
Pointon took three wickets while Braidon Horkings and Gawne each had two.
Watts said it was a disappointing day out for Tallarook.
“It was a bit of a disappointing result for us after a fairly solid start to the season,” he said.
“Credit to Seymour. They got off to a really strong start and we just weren’t able to reign them in quick enough.
“170 is a pretty solid score to have on the board and we couldn’t build that one big partnership to get us there or have anyone kick on and get a big score.
“In saying that, we’ve put out a very young side and there’s plenty of positive from our perspective.
“Xav Ardant showed some good signs with the bat after spending most of his senior cricket batting well down the order.
“It was great to give some of our young players plenty of overs with Xav, Blake Munari O’Dwyer and Tarkyn Dundon sending down 20 between them.”
Tallarook is set to host Alexandra at home on Saturday.
In Alexandra, the Redbacks, all out for 81, lost to top-of-the-table Eastern Hill 1/83.
