With the Christmas break over, Seymour District Cricket Association, SDCA, cricketers returned to the field for the return of the 2023/24 competition.
The undefeated Eastern Hill continue to be the team to beat, scoring another win over Seymour 4/100 (17) to 6/97 (19).
At Avenel, Tallarook took an easy win over the home side.
Avenel won the toss, electing to bat, but a rough start left Avenel at 3/15.
The next partnership gave Avenel a boost, but Tallarook continued cutting through batsmen.
Chayse Thomson top scored with 20 runs but with no other batter able to make it to double digits – and four ducks – Avenel were all out for 57 off 19.1 overs.
Tallarook vice-captain Kalon Winnell took an impressive 4/3 while Leigh Irving 2/6.
With captain Lachlan Watts unavailable for the match, Joshua Rudge stepped into the leadership role.
“Getting some captaincy experience with Lach Watts away was great and the boys made the job very easy,” he said.
“Kal and Leigh ran through Avenel and the youngsters backed them up with some quality, tight bowling.”
Rudge and Andrew Dundon were an unstoppable opening partnership making 27 not out and 22 not out respectively as Tallarook took the win 0/59, off eight overs.
“It’s pleasing to get a win on the board straight away after Christmas with a few players to come back in the coming weeks,” Rudge said.
“You really don’t want to muck around with the small run chases. To chase down their total in eight overs is a big boost to our percentage, with a huge fixture at home against Seymour next week.
“We’ll be looking to pick up a win and push for a top-two spot heading into finals later this year.”
In a close match, Yea took its second win for the season over Pyalong, defeating the visitors 9/123 to 6/129.
Pyalong elected to bowl first, with Joseph Ryan leading the way with four wickets.
The Tigers put up an 80-run partnership to start the innings before Ryan broke the partnership.
Pyalong didn’t have the same early success, falling to 4/37.
The visitors’ Daniel Sowden made 38 and Dermott Clancy an unbeaten 23 to end the innings.
Pyalong captain Jamie Pryor said it was a disappointing result.
“Our top-order fell away a little too cheaply. We left the lower-order too much to do,” he said.
“We were missing some key players who bowl the bulk of our overs, but I still thought 130 was a reachable total.
“Credit to Yea who made sure it was enough.
“I was really impressed with Dan and Dermott – the game looked done, but they batted maturely to get us within reach in the final few overs. It just wasn’t to be.”
This Saturday, Pyalong play Avenel at home, Tallarook host Seymour and Eastern Hill play Alexandra at Kings Park, while Yea has a bye.
