The Seymour and District Cricket Association A Grade competition changed formats on Saturday from Twenty-20 to one-day matches for the final five games of the regular season.
Tallarook had a standout win over Alexandra, winning 2/78 (12.3) to 10/73 (27.3).
Electing to bowl, Tallarook started strongly and had Alexandra 4/37 early in the match.
The Redbacks kept chipping away, adding runs to the board however back-to-back ducks and some efficient bowling saw the ‘Rook end the innings in a great position.
Tallarook’s Shane Topham had 2/2 while vice-captain Kalon Winnell 3/7.
Stepping up to the crease, Tallarook batsmen made short work of the run chase, starting with a 25-run opening partnership.
As the side continued to chase, Joshua Rudge went out on 15 runs and Andrew Dundon on eight.
Captain Lachlan Watts and Shane Topham both ended the day unbeaten on 27 and 18 respectively, as the side worked quick to get out of the heat and take the win.
Watts said it was a good win.
“Another really pleasing win and it’s great to string a few together after Christmas,” he said.
“There was a bit of untidiness from us in the field but Kal and Leigh led the way, running through Alex and keeping them well under 100.
“We chased down their total within 13 overs, which is incredibly efficient and it’s always important you don’t muck around with the smaller run chases.
“We’re in good nick heading into a bye and will be looking to put our best foot forward against Eastern Hill in a fortnight.”
At Chittick Park, Pyalong won the toss, electing to bat.
Sean Walsh was sent out for a duck in the first over before Paul Dugard and Dan Sowden combined for a 52-run partnership.
Three quick wickets in succession by Seymour’s Hugh Smith had Pyalong at 4/53 before the visitors got moving on the scoreboard again.
Captain Jamie Pryor, Dermott Clancy and Damien Zoch spurred on Pyalong’s run count before the side ended the innings all out for 136.
Pryor said Clancy, a new recruit, remained consistent.
“We were probably a bit short with the bat, but it was something to bowl to,” he said.
“The partnership between Dugard and Sowden set the platform for us but losing wickets in clumps set us back.
“I was impressed with Dermott who has put together a handy few weeks with the bat as someone new to the club this season.”
Fielding started rough for Pyalong with Seymour’s opening partnership reaching 50 in the seventh over.
Taking two wickets in his second over, Jason Ryan put some life back into Pyalong’s bowling as Mitch Wittig took one of his own shortly after.
A 68-run partnership brought Seymour home in 22 overs winning 4/138, off 22 overs.
“We were lacking a bit of depth in our bowling department with a few key outs and it showed,” Pryor said.
“We bowled far too many extras and boundary bowls.
“Jason Ryan bowled a couple beautiful deliveries to give us a chance to fight back, but Seymour were too good on the day and got the job done pretty quickly after that.”
In Avenel, Yea defeated the hosts 2/91 to 9/86.
On Saturday, Pyalong play top-of-the-ladder Eastern Hill, Seymour host Avenel and Alexandra play neighbours Yea, while Tallarook has a bye.
