CAMPBELL & Freebairn (C&F) opening batsman Dave Mudaliar welcomed the arrival of the 2014-15 cricket season with an unbeaten century at Varley Oval on Saturday.
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With Richard Wilson (38) Mudaliar hit the Royal Rats bowlers to all parts of the oval. He finished with 20 fours, one six and was 165 not out.
Sean Rynne (24) and Brendon Campbell (20) chipped in to see C&F on 5-299 at the end of their 40 overs.
Ashley Connors was the best of the bowlers with 2-53 off eight overs.
In reply the Royal Rats lost wickets at regular intervals. Their most productive partnership was the seventh wicket for 40 runs. Ben Hutchinson made a determined 36 while Matty Mair and Ashley Connors made 20 apiece. Rats handed over an easy victory when they were eventually all out for 140.
Nathan Marsh and Richard Wilson claimed three wickets each for C&F.
The second A grade match was at McCosker 2, and was a close finish between Aussies and Staggy Creek.
Aussies are the new A grade side, and perhaps it was Staggy Creek’s experience that saw them prevail. Aussies batted first and were skittled for just 100 runs. In reply, however, Staggy Creek found it heavy going to narrowly claim a first innings win at 9-103.
In B grade, last seasons’ grand finalists Square & Compass (S&C) and Tingha met at Tingha Sports Ground. S&C opened the batting and were bundled out for a modest 147. Alex Smith (52) and Ben Horneman (22) were the top scorers.
Tingha bowlers Terry Lea 3-27, Les Gardiner 2-9 and Jake McMullen 2-10 were the chief wicket-takers.
In the run chase Tingha annihilated the attack. The side cruised to 3-148 in 14 overs. Warrego Williams clubbed 60 not out and Ray Connors made 54.
The second B grade match saw Invincible 1 and 2 lock horns. The ‘twos’ won the toss and batted to make 154. Benjamin Hobday top scored with 41 while Jake Buckingham chipped in with 37.
Jacob Haines snared 4-14 off four overs and Michael Williams claimed 3-22.
In reply Invincible 1 completed the task of a first innings win finishing at 6-157. Dale Hersee was in good early season touch making 41 while Michael Gould led the way with 42. Josh McPhee remained 31 not out batting at number six. Todd Hughes and Jason Muhs each took two wickets for the number two side.