SWIFTS/GREAT WESTERN has drawn first blood of the new Grampians Cricket Association year defeating reigning premiers Tatyoon at Central Park as the 2014/15 season got underway with a Twenty20.
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The Combine were sent to the crease after an undermanned Tatyoon won the toss and elected to field.
Sam Cocks and James Devery opened the batting and showed no signs of first round nerves as the duo went about putting early runs on the board.
With an opening partnership of 41 Swifts/Great Western was in control, and despite losing Devery, the score continued to tick over quickly as Rick Peters joined Cocks at the crease.
Cocks was the first batsman of the season to raise his bat for a half century before being dismissed on 51. Peters followed shortly after on 19 runs making way for recruit Matt Delzotto.
As play progressed Craig Marrow was the other notable contributor for the Combine, adding a quick fire 36 while holding onto his wicket as Swifts/Great Western finished the 20 overs with 5/138.
William Joyce was Tatyoon’s only multiple wicket taker (2/34), while Michael Harricks was the most economic with 1/20 from four overs.
Tatyoon struggled to form a steady partnership, with only Andrew Ward (22) and Harricks (27*) offering any real resistance.
Tom McCord was the best of the Swifts/Great Western bowling attack with 2/12 off his four overs, as Taty finished 6/83 — falling 55 runs short of victory.
In other matches it was a good start for both Youth Club and Aradale, as the two teams took the points over Pomonal and Buangor respectively.
Like Tatyoon, Aradale won the toss and sent its opposition in, however it was a much better result for the Dalers.
Buangor’s Harry Ganley was quick to hit form smashing 38 runs, but was unable to find support from opening partner Chris Jerram or brother Jack.
At 2/17 Buangor was in trouble with Matthew Stasse the man doing the damage for Aradale, as he claimed his first two wickets for just seven runs.
A 64-run partnership between Ganley and Shaun Allen gave the home team some momentum, with the side eventually finding its way to a respectable score of 105 off their 20 overs.
Solid knocks from its top order batsman saw Aradale reach the set total in the 19th over, with all rounder Stasse stranded on 49 not out.
Jack Ganley was the best of the Buangor bowlers with 1/5 off three overs.
Youth Club’s bowling attack looked stronger against Pomonal with the inclusion of Pete Barnett, despite having not taken a wicket.
Barnett allowed just seven runs from his four overs to finish with an impressive economy rate.
Cam Kimber also kept the batsmen on their toes taking one wicket for seven runs.
Pomonal had little answers as the wickets continued to fall leaving the Tigers with a total of just 64.
Youth Club relied on Steve LeGassick to do most of the work in the run chase and with 28 runs to his name he was up to the task.
Jamie Solyom was the next best scorer with 11 runs not out.
Only four wickets had fallen and there was still more than two overs remaining when Youth Club sealed the win.
