Lindenow South Glenaladale powered to a nine-wicket round one Bairnsdale Cricket Association “A” grade victory over a new-look Meerlieu at Meerlieu last Saturday.
The Bulls – the competition yardstick for team stability – were way too strong for the Tussocks who were boasting just veterans Rohan Blandford and Reagan Kyle from their 2023/24 grand final side.
Lindenow South Glenaladale won the toss and sent the home side in o the newly refurbished wicket, the visitors making that call look superb as Seth Smith claimed the prized scalps of Blandford (3) and recruit Jayanga Peiris (2) cheaply.
When Jamie Donnelly claimed Kyle and Englishman Toby Jones’ wickets in consecutive balls, the Tussocks were reduced to 4/12.
Zimbabwean import Connor Mitchell (42 off 71) provided valuable middle order resistance with support from Justin Morgan (19 off 82), however both were dismissed in quick succession with the score at 77 in the hunt for late innings runs, the side eventually reaching 9/97 at the completion of 40 overs.
Opening bowlers Smith and Donnelly combined for 5/21 from 14 overs, while veteran Scott Davidson finished with 3/23.
In reply the Bulls were never trohbled.
Hard hitting opener Scott Dare was the only wicket to fall, caught off the spin bowling of Mitchell for 13, as the returning Luke Schumann (22no off 72) and co-captain Haydn Erfurth (38no off 57), the latter who hit three boundaries and two sixes, guided their side home in the 25th over.
Mitchell was the pick of the Meerlieu bowlers conceding just 15 runs from his eight overs, while young opener Jack McConachy went wicketless but conceded only two runs from six overs.
Reigning premier West Bairnsdale had to settle with sharing the points as their contest against St Mary’s Nagle was abandoned without a ball bowled following heavy rain on Friday evening.