Avenel batted first in its clash with Seymour, coming off a strong win over Alexandra last week to kick start its season.
The visitors got underway in strong fashion at Chittick Park with Travis Stefanos (36) and Cam Bassett (46) combining for an 83-run partnership before it was broken by Cameron Evans. From here, Seymour was able to get back on top, restricting Avenel’s middle and lower order to a total of 147 with three wickets each for both Evans and Brodey Pointon.
In reply, Seymour was in trouble early with Jason Brown and Lachlan Drummond both dismissed for ducks, leaving the Maroons 2-2.
Enter Evans, who backed up a solid bowling performance with a match winning innings with the bat, finishing 81 not out to get Seymour over the line. He was supported by Luke Woolan who finished 24 not out in a 56-run partnership to finish the game.
Tallarook 2-110 (L Watts 49no, H Melville 34) def Pyalong 9-108 (M Wilkins 33, D Clancy 21, Z Ryan 21, B Munari-O’Dwyer 2-17, K Winnell 2-17, X Arandt 2-19)
Tallarook opted to bowl first against Pyalong with rain about and were tidy with the ball straight up. Xavier Arandt and Blake Munari-O’Dwyer put Pyalong on the back foot, restricting the run rate and ultimately finishing with two wickets each.
Some sloppy fielding allowed Pyalong back in the game through Matthew Wilkins (33) and Dermott Clancy (21), who worked hard through the middle overs of the game before Kal Winnell bowled an economical nine overs to finish with 2/17.
Zane Ryan showed some class with the bat late in the innings but a score of 108 was always going to be tough to defend for Pyalong.
The run chase got off to a positive start for Tallarook with Hamish Melville proactive in a promising innings of 34 before Lachlan Watts came to the crease and upped the ante with 49 not out in a comfortable win.
Alexandra 8-82 (J Meggitt 20no, S Whitehead 11, D Thompson 4-17, A Ross 2-6) def Yea Tigers 81 (B Hardinge 30, J Fish 17no, J Crane 6-21, W Ashton 3-22)
Alexandra came out firing in its clash with Yea, knowing that a win would see them draw level with the Tigers in fourth position.
It was young gun Josh Crane who did the damage for the Redbacks in a dominant spell of bowling to finish with 6-21, running through Yea’s top order. His spell was supported by captain Will Ashton who continued his strong form with three wickets of his own.
Some lower order resistance from Biron Hardinge and Jake Fish helped Yea post 81, leaving them with plenty of work to do with the ball.
Dylan Thompson led the way for Yea, picking up 4-17, giving them a fighting chance with two wickets each coming from Jack Christie and Austen Ross.
James Meggitt proved to be the key for Alexandra in the chase, finishing 20 not out as the Redbacks snuck home by two wickets in a big win.
Atmos Renewables B Grade
Avenel 113 (L Smith 18, J Smith 18, K Sison 3-24, D Murphy 2-2) def Seymour 75 (D Murphy 24, C Smith 4-9, L Smith 3-7)
Pyalong 113 (D Zoch 35, P Reynolds 33, S Manchester 4-28, M Whitfield 2-2) def by Tallarook 3-114 (B O’Donnell 47no, M Whitfield 39*)
Yea Tigers 24 (T Ward 3-7, L Ronalds 2-1) def by Alexandra 4-26
GMCU Under 16s
Seymour 178 (H Melville 54no, L Brown 30, D Tait 4-37, M Jensen 2-14) def Yea Tigers 7-110 (A Armstrong 27, H McCarthy 19, H Melville 4-12)
Pyalong 2-118 (J Wilkins 51no, T Caddie 16no) def by Avenel 3-120 (A Butler 38no, H Black 31)
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