David Braithwaite
STRATFORD and Sale maintained their undefeated starts to the Sale-Maffra cricket seasons on Saturday.
Stratford defeated Rosedale-Kilmany, the only other unbeaten side after two rounds.
Sent into bat, the visiting Redbacks compiled a formidable 219.
In his first game since joining the club, Jake Wynd smacked 52 runs from 40 balls, including four sixes, starting off a good all-round performance. Wynd and Jack Tatterson put on 85 for the third wicket.
After Wynd and Tatterson (for 42) were dismissed, Bohdi Walker (36 from 28) and Chris Aurisch (43 from 24) kept the scoreboard ticking
Warriors captain Dylan Rowley claimed three wickets to help bowl the Redbacks out. Michael Walters became a unlikely key bowler, also taking three wickets, including those of Tatterson and Aurisch.
Wynd took 4-27 as Rosedale-Kilmany was bowled out for 154.
Ben Hughes gave the Warriors’ innings a promising start, before being bowled for 36 (from 27 balls) by Jack Rietschel.
Rohan Diamond was steady while losing partners in the middle until he became one of Wynd’s victims, out for 28, with the score 5-110.
Walters did his best to get the RK innings going until Wynd claimed his wicket for 29, with the home side 9-133.
Ethan Albrecht and Jacob Williams also ensured the Warriors couldn’t get close to victory, each claiming two wickets.
SALE defeated crosstown rival Collegians.
Five wickets from Swans captain Coenie Nel helped restrict the home side to 9-139.
College captain Zac Hurley provided some spark at the top of the order, scoring 28 from 31 balls, until Nel caught Hurley off his own bowling on his way to figures of 5-19 off eight overs.
Zak Russell top-scored for College with 29, while Brody Dobson claimed two wickets for the Swans.
Sale produced a steady effort to claim victory, passing Collegians’ total in 37th over with four wickets in hand. Matt Raidal top-scored with an unbeaten 44, with Finn Lutton claiming 3-23 for College, which is win-less after three rounds.
BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG made the long journey home from Yarram a little easier, after claiming a hard-fought victory.
The Saints sent the Pelicans into bat, with the home side bowled out for 136, with Liam Hurst the stand-out for the visitors, taking 6-15 from 7.2 overs. While the Yarram openers began well, Hurst ensured it didn’t get out of hand, taking the first four wickets, reducing the Pelicans from 0-40 to 4-53.
Jarryd Swift top-scored for Yarram with 41, while Dylan Rash made 30, and Anthony Scott and Daniel O’Keefe 20 each.
While there were a few stumbles in reply, the Saints passed the Pelicans’ total in the 34th over with two wickets in hand.
Adrian Burgiel got the innings going, scoring 38 runs from 29 balls. Stefano Di Bartolomeo kept the scoreboard ticking with his 33.
Yarram never gave up, taking wickets to keep themselves in the contest.
When Lewis Bolton joined Jonathon Outhart in the middle, the Saints were 8-102, and the pair did was was needed to see their side to victory. Bolton was unbeaten on 24, and Outhart unbeaten on 18.
O’Keefe was the pick of the Yarram bowlers, with 3-20, while Scott too 2-38.
MAFFRA defeated Bundalaguah at home.
Tight bowling restricted the Bulls to 6-118 from their 40 overs. Steve Spoljaric scored 49 and Sam Bedggood 33 not out.
Matthew Hinks took 3-23 from eight overs for the Eagles and Ben Durrant 2-15 from eight.
Maffra reached its victory target in the 34th over for the loss of five wickets.
Opener Chris Lawrence was a steady presence throughout most of the innings, scoring 41 before being adjudged out leg before wicket to Jakob Horsman’s bowling for 41 with the Eagles in sight of victory.Captain Lee Hopkins scored unbeaten 26, with he an veteran Josh Rurawhe seeing the Eagles home.
The win sees Maffra replace Bundalaguah in the top four, now two points ahead of the Bulls.
LONGFORD had the bye.
This weekend sees the beginning of two-day games in first grade, with the round to be played on Saturday and Sunday.
