CRICKET
TDCA
Traralgon and District Cricket Association got underway for season 2013/14 in sensational sunny conditions.
Some of the league’s best players also shone, with Kent Hammond (94), Brad Knowles (59 and 4/11) and Rob Voss (5/22) all having great opening games.
The match of the round was a repeat of last year’s semi-final with Centrals at home to Ex Students.
After winning the toss Lee Stockdale had no hesitation in electing to field first and it paid dividends as the reigning premier stamped its authority, again having the home side reeling at 7/50.
Only lower order resistance from Mark Rawson with 40 runs and Corey Pollard (23) got Centrals past 100 to finish at 9/118.
Rob Voss was the star taking 5/22.
Ex Students had no trouble in the chase passing the total in 30 overs.
Lee Stockdale made 29, Dylan Spence 25 and Rory Hare 21 not out. Brenton Ould took 3/19.
Imperials v Gormandale
Imperials won the toss and sent Gormandale into bat.
Imps struck early removing Adrian Burgiel for four but from then on it was a run feast for Gormandale.
Kent Hammond opened 2013 in style with a hard hitting 94 and was caught on the boundary going for his century.
Gormandale finished off with Stuart Anderson 24 and Rob Darby 34 not out which included two towering sixes.
Brad Sizeland and Jimmy Chalmers each took two wickets.
Imps battled hard but could not get close enough as Brad Sizeland (34) and Alex Butler (35) top scored, while Brendon McGregor made 21.
Leigh Churchill took 4/23 while Adam Brady took 3/34.
Both sides dropped a number of catches in a poor first round fielding display.
Toongabbie v Traralgon West
Toongabbie opened its campaign with a thumping win over Traralgon West.
Batting first the Rams made 177.
Top scorers were Steve Nichols on 46 and Matt Golding (51 not out).
In reply Traralgon West could only manage 62 with Ben Edebohls making 22.
Jason Veneman took 4/16.
CATS v Raiders
CATS batted first against Raiders and would have been happy with a total of 150.
Dan Nicholls scored 31 runs with Barney Webber on 48 and Tim Derham 27.
Raiders were a little shaky at 6/97 but with Brad Knowles on 59 and Tim Darby 23 not out it was able to hold on and win eight wickets down.
Churchill v Rovers
In an even clash Churchill batted first against Rovers and made 129.
John Keighran top scored with 37 and Chris Williams 24.
In reply Rovers were 7/88 but got dismissed for 111.
John Keighran and Ben Kearns each took three wickets.
Nilantha Thillekarathna with 23 and Dunstone 27 were best for Rovers.
TDCA B grade
Centrals 7/214 def Ex Students 8/206, Tgon West 6/182 def Toon 66, Cats 2/151 def MTYR 124, Churchill 5/135 def Rovers 117, Imps 133 def Gormandale 97.
