NARRE Warren turned up at Sweeney Reserve on a gloomy day to play Doveton not expecting any play would be possible but the covers were lifted to reveal a wicket that looked pretty good.
Narre won the toss and elected to bowl. The pitch was slow but played well.
The Doves got off to a solid start maintaining all wickets until the first drink break. After drinks Dave Wheeler struck for the first time for his new club trapping Wiramanaden in front, Polson then came in and made a quickfire 12 before Michael Sigaras claimed his first wicket in Turf 1.
Wheeler then had Marshall caught brilliantly by Shane Simpson, our other gun recruit, at third slip and the Doves went to tea at 3 for 72.
On the resumption, Ryan Hendy played some very good slog sweeps and cleared the fence on three occasions. He made a quick 47 and Raines put in a similar performance for 30. Brad Downe was the Doves’ mainstay and he was dismissed with only a few overs to go for a brilliant 105.
The bowling was superb. John Simpson, Chris Jarrett, Dave Wheeler, Michael Sigaras, Dwayne Scott and Shane Simpson did a magnificent job.
Wicket-takers were Scott 1, Sigaras 2, while Dave Wheeler, in his first game for the club, was the standout with figures of 30 overs 10 maidens, 4 for 73. Catching let the Magpies down but the team thinks the target of 242 is achievable.
@BT Sub Sport News:B Grade
The B Grade team travelled to Browns Reserve Aspendale to play St Brigids St Louis CC for round 1.
It was a new look B Grade squad with Andrew Stevens as captain, three new recruits in G McKee, D Clarke and A Hill, and promising juniors in M Clarke, B Carter, T Anderson and M Morgan.
Narre Warren won the toss and elected to bat. M Clarke and G Rees made a solid start, the first wicket falling at 29. Most batsmen got a start, which was pleasing. However, only two batsmen were able to make more than 20 runs, being D Clarke (52) and A Stevens (38). Narre Warren was bowled out in the 68th over for a solid 222 Runs.
After four overs, St Brigids St Louis was 0 wickets for 19 but with one opening batsman not available next week, Narre Warren believes it is in a good position for a win in round 1.
