Away it goes... Cricket made a welcome return to Stawell’s Central Park on Saturday with Pomonal hosting Buangor. Simon Donkers is pictured hitting out for the home side. Unfortunately for Donkers and his teammates, Pomonal failed yet again on turf and as a result, has already lost out on first innings points. Picture: MARK McMILLAN
GCA - Swifts/Great Western made a successful return to Grampians Cricket Association A grade cricket in the first day of their two day clash with St Andrews at the weekend.
Following a five week spell including two byes and the Christmas break, the unbeaten Combine outfit hasn't missed a beat - particularly with some fine bowling from part-timers Travis Nicholson and Jacob Seeary.
St Andrews got off to a bad start, losing opening batsman Jacob Bates for just one run.
Bart Wilson then put 13 runs on the board before falling foul of Gary Ranton, while Tom Schwab (24) and Brady Miller (17) tried desperately to find Saints momentum. However the Combine bowling attack was simply too strong, with Travis Nicholson making an appearance in the later stages to clean up the tail and the Saints were bundled out for 95 runs.
Nicholson was Swifts leading wicket taker with 3/9, while Gary Ranton was economical (2/6) and both Jamie Bach and Jacob Seeary picked up a couple of wickets each.
In reply, the Combine sit at 2/43 after losing Gary Ranton (1) and Travis Nicholson (9) with James Devery and Jacob Seeary sitting at 11 and 17 not out.
Youth Club has set Aradale a challenge following day one of their two-day encounter.
Returning for his first match this season, Clubber Todd Matthews didn't get the start he wanted after making two runs.
Matthews was quickly followed by Zac Marrow (2) and sitting at 2/9, the Clubbers appeared to be in trouble.
Enter Tim Seymour, who smacked 14 boundaries and a six and appeared on track for his maiden century in Grampians cricket before controversially being given out lbw on 94.
Jamie Solyom continued his solid form with the bat, making 63 runs while Steve Le Gassick (37), Jack Kelly (34) and Phil Hall (24) chipped in as Youth Club finished the innings on 294.
Brent Tate was the best of the Aradale bowlers, snaring 3/44.
Aradale's run chase got off to a horror start, with Clubber Jack Kelly striking early to remove Jon Townsend without scoring.
Five wickets to Jack Ganley has helped Buangor seize first innings points against Pomonal in their two-day clash.
Pomonal's batting woes continued on day one with Robert McKinnon (0) and Nick Maddison (6) both failing to make an impact.
Alex Malligan was Pomonal's only shining light, reaching 20 runs before becoming Jack Ganley's final victim for the afternoon, as Pomonal reached just 77.
Buangor had no trouble reaching the target, with 76 runs to Shaun Allen helping the side to a total of 6/176 at the end of the day's play.
Brett Gay currently leads the Pomonal bowling charge with 4/42.
Sean Mantell has provided the highlight of the round so far, hitting 192 runs for Halls Gap in their B grade clash with Youth Club while Jake Robinson finished on 111 not out in Chalambar's C grade win over Pomonal.