By David Nagel
CLYDE v TOORADIN
A talented Tooradin (7/262) outfit has put a stake in the ground at its first outing with a crushing 157-run victory over Clyde (105) in their WGCA Premier Division clash at Ramlegh Reserve.
The Seagulls have set standards and expectations very high this season – and the clinical nature of the win, in their first-up assignment, would suggest they’re more than capable of meeting those future challenges head on.
The Gulls showed no signs of weakness on the weekend, with a depth-laden batting line up taking the Cougars to task before six bowlers took wickets to guide their team to victory.
The first and most obvious question heading in was simple…What impact would the return of favourite-son Tom Hussey have on the Seagulls this season?
Well, the answer became clear in a hurry after Hussey (49) and Ben Parrott (47) overcame the early loss of skipper Cal O’Hare (1) to forge a 78-run partnership – laying the platform down for victory.
Hussey looked to have one thing on his mind – a first-up century – but that was nipped in the bud after hitting a return catch to Daniel Lever.
Parrott and Josh Lownds (14) would then pilot the Gulls through the early-middle overs of their innings before handing over to some familiar faces to finish off the job.
Proven champions Aaron Avery (50) and Russell Lehman (30) combined for a 67-run stand, with Avery particularly impressive with four boundaries and three sixes the highlight points of his stay.
Dylan Sutton (37 not out) and Brad Butler (11) would then pile on the pain for the Cougars – putting an exclamation mark on a fantastic first-up batting display.
Skipper Matt Aslett (2/43 off 8) took bowling honours for the Cougars, while Brett Reid (2/55 off 8) also took two wickets before strapping on the pads to begin the monumental run-chase with Jason Hameeteman.
The Cougars chase began horribly, with Reid (4) edging to Parrott off the pace of Butler (1/15 off 6) before Avery returned a throw to Butler to run-out Hameeteman (1).
With two of their best bats in the sheds, and the score on five, the Cougars were already cooked!
Kane (32 not out) and Joel Avard (18) showed some real resistance for the Cougars, while Suchin Mudiyanselage (18) and Nick Sadler (14) also dipped into double figures.
The Seagulls were always in control, with Lownds (2/10 off 7), Sutton (2/16 off 6) and Lehman (2/18 off 7) keeping things under wraps until Tyler Evans (1/6 off 1.2) took the final wicket of the match in the 80th over.
Tooradin will be pushed harder this week, by a rebounding Pakenham, while Clyde’s hopes of avoiding relegation hang in the balance when the Cougars hit the road on the way to Carlisle Park.
