By David Nagel
Kooweerup (4/110) has continued its absolute dominance of the first two rounds of the WGCA Premier Division season with a thumping six-wicket win over Cranbourne Meadows (107) at Lawson Poole Reserve on Saturday.
The perennial powerhouse of West Gippsland cricket has hardly raised a sweat in its first two outings against Merinda Park and the Rebels.
The Demons have lost just five wickets for the season and are the only team in the competition to have taken all 20 wickets on offer!
Last week, Kooweerup coach Chris O’Hara warned us not to overreact to the first-up form of speedster Adam McMaster, who returned figures of 0-37 off eight overs against the Cobras last week.
Well, there’s nothing wrong with O’Hara’s crystal ball after the former Dandenong-quick snared 4/25 off eight overs of fury to decimate the Rebels and start the Demons on the right foot.
The Rebels had no answer to McMaster, the tight line-and-length of Jess Mathers (0/12 off 6), or the probing off-spin of Matt Bright (2/5 off 2.3) who continued his fine start to the season.
Luke McMaster and Zak Banks returned identical figures – eight overs, two maidens, 1/25 – as the Demons showed off a plethora of options with the ball.
The Demons did what they do best – make winning look easy – with skipper Chris Bright (30) overcoming the early loss of his opening partner, Luke McMaster (0), to get the Demons off to a flyer.
Bright cracked two fours and two sixes in his enterprising innings as the Demons took a strangle hold on the contest.
Lachie Ramage (17) and Adam McMaster (13) then chipped away at the total before experienced pair Paul Bright (11 not out) and Matt Davey (28 not out) saw the Demons across the line.
Rebels’ skipper Sunny Paul (1/25 off 8) did a great job for his side – who were outplayed from the outset.
The Demons have been convincing – but face an upgraded challenge against a highly-competitive Pakenham this week at Denhams Road.
The Lions have been knocking the door down in the opening rounds and would love nothing better than to open their account against a respected but fierce rival.
The Rebels will look to bounce back when they travel to Ramlegh Reserve to take on Clyde.
