Seagulls stamp their class

The first Cobra to fall! Cambell Bryan is bowled by Bailey Lownds after making 28 against the Seagulls on Saturday. 260739 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

By David Nagel

Tooradin (2/148) has continued its super-impressive start to the WGCA Premier Division season with a comprehensive victory over Merinda Park (144) at Barton Reserve on Saturday.

The Seagulls are showing the depth of talent required to triumph against the best with a plethora of all-round talent proving too much for the home side to handle.

The Cobras were on the back foot from the start, with skipper Paul Stockdale unavailable due to a nasty shoulder injury that will keep him off the park for some time.

Stand-in skipper Dustin Peebles had his first success, at the toss, and elected to bat first – with openers Cambell Bryan (28) and star performer Daniel McCalman (18) looking to continue their bright start to the season.

Bryan and McCalman summed up the Cobras innings, with both making solid starts but not going on with the business.

Bryan played a typically entertaining knock, which included six boundaries, before he was first to go after a 35-run stand.

The Cobras had seven players make it to double figures, but only Sasindu Perera (23) and Tyson Bertrand (18) could combine for a partnership of any significance through the middle order.

Apart from that 33-run partnership – and that from the openers – the Seagulls had no trouble in finding a consistent formula to break through.

The key ingredient of the formula was Bailey Lownds (3/34), who slightly shaded Dylan Sutton (3/36) for bowling honours, while Jack Mannix (2/19) made two important breakthroughs through the middle stages of the Cobras innings.

The Seagulls then showed the gap between the three best teams in the competition and the chasing pack at this early stage of the season.

The Gulls lost Tom Hussey (11) early, but skipper Cal O’Hare (77 not out) played a masterful knock, crunching 11 fours in an 88-ball stay at the crease that reeked of maturity and class.

O’Hare was one of the great all-rounders of the competition…but with bowling options aplenty he can now concentrate on his batting and leading by example from the top of the order.

The Seagulls skipper was ably supported by the ever-improving Ben Parrott (20), who possesses a technique that will be a valuable asset when the pressure is on and things get serious in March.

Josh Lownds (33 not out) also continued his positive start to the season as the Seagulls cruised to victory with 12 overs left in the innings.

The Seagulls host Cranbourne Meadows this week, while the Cobras – who have taken just five wickets in three games – roll out the red-carpet for Carlisle Park.