North 4/88 (Hack 61*, Jurd 15) defeated Central 84 (Cain 5/23, Wilson 2/13) by 6 wickets.
A beautiful sunny day greeted players at the Alma Oval as the 2023/24 season got underway after a long wait. Central won the toss and elected to have a bat.
The Bulldogs hit the field with Mick Maalste getting first use of the shiny new ball, an had an instant impact – Barnes on his way without troubling the scorers after edging a simple catch to Hack.
Austin Wilson was bowling nicely from the opposite end and was rewarded early when he hit the stumps of Jones.
With Maalste coming from the field with some soreness, Jaxon Cain was introduced into the attach with great effect. He ripped through the Central middle order, taking 5 for 23 in a great show of pace bowling.
After a post-match review of the game, it was pointed out that Jaxon took a hat trick split over 2 overs that was missed at the time by all at the ground. A fair effort to take your first A Grade five-for and first hat trick in the one day!
Other wicket takers for North included Jurd (1/16) and Bomford (1/11) with Central all out for 84.
It would be Hack & newly elected Presidente Bomford to open the run chase for the Bulldogs. Unfortunately, Bomford (0) was on his way early after a nice piece of bowling from Central’s Turley.
Hack and Jurd then joined for a partnership full of brilliant batting, the crowd getting their money’s worth as balls flew to the fence at regular intervals.
Jurd was dismissed LBW for 15 with most of the work (and scoring) still being completed by Hack, who launched one into Bonanza Street causing a slight delay.
Tobias was joined by Wilson (3), Butcher (3) and Howard (0*) as he notched up a half century to start the season to finish the game 61 not out in a great innings.
Overall, a solid hit out for the boys with a few cobwebs still to be swept aside. Another big congrats to Jaxon for his outstanding day with the pill.
We will take on South at the Alma next weekend, hope to see you all there.
