Leitchville-Gunbower pulled off a dramatic final-over victory over last season’s grand finalist Bamawm-Lockington United, with skipper Tyler Jones leading the way with the bat.
A measured innings saw Leitchville-Gunbower pass BLU’s score of 6-144 in the dying stages of the one-day game at Gunbower Reserve.
BLU’s Liam Hamilton raised the bat for a half-century, while Zimbabwean international cricketer Regis Chakabva marked his debut for the club with 33 runs.
Hamilton and Chakabva’s 56-run partnership for the third wicket and Declan Pearse’s 21 helped guide BLU to a final score of 6-144. Simon Tatt’s 2-30 was Leitchville-Gunbower’s best figures.
In reply, it was a searing innings from Leitchville-Gunbower’s skipper that saw the side earn victory in the season-opener, kicking off the club’s second year in the competition in style.
Tyler Jones opened up and propelled the side to a strong start, whacking 77 runs in his first hit-out of the season.
Vikai Kelley (17 runs), Blake Gelletly (10) and Liam Keath (12) helped keep the score ticking but a flurry of late wickets to Chakabva curtailed the score.
With the host requiring six runs to ice the game, Amila Gunathilaka bowled the final over of the day in hopes of defending BLU’s score.
But Kurt Brereton (14) wasted no time bringing proceedings to a close, whacking a six off the first delivery to deliver Leitchville-Gunbower a win.
13°C