It was a dominant performance from Nondies-Cohuna in the opening round of the John McMahon Shield, easily accounting for Leitchville-Gunbower in a massive 98-run win.
The 2022/2023 runners-up, Nondies won the toss and elected to bat, with Rhys Bradley and Josh Novoselek striding out to the middle to face the LG attack.
But the pair were more than up to the task, putting on an opening-wicket stand of 91 before Bradley fell, having contributed 38 runs off 39 balls.
One wicket often brings two, and in a short space of time, the Leitchville-Gunbower bowlers had brought themselves back into the game, reducing Nondies to 4-102 and revitalising the contest.
Blake Gibson did the damage for the visitors with the ball, claiming 5-34 from eight overs in combination with Simon Tatt (3-29) and Zac Hegarty (2-15) to bowl the home side out for 190, a solid response after Nondies looked well in control at 1-91.
With 191 needed to win, Leitchville-Gunbower looked to start positively, although Liam Keath and Tyler Jones both fell for ducks early on as Nondies-Cohuna had the visitors flailing at 2-12.
Xavier Wishart and Karim Marcelle both found their second wicket shortly after, as Gibson and Daniel Hegarty also returned to the pavilion on nought with their side in deep peril at 4-16.
Captain Joshua O’Shea stood up at the front to steady the ship the best he could, however there was carnage around him as Sam Colvin was sent packing on 11, before Thomas Dehne and Kaleb Quinn departed for ducks.
When O’Shea finally fell for 48, Leitchville-Gunbower were in dire straits on 8-92, and lost the final two wickets for no further score as Nondies Cohuna romped to win number one of the season.
Xavier Wishart was the pick of the bowlers for Nondies, taking 3-29 off nine overs, while captain Kyeran Ellery was super-efficient, claiming 2-5 from his four overs.
Nondies-Cohuna will face Bamawm Lockington United next week away from home, while Leitchville-Gunbower will look for a strong response against Echuca South at home.
The Game
Nondies Cohuna 10-190 (Josh Novoselek 47, Rhys Bradley 38, Blake Gibson 5-34, Simon Tatt 3-29, Zac Hegarty 2-15) def Leitchville-Gunbower 10-92 (Josh O’Shea 48, Xavier Wishart 3-29, Kyeran Ellery 2-5, Karim Marcelle 2-23)