East Warrnambool YCW's Nathan Bramwell celebrates the wicket of Russells Creek batsman Matt Bignell at Mack Oval on Saturday
NIRRANDA celebrated its promotion to Warrnambool and District Cricket Association’s top grade with a shock win against flag-fancy Nestles on Saturday.
Defending a meagre 102, the Knights tore through the Factory’s batting order to score a five-run win.
Nestles co-captain Scott Kelly said his side’s batting let it down.
“We lost five or six wickets for 10 runs and once that happens, it’s hard to peg it back,” he said.
“We were happy with how we bowled. We bowled them for 100.
“First-gamers Matt Price and Peter Mitchell bowled really well for us.”
Kelly said Nirranda adjusted to division one quickly.
“They have a few good young kids and played with good spirit and have a couple of older heads to help the younger ones along,” he said.
Nirranda’s James Dalton top-scored with 34, while eight of his teammates failed to reach double figures.
Mitchell was the best of Nestles’ bowlers, taking 4-19 off nine overs in his first appearance for the club.
Nestles started strongly in reply and was 2-50 when Mitchell fell for four.
The Factory then capitulated, losing their last eight wickets for 47 runs.
Ben Ludeman was the best of the Knights’ bowlers, with 4-6 off seven overs, including four maidens.
In other division one games, Woodford captain-coach John Houston led the Eels to top spot with a 12-run win against Allansford.
Houston made 71 as Woodford posted 7-167.
Allansford was in trouble at 3-29 in reply but rallied.
Brad Sheen top-scored for the Gators with 33 and Jordan Payne added 31 coming in at number eight.
Luke Wines was the only multiple wicket-taker for the Eels, finishing with 2-19 off nine overs.
Dennington captain-coach Dustin Drew led the way with 53 at the top of the order as the Dogs accounted for Wesley CBC by 61 runs.
The Dogs made 149 off 28 overs. Raj Kumar was the best of the Wesley CBC bowlers with 3-32 from five overs.
Wesley CBC struggled in reply, with six batsmen out for ducks, and was all out for 88.
New recruit Sam McCosh top-scored for the Beavers with 36.
Steven Wythe (3-15) and Terry Beks (2-12) were the best of the Dogs’ bowlers.
Russells Creek started its season on a winning note, defeating newly-promoted East Warrnambool YCW by five wickets.
East recruit Cameron Harker top-scored with 28 as his side posted 102 off 34.1 overs.
William Doran snared 5-13 from 5.1 overs for the Creekers and Nathan Divall was economical with 3-20 off nine overs.
Jayaweera Bandara’s 53 helped Russells Creek home. He finished unbeaten as the Creekers posted 6-151 in reply.
Merrivale recorded a 21-run win against Port Fairy.
Josh Stapleton (26) and Simon Fleming (29) helped the Tigers to 134.
Will Chapples snared 4-29 and Damien Barnes 3-33 for Merrivale.
Andrew McCartney and Xavier McCartney each finished with three wickets for the Port Fairy. Xavier also contributed with the bat, top scoring with 36.
Brierly-Christ Church and West Warrnambool split the points after their match was washed out.
