Sturt captain Brad Davis leads from front with opening day ton in SACA Premier Cricket
STURT captain and star opening bat Brad Davis piled on a telling 131 not out as his side’s 4/304 proved too much for East Torrens (174) as the new-look Premier Cricket season started on Saturday.
A NEW-look Premier Cricket competition kicked off yesterday with earlier starting times and one-day matches scheduled throughout October among the highlights.
Sturt captain and star opening bat Brad Davis piled on a telling 131no as his side’s 4/304 proved too much for East Torrens (174) at Park 25 Oval 2. Davis faced 148 balls and enjoyed top support from Thomas Kelly (56) and Euan Woods (42) as last season’s runners-up controlled play. The Eastern Reds were dismissed in 48.4 overs with Ben Dougall topscoring with 39, while Michael Cranmer made 30.
Somerset recruit Tim Rouse wasted little time leaving his mark on the competition when he made 124 to help Northern Districts (5/256) edge out West Torrens (9/251) at Park 25 Oval 1. Opening the batting, Rouse hit 14 fours and two sixes from 130 balls and was the fifth batsman dismissed as the Jets brought up the winning runs in 47.4 overs. Daniel Drew topscored for the Eagles with 68, while Thomas Woolford made 54. Dylan Smith was the pick of the bowlers for the Jets with 4/45.
Woodville’s 305 proved too much for Adelaide’s 9/297 in a fluctuating game at Glandore Oval. Batting first Tom Andrews dominated for the Peckers with 104 from 72 balls to make it four consecutive tons (following on from last season), while Harry Nielsen backed up with 70. Captain and opening batsman Sam Raphael played his usual solid game for the Buffalos with 80 but did not have enough support despite seven other players making double figures.
Woodville coach Sam McNally said it was an excellent start to the season.
“We knew the first 10 or 15 overs of their innings were crucial and we kept at it,” McNally said.
“Andrews was fantastic and his batting is clearly above this level. The game was highly entertaining, for the neutral fan, and the wicket was a credit to the groundstaff at Glandore.”
Glenelg easily reeled in Southern District’s 8/175 at Bice Oval, the visitors cruising home to make 5/176 after 37.3 overs. Thomas Plant led the way for the Seahorses with 61, while Alex Carey (40) and Ben Bullimore (29) backed up well. Pushpinder Singh topscored for the Stingrays with 55, while Josh Golding was the best of Southern’s bowlers with 3/51.
Captain and champion opening batsman Jake Brown again proved the player for the occasion when he made 113no to help Kensington chase down Prospect’s 9/197 at Prospect Oval. Brown faced 139 balls as the Browns made their target in 44.4 overs. Sam Miller (45) and Kyle Scrimegour (44) battled well for the Pirates, while Cameron Fatchen and David Grant grabbed three wickets each for the Browns.
Aaron Sayers finished on 99no as he helped Port Adelaide reach 2/210 in 25.4 overs to beat Adelaide University’s 9/208 at Park 12 No 1. Ben Cooper made 66.