Country cricket: Warrnambool District, Colac District all have big scores

While wild weather caused havoc across Victoria, some cricketers were able to produce a series of stunning displays at the weekend. Here are the best.

Dallas Armitstead hit 171 for Northern Raiders. Photo: Northern Raiders CC.

A long time between drinks failed to hinder Dallas Armitstead in the opening round of the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association division two season for Northern Raiders.

After scoring 89 to help lead his side premiership glory in last season’s grand final, Armitstead picked up where he left off delivering a blistering 171 off 143 balls.

Armitstead’s effort helped the Raiders score 3-336 from their 45 overs before going onto win the match by 156 runs.

It was his first century since the 2014-15 season when he scored an unbeaten 102 against Grassmere Cricket Club when the club was still playing in the Grassmere Cricket Association.

He also scored a century against Mailors Flat in the same season.

Armitstead’s innings convincingly beat his previous personal best of 111 not out against Yambuk in season 2012-13.

Merrivale’s Jeremy Burgess was also in terrific form as he hit an unbeaten 138 from 111 balls to help his side overcome Nestles, also in division two action, by seven wickets.

It was Burgess’ fifth century in the WDCA competition.

His highest score of 146 came in the 2019-20 season when he was playing in division three.

Cameron Williams was the top scorer in division one after scoring 102 for Russells Creek against Brierly Christ Church.

Hawkesdale’s Brad Smith also reached triple figures in division three.

In division four, Shaun Ploenges hit a century of his own but it wasn’t enough as Port Fairy went down to Nestles by nine wickets.

College’s

Double tons in Colac

There was almost no stopping City United’s Adam Garner (114 not out) and Rani Jamieson (107 runs) as the pair put Colac West to the sword with a 219-run stand.

Garner and Jamieson combined for 13 boundaries and four 6’s between them as United ran out 221-run winners in the Colac District association division two competition.

Garner almost made an impression with the ball completing a wicket maiden is his only over bowled.

In division one, Colac’s Sam Mulgrew hit 103 runs from 132 balls to help his side overcome Warrion by 40 runs.

Jamieson finished with figures of 1-13 after six overs.

A monster effort in a losing effort

Ned Gorrie did just about everything he could to help St Arnaud get their Wimmera Mallee B grade campaign off to the perfect start, but his performance was not enough.

The opener made 135 of his side’s 179 runs as they went down to Jeffcott by 28 runs in a hard fought contest.

Unfortunately for Gorrie he struggled for support as five of his teammates were dismissed for ducks with only one other player reaching double figures.

It was a similar story with the ball for Birchip’s Lachlan Randall who took 6-8 from 5.5 overs to help remove Watchem Panthers for just 79.

But Birchip still went down after being bowled out for 72 with Caleb Powell taking five wickets for the visitors.

Meanwhile in A-grade, Brim Kellalac Shepp Hills’ Isaac McPherson scored an unbeaten 109 to help guide his side to a big win over Wycheproof-Narraport.

The innings was McPherson’s first century since the 2017-18 season.

A ton for a Tarrington opener

Dylan Bensch again impressed for Tarrington as he scored an unbeaten century against Piegon Ponds in the Hamilton District association D-grade competition.

His performance improved upon his effort on 40 against College last week.

In the same competition, Tom Heazlewood from College took 7-33 from seven overs.

Supplied Editorial Dylan Bensch hit a century for Tarrington. Photo: Tarrington CC.

Hard hitting at its finest

Bendigo West opener Bodee Scullie made light work of the Sedgwick bowlers as he scored an impressive 125 runs from 87 balls as his side got their Emu Valley association season off to the perfect start.

After Sedgwick was sent into bat and were dismissed for just 103, Scullie punished all of the bad balls to score his second century for the club.

His first was an unbeaten knock of 104 last season against United.

In division two, Parminder Singh scored 100 for Axe Creek.

A century on the way to victory

Shacaya Thomas played a big role in helping Gol Gol get across the line in their Sunraysia association opener with an unbeaten 104-run performance.

Thomas showed poise at the top of the innings as his side easily chased down Merebin South’s total of 100 after they were bowled out on day one.

In the fourth division, Mildura West’s Hayden Cook took 6-19 from 17 overs to help guide his side to a big win over Coomealla Wentworth.

Carngham opener on fire

Carngham’s Jai McHenry was in fine form against Lismore Oddfellows in the Grenville association after he scored 103 in his first appearance of the season.

McHenry’s innings helped his side reach 5-195 from their 40 overs before they dismissed the hosts for 89.