REIGNING premiers in each of the region’s three cricket associations are heading back to the drawing board after a series of stunning upsets on Saturday.
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Warrnambool and District Cricket Association champ Merrivale opened its premiership defence with a “terrible” first-up effort with the bat against Brierly-Christ Church.
The Bulls routed Merrivale for one of its lowest one-day scores of 40 as they claimed an 81-run victory.
In neighbouring Grassmere Cricket Association, defending premier Panmure suffered its first loss of the season when it collapsed to be all out for 48 in 18 overs against Killarney.
In South West Cricket, reigning premier Mortlake, suffered its first loss of the season when it was upstaged by seventh-placed Heytesbury Rebels.
With Merrivale’s drought-breaking premiership still fresh in its players’ minds, Brierly-Christ Church staked its claim as one of the WDCA’s big improvers.
The Bulls scrambled to 121 thanks to a 58-run fourth-wicket stand between recruit Leigh Pollard (52) and Nathan Murphy (23).
Bulls captain Jason Greer in his wildest dreams couldn’t have predicted what followed.
Opening bowlers Tim Ryan (2-7) and Col Pascoe (2-6) ripped the heart out of Merrivale’s full-strength top-order, reducing the home side to 4-14. “It was a good effort,” Greer said.
“We bowled really well. We probably didn’t put enough runs on the board but that one partnership set us up.
“There were only four guys across the game who made double figures. It was a tricky pitch to bat on. If you bowled it in the right area it was hard to drive.
“But it wasn’t a 40-run pitch.
“It was a combination of good bowling and batsmen not used to making the transition from Twenty20 to the one-day game.”
Merrivale skipper Michael Walsh said the Tigers had some soul-searching to do before Saturday’s match against Allansford.
“It was one of the worst performances, no, the worst half a game I’ve seen,” Walsh said.
“I was happy with our bowling and fielding for a first-up game but our performance with the bat was terrible. Take no credit away from Brierly, they bowled to their field.”
Walsh refused to make excuses.
“We are lucky it’s only round one,” he said. “Regardless of whether we made 40 or not, there are five other sides in the same boat. We just have to get a win on the board next Saturday and then try and keep winning.
“We know we have got it in us.”
Walsh said the Tigers would put an emphasis on batting for its next game against Allansford.
