Round one of the Ballarat Cricket Association first grade season delivered some familiar scenes as well as some fresh faces showing their worth.
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In the grand final rematch, it was again Wendouree who came out on top against Darley – however, it was in much tighter circumstances this time around.
The one-dayer came down to the final over, yet the Red Caps ensured the Lions would not gain any form of redemption, falling six runs short.
New Wendouree skipper Gavin Webb top-scored with 59 runs as the Red Caps posted 203 on the board.
North Ballarat kick-started its season with a three-wicket win over a youthful Ballarat-Redan outfit.
Quick bowler Ash McCafferty, who returned to the club after a stint in the Victorian Premier League, took 5-24 to help dismiss The Combine for 136.
Fellow recruit Prabath Priyankara ensured the Roosters tracked down the score, and he went about it in quick fashion. The all-rounder finished unbeaten on 53 off 36 balls as North Ballarat responded with 137 runs for the loss of seven wickets.
At Napoleons, it was a grind out in the middle as batsmen of both sides struggled to penetrate the slow outfield.
It was the visitors, East Ballarat, who landed the first blow, bowling Naps-Sebas out for just 93.
The Hawks then backed it up with a patient batting display, taking 42.1 overs to reel in the total, but they never looked in trouble – a six-wicket win the end result.
The Hawks bowling unit produced an even performance with five wicket-takers, three taking two wickets eatch to go along with two run outs. East Ballarat recruit Nick Waldie top-scored with 33 runs with the bat while Jacob Eyers led Naps-Sebas with 24 runs.