A blistering Dane Anderson hundred and an almost perfect Nick Spencer return was enough to see Westbury home against Launceston on Saturday.
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The Shamrocks started its Greater Northern Cup quest with a enthralling nine-run victory at NTCA No.2 Ground after setting the Lions 244 to chase.
Anderson whacked 130 off 108 delivers – including 13 fours and three sixes – to anchor the innings, while captain Richard Howe contributed 20 at the top and Alex Kerrison (29) hung in late for a handy 68-run partnership with the man of the match. Stand-in Launceston skipper Rowan Smith collected 4-34 off 10 and James Curran finished with 2-40.
In pursuit, Smith (52) and Zac Oldenholf (73) had Lions’ hopes high before Oldenholf departed in the 24th over following a 109-run stand.
The hosts went from 2-131 to 5-218 with five overs to go thanks to some handy minor middle-order stands. With 26 required Spencer (4-23) came into his own to take three wickets in the second last over to have the Lions 9-234 with six balls to play.
Enter Anderson once again, who managed to run Patrick Morehouse out on the first ball of the last.
“Dane steered us in the right direction and Alex batted really well towards the end with a lot of guys getting starts and not going on, but to make that score in round 1 is great,” Howe said.
“We thought we were in the box seat for a majority despite Zac and Rowan batting well with our spinners [Will Donald (1-30) and Alex Kerrison (1-58)] putting the clamps on a bit in the middle overs to change the game.”
A youthful RIVERSIDE overcame MOWBRAY by 82 runs at Windsor Park.
Blues skipper Tom Garwood finished unbeaten on 89 after electing to bat – guiding his side to 215 with help from Pete New (17) and Solomon Scott (28).
Ben Spinks (4-44) was the pick of the Eagles’ bowlers with Blake Cassidy (2-40), Callum Peck (2-12) and Sam Freeman (2-26) all chiming in.
Riverside’s Luke Midson (4-25) was lethal in the defence along with debutant Cooper Anthes (3-8) and Garwood (2-27) as Mowbray fell over for just 133.
Connor Lockhart top scored with 59, while the next best was his opening partner Luke Scott with 22.
Meanwhile, ULVERSTONE was six-wickets too strong for BURNIE after being set just 149 for glory.
Nick Revell (36) was the only Hurricane to outscore the 26 extras the Black Caps handed them as Callum Wheeler, Jacob Snare and Coby Walmsley took charge.
In reply, captain Josh Walmsley was 56 not out and Alex Wynwood was unbeaten on 36 when Ulverstone passed the total in the 39th over just four down.