WITH seven players missing from last season’s premiership team, the new Tiger cubs stood up to support Beaconsfield captain Luke Sibley in amassing 281 against Clyde in their opening Agrade West Gippsland Cricket Association game on Saturday.
With five players aged 17 or under, Beaconsfield is a much younger side than last season.
Jack Benbow showed the benefits of his time in the firsts last season, batting with great maturity and poise to score 58.
Luke Sibley reached 84 in a great start to the season in an innings featuring 11 fours and three sixes.
Juniors Troy McDermott (34) and Madison Andrews (24) also provided good support, while Peter Sofra saw off the opening bowlers well.
Matt Brown reached 27 for his first Agrade game, while the Cook brothers Ray and Rick got 14 and 21 respectively.
B GRADE
At home, Beaconsfield got off to a great start for the year by compiling an excellent 310 against Tooradin.
Openers Steve Glen (61) and Andrew Jones (57) provided an excellent base with an opening stand to pass the 100.
They were followed by Jarrod Williams with 45, Prasanna Punchihewa with 24 and new Bgrade captain Matt Ravenhall with 26.
For both Jones and Punchihewa it was an excellent start in their first game for Beaconsfield.
Good support was provided by Bill Carlyle, Tristan Kerr, Paul Benbow and Rhys Miller who all got a start.
This was particularly pleasing for junior Carlyle and Benbow who were making their debut in the seconds. Carlyle batted with maturity in the middle of the innings and was impressive.
C GRADE
Beaconsfield made a solid start, batting all day and reaching 180 against Pakenham.
Dave Lennon continued his form from last season with 70, well supported by Ross Mitchell (33) and another junior player Brad Pitcher (20).
Jamie Ingham and Wayne Heathcote also batted well for 17 and 11 respectively.
Pakenham is 0/6 in reply.
D GRADE
Experience rather than youth was the order of the day for Beaconsfield against KilcundaBass.
Batting first, Rob Young reached a magnificent 87 and life member Alan Sauvarin reached 73.
Along with Paul Brown (11), Beaconsfield reached 206.
This was a great start for Young as the newly appointed captain and for Sauvarin after being promoted from duties in E and Fgrades last season.
E GRADE
With the toughest first day for all Beaconsfield teams, Egrade reached 103 against Lyndhurst.
Wayne Holden led the way with 33 and was supported by new player David Green with 18.
In reply Lyndhurst is 2/24.
Joe McMaster spearheaded the bowling attack capturing 2/1.
This game is in the balance and is well within Beaconsfield’s grasp this week.
