Cup format proves a hit

BIG crowds, big hitting and nailbiting results were the order on Sunday in round one of the inaugural Kookaburra Cup Twenty20 competition.
At Merinda Park, the Cobras prevailed by just eight runs against Cranbourne Meadows.
After an early run out, Lester Betreen and Cobra skipper Brett Whittingham launched a brutal assault on the Rebel attack, Betreen hitting 28 and Whittingham 68, including three fours and three sixes, to give the home side the early advantage.
Hitting by Wayne Bruce (18) and Brett Armitage (29) included three fours and a six that narrowly missed hitting the bonus sign (and the $500 prize), guiding the home side to 8/162 at the end of their 20 overs.
Rebels skipper Shane White was the chief destroyer, taking 3/25 off five impressive overs. Paul Green snared 2/49 off his five, while Clayton Blair took 1/47.
In reply, Aaron Thornton (20) and Imran Tabbusum (10) made a solid start, however a fine spell of bowling from Lucas Hoogenboom (3/27) and Darren Morrow (1/32) again gave the Cobras the ascendancy.
Adam Thornton then swung the game back in the visitors’ favour, blasting five fours and two sixes in 60. However when he and batting partner Shane Ashwood were removed by Jess Matthers (3/37), the Rebels needed 20 runs off the final two overs for victory.
But the task proved too great, the Rebels falling eight runs short at 9/154.
Nyora upset glamour side Catani by seven runs in another thrilling encounter at Nyora Recreation Reserve.
Matt Hutchinson (28), Rory Gillate (23), Troy Ferguson (23) and Shane Hutchinson (21) made solid contributions, but it was the final four overs, in which the home side added more than 40 runs, that did the damage. Andrew Collis and Brian Knight, who each scored 13 off just four balls, pushed the Maroons’ score ‘to 8/143 after their 20 overs.
Catani skipper Ben Maroney led from the front, claiming 4/42, while Lionel Sexton took 3/30. Owen Fitzpatrick claimed the other wicket. In reply, Nic Close (43) and Simon Auteri (39) kept the Blues in touch. Still needing 18 off the final two overs, the Blues fell seven runs shy of their target, reaching 5/136. Troy Ferguson took 2/25 off four overs, while Nick Fairbank (1/27) and Gillate (1/38) also took wickets.
At Glover Reserve, Tooradin prevailed by 46 runs in a highscoring encounter against Devon Meadows.
Winning the toss and batting, the Seagulls recovered from the loss of an early wicket, Saturday centurion Trevor Johnston blasted nine fours and two sixes as he helped himself to 67 off just 30 balls, sharing an 80run secondwicket stand with Matt Finch (24 off 22 balls).
Aaron Avery (40 off 29 balls), Brenton Adams (22 not out off 21) and Ben Mantel (12 off 10) continued the runfest and the visitors compiled 7/202 off its 20 overs. Peter Zauner (3/55), Danny Diwell (2/29), Chris Blake (1/6) and Mick Floyd (1/28) took wickets for the home side.
The Panthers made a shaky start to their run chase, losing Daniel Steet off the first ball of the fourth ball of the innings, however some big hitting from Tony Scott (19 off nine balls) and Lincoln Hepburn (16 off 12) ensured the Panthers stayed on target, reaching 2/40 off four overs.
Opener Bill Loudon (47 off 44 balls) kept the score moving and with Floyd (10 off 16 balls) shared a 45run stand off just 37 balls. Avery removed Floyd and Darren O’Brien off consecutive deliveries, and only a dropped catch denied him a hattrick.
Diwell blasted 28 off just 13 deliveries to give the Panthers some hope, however the task proved too great, the home side being dismissed for 154 in the final over.
Avery (3/30 off five overs) was the chief destroyer for the Seagulls, while Finch (2/9), Johnston (2/18), Sam Clarke (2/45) and Paul Ferrari (1/48) were also among the wickets.
In the final clash of the opening round, Beaconsfield gave Pakenham UpperToomuc a drubbing, progressing to the semifinals following a resounding eightwicket victory at Perc Allison Reserve.
Matthew Meehan (5/28) and Glen Scales (4/35) cut a swathe through the Yabbie batting lineup, dismissing the visitors for just 74 in the 13th over. Ryan O’Connor took the remaining scalp.
In reply, Brad Miles blasted three fours and three sixes on his way to 44, while Matt Ravenhall made 18 and the Tigers cruised to their target inside eight overs. Nick Fromhold and John Fleming were the Yabbies’ wicket takers.
The Kookaburra Cup semi finals will be played on Sunday, 27 November. Fixtures and venues will be announced on the L.J. Hooker Cricket Show and posted on kookaburracup.cricketvictoria.com.au.