Great weather for the first serious hit out for the full playing squad.

The inaugural Marcellin v Non-Marcellin matchup added an extra degree of spice as the “outsiders” were determined to prove themselves.

Non-Marcellin batted first with good performances from D Coloe and J Black in particular. New recruit Emmett O’Donell showed bit with the bat and in the field. Non-Marcellin finished with a competitive score of 177 from 40 overs. For Marcellin the pick of the bowlers were Dallimore with tight bowling, Kazalac spinning a web and Rush also proving effective.

Marcellin started the chase with Stewart and Kazalac but the innings really took off with new skipper Nic Borts coming the crease. Borts showed his ability driving through the cover on numerous occasions. Fallshaw added support at the other end as the Non-Marcellin bowlers toiled hard for wickets. Tommy D bowled a tight line however it was Joel D who bowled with pace all day leading the way with the ball.

Marcellin edged closer to the tally and as Non Marcellin started running out of frontline bowlers the game went down to the wire.

In the end Non-Marcellin held on in a tight finish with Marcellin’s lower order batsman, Day and Matty Coloe pushing the game into the final over. Marcellin all out for 174.

Other highlights included Kazalac’s spectacular caught and bowled, Cimoli claiming Hiser & French as his first wickets in many years, R Murray playing for both sides and some questionable umpiring from Fallshaw!

A committed and professional effort from both sides and this bodes well for the start of the season in a few weeks.

The preparation steps up another level this week with practice matches scheduled for Saturday.