With many grounds across the association copping the wrath of last month’s floods, it was decided that November 26 would mark the resumption of the season, giving all clubs appropriate time to prepare pitches.
Luckily for all involved with the SDCA, the weather gods came to the party on Saturday, with pristine sunshine ensuring all matches were completed.
In A-grade, Eastern Hill began its premiership defence in comprehensive fashion as it annihilated cross-town rival Seymour by six wickets at Bennet Oval.
Playing at its temporary home for the first time, the Eagles showed no signs of a premiership hangover, bowling out the Maroons for just 50 in what was a brutal first innings showing.
Jake Sutherland was the star of the show for the reigning premier, taking a remarkable 6-10 in a spell that had the inexperienced Seymour batters completely at sea.
The Eagles were then equally as impressive in the run chase, requiring just 18 overs to reach the target for the loss of just four wickets.
“I suppose everyone is going to be a bit rusty early on and good bowling figures and low scores might be trending early on with underdone pitches and people just getting into it,” Eastern Hill captain Seamus Feery said.
“From our point of view, it was nice to start on such a good note. Seymour were a bit undermanned, but to be able to assert ourselves on the match like we did in the first innings was pleasing.”
Winning the toss and batting first, Seymour got away to a relatively solid start with Jason Brown (18) and skipper Brodey Pointon (12) seeing it through the first 10 overs for the loss of just one wicket.
But when Sutherland was introduced to the attack, the game shifted dramatically.
Firstly removing Pointon, the consistent quick destroyed the Maroons’ top order as they lost an incredible 9-14 to be rolled for just 50.
“Jake bowled superbly. He was just right on the money from the very start and didn’t bowl a bad ball his entire spell,” Feery said.
“When you have someone bowling that well, it is hard for any batter, so to see him continue his form from last season, it was great.
“This is the fittest I’ve ever seen Jake and we’re expecting big things from him this year.”
Faced with a small yet tricky chase, Eastern Hill attacked the second innings with positivity.
Not afraid to play their strokes, openers Brayden Speechley and Dallas Bergowicz fell cheaply, bringing star all-rounder Ben Bryant to the crease and he quickly took command of the chase.
Finding the boundary on three occasions, his unbeaten 17 was enough to see the Eagles home in just 18 overs in what ended up being a handy percentage booster to begin the new campaign.
Feery said the result was greeted with great satisfaction given everything the club had gone through in the past six weeks.
“For our club, who would have been one of the most affected (by the floods) in the state, to have three sides available was a wonderful effort,” he said.
“I’m very proud of the club and what we’ve been able to do in shifting to Bennet Oval and staying together, so the win on Saturday was very satisfying after everything we’ve been through.”
The other A-grade clash saw Broadford defeat Tallarook by one wicket in a thriller at Harley Hammond Reserve.
Winning the toss and batting first, Tallarook put together a solid first innings total of 142, with Kasey Duncan starring with a well-made 45.
For the home side it was Cody Ball who did the damage with the ball, taking 5-27 to help keep the first innings total under 150.
Tasked with a tough chase, Jeremy Bradshaw anchored Broadford as he compiled a patient 26 to help see his team to the finish line.
Yea Tigers had the bye.
