The West Wimmera Cricket Association "s 2016/17 season hit off on Saturday with two games, including a clash between the grand finalists from last season.
The number of teams contesting this competition has dropped from five to four after the Rainbow club chose not to field a team this year. After establishing that they would struggle for players, particularly prior to the break, they reluctantly make the decision not to enter a team, but they remain affiliated with the Association in anticipation of returning to the field for the 2017/18 season.
Nhill Tigers v. Jeparit
Nhill Tigers 6/134 (L Dahlenburg 41, A Cramer 31, M Dahlenburg 22, V Lothian 1/14, A King 1/15) lost to Jeparit 6/162 (M Preston 43*, A King 28, T Breandler 25, J Preston 20, A Dickinson 3/23, M Dahlenburg 2/32)
The opening round fixture presented the Nhill Tigers with the opportunity to begin their title defence with the chance to confirm their dominance over Jeparit, the team they defeated in the grand final earlier this year.
Jeparit opener Adrian King (pictured above) hit five boundaries in his score of 28 which set up his team's victory over the Nhill Tigers.
The Tigers' captain won the toss and chose to bat which looked to be a good decision with they had 38 on the board when they lost their first wicket. Another dismissal two overs later brought Aaron Cramer and Lucas Dahlenburg together and they shared a 46 run partnership which took their total to 3 for 94 when Cramer was dismissed for 31. This set up the team up for a big final six overs which set a competitive score of 6 for 134.
Lucas Dahlenburg was dismissed for 41 to register the Tigers' highest score for the game, with Cramer 31 and Mitch Dahlengurg 22 also making significant contributions.
Five of the seven bowlers used by Jeparit picked up a wicket each and Liam Preston effected a confident run out to account for the sixth Nhill wicket.
Adrian King (28) and Jeremy Preston (20) opened the Jeparit innings at a fast pace, bringing up 50 runs in six overs and although they were both dismissed within the next two overs, the following batsmen kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Rainbow recruit Nathan Cocks (16) performed will in his first game for Jeparit and Tim Braendler (25) both batted solidly in the middle of the innings.
The victory target was passed in the 31st over and Michael Preston (43 not out) and Victor Lothian (13 not out) batted out the last four overs to take the score to 6 for 162.
The leading bowlers for the Nhill Tigers were Ash Dickinson with 3 for 23 and Mitch Dahlenburg with 2 for 32.
Winiam v. Kiata
Kiata 65 (T Seymour 15, B Quick 2/4, J Preston 2/8, B Cramer 2/14) lost to Winiam 5/192 (B Marra 86, M Purchase 56, T Alexander 2/24, S Alexander 2/45)
On the Winiam ground, the home team was able to dismiss an undermanned Kiata team in the 22nd over for just 65 with Tim Seymour (15) and Todd Alexander (10) the only batsmen to make it into double figures.
Brock Quick, Jake Preston and Brodie Cramer all took two wickets each and the other three bowlers used took one each.
In reply Ben Marra (86) and Mick Purchase (56) both scored half centuries and made the bulk of Kiata's runs.
The leading blowers were Todd Alexander 2 for 24 and his sister Shanaye with 2 for 45.
Round Two Preview
The first of the two day games will commence next Saturday with the two winners from the first round meeting on the Winiam ground and the vanquished teams clashing on Davis Park.
Despite the home ground advantage, the Winiam team will need to have more contributors with the bat if they are to score a winning score against a solid Jeparit attack.
The outcome of the other game will influenced by Kiata's ability to put a full side on the field and if they do they will be very competitive, but the Nhill Tigers will be determined to prove that they are still the team to beat.
Ladder - After Round One
| | Points | %
| Winiam | 6 | 5.907
| | Jeparit | 6 | 1.209
| | Nhill Tigers | 0 | 0.827
| | Kiata | 0 | 0.169
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