Inverleigh claims prized scalp for an early boost
INVERLEIGH claimed an early scalp, belting the highly fancied Drysdale by eight wickets.
The Kookaburras made light work of the relegated A1 outfit, hauling in the Hawks’ modest 7-122 in the 28th over at Drysdale Reserve.
Skipper Lockie Platt did the bulk of the damage with the bat, smashing an unbeaten 77. Platt said he was thrilled with his team’s performance, having secured a second-straight win to start the season.
“I think Drysdale will be the benchmark, so it was good to have a strong win over them,” Platt said.
“It’s nice to get two wins against sides (Little River and Drysdale) who we think will be there at the end of the year. We look forward to playing Newcomb this week and St Leonards, who look like they’re going pretty well.”
The Hawks looked threatening early, with Shane Cutajar finding the boundary several times in his 41.
“They were 1-60 at drinks, so they were going pretty well,” Platt said.
“Cutajar was hitting it pretty hard and we didn’t look like getting him out. But we were able to peg them back through David Peel and my brother (Nick Platt). We bowled a lot of dots and we ended up getting a few breakthroughs and we took 6-60 in the second session. That was pleasing.”
Peel (1-32 from eight overs) and Nick Platt (0-13 from 8), turned the screws before Shane Haygarth took the prized scalp of Cutajar.
“We had a bit of luck with Cutajar,” Platt said.
“He skied one out to cow corner and that opened the door, but it was more consistent bowling.”
With only four Hawks making double figures in the 7-122, Platt was confident his side could chase down the target.
“It was always gettable,” he said. “Drysdale’s ground is the best in our grade and it was pretty quick, so I always thought if we got a few early we were capable of getting the runs.”