SHARP SHARKS
BPCA
ANDREW Murden looms as one of the recruits of the season after leading Jan Juc to an opening-round upset over last season’s premier Ocean Grove.
Murden hit 14 fours in his crafty 104 at the top of the order, setting the Grubbers 190 for victory at Ray Menzies Oval.
The total proved too much to handle, as Ocean Grove left itself too much to do at the back end after a sluggish start, eventually falling short on 5-164 from 40 overs.
“He got off to a bit of a flyer, but he played really well,” coach Jordan Graham said of Murden, who previously played for Murgheboluc.
“He had a few chances, but he’s just experienced and that’s what we’ve lacked in the last couple of years.
“Bad balls get punished, and that’s why we got him. He’s a handy recruit. Right from the go he’s been great, and for a young coach like me he’s been great to bounce ideas off.”
Jan Juc’s bowlers then piled the pressure on the Grubbers right from the off, with Nicky Smith (1-7) and Graham (1-27) putting them in early trouble at 2-12.
Huon Bertino (34) and Anton Scholtz ( 70 not out) combined for a 60-run partnership that left Graham momentarily nervous.
“We started well in the first 10 overs, but they’ve got some pretty classy players,” he said.
“While Scholtz was still at the crease and (Paul) Jubber was still to come and even Matty Caulfield, we would’ve only been a couple of overs away from losing it.”
Off-spinner Iva Priest, however, claimed the key wickets of Bertino and Grubbers captain-coach Jubber (15) to finish with 3-30 and settle the nerves.