Ocean Grove started its A1 Grade season with a disappointing loss to Barrabool.
Barrabool made 163 batting first with Lindon Giuffrida and Fletcher Keck each snaring two wickets.
Grove was on top when the Bulls were 5/99, but the middle order rallied to set the Grubbers a run chase of four an over for victory.
Grove started that chase poorly, being 3/23 and lost regular wickets throughout the innings.
Only Mick Thornton (31) and Dan Roddis (25) looked like getting on top of the Barrabool bowling in an underwhelming reply of 112 all out.
Curiously, the side’s best two batsmen – Huon Bertino and captain Paul Jubber – batted at number 9 and number 10 respectively, but Jubber said the strategy was all about giving others a chance to shine.
“Very disappointing but (we are) trying to expose the kids and those who have played second fiddle for the last few years,” Jubber said.
“We are genuinely excited about these people taking our club forward. Flynn Hardiman bowled a fantastic set of six overs, Fetcher Keck looked at home at the standard as a 16-year-old and Nathan Down showed glimpses.
“Dan Roddis was gritty at six and Mick Thornton at five showed he’s ready to take the next step. Dylan Thorley continues to be a terrific bowler at the death.”
Ocean Grove hosts Queenscliff in round two tomorrow while Barrabool travels to Jan Juc.
Ocean Grove won a pulsating B1 Grade clash against Barrabool.
The Grubbers looked in complete control at 1/150 with Issac Saunders and Jake Taylor playing superbly for a 129-run stand.
Taylor was run out for 37 and Saunders suffered the same fate but not before making a match-winning 104.
Regular wickets fell in the quest for late runs and the Grubbers finished with 9/173.
Barrabool gave Grove some anxious moments in the run chase but Ned Thorley and Bailey Le Maistre each took 3/31 and the Bulls fell 13 runs short.
In C1 Grade, a blistering 106 from 88 balls by David Turner ensured the Grubbers got the points against Quesnscliff.
Turner bludgeoned eight fours and eight sixes during his whirlwind knock. Zack Carmody chipped in with 40 to give Grove a big score of 7/225.
In reply, Queenscliff was bowled out for 76.
Aidann Foard claimed the last three wickets of the innings while Taylor Harvey (3/29) and Kent Wooding (2/9) contributed. Sam McGlynn and Troy Wiseman each took one wicket, but were also economical.
In D Grade, Queenscliff got the better of Ocean Grove, winning by eight wickets.
Grove could only muster 83 with John Giuffrida (19) top scoring. Oliver Corby gave Grove a flicker of hope with two early wickets, but the Coutas cruised home with eight wickets and 19 overs to spare.
