Positive start from Storm

HEYTESBURY-PRINCETOWN had a 20-run loss to Stoneyford in the opening round of the Colac-South West premier division one cricket competition on Saturday.

Stoneyford won the toss and batted first in the match at the Pirron Yallock Recreation Reserve, making 9/246 from their 50 overs.

“We got off to a really good start, we had them 3/23 then 4/48, then they had two strong partnerships through the middle,” Storm captain Matthew Love said.

“They’ve got a lot of depth, they batted very deep.”

Chris Vogels led the Storm bowlers with 3/42 from 10 overs.

“Chris and Pricey (Matt Price) were really good at the start, they bowled well and had them under pressure early.”

Price took 1/51 from his 10 overs, with Jake Robbins and Simon Harkness taking two wickets each.

The home team’s middle and lower order all contributed, the Rattlesnakes making 9/246 from their 50 overs.

Storm openers Love and Hamish Huffadine got the team off to a strong start with a 50 run partnership before Huffadine was caught for 37 from 45 balls in the 12th over.

“Hamish and I had a decent start, mostly from Hamish’s bat.

“Simon Harkness and Chris Vogels had a fantastic partnership, after that we couldn't really get a decent partnership going.”

In his first game back in Storm colours after a few years away, Harkness top scored with 56 from 79 balls.

“Harko was rusty early, he got through that, unfortunately he got out when he was really starting to hit the ball well.”

Vogels battled hard for 45 from 85 balls.

The Storm chased hard but fell short, making 8/226 from their 50 overs.

“It was positive to get so close, and batting out our 50 overs was pleasing.

“There was a lot to learn being the first game of a new competition.”

This week the Storm host Bookaar at the Timboon Recreation Reserve.

In lower grade cricket, division two matches sees Heytesbury-Princetown Purple host Pomborneit at the Timboon P-12 School, while Heytesbury-Princetown Blue play Ecklin at Ecklin.

The Storm’s division three team host Ecklin at Princetown, while on Sunday in the under 16s Heytesbury-Princetown host Cobden at the Timboon Recreation Reserve.