Defending BCA and Central Highlands T20 champions, Mt Clear, began this years campaign against Ballarat/Redan at Alfredton Sunday morning. Ballarat/Redan made 116, with the final wicket falling on the last ball of the 20th over. Jarrod Burns took 3/25 off 3 overs and Nathan Yates, having handed over captaincy duties to Matt Ward, took 2/10 off 3 overs. At 1/24 off 4 overs, having lost our ‘marquee player’ Leigh Kentish the game looked in the balance. Matt Goonan assumed control and finished with 146no including 11 fours and 12 sixes. He was supported by Burns who made 42 in a 145 run stand. Mt Clear finished on 3/239.
Matt Goonan following his 146no against Ballarat/Redan
The second game of the day, against Darley at Dunnstown, proved to be a tighter affair. Mt Clear batted first after winning the toss and got off to a lively start being 1/29 after three overs. Regular wickets saw Darley restrict Mt Clear to 8/136 after 20 overs. Kentish, 33, and Ward, 36no, were the top performers. Yates gave Mt Clear the advantage by taking 3/0 off his first 2 overs (finishing with 4/8 off 4), leaving Darley at 2/12 off 4. Matthew Cape led the rally for Darley but when he fell in the 13th over with the score on 82 the game again swung. Darley finished at 9/114 with Ash George supporting Yates with 3/25 off 4 overs.
Mt Clear currently head the table heading into next Sunday’s games against North Ballarat at Wendouree West in the morning and Golden Point at White Flat in the afternoon.