By Justin Flynn
Ned Cooper took no time settling into Geelong Cricket Association 1sts by making a superb century for North Geelong in round one on Saturday.
The former Anglesea star opening bat made 117 from 150 deliveries as North Geelong posted 5-273 against Highton.
It was the first time this season that the GCA cricketers got onto the field after rain and floods washed out all of October and half of November.
Left-hander Cooper was well supported by Curtly Balshaw (42 off 61) and Layton McCann (also 42 from 61) while Alistair McCann played a great cameo with an unbeaten 34 from 23.
Highton never looked like chasing down the imposing total.
Paceman Dale Kerr, who crossed from Anglesea to North Geelong with Cooper this season, took 3-19 to help rout Highton for 125. Alistair McCann capped off a good game with three wickets of his own.
Newtown & Chilwell skipper George Rhodes was the architect behind his side’s big win against Lara.
Rhodes made 104 from 107 deliveries and his innings included 15 fours and a six. He was supported by George Chilsholm, who made 65 in the final total of 7-263.
It was a one-man show for Lara in reply with Kaden Marum batting superbly for his 100 from 122 balls, but the final total of 187 was well short.
Rhodes left no doubt about his player of the match status with three wickets for the Two Blues.
East Belmont chased down 241 for victory against St Joseph’s with Shane McNamara making a fine 108 not out and Josh Lacey 81 from just 68 balls.
Earlier in the day Luke Ibbs (88) and Andrew Casey (78) put on 168 for the opening wicket for Joeys, but the innings fell away when Dylan McMahon (4-46) was introduced into the attack.
Grovedale had little trouble in chasing down South Barwon’s 117 all out.
Former Portarlington seamer Devlin Foott (3-25) and former Drysdale spinner Bailey Sykes (3-20) ripped through the South Barwon line-up with only Pat Richards (45) looking likely to hang around.
Grovedale got the runs in the 20th over with Michael McNeel (39 not out off 40) and Jordan Moran (36 not out off 36) passing the small total two wickets down.
