By Justin Flynn
It may be early in the Geelong Cricket Association season, but South Barwon’s brutal demolition job on Highton on Saturday will have the rest of the competition taking notice.
Swans’ skipper Nick Butters won the toss at South Barwon Reserve and bowled first for the second time this season and it paid immediate dividends.
Clinton Place wrecked the Highton top order on the way to the fine figures of 5/28 from nine overs.
“It’s not common for me (to bowl first),” Butters said.
“I usually try and bat first generally, but it’s probably just the way the wickets were both weeks. You probably thought if there was anything in it, it would be early.
“He (Place) bowled really well in the first game as well and probably didn’t get the rewards. It was nice to see him get some rewards on Saturday.”
Highton was 3/23 before a mini-revival from Greg Willows (27) and Brady Somers (32) took the score along to 64.
Willows became Nick Platt’s first victim and at 7/107, Highton was in trouble before Nathan McCoach (29) and Hayden Murrell (17 not out) got the score up to 152.
Bradley Hauenstein didn’t take a wicket, but conceded just 16 runs from his 10 overs with his slow mediums.
“He’s been doing that for years so people still can’t can’t seem to get him away,” Butters said.
“He’s just stump to stump and you’ll sort of take a risk to go after him. He obviously didn’t get the wickets he would have liked, but they came at the other end.”
Often a run chase of 150 becomes tricky, but South Barwon cruised to victory inside 21 overs.
Butters peeled off a magnificent unbeaten 76 from just 56 deliveries and Leigh Lorenzen made 57 from 52.
“I thought Leroy batted really well after a down week the first week, but it was nice to do it pretty comfortably,” Butters said.
“I had a bit of luck along the way, but you take the good with the bad so it was nice to get a few early. I sort of struggled a bit last year early in the season, so it’s nice to get a score early and hopefully set the year up a bit.”
The Swans face a huge test this week against reigning premiers North Geelong, which will be hurting after a flogging.
“They’ll be obviously looking to bounce back,” Butters said.
“They’re probably the premier team in the comp, so it will be a good test.”
ST JOSEPH’S is on the board after a superb fielding display against North Geelong.
Andrew Hodgson top scored with 60 from the Saints’ final total of 151 all out.
Only two North Geelong betters reached double figures with four being run out in a final total of just 76.
EAST BELMONT defeated Newtown & Chilwell by 68 runs.
Danny Hegarty (65) and Josh Lacey (52) got the total up to 9/218, which would have been more if not for a late five-wicket haul from Noah Guida.
Captain Dylan Hodge made 44 from 37 balls in the Two Blues’ score of 150 with James McMahon snaring 3/38.
GROVEDALE remained unbeaten after a six-wicket victory against Lara.
Daniel Blatherwick made 52 for Lara after being sent in, but 8/174 looked a little short. Spinner Bailey Sykes took 3/40 for the Tigers.
Brayden Engelen-Baker (52 not out) again batted well for Grovedale, which chased down the runs in 42 overs.
