By Tara Murray
Five wickets including a hat-trick to Braydon Avola has guided Whittlesea to victory against Rivergum in the opening round of the Northern Region T20 competition.
The Eagles made a competitive 8-119 from their overs, on the back of a fifth wicket partnership between Raj Ratnayake (25) and marquee player Jordan Buckingham (23).
Matt Perri took three wickets for the Kookas.
The Kookas looked in control at 0-28 before Avola changed the game.
He took two wickets in his first over and then took a hat-trick in his third over. Add in a run out in his fourth over, the Eagles slumped to 6-65.
A wicket in each of Eagles next four overs would end the Kookas innings, all out for 90.
Avola finished with the figures 5-19 off four overs..
Former Kookas captain-coach Gary Bell top scored with 21.
Riverside proved too strong for Bundoora United in their match at Whatmough Park.
The Bulldogs made 8-141 off their overs, with Jai Lemire top scoring with 61 at the top of the order.
Riverside made the runs with 12 balls remaining, finishing 6-145.
Lalor Stars continued its good form, beating Mill Park.
Undefeated in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association competition, the Stars faced their fellow Money Shield competitor on Tuesday night.
Alex Manoilovski top scored with 61 at the top of the order, as the Stars made 6-147 off a reduced 18 overs.
Mill Park pushed them all the way, falling just short, finishing 5-141.
Adam McLaughlin was the star for Mill Park with 74 at the top of the order.
Thomastown hit the winning runs in the last over against Laurimar.
Laurimar made 7-108 from its overs, before Thomastown finished 4-111 with three balls remaining.
Bundoora Park won the battle of the Bundoora teams, beating Bundoora.
Bundoora managed to make 7-122 from its overs with Matthew Crea top scoring with 34.
Bundoora Park made the runs with ease, finishing 2-124 with still four overs remaining.
Guest player Shupinder Taggar top scored with 52 not out.
Despite a handy contribution from Victorian Premier Cricket star Donovan Pell, Old Paradians lost to the Cobras.
The Old Pardians made 6-134 from its overs, with Pell top scoring with 47.
The Cobras made the runs with 15 balls remaining, finishing 2-139.
Other winners were, Eltham, Plenty, Research Eltham Collegians, North Etlham Wanderers, Dennis, Holy Trinity, Heidelberg and Old Ivanhoe.
Epping and Mernda’s Northern Region match was postponed until next week.
