The long-awaited return to community sport saw Cessnock District Cricket start its first grade competition on Saturday, with two convincing upsets to kick off proceedings.
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Wine Country humbled defending premiers Greta/Branxton in a nine-wicket thrashing at Miller Park.
Batting first, an out-of-sorts Greta/Branxton were skittled inside 30 overs for just 89. There was a cameo appearance from Eddie Fisher who proved to be the only batter to show any sort of resistance with a patient 29.
Belmont import Jace Lawson (12) and Darren Thomson (10) were the only other batmen to reach double figures.
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The Wine Country seamers were tough to handle in what was fairly favourable batting conditions, with Ben Wood (3-22 off six), Hudson Smith (2-16 off five), Luke Jeans (2-28 off seven) and veteran Johnny Barrett (2-6 off two) sharing the wickets.
The Wood Ducks cruised to victory inside 15 overs with nine wickets left in the sheds.
Returning to Wine Country after a stint with Kurri-Weston in the Maitland competition, Steve Able struck the ball beautifully to remain unbeaten on 61, clearing the boundary with a hook stroke to seal the victory.
Opening partner and club president Mark O'Hara also punished anything short with 25.
Patrick Andrews was the sole wicket taker for the Blues with 1-7 off three.
Wine Country club will be buoyed by this great performance, especially after surprising everyone with a top four finish in last season's Coalfields Cup.
The Piranhas also started their season in frenetic pace by disposing of the highly fancied Mulbring by 106 runs at East End.
The home side batted first and amassed 8-286 from their 40 overs.
Last season's John Bull Shield final hero Fletcher Sharpe went agonisingly close to notching his maiden top grade ton dismissed for 98 off just 88 balls in an innings that included nine fours and five sixes.
Back in the captain's chair, Matt Hopley blasted 84 from just 41 in an entertaining display that had the hapless Marlin attack with no answers. Karandeep Maramreddy (21), Luke Sweeney (18), Aaron Sweeney (16) and James Collins (13no) also scored freely.
Zach Sneesby (3-27 off eight) and Hilal Abbas (3-60 off seven) picked up a treble of wickets each for Mulbring in the trying conditions.
As expected Mulbring did not lay down without a fight in pursuit of the massive target, however they were eventually all out at the start of the 38th over for 180. Skipper Cameron Ross remained unbeaten on 69, receiving good support from Mick Mascord (33), Zach Sneesby (20) and Josh Lewis (14).
Dane Grills was the pick of the Piranha attack with 4-42 off 9 with his tweakers, with Ben Read (2-37 off seven), Hopley (2-6 off three) and Sharpe (2-38 off 8.1) fittingly picking up the final wicket in a match winning display with bat and ball.
Bellbird enjoyed the week off with the bye, and will kick off their season campaign against the high-flying Wood Ducks this Saturday at Allandale Oval.
Points Tables: First Grade Wine Country 7, Piranhas 7, Mulbring 3, Greta/Branxton 3, Bellbird 0*.
* No points for byes.