An overnight sprinkle did not dampen the opening round of the Northam Cricket Association 2019/20 40 over season.
Both games over the weekend were played in warm, sunny weather, typical of the Kambarang season and perfect for cricket. The first round is a chance for all players to shed some rust.
On Saturday, Bakers Hill hosted the reigning champions Balladong at Bakers Hill Oval.
After losing the toss, Bakers were sent in to bat on their home turf. Their innings was stifled by a Balladong attack that made regular breakthroughs.
Led by the return of local talent Gordon Narrier, Balladong restricted Bakers to be all out for 57 in 19 overs. Bakers had no answer to the bowling of Narrier, who claimed impressive figures of four wickets for 11 runs from six overs.
He bowled with pace and targeted the stumps, trapping three batsmen in front, leg before wicket, and rattling the stumps of another.
Other notable performances with the ball were Cody Gorbig (two for nine from three) and Jermaine Davis Jnr. (three for three from two).
Despite the setback with the bat, Bakers gave a good account of themselves in the field with the ball.
Although Balladong passed the total with the loss of only one wicket, thanks largely to Cody Gorbig (28 - an all-round performance) and Shannon Dixon (39), they would lose eight for 48 to be all out for 122.
Williamson kept the contest interesting by claiming some key scalps on the way to five for 26 from six overs to make a promising start to his season.
Despite Williamson's heroics, Balladong achieved a convincing result here, without a complete performance.
It is a reminder of their credentials to repeat last year and why they are favourite for back to back titles.
The opening round also featured a Sunday game at Bert Hawke one, where Grass Valley hosted Toodyay.
After winning the toss, Toodyay sensibly chose to bat, given the optimum conditions. However, their innings began disastrously when opener Steve McCormick was run out for one.
While Lane (16) and Borrett (21) made handy contributions, the Toodyay total (all out for 96 from 38.2 overs) was limited by some frugal bowling.
Young right-arm bowler Bailey O'Driscoll is a local talent, capable of outswing with the new ball that frequently beats the outside edge. He was rewarded in this game with three for 15 from seven overs.
New father-of-two Glenn Smith was miserly with one for 11 from six. As was Zeke Kennedy (one for eight from three) and Even (two for 12 from nine).
Grass Valley required just four batsmen in reply, consisting of the usual and not-so-usual suspects.
Rhys Byfield (43), in an unfamiliar opening role, fell nearing his half century and the winning runs. From there, an unbroken partnership of 74 between Kitt Byfield (56 not out) and Even (36 not out) saw Valley to a total of two for 164 from 40 overs.
For Toodyay, Borrett and Clark claimed a wicket each, while openers Aaron Waters and Andrew Ryall did not give much away.
Next weeks fixture consists of the highly anticipated grand final rematch between Balladong and Grass Valley at Bert Hawke one, while Bakers Hill take on Ferals at Bert Hawke two. Both games are on Saturday at 12.50 pm.
