A GRAND final rematch between College and Grampians highlights round two of the Hamilton and District Cricket Association (HDCA) A grade competition today at College Turf.

The two teams staged a great grand final only seven months ago with the Eagles gaining possession of the Dundas Cup after they played the Pumas out of the contest with some disciplined bowling and stout batting that ensured a second successive premiership.

College fell at the first hurdle of the summer last week, going down to Casterton District after the side failed to capitalise on a solid start provided by the top order.

At drinks after the 21st over, the Eagles were 2-90, only to be dismissed over the course of the next 20 overs for 175, in a poor performance from the Eagles, who should have been setting Casterton District a target more than 220.

Grampians (4-105) gained a bonus point victory against South Portland (9-104), as the Pumas continued to dominate the short format game.

Last summer the side gained five bonus point victories in the one-day format which helped the side finish in top spot on the ladder, and the Pumas have carried this form into the new season.

Grampians skipper, Will Collins, started his season with bat and ball on the right note, scoring 37 and taking 2-2 to lead the way for his team, but Ryan Burgess grabbed three wickets to be the best of the attack.

Neither College or Grampians were at full strength last weekend with players being unavailable for various reasons.

With the likes of Charles Murrie and Jack Kruger to return for College, the Pumas will be looking for Zac Burgess and Carl Joyce to make a first appearance in this game.

Gorae-Portland v Macarthur

IN the only game of the round that features two winning sides from round one, Gorae-Portland hosts Macarthur at Alexandra Park with both teams wanting to continue their good early season form.

Macarthur made a statement with bat in hand last round against Hamilton, as Kyle Smitten led the way with 113 from only 83 balls – 11 boundaries and four maximums – as the Demons posted 9-237, while Gorae-Portland (7-172) accounted for St Andrews (152).

So dominant was Smitten, that he scored 113 of the 146 runs added while he was at the wicket, but should he fail to reproduce this form today then other batsmen must take up the slack.

Michael Brilley (21), Charlie Summers (31) and Jeremy Sheehan (28) all made starts, but they need to dig deeper to ensure the Demons post another big tally.

Gorae-Portland posted a competitive score (7-172) against St Andrew’s, thanks to skipper Nick Wills (44), Stephen O’Brien (33-not-out) and Zac Duncan-Rethus (21), but against Macarthur these starts must be turned into 50s and better if the side is going to post another victory.

Macarthur is blessed to have two spin bowlers in the side, but Ollie Wortley and Sam Lambevski had a single over between them against Hamilton in round one.

Spin bowlers need as many overs as possible to keep their form and no doubt both will be bowling a full quota each game as the season gets into full swing.

Stephen O’Brien and Finn Saurine grabbed three apiece against the Drews, and they will take the new ball for Gorae-Portland and need to make early inroads to put the Demons middle order under pressure.

Casterton District v Portland Tigers

CASTERTON District started its season with a bang in round one with a win over reigning premier, College, away from home, while Portland Tigers lost to Tyrendarra and conceded a bonus point.

The Maroons fought their way back into the game against College after the hosts had 1-90 on the board two overs before the scheduled drinks break, but a wicket to Channa Weerasooriya Mudiyanselage started the College downward spiral that saw the Eagles lose 9-82.

Ben Holmes posted the first half century of the summer at the top of the order in the Maroons run chase, but he lost concentration and played a poor shot to get out on 53.

Rick Killey (35) struggled through the first part of his innings when he barely laid bat on ball, but once he middled a few his form returned, and he looked good until a ball stayed down as he played a pull shot and was trapped in front of his stumps, and will again be a pivotal player for the home side this afternoon at Island Park.

Portland Tigers need to quickly reverse their round one form, or the season may well slip away well before Christmas.

The batting failed to chase a target of 195, as only three players managed to reach 20 and to be dismissed in only 28 overs handed Tyrendarra a bonus point.

This will be the Tigers’ first game on turf and the Island Park wicket is historically a surface that is good for both batting and bowling, but it may pay to bat first when the bounce will be at its best for stroke making.

Hamilton V South Portland

MONIVAE Turf will host the first meeting between Hamilton and South Portland and neither team is coming into the game with winning form on the board.

Hamilton fell short against Macarthur by 39 runs, but there were some great performances from individual Hamilton players with Anthony Read making 39 with the bat while snaring 3-29 with the ball.

Hamish Cook started the summer well, posting the first half century for the team with 51 and he too grabbed 1-28 with the ball, but was used as fifth change bowler which is not his regular position.

Six Hamilton players made a start with the bat with none going on to play an innings that would win the game, and this has to be eliminated in the future if Hamilton is going to climb the ladder.

South Portland’s introduction to the HDCA couldn’t have gone any worse after they were kept to 9-104 for the 45 overs, as a 28-run last wicket partnership allowed the side to post three figures, with six of the top seven batsmen failing to record double figures.

Grampians chased down the target inside 35 overs to record a bonus point victory, but this week the two teams will play on the premier venue in the association and should enjoy some of the best batting conditions available.

Portland Colts v St Andrew’s

WHILE there will be plenty of intrigue as all five Portland-based clubs will be facing off against Hamilton-based opponents who they’ve never met before, one key matchup will see Portland Colts face off against St Andrew’s in the Portland side’s first opportunity to play on its home deck this season.

The Colts started their campaign off on the right foot on the weekend with a comfortable victory over Pigeon Ponds by eight wickets.

They’ll be pleased with the early signs shown across the board, with five players getting in the wicket column including skipper, Luke Evans, and Daniel Kinghorn, who was exceptional with the willow in hand.

While St Andrew’s was on the wrong side of the ledger in their first hit out of the season against Gorae-Portland, the Drews still showed a fair bit of fight with the bat, with Darryl Fry and Joshua Nield both scoring well.

Tyrendarra v Pigeon Ponds

AFTER a strong round one performance against Portland Tigers, Tyrendarra will be eager to continue its strong early form with home victory over Pigeon Ponds.

While skipper, Cam Mather said they can still find areas to improve on, particularly with their bowling and in the field, the Darras still demonstrated they are a force to be reckoned with, especially as they succeeded without a handful of consistent A grade performers, namely Darren Killmister and Ben Menzel.

Meanwhile, the Ponds’ batting line-up struggled in its first outing when they played Colts, as aside from Simon Close’s 63 they had only one other batsman reach double figures, and will need to arrive at Tyrendarra Recreation Reserve a different side if they’re to claim victory.