THE Portland and District Cricket Association’s under-16 competition got underway on Tuesday evening with the first half of round one.

Junior cricket games in the PDCA are played over two successive Tuesday afternoons, with one side batting for a maximum of 40 overs on the first day, while the other team gets 40 overs the following week.

Round one saw last year’s premiers Portland Tigers face off against runner-up South Portland at Flinders Park, with the Tigers winning the toss and electing to bat first.

And while openers Seb and Artie Harvey got them off to a decent start, as they made their way to 27 runs without loss, Sooria Sonti stepped up to remove Seb Harvey in the fourth over of the game.

Sonti was far from done just yet, as he claimed the wicket of Mika Bottrall two balls later, before dismissing Cooper McCallum caught behind to have three wickets in four balls, and the Tigers were all of a sudden stumbling at 3-27.

Artie Harvey (16) top scored for the Tigers, however when Noah Liersch knocked over his stumps the Tigers were in dire straits at 4-30.

Hunter Keiller (13) was a stalwart in the Tigers’ middle order as they were able to keep making their way to a competitive score, as they were eventually all-out for 90.

Sonti finished up as South’s only multiple wicket-taker, with figures of 3-14 from his five overs, while Liersch, Eamon Drew, Charles Dainty, Ewan Anderson, Will Shelton and Will McIntyre all took wickets.

Stephens half-century helps Drumborg-Heywood to 98

An impressive 50 not out from Connor Stephens has helped to push Drumborg-Heywood to a decent total against Portland Colts, as they finished up the day on 9-98.

Stephens made his half-century in just 39 balls, propelling his side to a solid total which Colts will need to be at their best to chase down next week.

Oscar Smith was the pick of Colts’ bowling attack, finishing with figures of 2-2 from his three overs, while Quinn Elijah pitched in with two wickets of his own.

Other wicket-takers included Phoenix Stewart, Macey Williamson, Oscar Quarrell and Banjo Donald.