RIVERSTONE Rangers got their title defence up and running at the weekend, as they took care of business against Freemans Reach in Hawkesbury District Cricket Association’s first grade competition.
Freemans Reach did not make it easy for Riverstone, but the reigning premiers eventually got the job done, while Bligh Park crushed Schofields in the other match.
The first round of local cricket concluded with the second day of the two-day matches.
Riverstone reached 233 from 68.4 overs after one day action last weekend, and Freemans Reach managed to score 203 from 58 overs.
Freemans Reach opener Christpher Hately top scored for his team with 51 runs, while Steve Tolios, 39 and Daryl Amson, 32, backed up the opener during the run chase.
Riverstone bowler Glen Jacobsen was the danger man, taking five wickets from 14 overs, including three maidens, at the weekend.
Bligh Park announced their premiership intentions with a big score of 5-310 before declaring against Schofields.
Bligh Park won the toss last weekend and sent Schofields in to bat, which worked for them, as Schofields was bowled out for 131.
Michael van der Reydon brought up the first century in the first grade season during the match, making an unbeaten 152.
Van der Reydon was assisted by James Harvey, who made 54 at the other end.
After the declaration, Schofields came back in to bat and the Bligh Park attack quickly skittled them for 63 to claim an outright win and a valuable 10 points.
Bligh Park had a decent first round as a club, with its second and third grade teams also claiming outright wins first up.
Round two will see more two-day matches, but will not start until October 8, with the long weekend coming up this weekend.
Bligh Park will have the bye in round two, while North Richmond will see its first game of the season.
North Richmond will take on Riverstone, while Freemans Reach and Schofields will play each other.
In the lower grades, there were a number of centuries brought up over the first round.
Bligh Park’s Peter Tease scored 105 not in a fourth grade match against Schofields.
In fifth grade, Barney Howard scored 107 for Pitt Town against Riverstone.
In sixth grade Pitt town had their own centurion, with Steve Ryan bringing up 131 from the top of the order against Richmond.
In second and third grade, there were two six wicket hauls as well.
Hawkesbury Cricket Club’s Awad Naqvi had one in the seconds, while North Richmond’s Daniel Filmer had one in third grade.
