Bullets strike first

The Cricket Albury Wodonga representative bounced back from a poor Konica Cup campaign last weekend to record an emphatic seven wicket win over the Southern Riverina Vipers.

Rep coach Robbie Jackson said it was a "mature” performance after the game, praising his charges for adapting to the conditions at play.

The Bullets won the toss and sent the Vipers in to bat, with the visitors getting off to a good start through opener Luke Carter.

But the Bullets persisted, and Carter's was the third wicket to fall, which allowed the home side to restrict the Vipers to just 108 in just shy of 20 overs.

Carter top scored with 35, but didn’t find much support from the middle order, with only Shaun Downie (19) making a significant contribution.

The Bullets went in with confidence on a drying pitch and outfield, and were away quickly through Trent Ball and Alex Popko.

But the real damage would come with a swashbuckling innings of 35 from marquee player Cade Brown.

The former Lavington and current Weston Creek star belted successive sixes to re-ignite the Bullets’ run rate, just as the match looked to be swinging towards the Vipers.

David Farrell made the most of his late inclusion after import Jethro Menzies pulled out, adding an unbeaten 28.

“We needed a win, it was important to bounce back,” coach Jackson said.

“Getting some of the class players in Alex Popko and a few others in was great, their class shone through.

“We bowled well, and getting the wicket of Carter was a pivotal moment, he was the difference between chasing 108 and something closer to 200.

“It was a really professional performance from the boys, we really put them under pressure when it counted.” 

Lavington quick Nathan Brown was awarded the man of the match for his figures of 3 for 21 from four overs.

Matt Jaensch and Cameron White also took two wickets apiece, while Matt Armstrong took two catches.