It might only be one round in, but Eskdale looks to be one of Cricket Albury-Wodonga District's big improvers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Mountain Men made light work of an undermanned Corowa, thrashing them by nine wickets at Eskdale on Saturday.
Liam Tobin tore the Corowa batting lineup apart with 6-23 to skittle them for just 116.
Corowa slipped to 2-9 early, before a quality partnership from Nathan Rhodes (55) and Jarred Lane (30) saw the total pass 100.
However, a massive collapse followed with Eskdale claiming the final eight wickets for just 15 runs to leave Corowa well short of a competitive total.
Unbeaten half-centuries from Jye Hodgkin (55) and Vanuatu international Andrew Mansale (53) saw the Mountain Men reach the target in the 22nd over.
Mansale was particularly impressive on debut for the club, smashing five fours and four sixes to finish 53 not out from 45 balls.
He also picked up 2-31 from his eight overs with the ball.
ALSO IN SPORT:
Opening bowler Haydon Wilson said Mansale "looked like an international player should".
"He looked sensational really," Wilson said.
"It would have been nice for Andrew to spend a bit more time out in the middle, but it is what it is.
"Liam Tobin was exceptional too.
"They (Corowa) did what we did every game last season and had a bit of a collapse, but they'll get stronger.
"They certainly didn't have their best side, a few of their boys were on footy trips.
"There were certainly positives to take out of it, we'll look to get better and improve and we've got (co-coach) Jamie Baude to come back next week as well."
Reigning premiers Yackandandah began their defence in style with a 51-run win away to Bethanga.
An unbeaten 98 from Cooper Garoni set Bethanga an ominous chase of 200, and, despite a gallant effort, the Saints fell 42 runs short at 8-158.
Last season's grand finalists Kiewa (8-153) went down by seven wickets to Howlong (3-157) at Howlong.
Baranduda also found itself in some early bother at 2-24 in reply to Dederang's 9-144, but an unbeaten 62 from Jayden Barter led them to a comfortable seven-wicket victory in the end.
Mount Beauty (5-236) won a high-scoring clash by 17 runs against Barnawartha-Chiltern (8-219).