Worcestershire all-rounder Tom Taylor hit a half century to steer Altona North CC to a three wicket victory over Newport Digman CC in a low-scoring Victoria Turf Association (VTA) T20 encounter.
Taylor had already done his job with the ball in dismissing opener and captain Nick Strangio – clean bowled – for a duck – with a single on the board.
He struck again in getting rid of number four Josh Kingston (24) and ended with figures of 4-0-19-2 as Newport were restricted to 96-7.
Taylor then went in number three as Altona set off in pursuit of their modest target and smashed 53 off 33 balls.
He struck two sixes and six fours before he was fourth out with the total on 79 and only 18 needed for victory.
Altona North eventually reached 97-7 with 4.3 overs to spare.
It was their fourth victory in five games and they are second in the table but level on eight points with leaders Point Cook Centrals and third placed Point Cook.
Taylor then played his part for Altona on day one of the VTA first grade encounter with Footscray United.
He made 21 batting at number four off 37 balls with two boundaries as Altona were bowled out for 166 in 64 overs after winning the toss.
Taylor then took the new ball and dismissed opener James Deasy, clean bowled for nought, in his second over.
He bowled through to stumps and had the impressive figures of 6-3-4-1 as Footscray were reduced to 15-3 from 12 overs with the match to be concluded next weekend.
Ethan Brookes’ side, Adelaide University, had a challenging opening day to their South Australian Premier Cricket first grade fixture against Kensington Gardens.
Brookes went in number five and made a run a ball 15 with two fours in a total of 140 all out in 36.2 overs after Adelaide opted to bat.
He then took the new ball and accounted for opener Christian Leddicoat (44) and finished with figures of 13-3-46-1 as Kensington totalled 263-5 from 51 overs.
Gareth Roderick’s side, Green Point, went down by eight wickets to Cape Town in a fixture completed in just over 40 overs.
Green Point skipper Roderick experienced a rare failure in being dismissed for three as his side were bowled out for 75 in 30.3 overs in the Western Province Premier Division clash.
Cape Town needed only 10.5 overs to reach their modest target.
Pace bowler, Harry Darley, had figures of 8-2-39-1 and 3-0-21-0 as Ulverstone (212 and 199-7 declared) gained the first innings points against Sheffield Men (150 and 58.4). in a Cricket North West first grade fixture.
