Skipper shines as Hannans upstage Viewers in EGCA B-grade competition

Hannans captain Shane Donnellan flourished in the opening spot with an aggressive 87 runs that sparked the team’s first win of the season last Saturday against Lake View, in the Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association’s B-grade competition.

Donnellan’s knock, off 95 balls, featured 13 fours and a six.

The innings started at 2-39 before Donnellan and No.4 batter Mazz Hassan (40 off 57 balls; seven fours) completed an invaluable stand worth 98 runs.

It proved to be a match-winning partnership in the side’s 183 off 37.4 overs as Lake View’s attack roared back to snare 4-9 at one point — led by Xander Young’s 6-19.

The Viewers’ opening combination of Daniel Hood (16 off 20 balls) and Jarrod Lucas (31 off 39 balls; six fours) put on 34 runs.

But three of the next five batters failed to score — despite the best efforts of Gary Mitchell whose 40 off 53 deliveries included eight boundaries.

Lake View’s hopes of a second win were thwarted when the last four wickets tumbled for just five runs in an eventual 109 from 30.2 overs as Bryce Lintern and James Hood combined for seven wickets.

Donnellan also played a big part with the ball, snaring 2-2.

Lake View have opened the season in pursuit of back-to-back B-grade flags this summer after upsetting Great Boulder in last season’s decider by a wicket.

The grand final result foiled the Two Blues’ bid for a fourth consecutive premiership.

Also last weekend, Great Boulder notched their first win after needing just 15.3 overs to chase down North Kalgoorlie’s 93.

Great Boulder compiled 5-94, with Nick Fitzgerald (17 off 12 balls) and Trent Reed (not out 18 off 31 balls) the main batting contributors.

Reed earlier grabbed 5-20 and Mitch Gray took 3-22 when Norths were dismissed in 31 overs.

Norths were reeling at 8-42 before tail-enders Kurtis Grace (not out 17) and Callum Grace (22) dug in against the odds.

Each of the four teams boast a win apiece after two rounds.

Round three will be played at Ray Finlayson Sporting Complex on Saturday from 11am when Lake View plays Norths and Hannans oppose Great Boulder.