Footscray Edgewater made a bright start to its Victorian Premier Cricket first XI premiership defence with a three-wicket win against Casey-South Melbourne at Mervyn Hughes Oval on Saturday.
Past and present players took delight in the unfurling of the 2013-14 premiership flag before the Bulldogs got back to work to get the new summer off to the best possible start.
PICTURE GALLERY: Footscray Edgewater v Casey-South Melbourne
The Bulldogs won the toss and sent Casey-South Melbourne in.
The visitors recovered from a slow start to post 8-165 off their 50 overs. The Dogs’ bowling attack was consistent across the board with Ben Green (2-25) and Michael Kelly (2-33) the only multiple wicket takers.
Gloveman Dylan Kight was outstanding with two stumpings and a catch. The Swans’ total was always likely to be a tad under par considering the strength of the Bulldogs batting line-up.
The Dogs had some nervous moments with the top order misfiring but first drop Travis Dean steadied the ship with 66 and all-rounder Hamish Winter-Irving posted an important 33 not out late in the day.
James Crosthwaite, the Dogs’ big preseason signing from Geelong, made just one on debut but had a hand in a run out.
In the rare position of defending premiers, the Bulldogs will have a target on their back this summer.
They will hope to keep their good start rolling when they travel to Ringwood on Saturday for the second of five one-dayers to start the season.
