Hoppers Crossing couldn’t repeat its heroics of last summer when it travelled to Yarraville Club and picked up the points in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division.
This year’s outcome could not be more of a contrast, with the Cats losing by 202 runs at Hansen Reserve.
At no stage did the Cats have any grasp on the contest after giving up 6-383 in the first innings, including centuries to Andrew Cullen (160) and Aaron Mato (102).
The Cats were bowled out for 181 with Asif Jan (56) and Luke Goegan (46) the only recognised batsmen to fire, while Dinesh Daminda made 31 from No. 10.
The Cats fall to seventh on the ladder with a 1-2 record and will hope to square the ledger against Beaumaris in a two-dayer at Hogan Road starting on Saturday.
In north A1, Werribee Centrals picked up their first win of the campaign by beating St Francis de Sales at Galvin Park.
Set 131 for the first innings points, the Centurions recovered from 5-70 to pass the target six down.
Shaun Jennings (57) and Azif Mohamed (37) provided the crucial runs.
The Centurions travel to Craigieburn for a crucial fourth-round encounter starting on Saturday.
In west B1, Seabrook (170) is knocking on the door of the top four after crushing Sunshine Heights (69 and 7-118).
Stephen Gregory (3-20) and Matthew Rayner (3-12) did the damage with the ball for the Saints to secure the first innings points. Nathan Pisani took 4-44 in a second innings.
Wyndhamvale (196) blitzed Sunshine YCW (73 and 3-69) after Jay Dolliver snared 6-12 off 13.4 overs.
