Hoppers Crossing made a statement in beating last summer’s Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division finalist South Caulfield by 14 runs at Hogans Road Reserve.
Set a victory target of 196 on Saturday, the Cats eventually prevailed, eight down in a stop-start innings.
PICTURE GALLERY: Hoppers Crossing v South Caulfield
A late double act was needed from Trent Said (55no) and Tawalampolage Darshanapriya (22) to get the Cats over the line, after Will Gardner (43), Luke Goegan (24) and Duleeka Thisakuttige (21) had earlier set the wheels in motion.
The Cats’ victory was set up on day one when they bowled the visitors out for 195.
Mitchell Ellis, still eligible for the under-17s, was outstanding with the ball, taking 4-59 off 20 overs. Goegan (2-2) and Said (2-37) chimed in with two wickets apiece.
The Cats will travel to McKinnon for a two-day game starting Saturday.
In west A1, Wyndhamvale is a perfect two-from-two after a convincing 59-run win over Sunshine Heights away at Ainsworth Reserve.
Defending 208, the Falcons had little reason to fret with their bowlers on song from the outset, particularly Ryan Radford and Jay Dolliver, who took three wickets apiece to rout the Heights for 149.
Werribee Centrals are still looking for their first win after their batsmen failed to fire in a bowler-dominated loss to Altona Roosters at Galvin Park.
Point Cook is also winless and holding up the ladder after succumbing to Footscray United by 78 runs.
Chasing a massive 281 for victory, the Warriors made a flying start through Owen Doolan (50), but too much of the work was left to the tailenders.
Tyson Pearce (34), Raj Sandhu (34) and Travis Bean (23) tried valiantly to get the Warriors back into the contest, but the hole dug by the misfiring top order was too deep.
In west B1, Seabrook moved into second on the ladder after taking the honours over Footscray ANA by 22 runs in a one-day clash at Bruce Comben Reserve.
The Saints rustled up just enough runs – 8-146 after a captain’s knock of 45 from Leigh Edwards – for their bowlers to defend.
Tight bowling from the Saints won the day, with ANA restricted to a slow 9-124 off their allotted 40 overs.
