By Tara Murray
Altona opener Dylan Appleby had a night out with the bat in the opening round of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association T20 twilight competition.
Appleby made massive 96 off 60 balls which included eight fours and four sixes as he helped his side to a win against Williamstown.
Altona elected to bat and made 7-186 on the back of Appleby’s innings.
Williamstown never got near the total, finishing 9-129 off its overs.
Shannon Gill took three wickets for Altona.
Melton is also through to the next round after beating Werribee at MacPherson Park.
The Lions sent Werribee in and were able to bowl them out for 83 in the second last over.
Matthew Harmer top scored with 18 at the top of the order.
Adrian Monitto, Joel Mitchener and Nathan D’antonio taking two wickets each for the Lions.
After being 3-18, Melton settled and was able to chase down the runs with plenty of balls and wickets in hand.
They finished 4-86 with Nathan Taylor top scoring with 48.
Hoppers Crossing joins Altona and Melton in the next round after beating Yarraville.
Batting first the Cats made 5-158 from their overs, with Justin Goegan top scoring with 62.
Jonah Koch took two wickets from the Eagles.
The Eagles were bowled out on the last ball for 129 after being 2-112.
Navrojdeep Virk, the seventh bowler used by the Cats, did the damage late taking 4-5 off two overs.
The competition is over for Plenty Valley and Taylors Lakes.
The Bats run chase fell short against Brunswick.
Brunswick made 9-124 from its overs, with the Bats restricted to 8-108 from their overs.
Taylors Lakes struggled to get going against St Bernard’s OC.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Lions were bowled out for 83 with 13 balls remaining.
Aamir Raza top scored with 32 not out as just two batsmen reached double figures.
The Lions had St Bernard’s in a little bit of trouble at 4-34, before St Bernard’s steadied to make 4-86 with nearly five overs remaining.
The second round is due to be held Tuesday.
