The North West Metropolitan Cricket Association has made a blazing start to the Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union under-18 Phil Arnold Shield with a perfect three-from-three in the opening week of the tournament.
The NWMCA is the only undefeated team heading into the second week after wins over West Gippsland, North Metro and Box Hill Reporter District.
The opening day brought NWMCA a resounding 63-run victory over West Gippsland.
NWMCA put 181 on the board after half centuries to Brody Psaila (56) and Reece Tompkins (51).
West Gippsland was rolled for 118 with Jordan Taylor (5-25) snaring five wickets.
NWMCA kept the ball rolling on day two with a 125-run dismantling of North Metro.
The side again displayed its batting strength to post 8-196, with Tompkins (39no) and Taylor (34) featuring in an important 70-run eighth wicket stand.
Five NWMCA bowlers took two wickets to have North Metro all out for 71.
NWMCA passed its biggest test of the week in round three when it edged out Box Hill Reporter District by 10 runs in a thriller.
NWMCA batted first, posting a commanding 189, including 70 from Psaila.
The team needed every one of those runs as Box Hill got close before it was bowled out for 179.
In the under-16s Jim Beitzel Shield, NWMCA also maintained a flawless record with three wins in the opening week. It took care of Gisborne District, Western Region Junior and Box
Hill Reporter District on consecutive days.
Anthony Cafari (101 runs) and Charles Bibby (98) were the NWMCA’s leading run-scorers across the opening three matches, while Luke Brock (five wickets) was the pick of the bowlers.
In the under-14s Russell Allen Shield, NWMCA won just one of its opening three matches to finish the opening week in second-last place.
Sunshine could manage only one win from three games in the opening week of the under-15 JG Craig Shield.
