SACA Premier Cricket got underway on the weekend with Southern Districts’ Men’s first grade side taking on Port Adelaide at Bice Oval. West Indian legend Carl Hooper has been re-appointed as Senior Men’s High Performance Coach and he will be assisted by Andrew Staunton and Mal Condon as Senior Men’s Development and Specialist coaches. Staunton will also play along with new recruits Josiah Grzyb (University CC), Harshtik Bimbral (Palmerston CC), Sam Holland (Ingle Farm CC), Jibanta Sapkota (Marion CC) and Rasim Kandel (Melbourne). 

On Saturday at Bice Oval, Southern Districts batted first and were under early pressure as Port Adelaide opening bowler Jordan Thomas (3/45)  took two early wickets as the Stingrays slipped to 2/27. Skipper Josh Barrett was joined by Matthew Sugg and this pair set about resurrecting the innings with an excellent 144-run third wicket partnership. Barrett made a fine 92 from 129 balls (6 x 4’s, 1 x 6) while Sugg made 81 not out from 117 balls (3 x 4’s) as the home side tallied 4/233 from their 50 overs. Port Adelaide’s innings started in a similar vein to the Stingrays’ batting effort as Lewis Hatchett (1/45) and Trent Riddle (1/35) took two early wickets, including the dangerous Tom Cooper (1), to see the visitors at 2/35. Skipper Austin Umpherston was joined by Isaac Conway and they put the Magpies on course for victory with a 128-run third wicket stand. Once Umpherston was dismissed for 54 (85 balls), Conway was joined by Zac Worden (34 not out) and these two saw Port Adelaide to victory by seven wickets with 11 balls to spare. Conway went on to make 104 not out from 124 balls (9 x 4’s, 1 x 6) on his Port Adelaide debut after coming across from Melbourne this season. Tim Stewart (1/41) was the other wicket taker for the home side.

The Stingrays take on Woodville in round two action this Saturday with the first grade playing at Woodville Oval. The game is a one-day match starting at 10.30am.