The GDCA first grade defending champions got their 2020/21 campaign off to an ideal start on Saturday, with a commanding win over the Stags.
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Playing at Prell Oval, the newly-combined Hibo side won the toss and elected to bowl first on a pitch which was green to the eye and quite soft underfoot.
After the first 20 overs, it appeared as though Hibo captain Dane Stevenson had chosen wrong as the Stags cantered to 3-120.
But after the drinks break, Hibo roared back into contention to take the remaining seven wickets for 52 runs.
"We bowled pretty poorly for 10 to 12 overs there and they got away on us," Stevenson said.
"They only scored another 50 in the next 15 overs, so [our bowlers did great]."
Logan Watts was the pick of Hibo's bowlers with his 4-21, and Stevenson singled out 15-year old legspinner Cameron Herd for praise after a gritty haul of 3-53.
"Cameron threw them up, you're gonna get hit on a small ground but that's the perils of bowling legspin I guess," he said.
"The blokes will come after him, and he's a young fella so it's a really good test of his character this year. We'll back him all the way and hopefully he learns a few things and builds his bowling skill."
Hibo's run chase got off to a strong start, with a 47-run partnership between Francis McAlister and Rory Heffernan at the top of the order.
But the chase stumbled significantly once McAlister was dismissed for 16, as two more wickets fell soon after to leave Hibo nervous at 3-59.
This brought Stevenson to the crease, where he joined another 15-year-old talent in Jack McEntee.
After pulling the first ball he faced for four, Stevenson proceeded to dominate the Stags' bowling. Hibo chased down the target of 176 without losing another wicket, with McEntee on 35* and Stevenson on 75*.
"We got the better of the bowling conditions," Stevenson said after the match.
"The wicket was a little bit softer and a little bit slower when we started. We took the chances when we needed to and punished every bad ball they served up to us.
"I think we dealt with that really well, Jack McEntee did really well for a 15-year-old kid."
This round of play also saw the introduction of a powerplay in the first 10 overs of each innings.
Only having two fielders outside the ring forced the bowlers to be more precise and aggressive with their plans, and Stevenson was extremely pleased with its impact.
"It's really good, because it places a lot more responsibility on them to work out where they need those two fielders,"
"When blokes are in and going, it makes you think about where you need to be and how to build that pressure."
This Saturday, October 24, Hibo will look to continue its good start against the Warriors at Seiffert Oval from 1pm.
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