Last night, at Seiffert Oval, the Goulburn District Cricket Association marked a historic moment.
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At 6.30pm, the Astor Rats and the Goats took to the field for the first T20 match ever played under lights in Goulburn. It was only the second match played under the Seiffert Oval lights, which were installed in late 2019.
A smattering of spectators gathered to watch the game, and GDCA president and Rats player, Shane Munroe, was hopeful that day-night matches could become popular social fixtures for locals.
"We're trying to get people down here to watch," Munroe said.
"With a bit more advertising, sponsors, things like that, it can keep growing. The ultimate goal is to get people down here to watch, and then join in. Make the competition stronger and better with more players and teams."
The match itself was the third of the GDCA's 2020/21 first and second grade T20 tournament, and was dominated by the Rats.
Bowling first on a good Seiffert Oval wicket, the Rats were buoyed by a hat-trick from young medium-pacer Dylan Newman, which was only the third in the club's history.
"That was pretty exciting for him," Munroe said.
"We started pretty well. Put them on the ropes, got three or four wickets in the powerplay, and they never really recovered from there."
Like the one-day matches in previous rounds, this season's T20 tournament will be played with white balls and fielding restrictions in place.
So far, Munroe said, the changes introduced by the GDCA have been well-received by the players.
"I haven't had any complaints," he said.
"I went to a couple of the games earlier, and there were no complaints. The powerplays, the white ball, the coloured uniforms, it's just easier on the eye.
"You definitely couldn't play a night game with a red ball."
The changes certainly didn't hinder the Rats as they sought to chase down a target of just over 80 in 20 overs.
They began their chase steadily and quickened the run rate after the powerplay. The match ended with a flurry of boundaries from Andrew Munroe, which gave the Rats an emphatic victory to start the competition.
There are four more rounds of the T20 tournament yet to be played, before finals begin on Saturday, January 23.
Next weekend, on Saturday December 5, the Goats will play Crookwell at the Grange, Hibo Cricket Club will play the Warriors at Seiffert, and the Rats will play the Stags.
The GDCA has also announced a Lucky Stars Australia Transplant Cricket fixture for February 20. The details are still being finalised, but Munroe said there may be current and former professional cricketers in attendance.
Further information will be published once available.
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