Hannans record first-up win in new ECGA A-grade season against defending premiers North Kalgoorlie

Hannans have opened the new Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association A-grade season triumphantly by chasing down the total set for them by defending premiers North Kalgoorlie.

Hannans achieved the two-wicket victory at Wallace Park on Saturday by reaching 8-184 in 38 overs after having bowled out Norths for 182 in 45.2 overs.

Leading the way for Hannans with the ball were lanky pacemen Harrison Wheatcroft and Harry Merritt-Blann, who each took four wickets.

Norths started steadily with the bat through openers Michael Noble and Harris Carnegie, before Wheatcroft rattled Carnegie’s stumps when he was on 11.

Then Englishman Merritt-Blann struck a double blow, removing Noble (27) and No.3 batter Riley Flynn (1).

Nick Willis (12) and Jake George (17) steadied the ship with a 33-run partnership, but Willis was the first of left-arm spinner Graham Kennedy’s two victims, leg before wicket, while Wheatcroft had George caught out by Martin Potsekayi.

In between those two wickets, Kennedy trapped Norths captain Trent Mais (6) leg before wicket.

Norths were in danger of posting a sub-par total when Wheatcroft bowled No.9 batter Alijaah Evans, making the score 8-119, but then Sam Burge and Cooper Bennett combined for a 54-run partnership, with both scoring at better than a run a ball.

Burge hit 28 runs from 27 deliveries, including one four and two sixes, while Bennett made his 40 runs in just 31 deliveries, striking four fours and two sixes.

But before the situation become too problematic for Hannans, Merritt-Blann knocked them both over to wrap up the innings.

Wheatcroft finished with figures of 4-36 off 10 overs, and Merritt-Blann had 4-41 off 9.2 overs.

Kennedy’s return was 2-8 off 10 overs, including six maidens.

Hannans got off to a poor start in their run chase, with Mais bowling Potsekayi for a three-ball duck, and Matthew Smart dismissing Merritt-Blann (4).

Mais then removed his opposing captain, Matt Ralph (10), to have Hannans at 3-44.

Enter Kennedy and No.5 batter Brandon Williams, who dug in to build Hannans’ total, combining for a 41-run partnership.

Kennedy was imperious, making his 45 runs off just 30 balls with eight fours and one six before Noble took his wicket.

Williams was more steady, reaching 35 runs off 59 balls, with three fours and one six before being caught and bowled by Noble.

Noble had already caught and bowled No.6 batter James Alexander for a four-ball duck to have Hannans precariously positioned at 5-85.

But Williams worked well with No.7 batter Alex Jago (21 runs off 31 balls; two fours, one six) to get Hannans closer to Norths’ total.

When Williams was dismissed, Hannans were 7-151, needing another 33 runs for victory.

Josh Gorman, who in previous seasons has batted at the top of the order for Hannans but on Saturday came in at No.8, was the right man for the occasion, accumulating 25 runs not out off 54 balls to guide his team to victory.

He received support at the end from No.10 batter Shasa Molgaard Angel (12 not out off six balls; one four, one six).

Noble finished with 4-49 off nine overs, and Mais’ figures were 2-42 off 10 overs.