Briody paves way for Port victory

Port Hedland Cricket Club got their senior grade title defence off to a flying start with an 88-run victory over South Hedland Kevin Scott Oval last weekend.

Port won the toss and elected to bat with a dominant batting performance from Chris Briody, setting Port up for an imposing total.

South’s Shoaib Khan got the early breakthrough, dismissing Wayne McDonald for just five runs before Jarrad O’Dea and Briody began rebuilding Port’s innings.

Khan then struck again, breaking the 22-run partnership with the wicket of O’Dea.

But Briody and Glenn Robertson took control of the game with scores of 78 and 31 respectively.

Cameos from Samuel Mason and Jarred Ams (27 each) took Port to 220 from their 35 overs.

South’s innings got off to a rough start with Christian Apedaile falling for a five-ball duck before Yogesh Patel fell for seven runs, leaving South 2-43 in the 10th over.

Clint Ernst starred for South with 51 but unfortunately for seven batsmen were dismissed for less than 10 runs as they finished at 9-132 from 35 overs.