By LIAM TWOMEY
FOOTSCRAY Edgewater made the perfect start to the Victorian Premier Cricket season, smashing Ringwood by eight wickets on the weekend.
In the first match under new coach Steven Chapman, the Bulldogs were on the ball from the opening overs after sending Ringwood in to bat.
Footscray had the Rams reeling at 3/21 until a mini fightback from Ian Holland looked to steady the ship.
Holland added 47 runs with Gavin Kellar before the former was run out for 35.
The hopes of a big total seemingly walked back to the dressing room with Holland as a consistent stream of wickets marred the rest of the Ringwood innings.
The Rams were dismissed in the 41st over with the score on 109.
In his first match for Footscray, Jake Haberfield showed exactly why he was recruited, taking 3/18 to be the Bulldogs’ best bowler.
He was well supported by Hamish Winter-Irving who took 1/11 from seven economical overs.
In reply, Footscray made light work of the small total with captain Dean Russ a standout at the top of the order.
Russ blasted 62 from 101 balls including seven boundaries.
After the early wicket of his opening partner Wes Robinson for four, Travis Dean made 25 while Dylan Kight was on 13 when the Bulldogs passed the total.
The comprehensive win continues what has been an impressive start to the season for Footscray after Russ, Kight and Haberfield all performed well for the Victorian Futures XI last week.
Both Russ and Kight made half centuries. An injury concern prevented Haberfield from too much bowling but he did manage 34 from 35 balls with the bat.
