Griffith's Warren Smith Cup campaign has made a tough start after falling to a two-wicket defeat at the hands of Wagga Blue with extras proving to be the difference between the two sides.
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The Griffith side won the toss and elected to bat and while Tom Bartter (7) was knocked over early the top order from the visiting team stood firm.
Hayden Forner and Oliver Bartter were able to put on 71 runs for the second wicket and even when Oliver Bartter (37) was run out the Griffith side were still able to keep the runs flowing.
Kyle Bennett joined Forner out in the middle, and the pair steered their side past the hundred-mark and well on their way to a defendable total come the end of their fifty overs before Bennett (24).
Forner (92) continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over and looked destined to post a hundred in the first game of the season but fell eight runs short while contributions from Mark Bennett (12) and Jack Rand (33*) saw the Griffith side close out their 50 overs on 8/247.
Griffith made a strong start with the ball with Ryan Bock and Michael Cudmore taking two early wickets before Wagga were able to find their footing.
Jake Scott (30) and Eduoard Grigg put on 26 runs for the third wicket before Ben Signor removed Scott while Lucas Irvin removed Matthew Barton (8).
It was Grigg who would be the thorn in the side of the Griffith side as no other Wagga Blue batsman really got going, but they were able to occupy the crease and support Grigg.
With the score on 153, Griffith was able to claim two quick wickets with Signor (2/43) and Cudmore (2/38) taking their second wickets of the day, but Grigg continued to keep the runs ticking over with Wagga needing 89 runs off the remaining 16.1 overs.
Bock (2/38) picked up his second of the afternoon with the score on 203, but Wagga was still able to get over the line with 2.3 overs remaining with two wickets in hand with Grigg (86*) finishing unbeaten on 86 while Griffith were their own worst enemies finishing with 73 extras including 58 wides.
Griffith will now turn their attention to their next clash which will be against Leeton.
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Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
