SHOALHAVEN Ex-Servicemens got their 2020-21 campaign off to a positive start on Saturday, as they defeated North Nowra-Cambewarra at Hayden Drexel Oval.
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In the opening round of the Shoalhaven District Cricket Association Twenty20 turf competition, Norths won the toss and elected to bat.
Openers Hyeon Parsons (19) and Josh Coulter (15) got the visitors off to a solid start, before Nathan Thomas, in his first game for the club since transferring from Berry-Shoalhaven Heads, smashed 56 from 31 balls - guiding Norths to 6/129 from their 20 overs.
With the ball, Nathan Tyrrell (3/32) and Luke Jones (2/15) did the damage for the hosts.
In reply, Ex-Servos started slow, falling to be 3/16 in the early stages on the run chase.
But behind an unbeaten 63 from Blake Munilla and handy knocks from Tyrrell (25) and Manning Berry (23 not out), the hosts reached the target (4/130) with eight balls to spare.
In the loss, Justin Weller finished with 3/4 for the visitors.
Elsewhere, Nowra kicked off their season with a strong win against premiers Berry-Shoalhaven Heads at the Berry Sports Complex.
Behind 33 from Brad Field and 30 from Matthew Junk, Nowra posted 107 from their 18.5 overs.
For the hosts, Cooper Bramley (2/4), Jacob Temple (2/25) and Daniel Troy (2/28) all claimed two scalps.
In reply, the Magpies were all out for 80, with Dylan Cosgrove (39) being the only batsmen to reach double figures.
Kealen Blatter led the way with 4/12, while Hayden Strand and Michael Coulter chipped in 2/1 and 2/18 respectively.
Finally, Batemans Bay outlasted Bomaderry at Hanging Rock Oval.
The hosts batted first and reached 6/111 behind Zac Henstock's 29 - with John Guscott (2/11) and Troy Cole (2/36) taking two wickets each for the Tigers.
In response, the visitors were all out for 67, with Anthony Johnston (15) top-scoring.
Sam Lee (2/5) and James Dickinson (2/11) led the way with the white ball for the Bay.
Bay and Basin had the bye in round one.