THE opening round of the 2014-15 Lithgow Cricket Association first grade competition got away on the weekend with the feature match being the replay of last year’s grand finalists, Lidsdale Lions and Lansdowne.

The result was a different one with Lidsdale taking the honours over the reigning premiers Lansdowne who were down on form, but they are a team that can always bounce back from week to week.

Lidsdale took to the crease first with their stars being new addition to their side Joel Gurney who knocked up 56 runs.

Gurney, his brother Ryan and Dallas Tilley (who all came over from the Valley club) will be good additions to the already strong Lidsdale side.

It is now Tilley’s third club in as many years.

Josh Howarth supported well scoring 49 and with Joel Gurney piloted the Lions on to a total of 4-166.

Others to make it into double figures were opener Brendan Roach (15) and Dallas Tilley (18).

The wickets were shared around for Lansdowne with Brendon Van Veen, Mark Northey, Jeremy Fittler and Peter Milne all grabbing a wicket each.

One of the highlights for Lansdowne was that of wicketkeeper Roxsanne Van Veen who did a top job with the gloves.

Opener Brendon Van Veen got his side off to a good start (29), but from then only Jeremy Fittler (18), Mark Northey (20) and Roxsanne Van Veen (17) showed any resistance and were all out for 130.

Lidsdale’s Chris Redding was on fire with the ball taking 5-26 off his seven overs with Brendan Roach, Josh Howarth, Joel Gurney and Nathan Redding all finishing with a wicket each.