But the inclusion of those sides spelled bad news for two of the more local sides, with Katamatite and Nathalia falling to Shepparton Youth Club United and Nagambie, respectively, as their campaigns got off to a slow start on Sunday.
Travelling to Princess Park in Shepparton for their round one clash with SYCU, Katamatite was competitive from the outset but ultimately lacked the firepower that the experienced SYCU side possesses, going down by 27 runs.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl, Katty made a brilliant start with the Kookaburra, with Christina Roberts with both the first and last ball of her opening over – the sixth overall – to reduce the home side firstly to 1-13 and then 2-14 to immediately have the hosts under pressure.
But third, fourth and fifth in SYCU’s lineup was the experienced trio of Mel Saunders, Dianne Poole and Lia Beecroft, who added 31, 27 and 31, respectively, all at better than a run a ball or close enough to it, all retiring unbeaten as the Katty bowling attack struggled to find answers.
Roberts fought back late with her third scalp in a brilliant bowling display, taking her personal figures to 3-13 and leaving the hosts at 3-112, though the damage was done, and SYCU posted an imposing 3-115 by the end of the 20 overs.
It would be Roberts too that starred in the chase for Katamatite, belting a rapid 33 off 21 at the top of the order to set her side up and retire not out. But while Matilda Iddles (14) and Rosie Stokes (12) each added double digit scores, the rest of the Tigers struggled in the face of a formidable SYCU bowling attack.
Ultimately, the Tigers ran out of overs, with their chase ending at 3-88 in a competitive showing, ultimately falling 27 runs shy of victory.
Elsewhere, Nathalia suffered a similar fate, lacking the lower order firepower to deal with seasoned campaigners Nagambie at Nagambie Recreation Reserve, going down by 35 runs.
While initially a tough slog with the ball after being asked to bowl first, with the Lakers reaching 1-96 following 28 each to Amber Langham and Kayla Shepherd, the visitors fought back hard, removing the next six wickets for 15 runs to curb the Lakers late, with Nagambie posting a total of 7-111 after looking set for a much higher total.
Abby Favaro (2-14) and Cody Power (2-15) each snared multiple wickets, while Anna Brooks (1-5), Isabella Daniel (1-11) and Nicola Oliver (1-22) all chipped in with one in what was a solid display.
Despite losing opener Gabrielle McDonald to a run-out early, the chase looked to be humming along for Nathalia, reaching 47 for just the one loss as Favaro (20) and Jessica Daniel (18 retired not out) kept the scoreboard ticking over.
However, Favaro’s dismissal left the visitors at 2-47, with things snowballing from there, as Nathalia lost momentum and regular wickets to slump to 7-76, which is where the innings ended for a 35-run defeat.
In the round’s other matches, reigning GMCW premier Moama handed Rochester a mammoth 82-run defeat to establish itself at the top, while reigning Cricket Shepparton premier Mooroopna forfeited its clash against Echuca.
Both Katty and Nathalia will be in action this Sunday as they chase their maiden wins of the campaign, facing Echuca and Mooroopna, respectively, while in other contests SYCU will play Cooma and Nagambie will face off against Moama.
