The orange army was blown away from a ruthless East Gambier outfit led by Kev Thomson in the second round of Dycer Constructions Big Bash action at Scott Park last Thursday.
After heavy defeats in the season opener both Gambier Central and the Bulldogs needed victory and the hosts made sure they were the only ones ever going to get the points.
Despite the seven-wicket win arriving in a convincing fashion, everything did not go East’s away.
Batting first Centrals knew it had to step on the gas early and opener Nicolas Brown was in a feisty mood.
Brown struck a huge six off his second delivery before repeating the pain for bowler Nathan Gore two balls later to launch 18 off the first over.
The runs continued to flow off Thomson and after just 12 balls, Centrals sat pretty with 27 runs already on the board.
However, Jared Burston was stuck at the non-strikers end after only facing the first ball of the game and missed an Emerson Marks off-break.
The breakthrough allowed the Bulldogs to turn the screws and take control of the game as the scoring dried up.
Only 17 runs were possible in the next six overs, while six wickets tumbled.
After the dismissal of Burston, Thomson removed Jarrod Sanders for one.
Brown continued to find the odd gap and threatened to build a stand with his captain Hayden Sanders, but the pace of Liam Turley was too hot to handle.
East captain Travis Younghusband rotated his bowlers beautifully with the return of Marks not only claiming the prized scalp of Brown after his dangerous 31, but also Brent Collins, while Thomson knocked over Matthew Fox.
Isaac Czaban looked to give Centrals a late boost and smashed Marks to and over the boundary rope in consecutive deliveries.
But once he became the fourth member of the top seven to see their stumps uprooted, it was matter of when, not if the visitors would be bowled out.
Younghusband enjoyed some success picking up Curtis King, Simon McCourt and Luke Rainey in seven straight scoreless delivers to finish the innings with a bang.
Centrals only lasted for 14.1 overs and put a meagre 75 on the board after Thomson, Turley and Marks all caused trouble with the ball, while Younghusband finished with the impressive figures of 2.1-1-5-3.
With a small target to chase the Bulldogs looked to get the job done in quick time, but the pursuit suffered an early speed bump.
One ball after getting off the mark with a four, Leigh Von Duve was adjudged lbw off the bowling of Brayden Barker.
The instant breakthrough could have given the visitors a glimmer of hope, but that was dashed by the dominant Thomson.
Confident following his impactful bowling effort, Thomson made an even bigger impression with the blade.
He consolidated the innings with strong partnerships alongside Dion Stratford (11) and Marks (9) to guide the Bulldogs to safety.
After McCourt dismissed Marks, Thomson finished the game off in style striking three boundaries and a huge six off Barker.
Fittingly Younghusband hit the winning runs to help East secure a net run rate boosting win.
