CRICKET Albury Wodonga’s Border Express Cup resumed at the weekend, with both Dederang and Mt Beauty facing off against Provincial First Grade sides in the competition’s twenty/20 format.

Dederang made a good start against Wodonga Raiders at Birallee Park, with Mark Purtell claiming the wicket of opener Brett Holzer for just six runs.

Beau Packer trumped that effort by bowling Mathew Jensen for three, leaving the Raiders on the ropes at 2/17.

Cameron Lodding and Thomas Heagney stemmed the bleeding for the Raiders, but the Demons were happy to restrict the runs as the invaluable dot balls began to mount.

Lodding hit out, smacking a four and a six, before directing a stray shot right into the waiting hands of Purtell, and the wickets began to tumble.

Gerard Midson made his presence felt late in the innings, taking three wickets for just 12 runs as the Raiders limped to a total of 9/95.

The Demons’ required run rate was under five runs per over, and, despite the loss of Purtell (15), Andrew Creamer (15) and Packer (seven) before the halfway point they remained on target.

Paul Hore made 20, while Daniel Perri made the most of his promotion from the under 17s with a composed 27, guiding the Demons comfortably past the victory target, to finish at 6/115.

Mt Beauty had the misfortune of drawing Provincial powerhouse East Albury in its match.

Mt Beauty batted first, but found itself sinking early, and continued to lose wickets before crawling to a total of 6/85.

The Crows were brutal in reply, passing the Power’s total midway through the innings, with Allister Rose (59) and James McNeil (36) leading the charge to 5/163.