CRICKET
CRICKET LATROBE VALLEY
By LIAM DURKIN
CRICKET Latrobe Valley action recommences this Saturday.
Players will return to the field for Round 9 following a three week break for Christmas.
Glengarry has taken pole position at the top of the Premier A ladder, leading by five points from Ex Students.
A huge gap exists between second and third, with Morwell the closest, but still an entire 12 points behind.
While there is a feeling the competition has become a two-horse race, there is plenty of time for teams to make up ground.
The strength of teams could also change markedly in coming weeks, depending on the likelihood of them making finals.
Latrobe flew Irish first class player Rob McKinley in halfway through season 2017/18 when the Sharks’ finals aspirations were in the balance.
A number of local cricketers are also known to be primarily ‘after Christmas operators’.
Journeyman fast bowler Chris Johnson would sometimes only play after Christmas, and often still finish a season with 30 wickets.
Trafalgar spinner Klay Butler struck a deal with the club for season 2014/15 that he would only play one dayers and finals if the team qualified.
Fortunately for the Ships, the deal led to a premiership.
That same season, David Embleton left Morwell and joined Raiders halfway through the season. The Tigers missed finals by literally 0.04 per cent to the Ships.
The bottom half of the top four carriers the most interest, as Centrals, Moe and possibly CATS remain in the hunt for a finals berth.
Centrals are fourth, but only two points ahead of Moe. CATS need to make up four points just to claim parity with Moe, but could already be too far behind.
The relegation battle is also tight, as CATS, Toongabbie, and Raiders are separated by just five points.
In another case of ‘when is cricket good?’ the Rams have won more games than CATS, yet sit one rung below them on the ladder.
These three clubs could have one eye turned to the future, and avoiding relegation might be seen as the first crucial step.
It is generally accepted that recruiting becomes easier if you are in Premier A, and allows greater forward planning.
Churchill could be the team that joins Premier A next season, but they will have to win the A Grade premiership first.
From the outset, the Cobras have made no pretentions about their desire to get back into the top flight, and are currently five points clear of second-placed Imperials.
Granted their lead isn’t substantial, Churchill pumped Imps in their game before Christmas, albeit Imperials were without two of their best players in Todd Mann and Brett Chapman.
The team to watch with caution however is Mirboo North.
The Tigers are third, and if history is anything to go by, Mirboo North can win a flag from any position once they qualify for finals – it’s just what they do.
Favourite son Matt Snell played a one-off game before Christmas, and premiership captain Jed Alexander featured in the lower grades. If those two can be sweet talked into playing more often, it might just boost the Tigers’ credentials.
Mirboo North will however likely be without gun all-rounder Max Woodall, as Gippsland Power commitments ramp up.
Only one point separates fourth-placed Rovers and fifth-placed Latrobe, while Gormandale (nine points adrift) could yet repeat last season’s dramatic surge and come home with a wet sail.
Willow Grove and Traralgon West occupy the bottom two spots, but each have chances to pick up some wins before the season is out.
CRICKET LATROBE VALLEY
PREMIER A GRADE, ROUND 9, JANUARY 11
Centrals vs Moe (at Apex Park)
Glengarry vs Toongabbie (Fred King Oval)
CATS vs Ex Students (John Black Oval)
Raiders vs Morwell (Yinnar Turf)
A GRADE, ROUND 9, JANUARY 11
Churchill vs Rovers (Andrews Park)
Latrobe vs Traralgon West (Peter Siddle Oval)
Mirboo North vs Imperials (Mirboo Nth Turf)
Gormandale vs Willow Grove (Stoddart Oval)
Premier B Grade, B Grade, Premier C Grade and C Grade also recommence on January 11.
Men’s T20 semi-finals: Jan 14
Senior women comps: Jan 16
JUNIOR START DATES
Under 16s: Friday, January 31
Under 14s: Wednesday, January 29
Under 14 girls: Friday, January 31
Under 12s: Monday, February 3
Under 10s: Tuesday, February 4
