CRICKET
CLV
By LIAM DURKIN
ONLY two first grade games saw a result in Round 5 of Cricket Latrobe Valley at the weekend.
Rain affected both divisions, leading most matches to suffer the highly unusual fate of a two day washout.
While conditions had been fine during the week, most players had one eye turned to the forecast that predicted heavy showers on Friday night and early Saturday morning.
As such, the rain was enough to leave most grounds unplayable.
The games that did go ahead were stop-start affairs, while in the lower grades, some boxed on through the slush.
Victoria’s diverse weather was on full display. Hail fell in Newborough around 1.30pm, and the game at Ted Summerton Reserve on the other side of town got back on little more than an hour later.
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RAIDERS’ win over Moe might end up being more valuable in February.
With all other Premier A games called off, the team from Yinnar now essentially has six bonus points.
The match likely felt inconsequential given the conditions, but if Raiders end up with a home final, they will be glad Ted Summerton drains so well.
The visitors resumed one down in pursuit of 106, and despite some early jitters, won with four wickets in the shed.
Moe had a very good sniff when Raiders were 4/16, after Royce Colgrave took two wickets with the new ball.
He trapped Tom Digby for a globe coming off a ton (how goods cricket), and George Cheshire with a seemingly indiscriminate ball and equally indiscriminate shot that was a sort of half-pull, half-forearm jab that went straight up the shoot.
The scoreboard forced Keenan Hughes to rein in his usually attacking mindset. He registered 52 off 114 balls, although watching the vision, it was clear he was wanting to get going the closer the team got to the target.
Moe gave him singles down the ground, but Tom Robertson played his role at the other end, hitting just one four and a lone six in his 25 off 94.
The pair put on 52, before Hughes and Liam Maynard took the team to within four runs of victory. Hughes was out the ball after registering his half-century, courtesy of some intelligent bowling from Benn Zomer, who threw one wide and asked Hughes to fetch.
Zomer took 2/27 and Colgrave 3/11 off nine overs with three maidens.
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IN some respects, it was a fitting way for Todd Mann to play his 300th game.
Mann sent down 17 overs for Imperials and took three wickets in a match that saw no winner against Rovers.
That in itself encapsulates the life of a fast bowler – bending his back for hours on end, achieving some personal reward that is ultimately lost in the bigger picture as everyone’s eyes automatically go to the top section of the scorecard where the batting is listed.
Rovers got to 4/75 after 37 overs at Catterick Crescent when the match was called.
Mann took 3/31 with five maidens.
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WOO HOO, yee hoo … if I could escape …
Glengarry surely only had one song on repeat in the sheds.
The Magpies were 9/57 at stumps on Day 1, but got out with a draw against Ex Students on Day 2.
Not a single ball was bowled at Fred King Oval.
NO play was possible at Keegan Street for the match between Morwell and Churchill.
Those with a geospatial degree might be able to explain how the weather can change so much between towns less than 20 kilometres apart (given play went ahead in Moe).
But then again, if you have a geospatial degree, you probably aren’t playing local cricket.
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TOONGABBIE won the only match that saw a ball bowled in A Grade.
The Rams chased 123 against Willow Grove, getting out of the cold by six wickets.
The home side had already ticked off 20 runs on Day 1. Josh Monacella (34) and Blake Cooper (25 red) ensured the points.
Wolves skipper Luke Payton took 2/40.
Willow Grove was without opening bowler Dane Fawcett on Day 2. Things may have been interesting had he picked up a couple of early poles.
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ALL other A Grade matches were abandoned both weeks.
Centrals were to host Mirboo North, Latrobe doing likewise to Traralgon West, and Gormandale was set to welcome CATS.
PLAYERS will hope for better weather as Round 6 two dayers start this Saturday (November 14).
Fixture is: Premier A (Rod Dunbar Shield): Glengarry vs Churchill (at Fred King Oval), Raiders vs Ex Students (Yinnar Turf), Moe vs Imperials (Ted Summerton), Morwell vs Rovers (Keegan St); A Grade: Mirboo North vs CATS (Mirboo North Turf), Willow Grove vs Latrobe (Yallourn North Turf), Traralgon West vs Centrals (Jack Canavan), Gormandale vs Toongabbie (Stoddart Oval).
