CRICKET
CGCA
YALLOURN North enjoyed a narrow win over Moe as the Bombers continued their strong start to the Central Gippsland cricket season.
Batting first, Yallourn North laboured to reach 9/128, with Andrew Petrou and Luke Nelson getting starts, to put the game out of Moe’s reach.
Captain Andrew Philip was the Lions’ main man with the ball, taking 3/20, ably supported by Aaron Walshe (1/24), Damon Bednarski (1/10) and the returning Jayden Mathison (1/12).
The Bombers managed to take regular wickets as the Lions struggled to bat in partnerships, with Joel Jacovou (18) and Philip (29) the only top order bats who managed to get their eye in.
A late partnership between Philip and Daniel Atkinson lifted Moe close to the target, but when both were dismissed by Rowan Kelly, the Lions were out of the game.
Kelly’s 3/30 and Luke Nelson’s 3/19 were big factors in Yallourn North’s victory, with great support coming from Ryan Nelson, Lucas Fry and Glenn Sheekey who all finished with one wicket apiece.
Thorpdale v Morwell
THORPDALE had a tough day against Morwell, with only two of the Blues’ batsmen able to make double figures.
South African twins Henk and Schalke Conradie both struggled in their first grade debut, the former’s 14 was bested only by veteran Harvey Poole’s 29, while the latter failed to get off the mark.
Brendan Brincat did the damage with the ball, taking 4/15 while Mark Cukier (2/11) and Brendan McDonald (2/25) helped run through the batting order.
In reply the Tigers were shaky early, falling to 3/21, and there would have been a few nerves after last week’s collapse of 10/28.
Captain Giddens steadied the ship with 24 before Blake Mills combined with Brincat to pass the target.
The Blues’ bowlers restricted the Tigers but ultimately did not have enough runs to defend; Henk Conradie and Jason Richardson led the attack superbly.
Trafalgar v Latrobe
TRAFALGAR struggled against Latrobe, succumbing to the spin of Patrick Farrant.
Rhys Holdsworth was again bereft of support from his teammates; his 38 was comfortably the best score in a total of 81 all out.
Farrant was the Sharks’ main man with 4/16, while Ash Halkett and Jamie Brierley took 2/17 and 2/14 respectively.
The Sharks passed the Ships no wickets down as both openers returned to form.
Justin Vajler scored an aggressive 35 while captain Anthony Bloomfield posted a fine 92.
Kaushik Aphale stroked an unbeaten 42 as Latrobe finished on 3/190.
Jackson Noonan, Rhys Holdsworth and David Bremner were the wicket takers for the Ships.
Second grade
TRAFALGAR managed to see off a late scare from St Vincent’s after posting 9/160, with Mark Wynne (35), Christian Burgess (30) and Jasin Hopkins (24) the main contributors in an even batting performance.
Michael O’Brien led the way for the Saints with 3/30, while Duane Oldham and Gary Larkin picked up two wickets each.
In reply the Saints started well with Justin Hecker (34) and Duane Oldham (25) powering through the chase before Paul George’s 4/27 triggered a middle order collapse.
Some late resistance got the Saints close but Jayke Atkin mopped up the tail with 3/30 and the chase fell 22 runs short.
Yallourn North charged to 6/230 against Moe, thanks mainly to Jeremy Butler stroking 102 and Todd Dobson’s 40, as the Lions struggled to take wickets.
Paul Kane was Moe’s only bat to get going with 44 as Butler and Dobson were again the heroes for the Bombers, taking 3/22 and 2/24 to keep the Lions to 7/135.
Newborough was dismissed for 106 by Latrobe as Trent Roberts snared 5/20.
Mitch Cowell and Jon Hayes took two wickets each as Chris O’Brien (25) and John Murray (21) were the only Bulldogs bats to knuckle down.
The Sharks stumbled towards the target, with Mark Lawrence (30) and Jamie Kendall (20) getting off to a flyer before a middle order collapse left them at 6/82.
Late resistance from Glen Steele (27) and Zac Smith (23) saw the Sharks across the line before some big hitting from Mitch Cowell (23*) boosted them to 9/160.
Brenton Faltum was the best of the Bulldog bowlers with 3/27 while Royce Colgrave took 2/23.
