LIAM DUKRIN
CRICKET
LVDCL By LIAM DURKIN ONLY on the calendar does it say it is summer. Mild weather again greeted played across the Latrobe Valley District Cricket League at the weekend, as the last round before the Christmas break was staged. At least half the competition’s A Grade sides received an early Christmas present in the form of wins, many with a bonus point. Players will now take a two-week sabbatical before moving into two dayers on the return. See you at the Boxing Day Test, or the Royal, whichever comes first. MORWELL defeated Willow Grove. The Tigers decided to bowl first at Keegan Street, and dismissed the Wolves for 108. Peter Grima showed some fight, scoring 28, but was bereft of support, as batsman three to five all made ducks. Travis Pickering snared 3/28, working in tandem with Brendan Brincat (2/5) and Ross Whelpdale (2/10). The Tigers took just over an hour batting to complete the chase, getting there in the 21st over. Blair Clymo made it back-to-back 40s with 46, while Lachie Day got some valuable time out in the middle, scoring an unbeaten 32. CHURCHILL’S up-and-down form continued. The Cobras, fresh off a strong win against Morwell, lost by six wickets to Mirboo North. Churchill could only muster up 118 batting first at George Cain Oval, of which John Keighran made a run-a-ball 35. Jed Alexander was miserly, taking 3/15 off nine overs. Max Woodall also chimed in with 2/25. The Tigers got home thanks to runs from openers Brett Pedlow (34) and Alexander (30). CENTRALS just keep winning. The Lions latest victim would have made a good documentary if it was set in the jungle – as they defeated the Lions of Moe. Back at Apex Park, the home side shot Moe out for just 69. Corey Pollard had the ball on a string, and ended with 6/26 from 10 overs. English spinner Joe Stewart took 2/10, before Centrals brought up victory in the 32nd over for the loss of only three wickets, netting themselves a bonus point in the process. LATROBE destroyed Traralgon West. The Sharks defended 6/159 at Jack Canavan Oval with ease, dismissing their opponents for 70. An old-school Latrobe scorecard featured, with every player getting a start, and two making 30s in the form of Lachlan Dobson (36) and Steven Freshwater (30). Ben Edebohls made some inroads for the Eagles, taking 2/31. The Traralgon West innings never materialised, and the game was as good as gone when they sank to 5/29. As we said last week – Tyron Gamage can bowl a cricket ball. He took 5/18 in this game – and all five were in the top order. Sharks skipper Benn Zomer joined the onslaught, taking 3/14. RAIDERS won with a bonus point. Playing at home, Raiders decided to bowl first after winning the toss. They managed to skittle Jeeralang-Boolarra for 137, but not before Nila Thillekarathna made 43. Harry McColl just keeps getting wickets. On the weekend he took 4/36. His captain Liam Maynard took 2/22. Maynard then top-scored with 42 not out to see his side over the line. Shankajaya De Silva nabbed 2/35 for the Panthers. TRAFALGAR also collected a bonus point. The Ships defeated CATS by eight wickets, in a match that became a ‘let’s get this over with’ affair. Playing at Moe Racecourse, CATS actually travelled further to play a home game than their opponents. The home side batted first, but could only manage 71, as Trafalgar’s bowlers all came to the party. Ships captain Aydan Connolly produced the ball of the season, possibly seasons, when he bowled opposite number Josh Keyhoe with one that pitched well outside off stump and clipped the top of the bail. Stunned silence and an apology from the bowler followed such was the extraordinary happening. Keyhoe meanwhile could have been forgiven for thinking his dismissal was due to nothing more than sheer misfortune. He may never get a ball that good ever again. Trafalgar continued to take wickets, or at least bowled balls good enough to. Daniel Heathcote had every right to have a meltdown after literally 20 balls went past the outside edge. Heathcote returned figures of 1/11 off 10 overs, while Jackson Noonan took 2/21 with the new ball. Zack Brown’s hamstring made a miraculous recovery after he grabbed an early wicket, finishing with 3/23. Connolly mopped up, playing the role of vulture to perfection in his 3/16. With not many to get, and with Trafalgar scorer Lindsay George threatening not to return in 2023 if the Ships lost, the visitors were in a bit of trouble at 2/11, but from there, were able to get to the target comfortably. Connolly played well for an unbeaten 40, partnering with Liam White in a 64-run stand. Trafalgar goes into the break with two consecutive wins, while CATS will return in the New Year hoping to get back on their home ground for the first time this season. Must be hard playing away every week.
