TOM HAYES
CRICKET
TDCA By TOM HAYES THE entire Traralgon District Cricket Association season has now come to a close, with the B and C Grades finalising their seasons on the same weekend as A Grade. In B Grade it was Yarram District versus Glengarry, who finished third and fourth on the ladder respectively, both overcoming monster wins in the week before. Yarram District won the toss and batted at Stoddart Oval, proving to be a wise decision. Things were moving along consistently for the Pelicans, but wickets consistently arrived too, as they went from 1/17, to 2/33, to then 3/62 when Peter Griffiths was dismissed for 24. An incredible fourth wicket stand changed the complexion of the match, when Anthony Bland and Ben Askew put on 62. Askew was trapped in front of his stumps by Mitchell Sharp for 26, bringing the score to 4/124, but Bland continued to knock them around. Only two more wickets fell for the innings, as Bland powered towards a Grand Final century, doing so toward the end of the innings. Yarram District completed 45 overs with a total of 6/221, Bland walked off with 100 not out to his name, putting his side in a convincing position. Glengarry responded with 182 in their innings, highlighted by another incredible century, from Chris Dunn, before he was bowled by Trent Crawford. Only Peter Marks was the other batsman to reach double figures as the rest of the squad skittled. Glengarry was bowled out in the 41st over for just 182, 40 runs short of their target, as Yarram District claimed the premiership. Crawford was the best of the Yarram District bowlers, grabbing 4/34 from eight overs. Bland was awarded player of the match. GLENGARRY featured in the C Grade Grand Final too, this time to take on Ex Students. Glengarry won the toss, but decided to throw the top-of-the-ladder-team, Ex Students in to bat at Jack Maskrey Oval. Paul Richards and Steven Thomson put on 64 runs for the opening wicket, before the latter departed. Richards was joined by Paul Hennessy and the two put on another 69 runs for the second wicket, as Hennessy was caught for 19. Most of the heavy lifting was done by Richards, who steamed toward a century and sailed past it. Richards would fall as the third wicket for 143, with the score reading 3/205. Shane Bonacci was the best of the Glengarry bowlers with 3/48. The final three batsmen for the innings added 61 runs to the total before the 40-over innings came to a close, Ex Students finishing on 5/274. Glengarry hustled into attack mode, as Shinu Saju collected 43 runs, but the innings plateaued before Ashleigh Hodson came to the crease. Hodson smashed 106 before he retired hurt, leaving the remaining players to chase. They wouldn’t come close in the end, falling 56 runs short of their target after 40 overs. Darian Millington was the best of the Ex Students, with 3/44. In the end, the best C Grade team throughout the season won. Unsurprisingly, Richards was named player of the match.
