CRICKET
CRICKET LATROBE VALLEY
By LIAM DURKIN and BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
Premier A Grade
FIRST game rust was evident as the Cricket Latrobe Valley season got a start at the weekend.
Victorian spring weather predictably played havoc around the grounds, and led to all four Premier A matches being called off after getting starts.
All games did however go beyond halfway or just about, meaning they all constituted a proper match (league votes are also cast).
Technically speaking, if a coin toss takes place it counts as an official game of cricket, even if a single ball isn’t bowled.
Moe v CATS
MOE recovered from a horrendous start against CATS.
The Lions racked up 178 at Racecourse Turf, fighting back well after being reduced to 2-1.
CATS’ decision to bowl first looked inspired after Josh Moore dismissed both openers for golden ducks, before the home side set about rebuilding from the rubble.
Benn Zomer counterattacked in October-context, making 40 off 56 balls, while Andrew Philip made 34 batting down at number six.
Youngster Jordy Shields and veteran Ash Savige pushed the total along, making 30 and 24 not out respectively in a 57-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
Moore made use of the new ball and juicy conditions, taking 3/7, while Paul McGill picked up 3/29 as Moe was bowled out in 42.5 overs.
CATS only batted for three overs before rain put an end to the game with their score 0/14.
While it was only very brief, the league got its first look at Moe’s new-ball pairing of Keenan Hughes and Laytten Smith.
With Hughes sending them down at good click from left arm over, and Smith coming across from Yarragon, where he was leading wicket taker in Warragul District Division 1 a couple of seasons ago, the Lions could have the most potent attack in the competition.
Raiders v Toongabbie
RAIDERS were on track to post a decent total against Toongabbie.
The boys from Yinnar were 4/160 with eight overs still to bat before beer o’clock was called.
Most of the top order got their season away with some runs, and perhaps more importantly, time in the middle.
Burkeley Macfarlane saw off 92 balls in his unbeaten 40, while skipper Liam Maynard made 39 and fellow opener George Chesire 31 on the Yinnar turf.
Toongabbie veteran Rob Wheildon bowled a tidy 10 over spell, finishing with 2/32.
Ex Students v Morwell
EX STUDENTS and Morwell were locked in a good battle.
The Sharks had the Tigers 1/4 chasing 147 after being asked to have a hit.
New Ex Students coach Mitch Harris made a run-a-ball 39 at the top of the order, notably hitting six fours.
Nick Millington played a patient hand of 29 off 86 rocks, as Morwell threw the ball around to seven bowlers.
Five of those bowlers kept the economy at three or less, with seamers Tim Ford and Dylan Day taking identical figures of 2/20.
Tigers skipper Blair Clymo secured 3/27, although he would have surely been frustrated with the tone set by returning quick Todd Dixon, who sent down three wides in his first over.
Glengarry v Centrals
CENTRALS had Glengarry 1/15 chasing 153.
The Lions, in their first game post-promotion, played a typical Centrals innings, keeping wickets in hand all the way through to 50 overs.
Most of the visiting bats made double figures, with Sam Gray and Mark Rawson scoring 33 not out and 31 respectively.
The Magpies played smartly on Fred King Oval, essentially bowling time and keeping things in relative check.
Al Jenkin took 2/35 with his loopy off breaks, while Nat Freitag grabbed 2/23 against his home club.
While Freitag hasn’t played for Centrals since 2019, the sense of ‘what could be’ surely did not escape a few long-serving Lions players and officials.
Just imagine Freitag in the same team as former Sri Lankan Test player Nuwan Pradeep.
A Grade
THE Victorian weather was on full display last Saturday, disrupting the opening of the cricket season.
All but one of the four Cricket Latrobe Valley A Grade matches for Round 1 saw a winner, due to the rampant rain that appeared from nowhere into the afternoon.
Willow Grove def by Churchill
CHURCHILL pipped Willow Grove before the storm came pouring down, needing only eight overs to chase the total.
Out at Willow Grove Recreation Reserve, the home side was bowled out for 82 in an innings featuring five ducks.
Luke Payton (28) and Ben Edebohls (27) performed best for the Wolves.
Cobras captain Ryan Ayres took charge with three wickets and a catch during the period for Churchill.
Churchill stormed home comfortably thanks to a 55-run partnership from Brae Kelly (36) and Ayres (29).
Rovers v Mirboo North
ROVERS were bowled out for 85 in their opener against Mirboo North at Duncan Cameron.
The Tigers managed one over for 16 runs before play was abandoned.
Mirboo North kept Rovers at bay to begin proceedings, with only 10 runs from their first 45 bowls that included three wickets to Anton Thomas.
Simon Duff performed admirably in trying times for the Traralgon side with 25.
Traralgon West v Imperials
THE Traralgon showdown between Imperials and Traralgon West ended early as well at Jack Canavan.
Imperials went to 45 overs, making 145 all out before the Eagles finished before abandonment with 2/15 after nine overs.
Captain Ryan Morley made 23 to open proceedings for Imperials.
Bowlers Jack Cooke and Hayden Kimpton made Tom Starkey and Brett Chapman work and ultimately vanquished them with no significant damage.
Anubhav Anubhav arrived at second drop, collecting a game-high 29 off 36 balls.
Shane Galea and Scott Aitken performed well, both finishing with 25 and 22 runs respectively.
Gormandale v Latrobe
LATROBE put up a decent total of 176 against Gormandale, who got to 0/19 before the game was called off in the second over at Stoddart Oval.
Cameron Freshwater made 81 to be best of the round, that included nine fours and two sixes.
Ronnie Chokununga followed suit for Latrobe with 29 runs that featured four clearing the boundary.
