CRICKET
CRICKET LATROBE VALLEY
By LIAM DURKIN and BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
THOSE who enjoy nothing more than sitting boundary side with cold drink in hand watching attacking batsmanship were treated to some good displays in Round 5 of Cricket Latrobe Valley.
The first lot of two day games reached their conclusion at the weekend, with major team and individual innings standing out.
Premier A Grade
Morwell def Toongabbie by 7 wickets
MORWELL did know this was a two dayer right?
The Tigers mowed down Toongabbie’s total of 194 at Keegan Street in just 51.5 overs.
Having been set a decent enough target at stumps, the home side said ‘whatever you make, we can make more, and twice as quick’.
Quick was indeed the manner for Morwell veteran Mark Cukier, who made 86 off 116 balls, striking 12 fours at a rate of 74.13.
His opening partner Fayaz Homyoon (37 off 87) played a supporting hand to perfection, getting Cukier on strike in a first wicket stand which yielded 108.
Runs continued to come from the middle order, with Jordan Campbell (34 not out off 40) and Blair Clymo (27) seeing the Tigers to victory.
Ex Students def Centrals by 57 runs
EX STUDENTS are like Mirboo North in September – you can never write them off.
Having scratched out 187 on Day 1 against Centrals, the Sharks did as they usually do with the ball, hunting as one to work their way through each wicket.
Each wicket eventually saw the Lions rolled for 130 at Terry Hunter Oval. The pack mentality from Ex Students was perhaps summed up by the fact all five bowlers took a wicket.
Adam Brady led the charge with 3/18, while team leaders Jimmy Pryde (3/25) and Mitch Harris (2/38) did likewise.
Harris had the distinction of dismissing former Sri Lankan Test player Nuwan Pradeep for a globe.
Jake Littlejohn and Jaxon Murdoch each got starts for Centrals, but would have been disappointed to not turn their 30s into scores of greater substance.
On a side note: what was a former Test player doing batting at number 11 in a local cricket game?
CATS def Raiders by 2 wickets
SLOW and steady wins the race – just.
CATS almost made a meal of what looked like a relatively straightforward run chase against Raiders.
The visitors started the day needing just 56 to win with eight wickets in hand.
However, a middle order collapse triggered by a run out very nearly saw CATS bundle the points, before scampering home by two wickets.
Returning batsman Nathan Harrap added nine to his overnight score of 30, yet when Tom Robertson and Harri McColl combined to see him short of his ground, it provided an opening for Raiders.
From 3/127, the score was soon 6/142.
Sam Gissara however provided the level head required, making an unbeaten 18 in partnership with Harry Cooper, who held up at the other end.
Eric Porigneaux had made 32 earlier in the day, while UK import Owen Palmer scored 47 on Day 1 and then had little to no reason to bring his kit on Day 2 (wasted Saturdays).
Raiders are still searching for their first win, but have come mightily close on a couple of occasions (one run loss to Moe and now this).
Robertson took 3/22 and McColl 2/54.
Glengarry def Moe by 5 wickets
BOWLERS have it tough when even 275 isn’t anywhere near enough.
Runs flowed at Fred King Oval, as Glengarry defeated Moe by five wickets.
More than 550 runs were scored across the two days, with batsmen making the most of friendly conditions and the wide open expanses of the Glengarry outfield.
Moe was able to dismiss one-third of the Marks’ cheaply, sending Frank packing for a blob late on Day 1, however the other two, Sam and Ben Marks batted together for a good chunk of Day 2 in an eventual winning partnership.
Sam played a patient hand of 48 not out off 139 rocks, in total contrast to Ben who blasted 57 red off just 46.
Skipper Nat Freitag was among the runs yet again, this time making 73, while Al Jenkin and Cam Graham helped the cause with scores of 46 and 37 respectively.
The Lions toiled across nearly 80 overs, and in fairness most kept their economy rates however around three.
Young leg spinner Jordy Shields (3/41) continued to get important exposure, and will take some lessons out of bowling against genuine quality on an unresponsive track.
A Grade
THE first matches of two day cricket in Cricket Latrobe Valley A Grade concluded at the weekend.
Round 5 started a four-week stand for two day cricket through to 2025.
Imperials def Traralgon West by an innings and 77 runs
IMPERIALS concluded strongly at Catterick Crescent after declaring in their first innings for 4/354, offering Traralgon West a chance to chase in two instances.
On both occasions, the Eagles were all out, beginning with 155 in their first innings and then 122 in the second, thus losing by an innings and 77 runs (outright).
Traralgon West captain Robert Wilkie entered the fold as play carried over from Day 1 after first innings top run-getters Hayden Kimpton (42) and Luke Phillips (41) went out. Wilkie sat firmly for more than 20 overs, before falling for 21.
The Imperials defence continued with their form from Day 1, with Todd Mann collecting 6/79.
Traralgon West was sent right back in with a mountain to climb, needing to score 200 just to make Imperials bat again.
The visitors fared no better second time around, with only Freddie Bowser responding positively after sustaining a royal duck in the opening innings, making 53 off 59 balls second time around.
While it was a good early sign for the Hawks, no one else could follow suit, as they were rolled for 122.
Mann took an additional 3/40 with four maidens, alongside Anubhav Anubhav (3/10).
Latrobe def Willow Grove on first innings (5 wickets)
LATROBE secured their first win for the season, defeating Willow Grove on first innings at Joe Tabuteau Reserve (Moe Racecourse).
After a horrid start in which the Wolves were bowled all out for 74, the Sharks switched and found batting just as difficult, yet still finished on 118 in their first innings.
Willow Grove attempted to set up a reverse outright when they returned to bat, and took a gamble with a sporting declaration of 8/191 – a lead of 147.
Latrobe once again led a phenomenal bowling attack with Steven Hanning and Anthony Bloomfield collecting all of the first three wickets.
Willow Grove’s Luke Payton top-scored in the second innings with a sublime 103 off 126 (five sixes) as the main driving force which gave the Wolves every chance of pulling off a win.
Cody Mackay took 4/34 and Hanning 2/26 with three maidens for the Sharks.
Latrobe decided not to risk losing first innings points, and shut up shop for 20 overs in their second innings.
The Sharks were 2/34 when hands were shook.
Mirboo North def Gormandale by 72 runs
MIRBOO NORTH won on first innings against Gormandale.
Having posted 245, the Tigers from the south then bowled their namesakes out for 173 at Stoddard Oval.
Gormandale lasted just short of 13 overs before Day 1 concluded, tallying a total of 36, meaning they still had much to offer if they looked ahead to win.
Campbell Peavey succumbed for 28, caught by young gun Linc Chila.
Gormandale continued to suffice, with Patrick Brooks the standout making 56 off 79 from number eight.
Brooks appeared to be flying, taking his side ever-so-close to victory, with seven balls dribbling across boundary during his stint.
His dismissal however ended up being all she wrote for Gormandale.
Mirboo North quick Max Woodall tore through the order, taking career-best figures of 7/61.
Anton Thomas took the other poles to fall, claiming 3/39.
Rovers def Churchill by 3 wickets
ROVERS handed Churchill its first loss for the season.
Taking to Duncan Cameron, the home side won by three wickets, chasing the 227 required.
Rovers started Day 2 at 3/46, and began to find their feet in numbers with captain Ewan Williams compiling 61.
Tyler Pearce backed things up by adding 59, along with Damien Guigley, who held strong for 33.
Ryan Ayres (2/25) and Matt Harvey (2/43) took multiple wickets for the Cobras.
Premier B Grade (Round 6): Ex Students 5/150 (A McCormack 55*, C Potalej 25*, V Penrose 2/30) def CATS 149 (L Pass 42, D Churchill 5/25); Glengarry 4/257 (A Hodson 64*, B Mayberry 61, P Henry 58, S Saju 46* R Johnson 2/42) def Churchill 194 (B Kearns 57, P Van Rossum 54, J Francis 2/22, L Balakrishnan 2/25, J Duncan 2/27, J Porter 2/39); Toongabbie 4/92 (M Farley 36, J Bruce 26) def Jeeralang-Boolarra 91 (L Smith 46, B Cooper 3/4, M Cooper 3/33, K Stoddart 2/18); Thorpdale 3/75 (J Durkin 40*) def Traralgon West 74 (K O’Connell 4/10, L Morphett 3/23, R Kerrison 2/5); Morwell 9/277 (K Fortuin 99, R Semmler 75, A McCarthy 3/35, G Shaw 2/30) def Mirboo North 208 (C Anders 73, T Basarke 54, G Shaw 27, R Gray 3/26, C Seymour 2/25, Z Cheffers 2/57).
B Grade (Round 6): Imperials 4/132 (D Campbell 28, T Bell 26, M Fenech 2/23) def Centrals 9/130 (D Rodge 49, E Jarvis 3/21, L Bermingham 2/30); Gormandale 8/272 (H Crean 102*, G Swan 45, D Norton 35, P Shrubb 30, V Peddinti 3/85, R Duncan 2/26) def Latrobe 122 (S Gedara 41, G Swann 3/14, H Crean 3/18, D Ganegodage 2/14); Moe 7/133 (A Savige 56*, A Van Zuyden 3/39, E Sharp 2/8) def Rovers 7/131 (R Ritvik 3/26); Raiders 9/144 (H Rai 43, A Wilkes 4/22, J Coombs 2/20) def Willow Grove 113 (L Cumiskey 45, J Varghese 3/18, N Sandu 3/26, J Berryman-Lambert 2/9).
Premier C Grade (Round 4): Morwell 1/135 (M Smith 67*, B Williams 50) def Moe 130 (G Edwards 35*, C Johnson 3/25, B Williams 2/23, C Monds 2/31); Toongabbie 91 (R Farley 31, D Morris 4/19, J Shankland 2/6, A Smith 2/22) def Imperials 79 (A Smith 29, B Hood 5/24, W Zalesiak 3/8, J Pearson 2/28); CATS 4/243 def Mirboo North 81 (player scores not available); Rovers 8/137 (D Brain 44, D Canning 31, R Matthews 30, D Moorhouse 2/2, E Dissanayake 2/14) def Centrals 5/135 (T Poursanidis 34*, J Poursanidis 33, S Rajapakse 29, J Spaulding 2/26); Ex Students 3/57 def Glengarry 53 (T Dwyer 29, M Isles 4/12, L Bastin 3/15, T Kosterman 2/6).
C Grade (Round 4): Gormandale 6/70 (B Peavey 31*, L Walsh 5/10) def Willow Grove 69 (A Archipow 36, B Peavey 4/10, J Ainsworth 3/12, T Gafa 3/26); Jeeralang-Boolarra 1/54 (E Stanton 28*) def Imperials 53 (W Bassett 25*, C Stanton 4/14, A Parker 3/7); Churchill 8/288 (C Dekaste 120, S Wernham 100 ret, A Bremner 3/14, A Atkinson 2/33, T Anderson 2/71) def Latrobe 71 (M Lawrence 36, R Harrington 3/19, S Tobin 3/20, C Dekaste 2/1); Rawson 179 (L Watson 63*, J Wiseman 47, B Jarvis 29, F Mahoney 2/4, B Mahoney 2/24, P Mills 2/36) def Raiders 21 (M Williams 3/5, J Cargill 2/1, O Brouwer 2/7, J Wiseman 2/7); Traralgon West – BYE.
Women’s Championship (Round 4): Willow Grove 0/39 def Rovers 7/18 (K Schultz 3/8, H Ferguson 2/1); Mirboo North 4/60 tied with Ex Students 6/60 (K Collins 2/8, A Dean 2/13); Morwell 1/99 (R Ball 31*, N Freeman 30*) def Raiders 0/98 (T Hunt 20*, R Carr 19*).
Women’s Premier (Round 4): Latrobe 4/82 (T Anderson 30*, D van Vliet 2/10) def Churchill 2/81 (D Cole 30*, S Forbes 19*, S Rockliff 2/11); Willow Grove 2/87 (M Donoghue 30*, K Mann 30*) def Imperials 3/81 (R Reid 31*, C Maree 20); Raiders 0/133 (A Quinsey-Munro 33, G Sanders 31*, S Blines 30) def Centrals 2/84 (K Doble 28, K Peters 25*).
Under 16s (Round 5, T20s): Willow Grove 5/99 (Z Larkin 30*, D van der Stoel 30*, A Hurley 2/13, A Fernando 2/21) def Centrals 6/98 (A Hurley 24, S Fernando 22, D Walsh 2/22); Toongabbie 8/84 (B Cooper 19, G Sanders 2/4) def Raiders 5/77 (J Dunn 31*); Gormandale/Rovers 6/137 (C Young 33*, K Senthilkumar 31*, J Smith 27, A Smith 22, J Howell 2/18, J Mooney 2/22) def Morwell/Latrobe 67 (J Mooney 33, C Young 2/11, C Monaghan 2/12, C Boyes 2/16, K Senthilkumar 2/16); Ex Students 4/124 (L Henry 19*, R Conway 18*, D Smith 17*, L Richards 16*) def Moe 5/36 (K Micallef 22, K Hart-Theissling 2/5); Glengarry – BYE.
Under 14s (Round 4, Day 1): Ex Students 2/80 (C Adams 13*, L Mackay 13) leads Centrals 3/57 (J Poursanidis 35*, J Hazelman 2/5); Mirboo North 2/155 (J Calafiore 50 ret, L Chila 50*, L Roberts 18*) leads Moe 4/46 (L Chila 2/4, R Teagle 2/6); Morwell 3/91 (J Sterrick 43, W Frankland 18*, N Sallee 2/1) leads Willow Grove 3/76 (N Sallee 27*); Latrobe vs Jeeralang-Boolarra (in progress), Gormandale/Rovers – BYE.
