CRICKET
CRICKET LATROBE VALLEY
By LIAM DURKIN and BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
Premier A Grade
IN an age where the bat seems to have made bowlers almost nothing more than mechanical deliverers of a cricket ball, low scores made for somewhat perplexing reading in Round 10 of Cricket Latrobe Valley Premier A.
Just one of the four games saw the team batting first post more than three figures, as wickets tumbled across the competition in the penultimate one-day round.
Toongabbie def CATS by 6 wickets
TOONGABBIE might have just saved themselves from relegation.
The Rams had no trouble defeating CATS, taking just 15.2 overs to do so at Roger Ries Oval.
The home side elected to bowl first, and did it well, with all six bowlers taking wickets to see CATS rolled for just 87.
Gayashan Munasinghe gave his side a dream start, dismissing key CAT Owen Palmer for a second-ball globe.
The visitors recovered somewhat, getting to 1/33 before losing 6/30.
A few players got to double figures, but it was only Tinashe Panyangara with 25 who was able to make much of an impression.
Cricket really does have a way of coming full circle.
This time 10 years ago Panyangara was knocking over Hashim Amla in a World Cup.
Matt Whitechurch can add Panyangara to his claims to fame, being one his two scalps last Saturday. Whitechurch finished with 2/33, while Kevin Stoddart (2/7), Sam Moran (2/21) and Matt Barry (2/17) all chipped in.
The Rams had the worst possible start to the reply, with a run out in the first over, but recovered from there to cruise over the line.
Amal Athulathmudali played the situation correctly, smacking 41 off 24 balls with three sixes to ensure CATS were never in the contest.
Morwell def Centrals by 3 wickets
MORWELL won their third game in a row.
The Tigers also reversed their earlier season result against Centrals, winning by three wickets on this occasion.
Bowling first at Keegan Street, the home side saw their opponents close at 6/190.
Such a total appeared some way off after the Lions were reduced to 2/3, but a rescue effort from Tye Hourigan (63 off 129), Jaxon Murdoch (58) and Jake Littleton (26) got them somewhere near parity.
Mark Cukier and Tim Ford were multiple wicket takers for Morwell.
Ford was called upon to have similar output with the bat, and guided his side home with an unbeaten 77.
The Tigers were in some danger at 3/31, before an 81-run partnership between Jordan Campbell and Ford took the score to 112.
Campbell, not for the first time this season, had to stabilise the innings, and made 29 off 72 cherries.
Ford has proven to be one of the finds of the last two seasons, seemingly appearing from nowhere to now be arguably Morwell’s most reliable player.
Despite winning with more than four overs to spare, Centrals will surely be kicking themselves after registering 31 extras.
Tyron Gamage took 2/27, but sent down an uncharacteristic seven wides, while Marc Fenech claimed 2/44.
Elsewhere, loyal Morwell player Shane Gniel had reason to celebrate at the weekend, after taking his 400th club wicket.
A fixture in the traditional codes during summer and winter over the years, Gniel has given great service to both clubs within the Keegan Street complex – Morwell Cricket Club and Morwell Football-Netball Club, holding life membership at the latter.
Ex Students def Moe by 5 wickets
THEY might try and do this one again.
The day/night match between Ex Students and Moe ended before the night component had a chance to take effect at Terry Hunter Oval.
Batting first, the Lions were bowled out for just 75 inside 40 overs, which Ex Students chased in 25.
As the Sharks always do, they hunted as one, and wickets were shared among five bowlers.
Lee Stockdale took 3/15 off 10 overs, along with Adam Brady who nabbed 2/17 off just as many.
Jimmy Pryde took the new ball, and returned figures of 2/14.
Moe sent a huge scare through the Ex Students camp, reducing the Sharks to 4/18.
In reality though, the home side gave a new top order the chance to have a hit, although when regular number four Jackson McMahon was trapped in front for a blob, the game was well and truly on.
However, the insurance policy of Rick Battista then noodled the required runs.
How often has he done it?
Keenan Hughes and Clinton Taylor took a pair of wickets each for Moe.
The match had a start time of 3pm, and was intended to be a day/nighter under lights.
Glengarry def Raiders by 3 wickets
MEET the gap between top and bottom.
Raiders capitulated for just 66 against ladder leaders Glengarry, which the Magpies took just 15.4 overs to finish off.
Just four bowlers were needed for Glengarry, and all shared in the spoils.
Al Jenkin took 3/2, Cam Graham 3/23, Brandon Mayberry 2/9 and Max Merton 2/31.
The Magpies lost a few poles on the run going for the bonus point, but got there in an early finish.
Harri McColl and Darryn Stares had some joy, taking three wickets each for Raiders.
Opponents may have a degree of sympathy for the team from Yinnar, who are clearly in a transition period.
The retirements of Brad Knowles, Mick Higgins, Tim Darby, Chris Stanlake and Jason
McFarlane in the last few seasons has left a huge void, with an estimated 1000 combined games of A Grade, Gippsland Cricket League, and even Sheffield Shield experience gone.
Add to that fellow veteran Rob Webber’s body can no longer play in the top grade, it has meant the loss of another genuine A Grader.
Macfarlane, the current club president, helped out by suiting up for the ones at the weekend.
A Grade
IT’S getting hard to see anything changing this season.
Churchill def Imperials by 6 wickets
ONE day after securing the Cricket Latrobe Valley Twenty20 title, Churchill extended its lead in the A Grade competition, defeating second-place Imperials.
The Cobras are now three games clear with four rounds to go before finals.
A handful of sides are now playing for second on the ladder, with Imperials dropping three of their last four matches and appearing vulnerable.
At Catterick Crescent for Round 10, the Cobras managed quite comfortably despite Imperials mounting 4/205 – the job was complete in just over 39 overs.
Imperials had a strong start from Ryan Morley (37) and Tom Starkey (94) but it was Matt Harvey who dealt the blow, getting Starkey six-shy and exiting Dilshan Thilakaranthe on 26.
Imperials pushed on, with James Skingle (19) and Nick Bullock (15 not out) making it to the end of the first innings.
Harvey took 2/40 across eight overs.
It was simply a matter of more for your worth, with Churchill producing from Brae Kelly (82 off 59), Ric Velardi (40 not out) and Brendan Mason (41) as they rolled past the target in reasonable time.
Traralgon West def Rovers by 7 wickets
TRARALGON WEST secured a much needed win at Duncan Cameron over Rovers, as they attempt to jump from the bottom of the ladder.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Rovers were eyeing to keep themselves in the hunt to leapfrog Imperials into second place.
The higher seed however was maintained early, as Will Coad and Simon Duff exited with little to show for it.
Rovers highest run-getter in captain Ewan Williams was run out for 30, with Jordan Pearce (17) next best as they finished on a measly 88.
Reece Falla wowed, taking 4/11 across 4.1 overs, along with Hayden Kimtpon (2/19) and Jack Cooke (2/31).
Matt Griffiths set the tone all the way through as Traralgon West sensed and ceased on their chances to add just their second win of the season.
The opener finished with 37 not out, followed by Kimpton (16) and Freddie Bowser (14) as the Eagles walked past the mark in 27.2 overs.
Despite the loss, Williams was arguably Man of the Match, as he also took 3/15.
Willow Grove def Latrobe by 75 runs
CONTINUING to be the most unpredictable side in it, Willow Grove was undeterred against Latrobe at Peter Siddle Oval.
The Sharks won the toss and elected to bowl, which may have been the wrong decision from the outset.
The Wolves ran rampant in the first innings, with Ben Edebohls (65), captain Josh Hammond (62) and young Liam Cumiskey finishing the job with 33 not out, making a safe 242 all up.
Steven Hanning took 4/42 for Latrobe.
Despite the efforts of Sam Wilson (60) and others chipping in like Jacob Bloomfield (29) and Jamie Coltman (23), it wasn’t to be for the Sharks.
Hammond took 3/38, Robert Fiddelaers 2/43 and Luke Payton 2/27.
Gormandale def Mirboo North by 3 runs
IN a Tigers showdown, Gormandale held on.
At Mirboo North Recreation Reserve, the home side couldn’t climb back, falling just three runs short.
Gormandale saw healthy contribution all around, but especially from Campbell Peavey with 56.
Darien Mathews took 3/43 and Dale Banks 3/28 for Mirboo North.
Chasing 155, it was a good start from Mirboo North with Brett Pedlow (69), Zach Hollis (39) and Mathews (18) answering the call.
Two of the three were dismissed by Tyler Reynolds, which practically ended Mirboo North’s chances as no one else made more than six.
Reynolds finished up taking 5/29 across eight overs in a match-winning feat.
The Mirboo North community is currently in the process of building a picket fence at the ‘bottom oval’ at Walter Tuck Reserve.
Donations are being sought to help with the project.
Those who donate can have their name inscribed on a picket. Pickets are available to purchase via: pitchinforapicket.com.au/
T20
JOHN Keighran channelled a smaller dose of Glenn Maxwell to deliver for Churchill Cricket Club.
The man known as the ‘King Cobra’ rode to Terry Hunter Oval last Friday, and returned to Churchill Castle (moated by a snake pit) with the Italian Australian Club Cricket Latrobe Valley Twenty20 premiership.
Battling cramps and barely able to walk between wickets on occasion, Keighran finished unbeaten on 22, to go with figures of 3/14 in a Man of the Match performance in Friday night’s decider against Ex Students.
The Sharks decided to bat first, making the seemingly sensible decision to bat while the light was still natural.
Unfortunately their innings lasted just 14 overs, and they were shot out for just 66.
Some calamitous run outs stifled any hopes of posting a decent total, with Rick Battista and Mitch Harris the only players to reach double figures.
Four of Churchill’s five bowlers took wickets. Assisting Keighran was Ross Whelpdale (2/1), Chris Williams (1/17) and Ryan Harvey (1/27).
While chasing 67 would be easy enough in normal circumstances, a 7pm start meant the Cobras had to contend with the unfamiliar challenge of batting under lights.
The Sharks certainly made Churchill work for the runs, and it took until the last over for the match to reach a result.
Keighran saw a flurry of wickets fall around him, although in fairness to the departed batsmen, the ball was almost impossible to pick up as the night got darker.
Even Keighran himself, a noted big hitter, managed just two boundaries.
Brendan Mason made the most of what was left of some natural light, planting a monstrous six over backward square leg into the construction site early in the innings.
Similar to Churchill, wickets were shared in the Ex Students camp, although 11 extras to three in a game decided in the last over arguably had a major bearing on the result.
Harris gave his side an early look, taking 2/15.
As well as victory, the Cobras pocketed a few hundred dollars from the Italian Australian Club for winning the tournament.
League officials reported a successful T20 campaign, and thanked clubs for entering close to full strength teams for the most part during the Tuesday night qualifying rounds.
A great crowd came to Traralgon for the final, in what was just about the perfect timeslot to enjoy some short form cricket after the working week.
The winning team included: Ryan Ayres, John Keighran, Matt Harvey, Ryan Harvey, Brae Kelly, Brendan Mason, Joel Mason, Kurt Holt, Ashton Ceeney, Ross Johnson, Ross Whelpdale, Chris ‘Willow’ Williams, and Deb Brighton (scorer).
Premier B Grade (Round 12): Glengarry 6/161 (P Henry 51, C Dunn 35, W Kennedy 35, H Broad 3/19, M Cooper 2/22) def Toongabbie 160 (M Stoddart 62, G Waack-Hawkins 3/26, P Henry 2/16, W Kennedy 2/17, J Sands 2/27); Ex Students 5/117 (R Johnson 2/28) def Churchill 8/116 (P Van Rossum 38, M Bentley 3/15, J Zappulla 2/7); CATS 6/243 (M Anthofer 72*, C Beaver 53, R Hare 39, J Motta 34, J Wus 3/46) def Jeeralang-Boolarra 176 (J Brierley 58, B McCormack 47, J Bellingham 5/53, J Motta 2/19); Thorpdale 0/103 (M Graeme 59*, K O’Connell 35*) def Traralgon West 97 (C Glynn 53, M Powell 5/10, K O’Connell 2/24, L Morphett 2/26); Morwell 240 (R Semmler 91, C Seymour 52, Z Cheffers 36, K Anthony 4/32, C Le Page 2/53) def Mirboo North 115 (C Le Page 51, S Gniel 3/28, N Day 2/3, C Bailey 2/15, C Seymour 2/36).
B Grade (Round 14): Centrals 5/139 (A Slimmon 58*, D Rode 44, A Moss 3/36) def Imperials 138 (R Williams 34*, L Rickwood 29, C Perera 3/12, D Doble 2/27, B Ould 2/38); Moe 9/115 (A Wilkes 2/16, J Coombs 2/19, N Wheildon 2/23, P Grima 2/24) tied with Willow Grove 115 (H Phoenix 32, J Coombs 25, A Johnstone 4/13, J Pickering 2/17, B McCartney 2/20); Latrobe 5/162 (D Mcdougall 71, I Kenney 48) def Gormandale 161 (F White 41, P Shrubb 32, J Scurlock 28, K Hebbard 4/49, D Mcdougall 2/7, T Allen 2/39); Raiders 5/129 (R Sidhu 47, A Dodd 3/29) def Rovers 127 (A Van Zuyden 30, O Grant 29, N Sandhu 3/14, J Berryman-Lambert 3/25, R Webber 2/20).
Premier C Grade (Round 11): Ex Students 7/165 (P Hennessy 41, S Thomson 35, D Biggins 3/31, S Palmer 2/35) def Moe 150 (D Biggins 46, G Edwards 39, J Robertson 5/21, A Ferguson 2/25); Mirboo North 7/230 (G Vanderzalm 111*, S Anderson 75, S Bonacci 4/27, T Miller-Mowat 2/25) def Glengarry 8/124 (J Ponnattu John 51, A Degennaro 3/16, D Calder 2/20); Morwell 6/194 (C Monds 40, C Johnson 36, R Francis 35, R Stanyer 29, B Williamson 2/17) def Centrals 9/193 (A Foley 54, J Poursanidis 44, S Rajapakse 44, C Monds 3/21, K Alam 3/23); Imperials 5/101 (J Jones 33*, B Hood 2/17, D Veale 2/24) def Toongabbie 100 (J Bruce 42, D Elms 32, R Martin 3/28, P Dunstan 2/10, D Morris 2/37); Rovers – BYE.
C Grade (Round 11): Churchill 7/129 (J Hutchinson 43, B Jones 33, J Cecil 3/21) def Jeeralang-Boolarra 9/126 (E Stanton 36, N Cameron 25, D Hart 2/11); Imperials 6/95 (H Owen 28*, R Lawson Pepper 2/24) def Latrobe 89 (R Borlase 45, L Sykes 3/12, J Buhagiar 3/23, H Owen 2/14); Raiders 4/149 (N Beecher 70*) def Gormandale 9/148 (B Peavey 33, H Griffiths 26, M Smallwood 26, B Mahoney 4/8, B Beecher 2/20); Rawson 0/73 (M Williams 40*, J Wiseman 31*) def Willow Grove 72 (J Redman 43, J Cargill 6/17, J Wiseman 3/17); Traralgon West – BYE.
Women’s Championship (Round 11): Mirboo North 6/86 (K Collins 34, J Christie 2/9) tied with Willow Grove 5/86 (C Christie 22, N Savige 17*, J Christie 14, C Rainbow 2/11); Raiders 3/92 (J Witney 31*, T Hunt 16) def Morwell 7/66 (N Freeman 22*, R Pidikiti 5/10); Ex Students 2/156 (J Millington 33*, D Godenzi 30*) def Rovers 7/33 (A Hood 3/7).
Women’s Premier (Round 11): Imperials 2/74 (R Reid 30*, S Forbes 2/8) def Churchill 6/62 (S Forbes 27); Latrobe 1/111 (E Doolan 31*, M Hayes 30*, T Anderson 21) def Centrals 1/80 (F Morrison 30*, K Doble 21*); Willow Grove 4/71 (K Mann 30*) def Raiders 2/64 (Z Quinsey-Munro 30*, G Sanders 16).
