CRICKET

CLV PREMIER A

By LIAM DURKIN

 

CRICKET got its start for season 2026/27 at the weekend.

Following a Round 1 false start and washout, grade cricketers took to various reserves across the Latrobe Valley.

Being October, early season rust was still very evident in the Cricket Latrobe Valley league – and indeed across Gippsland.

Some lower grade forfeits were also frequent (again, not just confined to CLV), as people still ‘get into’ cricket mode.

A couple of CLV clubs may be either withdrawing or seriously scraping to field three or four teams this season. Clubs who have opted to field two C Grades have done so to their credit, but might find they were kidding themselves for overreaching.

Looking at some team sheets, it was clear a host of clubs suffered mass unavailability at the weekend.

Others by contrast had players who were finally forced to play in the ones, and others easing their way back into it.

Paul Henry played for Glengarry firsts, after years of dominating in B Grade. Journeyman Mark Rawson, now with Traralgon West, started off in the twos after some time out of the game. He showed cricket can be like riding a bike (if only), scoring 144 red. He should be back in the top grade soon, provided he wants to. Mirboo North legend Dale Banks meanwhile started off in C Grade, presumably to save his shoulder for more important games higher up later in the season. After more than 20 years bowling leg breaks, it’s a minor miracle his arm is still attached to his shoulder.

Favourites generally prevailed in Round 2 of the Rod Dunbar Shield.

RAIDERS defeated Churchill in the first game between the promoted and the premier.

It was hardly surprising though given the teams. The Cobras only had around half its premiership side that won the flag from fourth last season. Generally, if you finish mid-table in a home-and-away season, depth isn’t your strong suit.

That and the fact Churchill doesn’t have Ryan Ayres this season also means the Cobras will be trying to make up a 500-run, 30-wicket a season player.

Raiders batted first and compiled 9/208 off their 50 overs at Yinnar Turf.

Despite being 2/3, Tom Digby (54), Liam Maynard (30) and skipper Tom Robertson (27) got the side out of trouble. Keenan Hughes produced a couple of fireworks toward the end, smacking an unbeaten 43 off 39 balls.

Wickets were shared among the Churchill bowlers. Captain Kurt Holt snared 2/58.

The Cobras lost wickets in clumps in reply, going from 0/26 to 3/38, 4/78 to 5/79 and 6/148 to all out 168.

Matt Harvey scored 29 up top, while John Keighran (52) and Steve Warr (43) batted together for a while. Like most games involving Churchill, the dismissal of Keighran gave the opposition an opening to win the game.

Brady Hood took 3/21, Hughes 2/18 and Robertson 2/40 for Raiders.

Both teams were clearly out of touch, sending down close to 40 wides between them.

GLENGARRY made 6/240 after being asked to have a hit by Imperials.

The home side was led by Sam Marks, who will now either have the best season or worst season possible after scoring an unbeaten 105 off 133 cherries.

Marks made the first drop position usually occupied by Nat Freitag his own, hitting 11 fours.

Cam Graham made an enterprising 58 off 64 balls.

Freitag chipped in with 27 across the 50 overs.

Todd Mann is still bowling cricket balls, and took 2/34, while Mali Bardouille-Lewis left the field with 2/36 off 10, with two maidens.

Bardouille-Lewis then played a largely lone hand with the bat, going right through the innings to score 88 red.

Brett Chapman did well with a near run-a-ball 40, but time and resources eventually caught up with Imperials.

Dilshan Thilakarathne hung around for 25.

Freitag took 3/27 and Graham 2/50.

MORWELL took a bonus point back home with them.

The Tigers, as expected, had little trouble accounting for newly-promoted Rovers.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl at Duncan Cameron, for what was the first game between the two sides at First XI level (just how long would that list be?).

Rovers perhaps showed the biggest difference between Premier A and A Grade.

They batted 48.1 overs – great, but only made 100.

While batting time can wear a team down at A Grade level, it simply just extends the game in Premier A.

As a result, most of Morwell’s bowlers were able to do as they pleased, and took ridiculous figures for a one dayer.

Ross Whelpdale finished with 3/17 off 10, while Tim Ford (3/20) and Ryan Ayres (2/12) both delivered multiple maidens.

Morwell lost six wickets chasing the bonus point, but got there shortly before drinks.

Todd Dixon made the bulk of the runs, hitting two bombs in his 48 off 51.

Simon Duff (2/19) and Mitch Leslie (2/20) had some success for Rovers.

IT’S only one game in but … geez.

Just about the most depleted Moe line-up imaginable took to the field against the might of Ex Students.

The Lions were no match, and duly lost by eight wickets. The Sharks collected a bonus point in the process.

Winning the toss and electing to bat (Ex Students would have surely sent them in anyway) at Burrage Reserve, Moe batted until the last over for 124.

Anu Anubhav was stoic with 53, but was one of only two top order bats to make double figures.

Knowing they had no other choice than to bat time given what was to come, he and Andrew Philip saw off more than 170 balls combined.

Ex Students bowlers cashed in, with six taking wickets.

Mitch Harris nabbed 3/13 and Andrew Matthews 2/16 in a professional display.

Lee Stockdale then peeled off 78 at better than a run-a-ball, partnering with Matt Dyke, who scored 30 not out in a 112 run stand for the second wicket.

Royce Colgrave was the only wicekt-taker for Moe, with figures of 2/40.