Openers – From the President’s Desk

• Last Man Standing Coming Up: Our next major function, the second “Last Man Standing” is happening on Saturday February 20, at the clubrooms. Contact event organiser Scott MacFarlane on 0402-040-055.
• In2Cricket back this week: Don’t forget In2Cricketers, you start back this week, 4.30pm Friday @ Clubrooms.

Fixtures for this weekend – February 5-7

• Juniors please make sure you are at the ground 40 minutes before match start for home games, and 30 minutes before match start for away games. Seniors please be sure to be at clubrooms at 11.15am on Saturday.

Quick Singles - Major Individual Milestones from the past weekend’s Cricket

Junior Volunteer Rosters for the Weekend February 5-7

Ladders after the past weekend

Match Reports from the Weekend’s Play

• Under 12 Red: Hosting Darley Gold on a super fast Blackwood Back Oval, 12 Red’s new year started in the field, with the young stars being hit for 261 by a well drilled opponent. James Robertson claimed 3 wickets for just 4 runs, while Jess Macdonald continued her form from Western Spirit, clean bowling one opponent while keeping tidy figures on a tough night. Hayden Davis continued to show promise in his rookie year, claiming 1/8. Thanks to Brian for scoring, and Karen, Gale, and Lisa for doing the canteen.
• Under 12 White: Away to St Anthony’s, the boys turned in easily their best batting of the year, hitting a massive 223 as four batsman retired. Connor Charge and Aaron Clarke took control early and set the tone, both retiring, with Connor eventually coming in and hitting 38 to be unbeaten at stumps. Aaron also came back later and went out just as quickly, not adding to his retired score of 26. Zach Woodall also broke out and hit 25 with a nice array of shots, as did Josh Carter, who came in later and hit the ball around very nicely. Thanks to Tracy for scoring, and James for Square Legging.
• Under 14 Red: Had the Bye. Have a practice match on the front oval at the clubrooms from 9.15am this Saturday.
• Under 14 White: After winning the toss and getting off to a shaky start, Mitch Parks dominated the game with a brilliant 31* and was well supported by a dashing 30* by Jake Thorton, which helped steady the ship and work the team to a respectable 8/148 off 44 overs at the end of day’s play. Jake Charge and Josh Eastwell also chipped in with an important 17 and 13 respectively. Thanks to Craig for scoring, and Andy Zenonos, Chatters and Mark Blake square leg umpiring.
• Under 16 Red: In the first game back the Red under 16 side where away to West Saints White team playing on the new Kurunjang pitch. Batting first the boys got away to a shaky start losing 2 wicket for 4 in the first couple of over this saw Tyler Whitehurst and Mitch Parks at the crease both looking very solid until misfortune found Tyler (17) being bowled some how kicking the ball on to the stumps. This brought Tom Robinson (23) to the crease, where Tom and Mitch piled on and impressive 70 run partnership. Not long after Mitch retired making a very impressive and mature 50 this followed his under 14 efforts the day before of 31 retired. Looking for quick runs Josh Street hit a very impressive 21 not out enabling the team to finish the day at 6 for 149 the boys will look at defending next week and look to consolidate their position in the finals.
• Under 16 White: The boys hosted Melton West Saints Green and again showed well for most of the day, eventually bowling Saints out for 196. The bowling line up showed improvement, in that they bowled to a set game plan for the most of the day, keeping Saints scoring rate down on a fast ground. Comeback King Cary Bonello showed a knee injury did not damage his enthusiasm, providing 2 overs of great entertainment to claim 3/13. Dale McKinnon took the new ball with Nick Gower and kept Saints to 1/30 off the opening 12 overs. Brandon Wilson and Nathan Belcher then came on with Belch taking 2/18 in 5 overs, while Brandon had to come back later to take 2 wickets and fight back from his opening spell’s 0/31 to end with 2/41. Dan Vasjuta and Dylan Clarke bowled well for the most part, but were punished when off the mark from what the game plan demanded. Both Nathan Bramfit and Mark Jones kept well, with Jonesey claiming a blinder late in the day to help spark a tail end collapse from Saints. Thanks to Paul Vasjuta and Mark Gower for scoring, and Melanie and Caitlyn Robertson, Denise Blizzard and Belinda Belcher for doing the canteen.
• A Grade Seniors: Heading down to Gray Reserve to defend 324 against St Johns, the firsts had a convincing 162 run win as they bundled St Johns out for 162. Besides one partnership, St Johns weren’t allowed to get anything going, as our boys turned in the best fielding effort for the year. Matt Hayes showed his versatility with 5/6, backing up from his 71 the week before with the bat. Scott Lumley backed him up with 2 wickets as well. A good win as we look to finals.
• B Grade Seniors: Also facing St John’s, our boys in the seconds dealt St John’s an outcome similar to the firsts: a very convincing win by over 100 runs, as St John’s made 149 in reply to our 271. The wickets were shared, with Mick Bairstow leading the wickets with 3/33, while Mick Harris (2/22) and skipper Andrew Sweeney (2/25) the next best, while Ray Davis and Scott Dowling took one apiece.
• C Grade 1 Seniors: Chasing a massive 356 and already 2/21, the boys wrapped early after being out for 147 on the eve of afternoon tea. The start of the day offered a glimmer of hope, as Brett Chatterton and Lucas Boyle each batted sensibly, and got very solid starts, with Chatters going for 40 and Lucas 28. Dave McDonald and Tim Fitzsimmons each made 14 while Michael Cossai hit 15 to be the others to get starts. A disappointing result, but they guys will bounce back.
• C Grade 2 Seniors: At Gray Reserve against Williamstown Congs and fancying a shot at outright points, Leigh Whitehurst had his team well placed at 100 runs in front with the tail to bowl at. Keith saw his mean achieve first innings points swiftly, having Congs for 113, with Tyler Whitehurst taking 4/44 and Beef Macfarlane taking 4/39. Leith then had his team bat again and put on a quick 4/129 to put outright out of reach for Congs, with Tyler and Beef backing up their bowling efforts with 35* and 42*. Congs then had to survive to stumps and nearly didn’t, falling to 8/76 when stumps were pulled, narrowly avoiding outright defeat. Andrew McKendry (3/10) and Steve Wilmot (2/25) getting the wickets.
• D Grade Seniors: Looking to finish off avenging for last round’s defeat, the legends gave Caroline Springs a lesson in cricket, having them for 75 in their first innings. Fatmac again claimed another 5 wicket bag to remind everyone why he is the club’s leading wicket taker in our history. Froggy Allen and Sticks Hickey each took 2 wickets to support from the other end. Asked to bat again as The Legends chased another outright win, Caroline Springs dug in and went only 5 down in the second hit, making 147 to deny outright points to The Legends.