A Res
Game forfeited.
B Grade continue winning ways
Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/113 def Rutherglen United 10/92
The Lakers lost the toss and were sent into bat on Stan Hargreaves for the second week in a row. Hudson Gillies and Jon Taylor opened up getting away to a good start before Taylor was bowled.
This brought opening bowler turned batsman Josh McCabe to the crease who looked comfortable out in the middle keeping the score ticking over before Gillies was caught for “25” and McCabe bowled shortly after.
Next in was Sydney import Caleb Mitchell and Al Reily who both looked good before Caleb fell for ”12” and Reily out for ”4” after being struck dead in front.
At 6-67 Geoff Montgomery “18” and batting all-rounder Jack Connell “16” had a good partnership before some late hitting from Jyda House got the score up to 113.
Defending a small total the new ball was thrown to Jyda House who was fired up early taking 2-7 off his 5, while Mitchell bowled 0-4 off his 4-building pressure from the other end.
Next to bowl was Hunter Fraunfelder. In for his first game of the year he ripped through the Rutherglen batting lineup taking 5-14 off his 7 putting the Lakers in a good position to win.
After multiple drop catches the Rutherglen tail began to wag before Tungamah duo Jack Connell 1-24 and Al Reilly 2-5 bowled fast spells to finish the game off in a win for the Lakers.
B grade has the week off next week before taking on Ovens Valley at Stan Hargreaves the following week.
Father and son help C Grade to win
Gapsted 10/114 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala 9/198
Won the toss and elected to set a target. Hargreaves and Hargreaves opened with the elder setting the scoreboard spinning with seven 4s and a Dorothy Dix.
The younger played himself in acting as sheet anchor for the partnership, which would yield 57, before the elder was taken by the keeper for a very well-constructed 48 in the ninth over.
Lakers then looked to the future with Jas Gove entering at number 3, but the early swing took the edge and the keeper did the rest.
The former captain with the winningest record of any captain in Australian cricket, came to the crease and immediately imposed himself on the game.
The runs flowed at a fast clip and by the time drinks were taken at the halfway mark, Pickering and Hargreaves the younger, worked the visitors to 87.
Then the runs just kept on coming, with Ben Pickering dining out on the bowling, notching up four 6s on his way to a game high 59 before finding a fielder.
Pickering and Hargreaves the younger put on 100 for the third wicket stand.
Jamison looked very much at ease, before a top edge ended his stay for 16.
At 4 for 182, the Lakers looked to press home their advantage, but a flurry of wickets saw four ducks added to the scorebook.
The experience of Ash Gove and “Kettle” Brear held off the surging gorilla attack to take the final total to 9 for 198.
All the while Hargreaves the younger kept ticking the strike along.
The innings opened with Benjamin Pickering steaming in, down the hill, with the wind at his back, reaching an estimated 140 clicks, and swinging it in at the same time.
The LBW wasn’t long coming and Gapsted were 1 for 4. Will Murphy from the southern end complimented Pickering with fast, tight bowling applied the brakes to the score.
After 8 overs the first changes were swung and Kade Michael brought the immediate breakthrough. GCC 2 for 35.
A bit of lusty hitting got the home team going and with drinks approaching, it was time to slow things down and apply the pressure.
Cue Hargreaves the elder. Like “la Stupenda” before him, this was Hargreaves’ retirement match and he gave a Dame Nellie Melba virtuoso performance.
Wicket in his second over that brought an early drinks. Then BANG on his third, BANG in his fourth and then BANG, BANG in his sixth.
The game was shot and H claimed 5 for 7 off 6 with 2 maidens. His game a tribute to a career littered with success and premierships for Wilby CC, the Y&DCA at Country Week and the Mighty Lakers.
Jas Gove and Lucas Pickering were left to knock over the tail and give the points to the Lakers for a very enjoyable trip back home to Victoria Park.
Forgot to mention Darcy batted for 33 over for a fine 39. Picker took a catch over the boundary, failing to throw it back in and do a somersault, conceding the 6.
Then did an impression of the Statue of Liberty two overs later to claim a one-handed catch in the outfield.
Under 14 Rams just claim victory
Rutherglen United 10/87 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 4/89.
After the first week of round two was washed out, the Rams travelled to Rutherglen for a T20 clash. After losing the toss and being sent into bat, the lads set about building partnerships.
Ryder Leith, Lachy Cruikshank, Wally Hammond and Jordan Knight all batted really well and retired. After their allocated overs, the boys had set a really solid score of 4 for 89.
Billy Stevens took the new ball and struck in the first over, in his first game for his first wicket.
The Rutherglen batters put together some partnerships and things got really tight before Finn Mitchel stepped to the crease and turned the game in the Rams favour.
In the second last over of the game Finn produced a 3 wicket maiden including a HAT TRICK! Rutherglen finished on 87.
A great win with an exciting finish.
Top scorers: Lachy Cruikshank - 14 retired Ryder Leith - 11 retired Wally Hammond - 9 retired Jordan Knight - 9 retired.
Best Bowling: Finn Mitchel - 4 for 3 Ryder Leith - 2 for 9 Wall Hammond - 1 for 8 Billy Stevens - 1 for 12.
Under 14s Bulls improve for win
Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 3/106 def Rovers United Rovers Gold 4/63.
Captain “H” Darcy won the toss and sent the opposition into bat. The young Bulls opening bowlers bowled the first four overs keeping the bowlers down to minimum runs with the fielding being at a high standard by all players.
Wickets steadily fell due to some great line and length bowling and keeping the opposition scoring down.
Bowlers for the day were the two leg spinners in Darcy H 2/6, Jacko Smith 1/9 and pacer Jack Browning 1/9.
Bulls batting never looked in trouble with all batsmen scoring runs and getting a good hit in.
Batters hit them to all parts of the ground displaying great power with placement hitting boundaries at ease when needed.
Top batters: B Dodd 23 not out Levi Purtle 21 not out, Darcy Hargreaves 18 not out, Jackson Smith 16 not out.
Also great to see Tyce Woodhead and Blakey Braun get their first runs for the season.
This was a big improvement by all the team this week as Under 14 Bulls head into a two dayer next week with the boys full of confidence.
All Tied Up – Under 12 Rams
Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 5/89 tied with Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 8/89.
The first encounter of the ‘Locking of the Horns’ between the Rams and Bulls was a thrilling contest, with the local derby ending in a draw.
On a cool evening, the Bulls and the Rams battled it out on the picturesque Stan Hargreaves Oval. The Bulls won the toss and elected to bat first.
The Rams bowlers all started the innings off well, managing to take wickets at regular intervals before the Bulls steadied and put a strong partnership.
Ned O’Brien led the way with 3 for 8. He was well supported by Layken Saunders who returned the figures of 2 for 8.
The Doyle brothers, Murphy and Paddy also claimed one wicket each. Chasing 90 to secure victory, the Rams were on the back foot early with the loss of two early wickets.
Lachie Brown and Finn O’Brien both played vital innings to help the Rams work their way back into the match.
With the match in the balance, Layken Saunders, Ned O’Brien and Paddy Doyle all played their role in ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking over.
With less than a handful of runs required off the final over, a buzz of excitement swept across the crowd.
The Rams batters held their nerve and scored the required runs to equal the Bulls total and that is where it ended.
A fitting end to the first instalment of the ‘Locking of the Horns’ for season 2024/2025.
Under 12s Lakers win close one
Wangaratta Magpies Black 8/83 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala 5/86.
On a dewy morning at South Wang Oval Maggies won the toss and sent the young Lakers in Issac McLarty was the only one keen on opening and after a bit of persuasion Will Cruikshank joined him. The pair started really well, especially Issac who struck the ball pure and sent it flying to the boundary multiple times.
After his 15 balls were up he made 21 retired, and soon Will joined him retired on 5.
Rosie Lidgerwood was a new addition to the side after smashing them around for the girls Lakers, however unfortunately she missed a straight one on 1.
Paddy Doyle was on lend from another Yarra side and he hung around for a well-made 2, before Blake Miller came in for his first game. He made 1 off 8 balls.
This brought in the other Skipper Eamon who was relegated down the order due to a wardrobe malfunction (his dad had one job).
Eamon struck the ball nicely for 14 retired. Rory Buerckner and Darcy O’Dwyer put a high price on their wickets and both retired unbeaten on 0.
George and Stella Hill both filling in rounded out the innings, with Stella claiming the family bragging rights, making 2 more than her brother.
When it was the Lakers turn to bowl, they knew they would need to field and bowl well to reduce the Maggies total.
This they did, however at the halfway mark they were still searching for the first wicket and it was game on.
Eamon got the side started after drinks with 2 quick wickets and Issac handed Todd Lawless the gloves.
This had a great impact as Todd kept really well, not letting many through and taking a couple of catches.
Then Issac caught fire with the ball, ending up on a hattrick and very unlucky not to have one with the Lakers just missing a chance on the hattrick ball.
Paddy Doyle then sent one packing for a golden, and offering a few words of wisdom to the departing batter.
The game was going down to the wire with the Maggies needing just 7 from the last 2 overs.
Rosie came on to bowl the penultimate over, and restricted them to just 3 runs whilst also claiming a vital wicket.
The equation was simple, Maggies needed 4 to win and Lakers needed 1 wicket.
Eamon stepped up to bowl the last over, and bowled a maiden to close out the game, what a finish. Thanks to the players that filled in Rosie, George, Stella and Paddy.
Bulls and Rams tie – Under 12 Bulls
Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 8/89 tied with Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 5/89.
With the turf wicket rolled, the DB Refrigeration and Airconditioning light up stumps in the pitch, and a quick outfield, everyone knew they were in for an exciting game.
The Bulls won the toss and elected to bat, and after losing 5 wickets for 30 runs it looked like a challenge to put on a defendable total.
Benji Wollington and Ted Hammon were able to steady the ship with Ted ending up on 19 runs from 32 balls and Benji, with one of the best batting performances in U12s cricket, ended up not out on 42 runs from 28 balls, giving the Rams a total of 90 to win.
Charlie Carlyle opened the bowling beautifully, getting a wicket maiden to start the Bulls' defence. From there, it was a real arm wrestle.
Bobby Best, Ted Hammon, and Benji Wollington were all able to get wickets, with the game coming down to the final ball, where the Rams batters, Lincoln Ridley and George Hill got a single to tie the game.