The week leading up to Saturday’s game was wet and wild with the rain timely and much needed for the drying outfields of Victoria Park.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
‘Matches’ McCabe did a terrific job all week to eventually get the wicket up with the help of his trusty sidekick and fellow power hitter Jobe Fraser.
The Lakers team arrived and settled in before a quick shower came through to test out the speed of the teams covers techniques.
The showers quickly moved on and a toss was held with Angus McMillan the stand in captain in place for the injured Kyle ‘Chad Reed’ Archibald.
McMillan won the toss and chose to send Delatite in to bat on a wicket that was hard and green.
The team gathered to welcome Van Kreeck to the team for his senior debut at just 14 years of age.
Van is a skillful fast bowler and handy batsmen fresh off a match winning 50 in the A reserve last round.
Zach Moore who has connections with Van through football in Mulwala presented his maiden cap.
The Lakers bowling attack were patient as the dot balls built up, eventually something had to give.
Jim Irvine and Angus Heslin bowled tight lines and eventually Heslin struck – caught behind by Reid Clarke.
Irvine mirrored his recent bowling performance with another top order batsman shouldering arms to his inswingers to see the umpires dreaded finger rise.
This time the batsmen shouldered arms to a ball that almost removed off stump.
Delatite continued their survival game strategy and were reeling at 2/3 after just 5 overs.
To their credit they dug in and saw off the openers which saw the beginning of Captain Angus McMillan’s seamers and Brock McCabe’s leg spinning spell.
Both bowled tight lines and McMillan regularly nagged at off stump.
While Brock continually had the batsmen in two minds. The batsmen however continued to dig in going at just 1 run an over.
The Lakers were tearing through the overs quickly given the run rate and Heslin returned for his second.
Heslin bowled with pace and had the batsmen slashing at a wide one – caught Brock McCabe at third slip.
Matthew Knight bowled from the other end and took an LBW wicket. Matt McCabe came on to bowl soon after and backed up the other bowlers with his attacking off stump bowling.
Afternoon tea was called by umpire Briggs with Delatite at 4/54 from 45 overs, attracting a growing crowd at Lakers HQ.
The players enjoyed a busy clubroom session, interacting with supporters and former players.
Shortly after tea, Knight struck again removing the Delatite batsman who pulled a ball to Jobe Fraser at short mid-wicket.
Debutant Van Kreeck was given the ball and keeper Reid Clarke reassessed his positioning a few steps back after the first ball thudded into his gloves.
The slips cordon giggled at each other wishing they had Kreecky’s pace.
Kreeck bowled with pace and kept the batsmen guessing. While Ben McDonald bowled four overs from the other end and made the most of the windy conditions to move the ball around. However, it was Kreeck who bowled a wider delivery that was slashed through the gully – caught McDonald.
Kreeck joining Ollie Cope with a wicket on their A grade debuts for the club this season.
Delatite slowly picked up their run rate but the wickets continued to fall regularly.
McMillan snagging three wickets – one caught behind, one caught McDonald in the gully and the other caught McCabe at backward point turning back with the flight.
Irvine picked up another wicket also caught by McCabe to finish Delatite’s innings 10/118 off 70 overs.
Meaning the Lakers had to face just one over at the end of the day.
Clarke and nightwatchmen Matt McCabe padded up. Clarke faced all 6 deliveries to finish the day 0/0 off 1 over.
Overall, it was a patient and grinding day for the Lakers bowlers who eventually took all 10 wickets and held their nerve when the run rate eventually lifted towards the final 10 overs. Delatite were patient and grinded their innings with the run rate regularly at 1 per over.
Again, it is worth mentioning how lucky the Lakers are to have ‘Matches’ McCabe at the club.
‘Matches’ensured the game went ahead despite challenging weather conditions. The
Lakers were fortunate to be one of the few grounds to host a game over the weekend due to ‘Matches’ and his teammates’ efforts drying off the wicket at 7am Saturday morning too.
All the best to ‘Arch’ in his recovery too, look forward to playing again with you soon.
Come on down for day 2 of the match next week at Stan Hargreaves Oval – Saturday 1pm.
A Reserve had the bye and B Grade was abandoned due to rain.
C Grade record first win
Yarrawonga Mulwala 6/191 def Benalla Bushrangers 10/116.
After heavy rain Friday and a quick shower across the ground about an hour before play, it was likely the day wouldn’t go ahead!
Up steps captain Phibbs with the blowers and play was ready to commence at 1.30pm - well done Pickles.
This week there was another father son combination in the team - Nick and Tom Taylor!
Lakers won the toss and chose to bat sending in the “older” of the Taylor duo in Nick and P Brear.
Unfortunately Brear was out early bringing in the main man S Lappin.
All of a sudden the field was spread and the bowlers looked nervous.
Nick was poking them around and Lappo was giving them a whack.
Lappo was later given out LBW. Enter G Sullivan - “sully” only a few weeks into his Lakers career started to steady the ship before N Taylor skied a ball.
Enter Big Al - Big Al made his intentions very clear from the first ball with a swing that if connect would have landed in Lee Fraser’s back yard!
Reilly was out reasonably cheap!
Enter the “big show” Connell. Connell, fresh off his harvester put on a quick fired 26 entertaining the large crowd.
In came the man known as “towball head” Pickering who took off from where he left last game smacking an unbeaten 54 off only 30 balls.
Regularly launching the ball on to the fire track and setting off some alarms.
Overall it was a great team innings with Pickering cashing in early for the end of season awards.
Sully ran out of steam so big Nath Parker got to go in for a couple of overs playing the technical shots to all corners of the ground.
The Lakers finishing with 6-191.
The Laker bowlers really enjoyed the breezing conditions getting the ball to move everywhere, giving the Benalla lads no opportunity to get comfortable.
The opening pair of Big Al and Towball head bowled a terrific spell.
The Benalla lads breathed a sigh of relief thinking thank god those 2 have finished but little did they know it would allow for strike bowler to come on in ‘Teddy’ Graham.
Sgt. Teddy had the ball looping around in his 8 overs taking 3 for not many.
Connell and Phibbs chipped in with 3 overs each but not much to report on there.
The A grade game finished on the main oval next door and players and supporters came over to witness the final overs of the game.
Enter “young” T Taylor who bowled 4 great overs for only 11 runs. L Pickering also bowled well beyond his years taking a wicket in his 3 overs but again it was his dad who stole the spotlight taking 4/14 off his 8 overs earning best on ground honours.
Benalla all out for 116. Lakers first win of the year.
A great team win with every player contributing. Thank you to Benalla who played in great spirits and also supported the younger crew.
All junior matches were abandoned due to rain with junior rep selection and games upcoming over the next month.
Yarrawonga Chronicle