Round two saw the Lakers A grade travel to Wangaratta to face the Magpies at Barr Reserve 2 last Saturday and after losing the toss, the Lakers were sent into the field.
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Angus Heslin and McMillan started economically, bowling tight lines to the Magpies openers, with Heslin picking up his first with the score on 39.
The Magpies consolidated well, while the Lakers put down a number of catches that would prove costly.
Xavier Mitchell and Van Kreeck bowled well from either end, before Matt Knight was brought into the attack and took an important wicket, caught by McMillan.
Angus McMillan was then brought back into the attack and took the important wicket of opener Matheson, a juggling catch by skipper Archibald at backward square leg.
The Magpies then went on the attack, scoring at above six runs an over for the last 10, taking their score to 197, with young Kreeck taking the last wicket of the innings, caught by Sam Lidgerwood at long off.
The Lakers’ chase started poorly, with the first three wickets falling before the score was on 5.
Welsh, Smart and Moore all out within the first few minutes. Knight and Archibald then looked to settle in for the chase, before Knight was caught smartly at first slip for 12.
Arch was the next to go, quickly followed by Lidgerwood and McMillan.
Adam Dodd strolled to the crease and looked comfortable before being bowled by one that kept a bit low. Angus Heslin and Kreecky batted well in their partnership, each facing 55 and 33 balls respectively.
After Heslin was dismissed, Xav Mitchell joined Kreecky and looked to bat positively before he was stumped off the penultimate ball of the day. Lakers all out for 97.
The Lakers travel to the Gardens Oval in Benalla this weekend to face the Benalla Bushrangers.
A Res - Bye
B Grade Rovers all out for 34.
Yarrawonga Mulwala 7/199 def Rovers United Bruck 10/34.
In his 200th game, Gus Browning lost the toss and was sent into bat on Stan Hargreaves Oval.
The Lakers were in trouble early at 3/20 as wickets fell cheaply before Mitch Pettit 35 and John Taylor 44 got the boys back on track with some powerful hitting.
Nehal Tahir was next in with an unbeaten 35 playing the supporting role to Lach Phillips who got 51 off just 31 balls which got the Lakers up to a good score of 199 after early trouble.
Now it was the Lakers turn with the ball and Jyda House was fired up after a duck with the bat taking 2 for 10 off 5 to put the Rovers on the back foot.
Ollie Connell bowled well taking 1 for 3 off his 4 before it was time for the milestone man Gus Browning to join in, taking 2 for 3 off his 4 overs with a fiery spell.
Next was birthday boy Josh McCabe who had bay 13 fired up taking 1 for 0 off his 5 overs not allowing the Rovers to score.
Tom Lovel bowled well taking 3 for 6 to have the Rovers bowled out for 34 in a great win for the Bs!
C Grade
Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/150 def Greta Blue 9/72.
Welcome back to cricket season 24-25! The mighty Laker C Graders kicked off their season against none other than the reigning WDCA champs, Greta.
The stakes? Pride, glory, and a chance to escape weekend chores.
Greta won the toss and, clearly feeling generous, sent the Lakers in to bat.
The new skipper, fresh from a week of sipping kale smoothies at a Health Retreat in Hepburn, wasted no time and sent in the father-son dynamic duo of Marcus “Lumpy” and Darcy “Junior” Hargreaves.
The Hargreaves got Yarra off to a flyer, only for Lumpy to be caught early on (5 runs—retirement must be calling, mate).
Enter young Govey, the son of club legend and umpire Ash. Young Govey was keen to push the score along but got a bit too pushy and was given out LBW… by his own father. Talk about tough love!
Next in was the evergreen S. Hawking, fresh off terrorizing under-12s at Gapstead. Hawk looked like he was back in junior cricket, playing some exquisite shots before Junior was caught for a well-built 26.
This brought ‘Cromedome’ Bozzola to the crease. Bozz immediately sent the fielders packing to the boundary, only to call for a new bat after three balls like he was auditioning for a commercial.
Meanwhile, Hawk eventually forgot he wasn’t in a charity match and got himself caught for 16.
The real highlight of the day the return of E. Thorp, back after a 16-year hiatus—presumably studying anthropology.
Thorpey made a lovely 11 before being run out by ‘Cromedome’ himself. Here’s hoping Bozz bought him a beer to apologize.
Up next was the father of five and part-time cricketer/full-time babysitter, B. Pickering, who whacked the ball all over the park for a solid 22. Then there was P. Brear (aka “Kettle”), coming in at #9 despite usually opening, just to show the youngsters how it’s done.
His wagon wheel resembled a porcupine—needless to say, he had the fielders running for cover, even hammering a six that’s probably still orbiting.
In the end, the tail wagged enough for the Lakers to post a respectable 150.
Greta started their chase strong—probably too strong for Murph and veteran ‘Toeball’ Head to handle.
After the scoreboard hit 0/21, the Laker’s skipper made the decision of the day (debatable whether it was his idea or divine intervention) by bringing in the wily old fox, Lumpy.
He took a wicket with his 4th ball, reminding everyone why he’s still got it (3/14). Then the skipper, feeling inspired, brought himself on, grabbing a wicket with his first delivery (2/11).
Unfortunately, Bozzola (Cromedome) launching the ball 29m in the air trying to return it to the bowler before chasing after it and suffering some sort of medical episode which sent him cartwheeling across Vic Park 2, which ended his day.
Enter the anthropologist, Thorp, who was asked to clean up the tail. And boy, did he deliver!
Thorpey wrapped things up with 2/8, which isn’t bad for a guy who hasn’t played in a decade and a half.
L. Pickering continued his wicket-taking form, snatching 1/0 to close out the match and leaving Greta all out for 72.
A solid win and a good excuse to celebrate.
Big shout out to the Greta lads for a game played in great spirits—and more importantly, for sticking around for a post-match beer!
Next week, the C Grade take on Gapstead at Gapstead.
Bring your helmets and sense of humour!
Under 14s games washed out
Under 12 Rams win at home
Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 7/98 def Wangaratta Magpies White 8/70.
The Yarrawonga - Mulwala Rams secured their first home win for the season against Wangaratta Magpies White.
Winning the toss and electing to have a bowl first paid dividends instantly with birthday boy Lachie Brown securing a wicket on the first ball of the day and then following this up with another clean bowled delivery to finish with 2 for 8.
Tight bowling continued, with Murphy Doyle generating good pace, claiming consecutive wickets to get the Rams boys up and about.
Finn O’Brien relinquished the keeping duties to claim a wicket straight after the drinks break, George Hill claimed his first wicket and George Kennedy picked up a wicket to end the innings, thanks to Hugo Bott hanging on to a very sharp chance.
The Magpies finished the innings with a total of 70 on the board.
The Rams started their batting innings steadily with the Magpies keeping the bowling tight.
Brown backed up his bowling effort with a well-made 15 and Finn O’Brien played a watchful innings, capitalising on the loose deliveries to make a fine 22.
George Kennedy occupied the crease, while Ned O’Brien played some elegant shots to finish with 18 not out.
The Rams finished their allocated overs with a score of 7/98, to come away with a solid win.
The Rams will now shift their focus to the first local derby for the season, when they lock horns with the Bulls this Thursday evening.
Under 12 Lakers
Yarrawonga Mulwala Lakers 4/98 def Benalla Bushrangers 7/51.
Yarrawonga Chronicle