A Grade pulled on the one day kits again in their final one day game of the season before a return to 2 day cricket.
After some early showers in the week ‘Matches’ McCabe worked his magic and produced yet another hard and fast pitch.
The outfield was quick as usual and the weather hot and unusually still at Vic Park.
The Lakers batted first, and openers Reid Clarke and Matt Knight got off to a flyer. Knight smashed 5 fours to reach 34 before he was bowled.
The Lakers 1/62 off 10 overs.
Young gun Jobe Fraser returned from Vic Country duties to his regular number 3 spot in the Lakers line up.
Jobe often guided the ball to the gully region trying to squeeze singles and reached 10 runs before he chopped the ball on to his own stumps. Lakers 2/85.
Clarke looked to consolidate as Fraser Smart went in and out without troubling the scorers - caught at long on. Lakers 3/85.
Clarke reached 34 but the collapse continued. Clarke tried to turn a spinning delivery down leg side that caught his arm and trickled down on to the stumps. An unlucky dismissal and a good knock - the Lakers now 4/91.
Matt Casey and Brock McCabe were now at the crease and looked to consolidate.
Both batsmen placed the ball between the gaps and ticked the scoreboard over.
The pair pushed the Lakers score well over 100 deep into the teams innings.
Casey and Brock McCabe pushed on as the crowd swelled at Vic Park.
Many gathered to celebrate President Glenn Brear’s 70th birthday and also the Lakers 2013/14 premiership reunion.
Casey and Brock McCabe got the Lakers total to 168 before Casey was caught for 29.
The returning captain coach Kyle Archibald came in for a late cameo to score late runs while McCabe pressed on.
Archibald was soon caught for 4 and McMillan caught out on the last ball of the innings searching for a boundary. Brock McCabe finished with a fine 43 not out.
The Lakers total 7-173 from their 40 overs.
Afternoon tea was eaten quickly and cool refreshments under the air conditioning were welcomed.
The Lakers returned to the field and the wind picked up while the weather was still scorching.
Jim Irvine and Angus Heslin opened the bowling and Heslin struck first. Removing dangerous opening bat Kayde Surrey for 1. Beechworth 1-1.
Brock McCabe fresh from his batting, bowled and struck early to remove Ellett for 16 caught McMillan. Beechworth 2/34.
The Beechworth pair of Brenton Surrey and Campbell Fendyk soon consolidated Beechworth’s innings and pushed singles in the Lakers infield.
The runs kept ticking over and the Lakers fielders were looking for any chance they could for a run out with some close calls at the non-strikers end.
Unfortunately the Lakers bowlers couldn’t find a breakthrough and Beechworth took total control of the game hitting any loose balls to the boundary.
Beechworth ground out the innings and passed the Lakers total with a few overs to spare.
Ben McDonald took the late wicket of Surrey for 91, caught ‘Matches’ McCabe at long off. Fendyk finished 69 not out.
Beechworth 3-204 from their 40 overs.
The Lakers are still on top of the WDCA ladder after 10 rounds and are keen to get back on the winners list next week.
The Lakers begin their two-day campaign in the back half of the season against City Colts at Stan Hargreaves Oval this coming Saturday 1pm.
See you there.
B Grade
Delatite 9/152 def Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/142.
C Grade two on the trot
Yarrawonga Mulwala 2/268 def Beechworth Wanderers 8/82.
An amazing day of cricket was played at Stan Hargreaves #2 with the C Grade Lakers taking on Beechworth.
The Lakers won the toss and chose to bat. Sully and Pickles wandered out to the crease.
‘Pickles’ out without scoring, muttering a few words to teammate Nathan Parker who may have been hasty in giving him out LBW.
This brought in the stylish inform batsman Elk Buerckner. Buerckner (100) and Sullivan (120n/o) played some exquisite shots along with some massive sixes.
They put on over a 200 run partnership before Elk was caught trying to push the score to 300.
This allowed the father son combo of Sully and his son Kade ‘Lance Cairns’ Sullivan playing their first game together.
Kade finished with a strong 17 not out and played the perfect support role. Good to have you back!
Kade placed the ball into the gaps allowing Sully to bring up his century.
This was marked with a big cuddle in the middle of the pitch. Exactly what C grade cricket is all about.
The Lakers posted a very competitive 2/268.
The “kromedome” Pickering opened the bowling running into a stiff breeze allowing big Al to bowl with the wind.
Krome was quick to get the wickets flowing with Parker taking a spectacular catch in a second gully position.
This was the start of a pretty quick fall of wickets. “J Train” Burns was steaming in knowing local Sargeant was down there with the radar gun going on to clock his 5th delivery at a blistering 132km/h.
“Rackemann” Pickering was brought on to get the captain out of which he did with his final ball of his second over. More wickets for the young fella.
“Junkyard” Connell was then called on by captain Phibbs to clean up the tail which he did to a T.
A great game of cricket played in the right spirit from the Beechworth lads (Jed we still owe you a ball).
The C grade Lakers make it 2 on the trot - well done all.
Under 16s forfeited by opposition
Under 14s nearly steal victory
Yarrawonga Mulwala 3/98 def by Greta 6/99.
The Under 14 Lakers won the toss and chose to bat. Levi and Tom started very strong rotating the strike with them both retiring at drinks (Levi 19, Tom 11).
Enter Lucas ‘Rackemann’ Pickering and J Smith. Lucas made a quick fire 7 before being caught trying to lift the run rate.
Jackson was placing the ball in the gaps for a well-made 15. Enter Eminem (Noah) who sent the fielders all over Stan Hargreaves with his highest score of 17.
Both lads played some awesome cricket shots. Taj and Mitch got to face 1 ball each to round out the innings.
The lads compiled a respectable 3-98 off their 20 overs.
The Rutherglen openers started very strong jumping on anything short.
All the boys bowled well.
With the game right in the balance the Lakers brought on 2 debutants and young guns in Jordy “Meat Eater” Knight and Eamon “Little Show” Pickering.
Both youngsters bowled an amazing 0-2 off their overs at the death.
Rutherglen winning by 1 run off the last ball!
All the boys showed great spirit to get themselves back into the game and a possible winning position.
Thanks to Jordy and Eamon for filling in and ‘Matches’ for allowing the Under 14s to play on a perfect wicket.
Famous Lakers Ladies Day is back
Keep Saturday, February 17 free for an afternoon of pure pink with proceeds going to the McGrath Foundation.
The A-grade will take to the field against Ovens Valley and will don the famous pink stumps.
The girls will have the run of the clubrooms and will chill on the deck with some amazing food, music to tap your feet to by the very talented Bruce Poulter, and a wonderful afternoon. Word is that Bruce will have some friends from Project 365 Wangaratta’s band ‘U CAN CRY’ on stage with him to bring the vibes.
There’ll be raffles and other fundraising efforts throughout the day so bring a couple of gold coins if you wish.
Dress in pink, get your best girlfriends together and come down for the best afternoon on the Lakers calendar.
18+ only. Cost- $80 includes your ticket, 5 alcoholic beverages, food and entertainment plus a ticket in the lucky door prize.
$40 includes your ticket, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, food and entertainment plus a ticket in the lucky door prize.
This year, the ladies day will be fundraising for the McGrath Foundation and hope to raise $1000 which will provide vital funds to provide breast care nurses to the community.
The ladies will also raise some funds for the club to promote the future.
So come on down, it’s ALWAYS a brilliant day full of laughter and frivolity!
Payment details will be provided asap with RSVP required by February, 10 2024.
See you in pink very soon!