The A Grade side set out to clear one final hurdle on the road to next week’s T20 final, with the visiting City Colts looking to halt the team’s momentum.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Following a rain-affected start, captain Archibald finally won the toss and elected to bat first.
Devlin Webb and Zac Fraser opened the innings, with Fraser departing early for a quick 12.
Webb then combined with McCabe in a steady 53-run partnership that laid a solid foundation for the Lakers.
Webb was eventually dismissed for a run-a-ball 30, and Welsh’s stay at the crease was brief, edging behind first ball.
Undeterred, McCabe and Smart regained control, pushing the score along with sharp running between the wickets and capitalising on some untidy fielding from the young Colts side.
As reliable as ever, McCabe contributed a composed 31, while Willie Wheeler provided late fireworks, striking a brisk 24 from 18 balls to lift the total to 6/127.
With the ball, Fraser and Heslin set the tone early, each bowling three tight overs for just eight and nine runs respectively to restrict the Colts openers.
This pressure allowed young gun Van Kreeck to make an immediate impact, uprooting Petersen’s off stump before claiming a second wicket via the safe hands of Wheeler. Van Kreeck finished with impressive figures of 2/16 from his three overs.
Spin proved equally effective, with Webb and Welsh dismantling the middle order, while Jyda House also chipped in with a wicket.
The disciplined bowling effort restricted City Colts to 7/82 from their 20 overs.
It was a solid all-round performance and sees the side advance to the T20 final, set to be played under lights at Norm Minns Oval in Wangaratta next Saturday.
The club would love to see plenty of supporters make the trip and get behind the lads.
A Reserve
T20 – Lakers 10/85 (17.5 overs) vs Rovers United 4/89 (15.2 overs) at HP Barr Reserve Wangaratta.
Lakers best: Batting; Andrew Dishot 18. Ollie Cope 12. Bowling: Andrew Dishot 2/20 off 4 overs). Tom Lovel 1/29 off 3.2 overs.
B Grade
B Grade Prevail
To set the scene for this week’s report, we need to rewind three weeks. Following a fortunate win, captain Shaun Hawking delivered a firm reminder about commitment, that training is, in fact, a real thing, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays (for those taking notes).
Since that moment, “The Enigma Hawk” has neither been seen nor heard from, leaving Joshua Vagg to rally the troops and step into the role of fill-in, and perhaps long-term, skipper.
After losing what can only be described as an excellent toss to lose following a light sprinkling of rain, the Lakers were sent into the field with the red two-piece.
Following a mysterious “pizza issue” (details still unclear), Jack Hudson swapped the red suit for whites and struck immediately.
Lucas Pickering took a sharp chance at mid-wicket to have Greta 1 for 0 in the opening over. Jug O’Brien’s Christmas wish list must have reached Santa early, with Hudson finding the edge straight into Jug’s brand-new keeping gloves, cheers, Santa.
Ben Pickering bowled tight lines and had the dangerous Barnard plumb in front, leaving Greta 3/23.
While some slow running was on display, the contest between Luke Buerckner and Darcy Hargreaves was something else entirely, like watching paint dry, with Hargreaves eventually winning the duel by taking a sharp catch to give Hudson his third wicket.
Lucas Pickering was introduced and struck immediately, with Jug claiming another catch. Ash Thiesen, well supported by brother-in-law “Webby” in the covers, bowled his leg-spin with variation (intentional or otherwise) to finish with tidy figures of 1/8 from six overs. Greta were dismissed for 66.
After some well-earned yum-yums, Hargreaves and Matt “Blocka” Wilson opened the batting. Unfortunately, Blocka departed in the first over, snaffled by a sharp diving return catch. Buerckner joined Hargreaves and the familiar slow-motion running partnership resumed.
The pair absorbed the early pressure before Buerckner fell for 2/25, claiming it jagged back off a mysterious fishing lure left behind from last week’s competition, though it appeared to be a straight one.
Skipper Vagg, perhaps feeling the weight of leadership, batted without a bat for the next seven overs, repeatedly having his front pad tested.
Thankfully, Hargreaves played with maturity and composure, combining powerful strokes with clever placement to guide the Lakers past the target just two wickets down. Hargreaves finished unbeaten on a classy 35.
C Grade
‘Junior’ Lakers vs Bushrangers (Average age: barely old enough to drive — remove Parker and Reeves and the next oldest is 17).
The Bushrangers won the toss and sensibly chose to bat, perhaps hoping the Junior Lakers were still working out how to tie their shoelaces.
Bowling highlights
Opening the attack was “Three First Names” Kade Michael, bowling a beautiful line and length like he’d been doing tax returns for years — 2/30 off 8 overs. At the other end, Wild Thing #1 Will Murphy had the ball swinging and seaming, with Tow Ball Head Jim Reeves pulling off a terrific stop at first slip — 0/26.
Tom Taylor, fresh off allegedly losing a fishing rod to a “metre fish” at Lake Mulwala, delivered his best spell in some time — 0/14. Wild Thing #2, debutant D. Reeves, charged in off a long run to claim a well-earned 1/23.
Spinner extraordinaire Bill “Son of Tracey” Stevens had the ball fizzing — beating batters and physics alike — 0/31. Then came the moment everyone was waiting for.
Making his competitive cricket debut at the tender age of 42, having never played a proper game before, Tow Ball Head J. Reeves was handed the ball. And didn’t the competitive spirit shine — 5 overs, 1/15. (He will be sore all week.)
J. Browning and L. Cruikshank chipped in with 0/11 before Little Show closed the innings with a tidy final over (0/6). Benalla finished on 174 from 36 overs, an outstanding effort from a very young side.
Batting
Things didn’t quite go to plan with the bat. Skipper Parker was stuck umpiring (as none of the kids could umpire or score) while wickets fell regularly.
Tom Taylor was LBW for 0, Little Show Pickering departed after a patient 30 balls without scoring, Will Murphy made 7 before edging to the keeper, and several others fell cheaply.
After sprinting off umpiring duties, Old Man Parker produced a classy 51 before retiring to give the kids a chance. Tow Ball Head Reeves batted brilliantly for 12 before being run out courtesy of Parker, while young D. Reeves showed patience beyond his years with a superb unbeaten 20.
The innings closed at a respectable 99.
Final Word
The Junior Lakers didn’t get the chocolates but showed plenty of spirit. Time in the middle will serve them well, the future looks bright (if slightly uncoordinated).
Player of the Match: Tow Ball Head J. Reeves — 1/15 & 12 runs.
Ghost Writer
Under 16s
No report submitted.
Two-day match vs Greta at Greta.
Lakers batted first 6/186 off 40 overs. Greta 10/183 (38 overs).
Lakers best batting: Declan Reeves 34*, Xavier Chessells 79*.
Bowling: Lucas Pickering 3/30 off 8 overs. Darcy Hargreaves 2/26 of 8 overs). Tom Taylor 2/9 off 3 overs). Alex Richardson 2/17 off 3 overs)
Under 14 Bulls
Parker Steals the Show
The Bulls were delighted to return to Stan Hargreaves Oval against Rovers Bruck United. After losing the toss, they were sent into bat.
Eamon Pickering and Jordan Knight opened, with Knight falling early to bring Taj Parker to the crease. Parker worked hard early before dominating the attack.
Pickering played a patient role before being run out, allowing Finn O’Brien to join Parker. Both Parker and O’Brien retired on 50, setting a terrific platform — Parker brutal, O’Brien precise.
Murphy Doyle contributed a mature 25 as the Bulls finished on 7/208.
With the ball, the Bulls were disciplined. The new-found “spin twins” Will Cruikshank (1/5 off 3) and Layken Saunders (1/23 off 5) impressed, but the standout was Taj Parker.
Demonstrating excellent control and movement, Parker tore through the lineup with 5/13 from 5.2 overs, dismissing Rovers Bruck United for 126 and sealing a convincing win before the rain arrived.
Under 14 Rams
No report submitted.
Two-day match vs City Colts at Wangaratta.
Rams batted first 7/268 off 40 overs. City Colts 8/101.
Rams best: Batting: Byron Dodd 64*, Benji Wollington 57, Finn Mitchell 51 and Isaac McLarty 50*.
Bowling: Issac McLarty 2/8.
Under 12 Bulls
Round 8 saw the Rampaging Bulls host Delatite at Vic Park Oval 2, also known as “Josh Vagg Reserve”.
Captain Myles “Moose” Cowan won a controversial coin toss and made the bold call to bowl first. Oli McDonald starred with the ball, taking 1/2 off two overs, while Flynn Connell impressed despite not taking a wicket. Darcy O’Dwyer claimed two wickets and Rosie Lidgerwood added one.
Behind the stumps, Bowie Isaac and Cowan were sharp, conceding just two byes as Delatite finished on 66.
In reply, Finn McDonald continued his good form, striking two cracking boundaries. Jack O’Dwyer remained unbeaten for the second week running, supported by Rory Buerckner.
Hugo Bott smashed 24* from 16, Darcy O’Dwyer added 15, and Rosie Lidgerwood was outstanding, blasting 18 with three fours.
The Bulls finished on 118 for a comfortable win.
Award Winners: Fielding & Encouragement: George Hill. Club Mulwala: Jack O’Dwyer. Game Ball: Myles “Moose” Cowan. Intersport: Ollie McDonald. McDonald’s: Rosie Lidgerwood.
Under 12 Rams
No report submitted.
Rams vs City Colts and Yarrawonga P-12 College.
Rams 8/100 (17.3 overs) Bobby Best 36* def City Colts 1/62 (20 overs).
Under 15 Girls
Had the bye.
Tungamah
Tungamah prepared to take the field after Finley won the toss and elected to bat.
However, as the players warmed up, a light drizzle gradually escalated into heavy rain, forcing them off the field and bringing out the covers after just one over.
Due to the 20-minute delay, the match was reduced to 38 overs per side.
Finley’s opening duo started confidently, intent on building a substantial total.
A crucial moment came in Ben’s second over, as he delivered a brilliant ball that uprooted the middle stump—a turning point in the innings.
From there, Tungamah’s bowlers restricted scoring, reducing the run rate from 11 to around 4–5 runs per over.
Despite their efforts, a couple of missed chances and easy dropped catches kept the pressure on Tungamah.
At the drinks break, Finley were 4/93, but renewed intensity from the fielders after the interval began to lift the team’s performance.
Jayden Arnold’s exceptional fielding stood out, with four catches and numerous run-saving efforts demonstrating his unwavering commitment.
Tungamah went into the afternoon break feeling upbeat and confident. Lucas and Ben opened the batting but were both dismissed within the first four overs.
The reunion of Ash Saunders and Drew Haebich at the crease was a highlight, marking their first partnership since Tungamah’s title-winning 2013/14 season. They added 46 runs together before Drew was dismissed for 10, ending their promising stand.
The innings closed at 10/74, with the tail struggling as the last six wickets fell without adding to the total.
Ash Saunders was the standout performer, earning Man of the Match honours with an exceptional 8-over spell, 1/18 including 3 maidens, and a batting score of 43.