A Grade this week escaped the chaos of the Cod Classic and made the trip to The Gardens to meet the Bushrangers in the penultimate T20 match.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Losing the toss and being sent into bat Smart made his way to the middle with his fifth different opening partner this season, this time being accompanied by an in-form Ben Welsh.
Smart in his typical aggressive approach fell for just the one run before being swiftly joined in the sheds by the dismissals of Welsh and Webb with the score on a measly 7.
The ever-reliable Brock McCabe and the X Factor of Zac Fraser worked the visitors back into the game both striking at around a run a ball until Fraser lost his wicket for 16.
Archibald then joined McCabe and attempted to put the pressure back on the hosts before sending one down deep mid wickets throat and was soon followed by McCabe after making what turned out to be a valuable 30.
Reid Clarke assumed control and used his expert timing and placement to work over the Benalla fielders on his way to an unbeaten 22 to set the visitors up with a score of 101 to defend.
In desperate need of early wickets, Heslin struck in the first over to dismiss the dangerous Stepien after Jensen Hargreaves held on to a high ball at mid-off.
Heslin again picked up two more wickets in his second over seeing catches to Webb and Hargreaves again.
Webb was soon injected into the game claiming the wicket of opener Priest right on a rain delay and eventually another, both times knocking off the batsmen’s bails.
As steady as the wickets came as did the runs with momentum shifting back and forth throughout the afternoon.
Welsh produced a brilliant spell beating the outside edge of a number of batsmen and claiming two important wickets, one of which proved to swing the momentum back in favour of the visitors removing Kirk for 30 after Van Kreeck held onto a tough chance in the deep which he made look all too easy.
The hosts found themselves requiring 6 runs and 3 wickets in hand.
Zac Fraser as he often does would have a say in the outcome of the match producing an exceptional over only going for two runs and running out Brodie, calmly taking a ball played back to him and waltzing back to whip the bails of at the bowlers end.
This would leave Jyda House with the all-important task of defending 4 runs and attempt to jag the final 2 wickets in the final over and with his second ball would claim one of the last remaining wickets with Ham skying one up to Ben Welsh.
Four balls remained: four runs needed, one wicket in hand. A dot ball followed by a single left the host’s needing two to tie and three to win with the last two balls.
House sent down a full-length ball which would once again end up in the hands of Zac Fraser to again walk down the wicket and run out the final batsman to seal an unlikely victory for the Lakers through plenty of poise and composure.
Another win all but see’s the side playing in the T20 final in a fortnight’s time but will have one more chance to carry momentum into it with a home game against City Colts next week.
A Reserve T-20
A Reserve struggled against a travelling Delatite with Skipper Hudson winning the toss and electing to have stick.
The Lakers looked to get off to a good start with Dishot and Gillies.
However, with both openers struggling to get a feel of the pitch, wickets started to fall early.
Lakers struggled to find any momentum in their batting innings, with the middle to lower order not putting up too much of a fight, scratching a total of 84, Gillies and Taylor top scoring with 17.
After a quick changeover, Xav Mitchell and Dishot bowled well early to put Delatite on the back foot early, before the Lakers losing their fearless leader Huddo to a dislocated finger.
Keals took the gloves, giving everyone a rev up, but it was to no avail as Delatite cruised to the total of 85 with 5 overs to spare.
A Res will now take on Rovers in Wang this weekend in their last T20 match of the year.
B Grade
Had the bye.
C Grade
In a shocking twist that will go down in club history, the Lakers finally won a toss and elected to bat. Yes, bat. Not bowl. Not panic. Actually bat.
Young “Meat Eater” Knight and “Gloves” Jamieson strolled out to open the innings, looking like they’d had coaching at some stage in their lives.
Meat Eater chomped his way to a classy 35, while Jamo provided strong support and even caught a few in the middle of the bat (not the gloves but more about that later) for once.
Then came three first names — Kade Jamie Michael — who had his girlfriend watching and clearly wanted to get back to sitting with her ASAP, departing for a romantic 1.
Junior Parker, fresh off a 50* earlier in the day, clearly decided that was enough runs for one Saturday and contributed a polite 3.
Then the moment… Enter veteran Browning.
Fresh from last week’s 6/3, he decided bowling was too easy and carved out a salubrious 70* with more textbook shots than a year 12 English student. On-drives, third-man glides, cover drives that made the opposition applaud — the man filled the wagon wheel like he was painting a mural.
His son, meanwhile, wasn’t interested in supporting dad out for a 0.
While the Skipper was still at the toilet and O’Bryan had his back turned, X (Travis Head this week not Smudge) Colvin seized the opportunity to sprint out to the middle. He loved every second, crashing 4s and turning 2s into 1s because he forgot to put his bat over the line — finishing with a glorious, crowd-pleasing 10 again saluting the crowd with his double figures. Old Man Parker breezed in and out for a rapid-fire 12.
The Lakers posted a competitive 7/155 off 36, thanks mostly to Browning and the bowlers of Gapstead gifting very few freebies.
Then the bowling innings.
The Lakers opened well, bowling in actual partnerships (a rare and beautiful thing). Three First Names led the charge with 3/28 off 8, proving he’s far better with the ball than when trying to impress his girlfriend batting.
Veteran Browning backed up his batting masterclass with 4/23 off 8 overs — yes, eight. He bowled so well the Gorillas considered changing their species.
Meat Eater Knight enjoyed the windy conditions, swinging the Kookaburra around like a boomerang. Even Keeper Jamo had no idea where the ball was going, including when he dropped a sitter reminiscent of his predecessor’s efforts a few weeks back!
Smith debuted and delivered proper heat — 0/7 off 2 firecracker overs including a brilliant catch in the outer Old Man Parker… well, he attempted to follow his own instructions but instead created modern art with the ball’s trajectory. (He did, however, bowl one absolute snorter of a bouncer, so all is forgiven.)
Junior Browning added 1/26 off his 4, and Meat Eater closed out the innings with a sensational 0/23 off 7 great death bowling.
In the field, Jack Browning and Eamon Pickering set the benchmark with elite fielding and a run-out each — proving that the future of the Lakers is bright. Very bright. Possibly too bright for some sunglasses-optional members of the senior playing group.
There is genuinely exciting generational talent coming through the club — and it’s bloody good to see.
See you all next week in Benalla.
Under 16s
Two day match Greta at Greta.. Lakers batted first 6/186 off 40 overs. Declan Reeves 34*, Xavier Chessells 79*.
Under 14 Bulls
Two day match Rovers United at home.. Bulls batted first 7/208 off 40 overs. TaJ Parker 54*, Finn O’Brien 50.
Under 14 Rams
Two day match City Colts at Wangaratta .. Rams batted first 7/268 off 40 overs. Byron Dodd 64*, Benji Wollington 57, Finn Mitchell 51 and Isaac McLarty 50*.
Under 12 Bulls
Under 12 bulls travelled to Wang High to take on City Colts Blue.
Losing the toss the Bulls were sent into bat.
Hugo Bott dug in against some tight bowling, Rory Buerckner with his weekly allowance in his pocket was running hard between the wickets showcasing his batting talents, giving Yarra the momentum. Finn McDonald smacked a few nice fours. George Hill showed a bit of intent and Rosie Lidgerwood smoked a cover drive not seen since her old man graced the cricket field.
Jack O’Dwyer was probably pick of the batters picking gaps at will. Finishing the innings off was crowd favourite Myles “The Moose” Cowan rotating the strike with Ollie McDonald who played a cameo to get the team total to 4 for 100.
The McDonald brothers kept things tight with ball in hand both going for less than 2 runs an over.
Rosie and Darcy O’Dwyer both bowling maidens with the game evenly poised after 10. Come in spinner after his stint wicket keeping bamboozling the batter with his leggies claiming a wicket.
Colts’ best batsman was causing a few headaches until left arm quick Bowie Isaac destroyed his stumps sending the bails afar. George Hill was left with the last over colts still with a chance until Hill cleaned up the tail to claim figures of 3/4 off his two.
Bulls home by 28 runs.
Under 15 Girls
Girls Outgunned
Sometimes, it all just happens at the wrong time.
With illness and unavailability’s reducing team numbers to seven, it was a brave stand that collapsed under a full-strength opposition line up.
In near perfect conditions at the Victoria Park Number Two Oval the travelling Hawks in the last round before the Christmas break.
The bat flip was called “roofs” by the RUBCC skipper, and she had no hesitation in batting first and setting a target for the host to chase down.
Claire Pearce, taking on the role of Lakers’ captain, showed real leadership in opening the bowling and sending down a miserly over that conceded only one scoring shot, this was followed up by Sienna O’Brien (3-0-4-2) who collected the first wicket of the day when she accepted an amazing caught and bowled effort to have the tourist 1 for 8.
The ball was flicked around to Bridie “Burner” Burns (3-0-15-1) who also tasted success when her first over saw the off peg knocked down and the Lakers were on fire at 2 for 14.
With the introduction of Sophie “’Arro” Harris (4-0-35-1) brought about a change of pace that resulted in a mistimed drive being lofted into the safe hands of Paige Banford, giving the Lakers a handsome score of 3 for 22 and the bowlers were well on top of the fight.
A solid partnership started to blossom and put on 29 for the fourth wicket before their progress was halted when the Lakers favourite tune was on high repeat as once again the stumps were sent flying, bowled by the Skipper Pearce (2-1-7-1), coming back into the attack with immediate results.
It was then that the locals started to run out of luck as the RUBCC number four pounced and took full toll during the middle to late overs helping herself to a match winning 62 and was a key contributor to the fifth wicket partnership of 52 and the sixth wicket partnership of 43.
Matilda Thackeray and Brydie Pearce bowled bravely in the face of the onslaught but were unable to contain the scoring tornado.
Paige Bamford’s (2-0-6-0) bowling at the death was a grand effort to close out the innings and bring the opposition’s score to a rest on 146 runs for five wickets.
The run chase got off to a horror start with three batters back in the shed for four runs before Thackray partnered with Harris to get some forward momentum.
They took the score to 25 when Tilly offer a chance to the field, and it was accepted. Bamford strode to the crease with purpose and set about knocking around some single to keep the scorers on their toes.
Harris batted brilliantly with Bamford, showing determination and resolve, not for the first time, to take the battle to the foe, continuing the run chase.
Just as the recovery was starting to bear fruit, a double blow saw Harris bowled for 6 and Pearce going the saw method two overs later. Bamford held up her end for a gutsy red ink 12.
Not our best day welding the willow, but once again the spirit of the Lakers cannot be questioned.
Really pleasing efforts from all the girls from time to time, it just now requires the team effort to all come together and the new year promises the best of the Lakers’ Girls are close at hand.
Huge effort to all the parents who stepped in to coach, umpire, score and look after proceedings. Like the team, you are all incredibly special in what you bring to the club.
As we turn at the halfway mark of the season, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and successful new year.
Tungamah smash Boosey Creek rival
The Tungamah Hoppers travelled a short distance up the Boosey Creek for Round 9, where they would clash with their closest sporting rivals Katamatite, this rivalry between their football and netball teams has seen many fears and comparative battles over the years.
The stakes were high coming into this clash the winner would walk away with the bragging rights and the accolades of being the inaugural winner as this was the first time these towns would do battle over a game of cricket.
Rory went into the coin toss with confidence hoping that wining this would set the team up for success early, the toss was won and without hesitation Rory elected to bat.
Lucas and Travis were asked to open, and the task was simple play each ball on its merits and set a solid foundation for their fellow batters to build their innings on.
But this wasn’t to be as Lucas (4) was out in the first over cheaply after trying to assert his dominance on the innings.
This saw Ash Saunders walk out to the crease.
Ash’s return to the club has been felt far beyond his on-field skills, as his knowledge and experience have played a crucial role in supporting stand in captain Rory during the absence of Tom.
Ash and Travis made a strong team, scoring 37 together, with Ash taking the lead and Travis providing solid support, allowing Saunders to play his shots effectively, but this partnership was short-lived as Ash was bowled out for 29.
Sean Johns made his club debut, and despite some initial uncertainty due to his hiatus from cricket, he quickly demonstrated his batting prowess, showcasing excellent technique and dominance in a 68-run partnership with Travis who was eventually out caught on 19.
Brady Hayes joined forces with Johns, and the duo added 32 runs to the scoreboard before Johns fell to a stumping on 70.
The team's momentum slowed down here, with Brady sharing the crease with five different partners, but none of these partnerships managed to translate into bigger scores.
Tungamah’s innings was brought to an end in the 34th over where Brady was out stumped on 34.
Following afternoon tea, the Tungamah began with a renewed sense of optimism and a determined attitude. Ben and Lucas took charge with the new ball, bowling with great resolve and limiting Katamatite's scoring chances, ultimately claiming vital wickets to have them at 6/28 after their 10-over spell.
Following Lucas's impressive spell, Travis Hayes took the reins, claiming 2 wickets in his 4 overs. Jeremy Kelly relieved Ben after his 8 overs, and while he didn't take a wicket, Kelly's economical 2 overs for 0 runs restricted Katamatite’s' ability to score.
With only one over to go until the drinks break, Kieran Green was given a chance to bowl, hoping his right-arm darts would yield a wicket.
On his fifth ball, he bowled Katamatite's longest-standing and highest run-scorer of the day, prompting a celebratory reaction from Kieran which saw his teammates have a bit a chuckle at this reaction.
Opting to forgo the drinks break, Rory took the ball in hand and on his third ball, secured the final wicket of the day, dismissing Katamatite for 72. This marked Rory's first win as captain.
Tungamah secured a crushing 129-run win over their rivals, solidifying their position in the Boosey Creek rivalry and earning the right to brag.
Man Of the Match - Sean Johns' exceptional batting performance, which included 70 runs, made him the clear choice for Tungamah's man of the match.