For the last 4 years Yarrawonga Mulwala Cricket Club members in Tom Lovel, Oliver Cope, Lach Phillips, Ben Kennedy and Geoff Montgomery took on the regions best yet could never quite reach the top.
As of last weekend that was about to change. Having finally qualified for the Grand Final on Sunday, a sense of optimism amongst the boys was clearly evident.
Players from Wagga Wagga, Upper Murray, Albury, Corowa, Holbrook, Tumbarumba, Henty, Culcairn, Wangaratta, Wodonga, Tallangatta, Beechworth, Benalla, Mansfield, Rutherglen, Lake Rowan/St James, Mount Beauty and of course Yarrawonga represented their respective teams in a round robin tournament decided by a Grand Final played last Sunday in Albury.
Lach Phillips hit sixes all over the large Bunton Park oval and pushed for singles when required, Tom Lovel showed the NSW states best how to bowl leg spin tearing the game apart from their opposition.
Ben Kennedy bowling flat out to clean up some in form batsmen whilst Ollie Cope consistently sees off the best bowlers teams can muster.
The whole team was right behind captain Geoff Montgomery who was given total responsibility for selection of his players and field rotations and be overpowering at times with the bat and ball whilst setting professional standards in the field.
Coach Scott Jones of Wangaratta & District Cricket Association was emotional once the team destroyed their opposition in such a one-sided victory that no one saw coming with the caliber inside the opposition team.
“To the boys credit they stood up at different times over the course of matches,” Scott said.
Scott was full of praise for Yarrawonga’s very own talent.
Watching Phillips hitting 85 metre plus sixes Scott described his performance as “ridiculous power hitting’ and in the final Lovel turned what seemed a resurgence early to break partnerships “Sheer brilliance” Scott passionately told players.
Jubilant team members embraced in what would definitely be a highlight of their careers so far.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Cricket Club has for many years produced amazing players from very early on at junior level.
All five boys are doing extras, attend training both juniors and seniors whilst accepting timely advice by long term local legends of the game.
It’s no surprise results of this nature come to the fore. Hopefully the junior state selectors keep a close eye on these boys.
