Webb leads A-Grade rampage
Yarrawonga–Mulwala returned to the winner’s list in style on Saturday, producing a powerful all-round performance to defeat Rovers United Bruck by 42 runs.
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After losing the toss and being sent in, the Lakers made a shaky start. Fraser Smart was run out early, and Hudson Gillies fell to a caught-and-bowled, leaving the side under pressure.
But the innings soon stabilised through a composed partnership between Devlin Webb and Ben Welsh.
Once settled, Webb shifted gears and showcased the full range of his stroke-making. Every shot in the playbook came out as he took control of the innings, blasting a superb 81 from just 56 deliveries.
His knock included 12 boundaries, 10 fours and two towering sixes, and completely swung the momentum back the Lakers’ way.
Welsh anchored the other end with a steady and valuable 19 not out, while Zac Fraser added late spark with a lively 20 off 13 balls to push Yarrawonga–Mulwala to an imposing total of 6/146.
With runs on the board, the Lakers’ bowlers wasted no time in applying pressure. Fraser struck in the first over, removing the dangerous Perera to set the tone. From the opposite end, Matt McCabe chimed in with an early wicket of his own as the visitors tightened the screws.
Young quick Van Kreeck impressed with great maturity, cleverly changing his pace and using his variations to claim the key scalps of Schonafinger and McNamara.
But the story of the day belonged to Devlin Webb, who backed up his batting heroics with one of the finest bowling spells of the season.
Attacking the stumps relentlessly, Webb tore through Rovers United Bruck to finish with extraordinary figures of 5/8 from his four overs.
His match-winning performance ensured the Rovers never recovered, the side eventually bowled out for 104.
A dominant display at both ends of the game saw Webb deliver a clear best-on-ground performance, guiding the Lakers to a commanding and confidence-boosting victory.
A Reserve - more like Slay Reserve
Last weekend marked the start of the pre-Christmas T20 campaign (everyone’s favourite time of the year).
The lads took on Wangaratta Magpies for what felt like the 10th time this season.
Kudos to Wangaratta for fronting up undermanned with only eight players however being underdone in the player department didn’t bode well for them ultimately going down by 61 runs at the end of the day.
Some notable mentions include an Andrew Dishot knock of 41 to kick the boys batting off in the right direction.
A tasty little 36 from Johnno Taylor and some fine quick scoring efforts from a handful of others.
Yarrawonga seeing out the overs for a total of 7/163.
Good bowling went mostly unrewarded after the changeover. Shout-outs to Xave Mitchell and Oliver ‘good salad’ Connell who both had the ball barking, had the Magpies lads catching edges and spooning nuts just shy of the Lakers fielders.
It was Aneeque Azam who bowled like The King (not Wayne Carey) in his prime taking 3/13 including a stumping, which resembled more of a run-out from A-Reserve’s own Alex Kealy/Carey behind the castle.
Dishot backed up his lovely batting with two wickets of his own. With only seven wickets to take the boys effectively took down, the Magpies with 61 runs left in the bank.
Onwards to Myrtleford next week.
B grade go down in a nail biter in Benalla
Benalla Bushrangers 8/123 def Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/121
On Saturday the B Grade boys travelled to Benalla to play the grand final rematch with a completely different team to the week before.
The scribe thinks captain Hawking has heard just about every excuse this year, however it’s fairly plain to see that most of the side just can’t string two games in a row together due to match conditioning.
The young guns were brought in and Billy Vagg made his debut alongside his Dad, club legend Josh in what the scribe is sure will be a long and illustrious career.
Hawk won the toss and decided to have a bat, sending Hill and veteran Vagg out to open up.
After a couple of lusty blows from Vagg he managed to nick something and the umpire had no hesitation in sending him packing.
Another quick wicket and then a decent partnership and the boys were cruising at 2/80 just before drinks until they imploded, losing 8/40 to be all out for 122.
Special mentions must go to Billy for making his first career runs (3), and Lucas Pickering for making more runs than his Dad (4).
The boys needed early wickets with the ball and old man Pickering managed to jag one. The Bushies then got a couple of partnerships together and were cruising as well before losing a clump of wickets through the middle overs.
It got down to Benalla needing nine runs and Yarra needing two wickets, however luck was not with the Lakers as the ump must have forgotten to turn his hearing aids on and didn’t hear a loud snick that they heard across the road at the Gardens ground.
Benalla then made it through to the target handing the B grade boys their first defeat.
They are back home next week, hoping to bounce back in Mulwala.
C Grade Lakers dominate Delatite
Yarrawonga Mulwala 2/80 def Delatite 9/77.
The Lakers arrived ready for battle… well, most of them. Play was delayed after an unnamed player in a black Mitsubishi came roaring down Dunlop Street throwing more sparks than fireworks night at the Yarrawonga Show.
Upon inspection, it wasn’t mechanical brilliance — just a bald tyre with enough wire showing to build a farm fence. Elite pre-game preparation.
Delatite won the toss and decided to bat, which turned out to be their second mistake of the day.
With the new cherry, ‘two-first-names’ K. Michael tore in like a man still shaken from seeing that Mitsubishi, ripping through the top order for 4/7.
At the other end, veteran Gus Browning (who has been 29 for at least 14 seasons) chimed in with 1/6, while debutant F. Mitchell bowled a very economical “don’t-hit-me-please” spell of 0/4.
‘Meat-Eater’ Knight (1/5) entered the chat, followed by B. Dodd (1/15), ‘Old Man’ Michael (1/8), and Junior Browning (1/1), who all helped tidy up the innings nicely.
Behind the stumps, C. Jamieson, on his second comeback tour (Adam Gilchrist would be proud), displayed hands softer than a bakery sponge cake.
Delatite crawled their way to 77.
The chase
Opening the batting were K. Michael and Knight, who showed real intent early — mostly the intent to swing hard.
Michael, possibly still haunted by the earlier tyre incident, departed for a stylish three, bowled middle stump.
Enter T. Taylor, who made a classy 22 and nearly more — famously announcing “that’s going for six” only for the ball to plug so deep into the ground it needed to be excavated.
Before he could even complete a single run, he was run out.
But the star of the day was Knight. With 59 already under his belt earlier in the day, he decided animals could wait — the only thing he was hunting was red leather.
A dominant 46 not out* had the Lakers cruising.
Then, right on cue, the man for the big moments, X. “Smudge” Colvin, strode in and smoked the winning runs through mid-wicket — a thunderous four that sealed the game finished with a military salute to the roaring crowd.
Result: Lakers win comfortably.
A cracking performance by the young Lakers — great bowling, confident batting, and only one mechanical emergency.
All in all, a perfect Saturday.
Under 16s
Yarrawonga Mulwala 9/68 v Rovers United Bruck 2/33 ~ in progress.
Report not submitted.
Under 15s girls play thriller
Yarrawonga Mulwala 5/73 def by Wangaratta Magpies 5/111.
On a beautiful Sunday morning head coach Peter Brear had everything set up and organised by 7.27am, an hour and a half before start time.
With things organised, it was over to captain Matilda Thackray to bring the energy and vibes. Her day started well winning the toss and sending Wang Maggie’s into bat first. Kirsty Plevnik bowled one of the fastest spells of bowling ever seen on Vic Park two and was well supported by Sienna O’Brien who claimed a wicket, only bowling one bad ball when the umpire told her how well she was bowling, no compliments allowed anymore.
Skipper Matilda and Mackenzie Wolfe were bowling well and superbly backed up with Kirsty taking two brilliant catches.
Paige Bamford is looking towards the next women’s World Cup, her wicket keeping this season is really impressive.
Maggie’s finishing on 5/111.
Credit where credit is due, the opposition started well with a few early wickets.
Kirsty batted superbly scoring 31* off 24 balls aided by young up and coming all rounders in Stella Hill, Bridie Burns and Sophie Harris.
Also special mention to Lexi Richardson. A few years of experience behind her, really showed some great leadership in the field and with the bat. Laker girls finished 5/83.
Yet again thanks to the wonderful support crew of scorers, umpires, fruit providers and most importantly supporters of the girls.
Under 14 Bulls
City Colts Blue v Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 6/178 ~ in progress.
Report not submitted.
Under 14 Rams
Report not submitted.
Under 12 Bulls suffer defeat
Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 8/82 def by Benalla Bushrangers 5/115.
This week’s captain Bowie Isaac won the toss and had no hesitation to have a field. Wickets were hard to come by in the first 10 until Rory Buerckner bowl a beautiful outswinger bamboozling the batter hitting the top of off stump.
Hugo Bott and Bowie Isaac both claimed a wicket with ever reliable Finn McDonald being the pick with two. Benalla finishing 5/115.
Solid contributions with the bat were Darcy O’Dwyer’s run a ball eight, Jack Hawking 6*, Finn McDonald 12*, Hugo Bott 13* and in form batter Rosie Lidgerwood 11* just not quite enough falling short at 8/82.
Some pleasing signs nonetheless, a bit of boundary hitting practice this week and bowling control is in order and should see the Bulls back on the winners list.
Under 12 Rams sneak home in close one
Benalla Bushrangers White 6/59 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 9/66
The Under 12 Rams headed to Arundel Street to take in Benalla White. Captain for the day Alex Mulquiney won the toss and decided to bat.
Runs came steadily but so did the flow of wickets.
Initially the Rams had five batters retire (Bobby nine, Ned nine, Ted nine, Farley five and Charlie seven) but four of them fell when they returned in the chase of quick runs. Charlie remained not out on seven with the team total reaching 66.
It was going to take a strong bowling performance from the Rams to secure victory and they were implored to keep their line and length and not worry so much about pace.
Charlie Kennedy got the ball rolling with a magnificent direct hit to have Benalla on the back foot.
They were able to steady however and put 35 runs in the board before Ned struck just before drinks.
Artie and Paddy then both picked up a wicket each to put the Rams right back in the game.
The Rams only conceded seven runs off the next five overs including a wicket to Ted. Beau followed up with another and then Charlie bowled a fantastic over conceding only one run in the penultimate over of the match.
Bobby closed out the game and the Rams were victorious by seven runs.
All in all it was a fantastic team performance with everyone contributing at various stages throughout the match.
Next week the Rams take on Benalla Blue at home.
Hoppers fall short
Game Day and club major Sponsor LDC
Tungamah 10/57 def by Finley 10/237.
This weekend was marked by a trip to Barooga Recreation Reserve for the Hopper's team, who established a home away from home on the second oval.
However, the team's lineup was impacted by the harvest season, which led to several players being unavailable. As a result, Rory reassumed his role as Captain.
The Hoppers team had an exciting weekend also with two new players making their club debut in Brendan Toohey and Tague Saunders who had a particularly special experience as he played his first-ever cricket game alongside his dad, Ash.
Cameron Britnell was also making an anticipated return to the club where he last played in an u16s team.
Hunter Toohey, one of the shining stars from the Woolworths Blasters program, had the chance to 'flip' his way into the spotlight by tossing the coin with Rory.
Finley won the toss and elected to bat, Tyler and Lucas were paired up to take the new ball and got to work straight away and in the opening spell they took three wickets which saw Finley 3/39.
At this juncture, the Finley batters asserted their dominance, promptly increasing the run rate by exploiting gaps in the field, which, combined with the exceptionally swift outfield, enabled the ball to reach the boundary with ease, thereby shifting the momentum of the game in their favour.
The team's spirit remained unwavering throughout, as they consistently gave their all, never dropping their heads, even when wickets were scarce.
Finley 10/237.
Phil and Lucas were again tasked with seeing the new ball off and setting the tempo for a run chase that looked to be getting off to a good start with the opener’s combining for 26.
Finley bowled really well putting the Hopper batters under pressure and from this they received the rewards bowling the Hoppers out for 57.
A highlight of the day was Tague getting the opportunity to have a bowl and with his first ball took the last wicket of the day ending Finley’s innings.
Man of the Match - Lucas Tonna - 2/45. 26.
Tungamah are truly fortunate to be part of the MVCA, where they have experienced tremendous respect and appreciation from all the cricket clubs, including Barooga CC, who generously allowed Tungamah to use their second oval as a home ground, enabling the Hoppers to play this weekend.
Hoppers cricket would also like to say a massive thank you to all the friends and family members of the players and also the many locals who attend games setting up around the ovals cheering the team on each week. Tungamah Hoppers have a great turn out and the team and club are so appreciative of this support.
Tungamah Woolworths Blasters
It was another thrilling evening at Jubilee Park, where the team arrived eager and ready to have a blast playing cricket.
The club are thrilled to have had such a 'drill-iant' team of parents at the recent event.
Their support was instrumental in keeping the kids engaged and active, allowing multiple drills to run simultaneously and make the most of the time together.
Special thanks to Nat and Xander for bringing oranges to share during the break - it was a lovely surprise.
After the drinks break, the group was split into two sections to facilitate more effective coaching.
The club were extremely grateful for the support of Tague and Layken Saunders, who kindly offered their time to assist.
Under their guidance, the older group participated in a well-structured game, specifically designed to provide each player with the opportunity to develop their batting, bowling, and fielding skills.