The club successfully raised $15,750 in funds at the Jess Koopman Day event to assist in Jess’ recovery.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
As we hit the halfway point of the WDCA season It has been an eventful time for the Yarrawonga Mulwala Lakers Cricket Club, both on and off the field.
Some notable highlights and achievements include:
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• Making history with the establishment of the first junior girls’ cricket team in the Yarrawonga Mulwala community.
• Successfully raising $15,750 during the Jess Koopman Day event for Jess Koopman’s recovery.
• Conducting a community food and toiletries drive for Yarrawonga Mulwala FoodShare to support the community during the holiday season.
• Recognising the efforts of Sam Fraser and her team for their Thursday night dinners during Club team selection.
• Introducing multiple father-son selections across senior teams.
• Completing the scoreboard redevelopment on the far side of Stan Hargreaves Oval.
Gifted left-hand batsman who is a very handy right arm leg spinner, Jobe Fraser, will contest the Under 17 national championships this Thursday, January 4.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
• Celebrating Jobe Fraser’s selection for the Victorian Country under 17s team, participating in the National Championships starting on January 4 in Ballarat.
• Welcoming five A Grade debutants, including Angus Heslin, Ollie Cope, Andrew Dishot, Adam Dodd, and 14-year-old Van Kreeck.
• Showcasing the ‘Locking of the Horns’ event with the under 12s teams on the turf at Stan Hargreaves Oval, attracting over 300 spectators in person and online.
• Youngsters Ollie Cope and Ollie Connell successfully captaining our A Reserve team.
• Undertaking renovations on both turf pitches in Yarrawonga and Mulwala (9 total wickets).
On field
Our cricket is strong, with junior and senior teams continuing to develop.
A Grade
After some early losses the senior A Grade group rallied to round out 2023 on top of the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association ladder. Captain Coach Kyle Archibald has delicately steered the ship, and young gun Jobe Fraser (303 runs and 50.5 average) and Reid Clarke (271 runs and 38.7 average) are inside the league’s top 10 run scorers.
Brothers Brock and Matt McCabe sit on top of the bowling tally with 17 and 16 wickets, respectively.
Highlights include Reid Clarke and Matt Knight’s hundreds while Matt McCabe took a hat-trick in the most recent game against Benalla.
A Reserve
A Reserve continues to impress with a mix of upcoming youth and seasoned senior players. The top of the table is tight in in the A Reserve competition - with the Lakers sitting 4th just 6 points outside the top spot. Adam Dodd and Fraser Smart are in the top 12 batsmen. While crafty spinner Aneeque Azam is leading the competition with an impressive 19 wickets.
B Grade
B Grade is 6th on the ladder and continues to promote youth at the top of the order and with the ball. Youngsters TJ Docking and Will Murphy are impressing with the ball, while Darcy Hargreaves is proving to be solid as a rock at senior level with the bat.
C Grade
C Grade are fifth on the ladder and sharpening their axes as they look to take on the second half of the season. After early losses in their season, the boys were lighting up Vic Park Oval number 2 in their last match.
Father-son combinations have been the highlight for their year so far, while Ben Pickering sits second on the league’s run scoring and Ted Graham sits third on the league bowling tally with 12 wickets. Ted is closely followed by young Lucas ‘Rackemann’ Pickering with 7 wickets.
Under 16s
Our under 16s continue to defy the odds and sit in 4th position on the ladder. The boys had some impressive early wins while short on numbers against some strong opposition. Jobe Fraser and Lucas Eales are in the league’s top 10 batsmen, while Nate Sheridan and Will Murphy also feature in the league’s top 10 bowers.
Under 14s
The under 14s are 10th on the ladder and continue to improve under coach Nathan Parker every week. Tom Taylor and Darcy Hargreaves are in the league’s top 13 batsmen. While Blake Braun and Tom Taylor are equal 10th for wickets in the league.
Under 12s
Our two under 12s teams continue to impress. The Bulls sit on top of the ladder undefeated, while the Rams are in 5th position with a game up their sleeve. Byron Dodd, Blair Anthony Livingston-Laing, Eamon Pickering, Finn O’Brien and Isaac McLarty are inside the top 11 batters in the league for runs scored. While Benji Wollington and Jordan Knight are among the top 12 bowlers in the competition.
History-making under 13 junior girls, led by Coach Peter Brear and well supported by their families, are setting new horizons for what girls’ sports can achieve in the community.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
Junior Girls
Our history making under 13 junior girls are continuing to develop their skills every training session and match day. Led by Coach Peter Brear and well supported by their families, the girls are having fun and setting new horizons for what girls’ sport can achieve in the community. We are all very proud and keen to see your cricket develop in the future - go girls!
The YMCC would like to thank all players, supporters, sponsors and the community for their contributions in 2023. We wish you all a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2024!