Day two of the clash against City Colts was eventful for the A Grade Lakers with two fantastic batting spells securing the win and consolidating top spot on the WDCA ladder.
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A beautiful January day of 26 degrees with a light breeze set the perfect scene for the match.
‘Matches’ well-prepared wicket held up perfectly despite more mid-week rain. Ash Gove also manicured a flawless green outfield with a chequer pattern too.
After a brief warmup, Coach Archibald spoke highly of the bowlers efforts the week before and urged his batsmen to take what the game gives them in the run chase.
Clarke and Knight resumed for the Lakers at 0/15 chasing City Colts 97. Colts chose a spin and pace attack to start their defence.
Reid Clarke and Matt Knight batted with patience and watched the ball closely, slowly ticking the scoreboard over.
Clarke reached 14 before he was out caught behind. 1/36.
Enter Harry Wheeler.
Wheeler and Knight pushed the game along and played positive cricket. Both batsmen ran many singles and were busy between the wickets.
Knight timed the ball well and pierced the field on multiple occasions along the green carpet to the fence.
Knight and Wheeler reached the drinks break. However, Knight fell soon after for a well-made 50 that included six fours. Lakers 2/90.
Needing only 9 runs for victory, Wheeler and Brock McCabe tickled the ball around and were again fast between the wickets.
Colts choosing spin from both ends to get through the overs. While the seamers returned from the other end throughout the later parts of the game.
McCabe was looking to push the score but was soon caught behind for 9 which brought Matt Casey to the crease.
From then on, Wheeler and Casey piled on the runs and punished loose deliveries to the pickets.
Wheeler cleverly used his wrists and timed the ball to perfection. Reaching 50 and then picking up the pace as he entered the 90s.
As the team and individual scores swelled - so did the eager crowd at Vic Park on the deck. Johnny Hyland was on the hill as usual and even a few familiar faces under a marquee at long off.
Wheeler brought up his flawless ton with a textbook cover drive that snaked along the fast outfield. The crowd roared as the ball slowly trickled across the boundary for four.
Casey congratulated his batting partner and then both boys got back to business. Casey took full advantage of the conditions too and hit five fours on his way to a well-made 59.
The pair put on a 160-run partnership before Casey was caught at gully.
McDonald and McMillan were the jokers in the deck not troubling the scorers at the close of play.
Wheeler finished 139 from 177 balls that included 17 fours. It was a pleasure to view from the sidelines.
Overall, the Lakers finished 5/277 and the top scorers were Harry Wheeler with 139 not out, Matt Casey 59 and Matt Knight 50.
The Lakers consolidated their position on top of the WDCA A grade ladder heading into the final few games of the season.
A big thank you to Hicksy and everyone for their efforts to help organise the wicket, outfield and the iPod shuffle party.
See you next week as the A Grade Lakers take on Rovers United Bruck in Wangaratta, Rovers Ground.
A Reserve
Rovers United Bruck 9-d/200 def Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/59.
Day 2 against Rovers United Bruck saw the A Res boys travel over to Wangaratta on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
With Rovers Bruck in a commanding position, the Yarra Mul Lakers knew that they had a big day ahead and that discipline and patience was the key.
Andrew Dishot used his clever cricket IQ to lead his boys through a long day in the field.
Dishot, Aneeque Azam and Brendan Hill all attacked the stumps to take wickets bowled and LBW to remove the top order.
At one stage in the game the Lakers had taken 2 wickets for no runs and 3 wickets for 24 in the same spell of the game.
However, Rovers Bruck continued to settle into their innings and patiently tickle the ball around to grind out the game.
Support roles from young speedsters Van Kreeck and Xavier Mitchell took some late wickets in the day.
Speedster Jyda House finished the day with two catches while Xav Mitchell finished with one.
Overall, the boys toiled hard and earned their wickets despite Rovers Bruck batting patiently and piling on the runs to finish 9/200.
The Lakers A reserve now sit third on the ladder heading into the final few games of the year.
Head to Bill O’Callaghan Oval, Wangaratta this week as the A Res take on City Colts who are in 5th position on the WDCA ladder.
B Grade
Rutherglen United 10/118 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala 8/153.
The B Grade boys travelled to Rutherglen for their one-day clash to hold on to their top 4 finals chances.
The Lakers batted first and posted a total of 8-153.
Top scorers were Hargreaves with 51, Geoff Montgomery batting at number 6 who anchored the innings with 42 and Alec Buerckner with 11.
Rutherglen came out to the crease and lost early wickets with a run out and Lach Phillips snagging an early LBW.
Veteran Gus Browning ripped out the middle order taking 3/10 while James Reilly snagged some late wickets along with Phillips, Jack ‘Colonel’ Connell and Geoff Montgomery.
All up, Rutherglen were bowled out in the 32nd over and managed 118. Meaning the Lakers won by 35 runs.
Next week, B grade faces off against Milawa at Milawa.
C Grade
Bye
Under 16s
City Colts 8/145 def Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/117
Under 14s run chase falls short
Rovers United Bruck 9/210 def Yarrawonga Mulwala 7/184.
In week 1 the Under 14s Lakers bowled really well in very wet conditions versus top side, Wang Rovers.
Rovers posted a great score of 210 runs with L Cruikshank & J Browning taking 2 wickets each.
Young gun Jordy Knight bowling 4 overs for 5 runs were the pick of the bowlers.
In week 2, the Lakers batted with J Browning and L Purtle getting the Lakers off to a very solid start with the score on 25 before Browning skied one to mid-off.
His opening partner Purtle going on to make his maiden 50 in a fine innings.
This brought D Hargreaves to the crease with Darc nicking one to the keeper for 1 run.
M Smith and T Parker came together to form a great partnership of 30 runs before Parker retired on 16 runs and Smith going on to retire on a very impressive 31 playing some great shots all around the oval.
T Taylor (26) and L Pickering came together rotating the strike before Pickering was ran out trying to sneak a single.
Taylor played some massive shots hitting a couple of great 6s keeping the Lakers in the game.
Young Knight played a ripping shot off his pad first ball before skying one to cover.
Hammon came in and tried to go big missing one on stumps.
J Smith played some great shots before also skying one trying to up the run rate.
This bought L O’Bryan and N Thomson to the crease both playing a couple of great shots.
Unfortunately, the Lakers ran out of overs after a bloody terrific run chase.
The boys are showing great improvement week to week which is all the coaches can ask for.
Congrats to up and comer Levi Purtle on his maiden 50 retired.
Under 12s
Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls v Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams
Representative country week cricket
Under 12s Country Week Premiers
Several Under 12 YMCC players took part in the Country Week Cricket Carnival with everyone performing well in the Grand Final for Wangaratta Blue Under 12s.
◦ Byron - 51 retired and bowled 3 overs for 10 runs
◦ Blair - 14 runs n/o, and bowled 11 runs off 3 overs
◦ Taj - 11 runs and bowled 3 overs for 5 runs
◦ Finn - DNB, 3 wickets 22 runs off 6 overs
◦ Benji - DNB, 2/ 40 off 6 overs
Coached by Wayne Cooper and Adam Dodd.
Byron Dodd was named Under 12s batsman of the carnival with three 50s and in the team of the week while Van Kreeck was also named in the Under 16s Team of the Week at the championships.
Another rep game, another Dodd high score
This time, Byron Dodd scored 52 retired for the Wangaratta & District Cricket Association in the Under 12s rep grand final against Cricket Albury-Wodonga. Byron is doing the Lakers proud.
CMCU cup is back
This coming Thursday afternoon the Lakers will pull on the blue and yellow kits to play off against the Barooga Cricket Club for the Central Murray Credit Union Cup in a white ball T20 match.
Come on down and enjoy the club dinner, a cold beverage on the deck, some tunes and some company while the ball hits the pickets.
Thursday, February 1 - 5pm - Stan Hargreaves Oval/ Vic Park.
Famous Ladies Day around the corner
Keep Saturday, February 17 free for an afternoon of pure pink with proceeds going to the McGrath Foundation.
The A-grade will take to the field against Ovens Valley and will don the famous pink stumps.
The girls will have the run of the clubrooms and will chill on the deck with some amazing food, music to tap your feet to by the very talented Bruce Poulter, and a wonderful afternoon. Word is that Bruce will have some friends from Project 365 Wangaratta’s band ‘U CAN CRY’ on stage with him to bring the vibes.
There’ll be raffles and other fundraising efforts throughout the day so bring a couple of gold coins if you wish.
Dress in pink, get your best girlfriends together and come down for the best afternoon on the Lakers calendar.
18+ only. Cost- $80 includes your ticket, 5 alcoholic beverages, food and entertainment plus a ticket in the lucky door prize.
$40 includes your ticket, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, food and entertainment plus a ticket in the lucky door prize.
This year, the ladies day will be fundraising for the McGrath Foundation and hope to raise $1000 which will provide vital funds to provide breast care nurses to the community.
The ladies will also raise some funds for the club to promote the future.
So come on down, it’s ALWAYS a brilliant day full of laughter and frivolity!
Payment details will be provided asap with RSVP required by February, 10 2024.
See you in pink very soon!
Yarrawonga Chronicle