Gold on the board
Gold moved into the winners list with a strengthened
team due to a long list of unavailable players for next week in the first round of two day games. With Jason back from A's
and Gilps and Smarty back from B's the Gold team were close to full strength. Churchill lost regular wickets to be all
out for 147. Dermot Leys took 3/25, while Ash Taylor @/10 from seven overs, Brett Davey 2/16 from seven and Matt Taylor in
his first game for the season 2/27 were all in the groove. Gilps 39 and Smarty 30 saw the total to 76 before the second wicket
fell, then a a couple of quick wickets saw the game in the balance at 5/105. A good partnership between Brett Davey 27 and
Ash Taylor 23 guided the home team past the total.
The young U/14 side picked up the points against Traralgon
West before going on to win outright by an innings and four runs. Considering the team this year consists of only five of
last years team and includes four or five U/12's including two U/12 girls this is an extremely pleasing result. Batting first
Jack Mazou with a huge responsibility this season held the innings together with 34 in a third wicket partnership of 37 with
Melissa Blackberry (2) in the final total of 85. The West in their first innings were dismissed for 43 with Dillon Leys taking
3/4. In the West second innings they were dismissed for 35. Dillon again claimed two wickets including completing a hatrick
from the first innings and Jack Mazou 2/6 from five overs.
B grade are in a real battle in their match against
the Raiders collapsing to 4/11 after dismissing the home team for 108. The only wicket to come in the first hour was to a
good runout to young Ubby in the third over of the day. The bowlers toiled hard and kept the pressure on without breaking
through until the 24th over. The second wicket fell at 47 and regular wickets from there saw the Raiders only muster the 108
score. Brad Wright back from A grade didn't gain a wicket until his 19th over and then finished with 3/41 from 21 overs. Blackers
senior picked up 2/18 from 13 overs and Junior Blackers picked up 2/4 from 3 overs. The Panther innings didn't start well
losing Buddha in the second over and then Wrighty, Wilks and Nathan all with the total at 11. Gibbo and Brendan Passey then
consolidated the innings to 35 befor Gibbo fell. Pas and young Blackers saw the total to 44 before bad light ended the days
play.
A's struggled to cover the loss of three or four players
unavailability with only Hippy 21 and Phil Allen 28 getting to double figures in their disappointing total of 72 all out.
In reply Raiders ended the day at 8/200. Hippy, Laaksy and Young Urbo each picked up two wickets.
The U/16's are in a commanding position in their match
to start the season with two wins on the trot thanks to another good unbeaten opening partnership (91) between Blackers Junior
46no and Wilkie 37no at the half way mark of their innings. Although the bowlers were a bit untidy with 20 wides and
noballs they have the West 5/78 close to the halfway mark of their innings. Rob Beamish the most successful of the bowlers
with 2/11 from four overs.
Rovers forfeited to the Blue C grade side.
