The Yarrawonga Mulwala A Grade resumed to play their first game since December 21 with a trip to Beechworth to take on the fourth placed Wanderers.
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After losing the toss, the Lakers were sent out to field first on a much-improved wicket that looked a good batting surface. It only took 3 balls for Angus Heslin to strike, knocking over Beechworth’s Ryan off stump with a cracking delivery.
The Wanderers set about putting a partnership together before Ben Welsh brought the breakthrough with his off spin.
Beechworth looked set to post a large total before Adam Dodd produced a superb individual effort with the score at 2/92 running out Beechworth Captain Surrey with a bullet throw from the boundary line.
The momentum change was evident with Brock McCabe, Van Kreeck, Aneeque Azam and Angus Heslin all having success with the ball.
Heslin ending the innings the pick of the bowlers with 4/32 from his 7 overs.
With the 175 runs to chase down, the Lakers remained confident with the pitch proving to have little demons within it.
However, after Reid Clarke was caught in the gully on the third ball, the Lakers struggled to build any momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals.
After falling in a deep hole at 6/28, youngsters Ollie Cope and Van Kreeck dug their heels in an attempt to stop the rot.
The pair impressively put on a partnership of 58 to keep their team still in a position to win the game.
On the eve of his 16th birthday, Kreeck was the Lakers top scorer with 33 runs with the Lakers reaching 108 before being bowled out.
A Grade now return to the two day format this weekend in a must win match against modern day rivals Rovers United Bruck at the WJ Findlay Oval.
A Res win in high scoring match
This week A reserve travelled to Benalla Gardens, in a highly anticipated clash against Benalla with two big inclusions of Jack Connell and Gary Browning.
After winning the toss and batting first, fitness fanatic Fraser Smart hit them to all parts early, putting on a 62-run opening partnership with Brendan Hill.
After the openers were dismissed, in came Jack Connell, picking the gaps with ease for a well-made 35 in his first A reserve game this season.
Runs continued to flow throughout the innings with Nehal Tahir smashing the Benalla bowlers and a cameo at the end for Xav Mitchell. Yarrawonga finishing 8 for 245.
After a solid arvo tea, veteran Gary Browning and Xav Mitchell bowled in great areas to restrict the batsmen and take a wicket each.
Spinners TJ Docking and Tom Lovel fought to keep the runs to a minimum.
With the runs starting to flow late, in came Ollie Connell, bowling unplayable deliveries in the death to take 5/35 and seal the game for the Lakers.
A Reserve take on City Colts at Stan Hargraeves next week.
B grade dealt first loss of the season
Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/99 def by Merton CC 6/100.
This week B grade hosted Merton at Mulwala in a clash between first and 4th.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, a collapse at the top of the order which saw no one in double figures had the boys on the back foot early at 6-37.
With wickets falling around him everywhere, Geoff Montgomery began to get into his work running hard between the wickets and batting time with Alex Kealy at the other end, the pair began to form a good partnership.
Kealy dealt a couple of big blows before being bowled for an important 23 and have the scores at 7-79.
Wickets once again fell in bunches at the end of the innings to have B grade bowled out for 99 with Geoff unbeaten on 38.
After the break, the boys knew they were going to be up against it defending a small total and would have to take wickets.
Jyda House and Hunter Fraunfelder opened up once again, bowling great line and length which led to Hunter taking 3 quick wickets and putting the boys well in it.
A partnership was formed until Jyda House broke through after drinks.
Next to bowl was Lach Phillips and Geoff Montgomery and the two continued to put the pressure on getting a breakthrough each to have Merton in trouble at 6-54.
Merton then formed a big partnership to chase down the total at 6-100 with 4 overs to go.
B grade have Australia Day weekend off next week before taking on Wang Rovers the week after.
Tale of Chrome Domes, Crunchers, and Rose Gardens
Yarrawonga Mulwala 7/187 def by Beechworth Wanderers 8/188.
It was a showdown for the ages at the iconic Vic Park 2—home of cricket and arguably the flattest surface for sprained egos.
The Lakers rolled into town with a lineup that resembled a walking ad for “before” shots in a hair restoration clinic: a mix of youthful enthusiasm and veterans held together by tape and muscle cream.
The Bushrangers, winning the toss, decided to “roll the arm over,” which might have been their only tactical decision not based on their captain’s horoscope.
Enter Veteran (Brear) and Slim Shady (Hargreaves) to open the batting. Slim must’ve thought it was karaoke night, as his contribution of 8 runs was as brief as an Eminem verse.
Enter Chrome Dome (B Pickering), who came to the crease glowing like a new Tesla but left after a mix-up with Number Cruncher (Vagg) that saw Chrome run a marathon while Cruncher stayed parked in neutral.
Cruncher’s response? “Mate, I thought it was a no ball. My bad.”
The Cat (Leeburn) then strutted in like he owned the place, unleashing sixes that had the locals scrambling for windshield repair services.
One particularly mighty hit landed in Paul and Danni Blick’s rose garden, resulting in a “temporary pitch delay” as the couple debated whether to call their insurance or the council.
Meanwhile, BMX bandit Terry Brear—still rocking his Mount Isa FIFO hard hat—showed up in time to remind everyone that cricket is, at its core, about style.
Despite losing Number Cruncher (31 off 28) and “Two First Names” (Kade Michael, with a cameo 9), the Cat continued to make the ball disappear into the bush faster than a kangaroo at dusk.
His 75 off 50 balls had the crowd roaring, though Hawk was notably absent due to unfinished chores at home. (Rumor has it, the vacuuming still isn’t done.)
The Lakers posted a solid 7/187, the highest total anyone had managed against the undefeated Bushrangers, giving hope to underdogs everywhere.
Enter Ned Kelly’s Lads, ‘The Bushrangers’ came out swinging, with their openers piling on 33 before Chrome Dome (Pickering Snr) and his son combined for a Hollywood-esque father-son dismissal.
Chrome Dome Senior’s overhead catch was so good it left Hawk shaking his head from home, where he was still negotiating the vacuum settings.
Junior Pickering then struck again, getting rid of another batter to keep things interesting.
But it was new young gun (J Hudson) who turned the tide. The rookie bowled like a man with something to prove, picking up 4/39 and ensuring he’d be the first name mentioned at the pub later.
Number Cruncher and Chrome Dome Snr were electric in the field, snagging catches like they were auditioning for an IPL highlight reel.
Despite their efforts, the Bushrangers chased down the target in the 34th over, helped by their fielding, which allegedly saved about 30 runs. (Though sources suggest this was mostly due to Lakers’ habit of hitting straight to the fielders.)
Final thoughts: the Lakers might have lost, but they’ve got plenty to take away—like the knowledge that Chrome Dome and Number Cruncher could probably moonlight as fielding coaches.
With a bye next week, they’ll have time to reflect, regroup, and maybe help Hawk finish his chores.
Next up: Ned’s other team, the Benalla Bushrangers. Until then, Paul and Danni’s roses are on high alert.
Yarrawonga Chronicle