The Yarrawonga Mulwala Senior Lakers Cricket have had a successful home and away season across the board with A Grade, A Res, B and C Grades all contesting semi-finals this weekend.
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A Grade maintained their position at the top of the ladder throughout the year while A Res kept their spot in fourth to make finals, B Grade also claimed fourth and C Grade also ending in the prime position on the top of the ladder.
A Grade
Wangaratta Magpies 10/152 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala 7/197.
The most senior Lakers cricketers, the A Grade maintained their position on the top of the ladder to begin finals this week at home against Beechworth Wanderers.
In their last two day home and away round, the Lakers were sent in to bowl, holding their opponents to 152, a run chase the Lakers have pursued before.
Brock McCabe bowled well taking 3 wickets for 28 runs off 17 overs while Angus McMillan was close behind with 3 wickets for 26 runs off 22 overs.
On the second day, Harry Wheeler and Matt Casey took control with the bat scoring 64 and 52 respectively to help Yarrawonga to 197 and claim victory in the last round of the regular season.
A Res
Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/191 def Wangaratta Magpies 10/160.
The A Res in their last home and away game for the season made a commanding total of 191 in the first days play, sending the Wangaratta Magpies in to bat twice.
In the first innings, Ben McDonald was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 20 runs off 6 overs with some strong competition from Aneeque Azam who took 4 wickets for 25 runs off 12 overs.
The Lakers had the Magpies out for 88 in the first innings, deciding to send them back in before having them all out for 160.
McDonald again dominated with the ball taking 3 wickets for 32 runs from 7 overs while Van Kreeck took 2 wickets for 27 runs from 7.4 overs.
The A Res will kick off their finals campaign in Wangaratta this weekend against Wangaratta Magpies.
B Grade
Greta 5/54 def Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/51.
In the first round of finals, the B Grade Lakers took on Greta at the Greta Recreation Reserve with only 40 overs played across the whole days play.
Yarrawonga were sent into bat first and were all out for 51 within 22 overs with Greta chasing down the total to make 54 within 18 overs.
No Yarrawonga scores were submitted to PlayHQ.
The B Grade have a second chance at finals taking on the Benalla Bushrangers at the Benalla Gardens Oval this weekend.
Bulls make it back to back premierships
Ovens Valley United Orange 5/89 def by Yarrawonga Mulwala 5/106.
It may not have had the glitz and glamour or the half time show to boot but the under 12 ‘Superbowl’ certainly didn’t disappoint!
Coming up against Ovens Valley for the first time this season after they were crowned premiers of the under 12 Blue division was always going to be a tough task.
The game was played at North Wang, almost middle ground between the two opponents. The Bulls won the toss and decided to bat.
Blair and Hudson got the side off to a great start with Blair playing the anchor role and Hudson the aggressor. Both batters were able to face their 15 balls and retire with Blair on 6 and Hudson on 21, which included two boundaries and one that cleared the rope.
Byron and Benji were then able to continue the momentum before Benji holed out in the deep for 6 trying to push the run rate along.
Byron once again produced a captains knock, taking care of any loose deliveries. He made 21 retired from his 15 balls including three boundaries.
Isaac McLarty then entered the fold and he wasn’t there to mess around. It is unclear if he was given a licence to come out and swing from the coaches but that’s what he did.
He pounced on any short deliveries, making the bowlers pay. After his 15 balls he retired on 22 including three boundaries, in what was his best innings of the season.
Isaac was well supported by Finn O’Brien who made the mad dash back from rep basketball in Wodonga just in time to bat.
Finn was able to keep the strike rate ticking along as he has done all season making 11 retired from his 15 balls, which included a boundary.
After this it was tough going for the Bulls with runs hard to come by and wickets falling at regular intervals.
The Ovens Valley bowlers weren’t giving the batters an inch and were only able to scrounge out 10 runs off the last 5 overs.
Blair returned for a little cameo after retiring but was stumped without adding to his score and Hudson faced the last ball of the innings to finish equal top scorer with Isaac on 22 not out.
At the completion of their allotted overs the Bulls were 5-106. This was the sides lowest score since round 4 so they had a job in front of them.
Hudson and Benji were given the new ball and tasked with trying to dismantle the Ovens Valley top order.
Benji was able to keep runs to a minimum whilst Hudson, after a few wayward deliveries early, was able to get the team’s first wicket off the back of a nice catch from Byron at mid-off.
Hudson was able to then strike in his second over with almost a carbon copy of his first wicket with another nice catch from Byron.
The run rate was then stifled by the Bulls bowlers however the extras column was starting to look troublesome.
Kirsty was able to strike in her first over leaving Ovens Valley in a precarious position at 3 for 44 after 7 overs.
Some partnerships were then built and the run rate started to pick up.
It wasn’t until the 15th over that Blair was able to pick up the team’s 4th wicket with the score sitting at 70 and leaving Ovens Valley requiring 37 from 30 balls.
The game was on a knifes edge and could have gone either way. The scene was set for a grandstand finish and the crowd was tense.
Isaac, Benji and Byron were given the duties to bowl out the last five overs between them and they certainly relished the opportunity.
The boys were able to execute and only conceded 19 runs from the last five overs to seal back-to-back Super Bowl victories!
Ovens Valley finished their innings on 5 for 89 in a gallant chase.
All players should be proud of the improvement and development they displayed over the course of the season.
Every player was able to improve all facets of their game and winning was just a byproduct of this.
Hopefully the club see you all again next cricket season!
Once again, a big thanks to the volunteers, coaches and parents for their support throughout the year. The club is lucky to have such fantastic help and support.
For the last time this season, go Bulls.
Girls finish inaugural season
The Lakers Girls played their last game of their first season of cricket against Beechworth Wanderers Cricket Club at the picturesque Mayday Hills Oval.
Once again the girls played a ripping brand of cricket with such great support from family and friends on the sidelines.
The improvement from their very first session has been nothing short of impressive and it showed particularly in the field with some classic catches and stunning run outs.
While the season yield two wins, two losses and two ties from six matches, the most important takeaway is there is a girls team in the Yarrawonga Mulwala Cricket Club that provides a pathway for girls wanting to play the game of cricket.
Thanks girls, you have done the club extremely proud.
Yarrawonga Chronicle