Fine start to season

By YVCA Secretary
THE great summer game got underway in the Yarra Valley on Saturday with one of the best starts to a season for many years.
Players in all grades were greeted with a wonderful warm, clear and sunny day for the start of season 2006-07.
In the DJ Strachan Shield reigning premiers Mt Evelyn made in excess of 300 and Silvan replied with only 160, no exact details were available at time of writing reports.
Seville, last season’s runners-up, reached 6/210 at the end of their 40 overs, Tim Dwyer leading the way with an undefeated 86 and supported by Craig Atkins with 40. Healesville in reply were dismissed for just 98 with Atkins also in the wickets with 5/13, and Garry Kear chipped in with 2/9.
Warburton-Millgrove, at home, batted first for a score of 6/199. Michael Walker 63 and Luke Darwell 45 were top scorers and James Rogers 3/50 was the pick of the Yarra Junction bowlers. In reply, Yarra Junction were all out for 121 as Ben Lever 45 tried to hold things together but Cameron Darwell’s 3/15 helped Warbuton-Millgrove to a first up win.
Yarra Panthers hosted Woori Yallock and the Panthers reached 8/184 in their innings, F Spackman 44, Max Cleminson 42, with the best bowling for the Tigers being Tim Diggings. Tim who has been away for a season up country was back with a welcome return and figures of 3/26. Woori Yallock’s turn at the crease realised 132, Damien Ryan (36) was best with the bat and for the Panthers, F Spackman took 3/22 to give them a great start to the season.
Scott Hasan 52 and Wayne Ross 34 led Wandin to a score of 6/139 while for Coldstream Troy Pettard took 3/31. Coldstream’s innings of 116 all out was not enough but new player M. Scaristani made a stylish 34. Wandin’s Hasan (3/22) and Ross (4/18) also had a good day with the ball.
In RA Finger Trophy, flag holders Gruyere Districts hosting the new Launching Place United played a close and tight tussle reaching 108 (G. Abrol 31 not out) but lost to Launching Place United who made 111 (K. Macdonald 23). L. Sarre 4/32 and A. Vassallo 3/30 were the pick of the bowlers.
Hoddles Creek made a good total of 7/172 with Brenton Derix 52 and Brenton Styles bowled well for Kinglake taking 3/42.
Kinglake could only manage 119 with Ben Munn-Gibbs leading the way with a fine 59. S. Davis 4/43 was the best of the Hoddles Creek bowlers.
Marysville hosted Yarra Glen and reached a small total of 90 all out as Mark Clare 3/15 and John Watkins 2/13 both bowled well for the Yarra Glen side. In reply, Yarra Glen amassed 2/226 with N. Tucker 97 not out, Dave Whistle 59 and Tom Davey 39.
The junior grades also got away this weekend and the young players all started to enjoy this season under early morning spring weather. It’s pleasing to see good support for the teams and clubs are encouraged to welcome all new players and their parents to get involved and enjoy.
Details on how to join a club and to get their son or daughter into cricket either in Milo programmes or from Under 10s through to Under 16s, parents can contact the Yarra Valley Cricket Association on 0408 353 076 or email on yvcajnrs@bigpond.net.au