By CHRIS ANDERSON
YVDCA
WITH the conclusion of round 12 in Yarra Valley District Cricket Association, the time has come for all teams to bring their A-game. But in the top grade, the DJ Strachan Shield, there is still much left unclear. Mount Evelyn was the big winners, jumping from fourth to second, while Yarra Junction would be equally pleased. Sitting with a bye, the Eagles have now got three teams in their sights, as Seville’s draw and Woori Yallock’s loss have put them in an uncomfortable position of potentially missing out on post-season action.
Seville would’ve been disappointed not to have the chance to defend its 178 against Hoddles Creek due to ground conditions. After a disappointing month, the Blues have relinquished second position, and it now has to set itself for a cracking clash against Mount Evelyn, in a game that could decide a home semi-final.
Mount Evelyn did what it had to do in brushing past a disappointing Healesville outfit. Healesville would’ve been pleased in bowling the Rovers out for 209 on the first day, and would’ve viewed the chase with optimism. The Bloods made a solid enough start as they comfortably saw off the opening bowlers.
However, this is where the resistance ended. The Bloods lost regular wickets and were bowled out for a disappointing 100.
With no batsman surpassing 13, the visitors were never in position to chase the total, as Mount Evelyn’s brilliant captain, Kane Jones, ripped through the visitors, taking 5/31.
Jed Thompson’s post-tea spell of 3/7 finished things off.
After battling to Christmas through indifferent form, Mount Evelyn now finds itself second on the ladder, courtesy of some solid recent form. Closing matches against Seville and Warburton-Millgrove will give them a chance to stake their claim in the premiership race.
Woori Yallock has given a few sides around them the opportunity to claim their spot in the top four, as they were no match for front-runners Warburton-Millgrove. Chasing the Burras challenging total of 238, Woori had no answers to the all-round variety of their opponent. David Lever again showed the talent that captured him a THR Drummond Medal, as his first-day 60 was complemented with bowling figures of 5/30. Michael King (44) and Ryan Smith (26) showed some resistance, but the Tigers didn’t have the depth and were bowled out for 126.
Warburton-Millgrove has clearly been the best team this season and has sealed their top position. The Burras will enjoy their bye as they plan for a final-round match-up against Mount Evelyn, before embarking on a finals campaign as hot favourites. Woori Yallock, meanwhile, needs to find some answers on how to win big games. The Tigers possess some of the most talented cricketers in the valley, but haven’t been able to match it with big boys. They will start favourites against Healesville next week, with a win setting up an enticing battle against Yarra Junction in the final round for a possible finals finish.
DJ Strachan Shield
Warburton Millgrove 238 (David Lever 60, T. Murphy 53, M. Walker 34, C. Ferguson 4/26, S. Young 4/97) d Woori Yallock 126 (M. King 44, R. Smith 26, David Lever 5/30), Seville 9/178 (M. Dall 64no, T. Dwyer 31, M. Batten 3/20, D. Chesney 3/78) drew with Hoddles Creek (no play on the second day), Mount Evelyn 209 (C. Witherdin 61no, D. Fraser 36, J. Fraser 34, A. Hamer 3/31, C. Burridge 3/48) d Healesville 100 (K. Jones 5/31, J. Thompson 3/7), Yarra Junction vs Bye
RA Finger Trophy
Seville 5/148 (S. Luckhurst 52no, M. Stevenson 33no, P. Jones 3/69) d Hoddles Creek 128 (M. Jones 26no. J. Tromp 21, M. Sandfort 4/13), Woori Yallock 318 (Dan Mock 173, M. Arnold 89, C. Neale 5/31, F. DeVarga 2/34) drew with Warburton (no play on the second day), Healesville 7/274 (B. Horner 77, B. Wallace 75no, R. Wilson 2/63) d Mount Evelyn 9/129 (R. Hearn 43, M. Whitehead 27, J. Hellary 2/14, R. Howard- Scales 2/21), Coldstream 8/221 (D. Oliffe 82, B. Walsh 47, S. Phillips 37, M. Richards 3/39, D. Chaproniere 2/56) d Yarra Junction 176 (M. Scott 36, J. Lawrence 31, B. Walsh 6/44)
C Grade
Yarra Glen 4/200 (J. Orren 73, M. Clare 35, A. Cowan 32, N. Taylor 29no d Seville 79 (L. Corbett 19, T. Spargo 18, B. Spencer 5/21) and 4/89 (B. Stevenson 33, L. Corbett 16, A. Cowan 2/14, M. Clare 2/9). Launching Place 5/168 (L. Winter-Annette 51no, B. Taeuber 30, D. Flutter 3/38) d Yarra Junction 161 (J. Cook 37, M. Young 4/45 D Colling 2/2). Gruyere 210 (D. Waixel 52, A. Waixel 44, J. Ladner 3/32, B. McKenzie 3/39) d Wandin 126 (L. Painter 38, R. Aitken 28, A. Waixel 3/23, A. Vassallo 2/27), Healesville 9/212 M. Fawdry 100no, E. Scanlon 42, L. Fisher 6/66, S. Elliot 2/55 d Marysville 9/199ao, (L. Fisher 115, T. Gleeson 37, E. Scanlon 3/3, M. Fawdry 3/38).
