Sport
30 January, 2025
Juniors return to action in three days of cricket across the Grampians
Grampians Cricket Association plays from January 31-February 2.
There will be a hive of activity across the region with three days of action for the Grampians Cricket Association.
While the senior competition embarks on its 13th round, the junior grade returns to the crease following an extended Christmas break.
Under-13 cricket kicks off a four-week burst of play before finals, with Halls Gap hosting Swifts/Great Western.
On Sunday, February 2, Tatyoon Gold travels to Buangor while ladder leaders Navarre play Pomonal at home.
The under-16s resume on February 2, too, with The Swifts/Great Western returning to Halls Gap to take on the Mountaineers.
Senior finals begin to take shape
With a win on February 1, Pomonal could clinch second place in A-grade, with only the ladder leaders, St Andrews, standing in their way.
The Tigers would be looking to start strongly, with Lynden Brewis (83 runs in round 12), Matt Peel (54) and Clayton Mackley (62) all in form with the bat.
The Saints have been ruthless with the ball all summer, conceding only 667 runs across nine games.
James Hosking leads the league with 15 wickets at an average of just 8.47 runs.
Dinesh Borase (average 9.5) and Caleb Summers (11) are St Andrews next best bowlers with eight wickets each.
The Saints' runs have come via committee, with Tom Mills being the only batter to score more than one hundred runs this season.
Peel (12 wickets) and Mackley (9) are among several bowlers looking to take more wickets for Pomonal.
Rhymney/Moyston and Halls Gap will be looking for four vital points in their clash in Moyston.
Both sides have two wins this season, with a victory creating an important buffer on the ladder.
Charlie Mcintosh (285 runs) and Max McMahon (258) have been standout batsmen, the competition's second and fourth-best batters, respectively.
They will look to see off Rhymney/Moyston's Glen Cosgriff (10 wickets) and Parul Sharma (9) if they want to set a large total.
Daniel Taylor (190 runs at 23.75), Ryan Habib (114 @ 22.8) and Scotney Hayter (110 at 27.5) have all enjoyed starts.
However, they will need to be patient against big man Caleb Bretherton (10 wickets at 21.1) if they want to secure the win.