We managed to finally get under way last weekend, a couple of rain interrupted games, one washout and unfortunately two forfeits across both grades.
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Halls Gap managed to get some points against reigning B grade premiers, Chalambar, in A grade due to the game being washed out. The Gappers take on Swifts Great Western this week on the turf at Central Park. SGW will be looking to open their account after a loss to Youth Club last week. The Gappers will find it difficult against the reigning A grade premiers this week with Sam Cocks and Travis Nicolson taking up where they left off last season. Riley Thomas will need to back up his four wickets last week with another strong performance this week.
Pomonal will be looking to improve on last week's game after being bowled out for only 59. Luke Jordan and Matt Peel are more than capable of making a competitive total for them to be in the game, but it won't be easy against Youth Club, who cruised to a comfortable win against SGW last week. With captain Nic Baird again leading the way with 75 against a fairly strong SGW attack, it will need a strong performance from youngster Lachie Dalkin and veteran Lee Oliver to make inroads into a strong Youth Club line up.
Chalambar looked strong last round with new recruits Chad Gilmore and Ryan Bertram making an impact. L Walker finished on 84* to be the leading run scorer for round one. They won't have it all their own way against a St Andrews team boosted by new recruits Michael Harricks and Jacob Bates. They had a strong win against Pomonal last round, bowling them out for only 59.
Round 2 is another one day game. My selections are; Swifts Great Western, Youth Club and St Andrews.
In B grade, Buangor/Tatyoon were bit light on for players last round but James Phillips managed 49 out of 93 in their first hit out as only a B grade team. S Chinthapalli taking 3/16 made it very difficult for B/T batsmen to make a decent total. Aradale batsmen made easy work of that total, led by J Townsend with 39*. B/T take on Chalambar this weekend - hopefully Chalambar have enough players to field a side after not having enough last week and forfeiting.
Halls Gap take on Rhymney Moysten in the picturesque Halls Gap this weekend. Rhymney bat deep but with Kris Ellis leading the way again, well supported by Jaxon Edwards last week. It will be a difficult task for the Gappers. It is by no means beyond them to post a good score, especially if captain Malcolm Russell gets his eye in and starts hitting the boundary.
Swifts Great Western will be looking to start their season after a false start last week. With veterans Gary Ranton, Craig Marrow and Marc Brilliant in the side, it won't be easy for Wickliffe Lake Bolac. Captain Bryce Evans will need to make inroads early into the combined batting order. With support from Billy Walker, Billy Brain, Luke Blake and Leo Fitzpatrick it's possible they could restrict SGW to a reachable total.
Navarre take on Pomonal at the Navarre Recreation Reserve. The Grasshoppers will be looking forward to the return of players from the footy trip last week. Phil Hall is always a difficult customer with either bat or ball. Pomonal won by forfeit last round, so no form guide to go by as yet.
Aradale and Youth Club are to fight out the last game. Aradale have showed they will be a fairly strong unit this season. Youth Club are in a similar position to Chalambar and had to forfeit last week's game.
My selections for this week are: Buangor/Tayoon, Swifts Great Western, Rhymney Moyston, Navarre and Aradale.
Juniors are due to get under way this weekend, with four teams in the Under16s and seven, or possibly eight, Under 13 teams. After a bit of a hiccup, Aradale has formed a team under the guidance of Rob McKinnis and will be ready to take on Tatyoon at Aradale oval in the Under 16s. Halls Gap and Swifts Great Western battle it out at North Park. SGW making a return to Under 16 cricket with Anthony "Pancho" Martin returning as coach to these boys.
Buangor, Pomonal, Tatyoon, Halls Gap, St.Andrews, Wickliffe Lake Bolac and Swifts Great Western make up the teams in the Under 13s. There is some Under 13s from Beaufort expressing an interest in joining up with Buangor to possibly form two teams in the coming week.
