Exciting season lined up

By Keith Thompson
THE 2006-07 cricket season hits off in the Yarra Valley on Saturday, 7 October, with both junior and senior sections looking forward to a competitive season.
The DJ Strachan Shield remains un-changed with the same 10 sides competing as last season.
Reigning premiers Mt Evelyn host neighbours Silvan in round one. Silvan have lost one or two players and it is not clear who they have picked up so far.
Runners-up Seville host Healesville in what should prove to be a wonderful season opener for both clubs.
Seville seem to have the same squad but Healesville are reported to have lost the Powell brothers and a couple more, to retirement.
In other matches, Warburton Millgrove host Yarra Junction in an Upper Yarra battle of the towns.
Wandin, who have grown to four senior sides, host Coldstream, and in the final game, DJSS Yarra Panthers, in the second XI for the first time, host Woori Yallock.
In the RA Finger Trophy grade there are only six sides as some significant changes have occurred.
Aura Vale Cricket Club was cleared to join the FTGDCA.
This was done to assist the club whose players were coming from the Dandenong and Cranbourne area, with travel.
Also two Launching Place Clubs have joined forces to create the Launching Place United Cricket Club.
The executive board has decided to monitor how this progresses during the season and are already making plans to ensure that this grade grows and prospers in 2007-08.
The thoughts are that there is a need to have new clubs join the association or to reconfigure the grading to ensure a greater array of teams in this grade.
For 2006-07, however, the association is sure that with the round of one-day matches and the new one-day final these sides will enjoy a great season.
In round one, last year’s premiers, Gruyere District, host Launching Place United, Kinglake will visit Hoddles Creek and Marysville are at home to Yarra Glen.
Juniors
THE juniors have grades aged Under 10, Under 12A and B, Under 14A and B and Under 16A and B.
With the retirement of junior chairman Craig Cooper at the association’s AGM in July the new chairman is Brian William’s.
He will be assisted by junior secretary Allan Hughes.
It is hoped that with this season’s Ashes tour all young Yarra Valley boys and girls can join in the sport at their local club.
For more information, contact Allan on email at YVCAJnrs@bigpond.net.au or phone the association on 0408 353 076 for any help in finding a club.
Busy board
WITH the retirement of Craig Cooper and with Brian William’s as junior chairman being the only change to the association’s executive board at the annual meeting held in July, the other nine positions remained unchanged with president John Clegg now into his second season.
With the local competition this week, and Regional, State and National opportunities for Yarra Valley players commencing on 8 October, with a training session at Bayswater for the Victorian Country squad it will be hectic in the valley this season.
Anyone wanting any information on Yarra Valley Cricket can contact the association on phone at 0408 353 076, fax at 5964 2614 or email at yarravalley@asn.cricketvictoria.com.au