Season off to a flying start

THE Yarra Valley Cricket Association season got under way on Saturday in overcast conditions but with reasonably good ground surfaces the overnight rain had no effect on play.
The YVCA has this season returned to straight grades without the two division structure, it is anticipated that this should give a far more even grading system and for more competitive cricket right down through the grades.
This weekend the senior top 4 grades play round one and on Saturday 13 October, the E and F grades begin as do the Under 12, 14 and 16s.
Junior players wishing to find a local club can ring the YVCA on 0408 353 076 to find a club in the area.
In the DJ Strachan Shield action, Yarra Junction with 159 on the board, led by Nathan Fall with 42, were too strong for Silvan which was dismissed for 108. Lovell scored 49 for Silvan while Glen Thompson bagged 5/12 runs.
Mount Evelyn, chasing Wandin’s 9/168, was 8/258 at the close with Kane Jones 78 and Shane Luck 50, the best with the bat while Wayne Ross took 3/53 and Troy Murphy 2/49 for the visitors.
In the Wandin innings, Ross with 46 and Scott Hasan 29 played well and Zac Booth took 3/42, and John Hawkey and Shane Luck both grabbed two wickets.
Coldstream hosted Seville and reached 7/167cc. New coach Brent Summers started well with a fine 46, Liam Doughty 47 and John Pignataro 27no were the other top scorers.
A bowling change by Seville new coach Rob Henderson in tossing the ball to Richard Dicello saw him take 4/24. Henderson claimed 2/33 as Seville was dismissed for 116, Andrew Kay 27, Matt Sondergold 18 were the main scores, L. Lambert took 5/27.
Yarra Panthers were 8/137 at the close of their 40 overs with Finn Spackman 45 and Max Cleminson 41no, the best in this round one match at the Panthers home venue for Woori Yallock Andrew Sharp took 4/32.
Woori Yallock reached 9/145cc to defeat the Panthers. Tim Diggins 54, Nathan Ward 45no, Spackman completed a good day with 4/31 while Damian Capobianco chipped in with 3/23.