Walker hits century

By Keith Thompson
THE start of round 12, the penultimate home and away round for the Yarra Valley Cricket Association season, saw some venue changes due to the Yarra Junction fires.
Most were to teams scheduled to play at the Wesburn cricket grounds, which were being used as a staging base to tackle outbreaks caused by lightning strikes in the area.
In the DJ Strachan Shield, Warburton-Millgrove hosting Silvan reached 8/279cc after winning the toss. The batting was led by Michael Walker with an undefeated 102, assisted by Liam Barnard with 76 and Geoff Sharp 42. Stuart Reynolds was the leading Silvan bowler with 4 for 87.
Wandin amassed 356 for the loss of just 7 wickets with captain Wayne Ross making 181 while Scott Hasan made 44. S. James with 2 for 31 was the best of the Healesville bowlers. Healesville travel back to Wandin next week and have to bat extremely well to get the required runs to win.
Mt Evelyn, at home to Woori Yallock, were dismissed for just 161 as Kane Jones 49 and Ben Thiele 27 not out provided the only resistance to the Woori Yallock bowling for which Danny Hyndman snared 4 for 61 and Andrew Sharp 3 for 40. In reply at stumps, Woori Yallock are in a good position at 3 for 75 with Hyndman completing a good day with 41 not out.
Seville, at home to Yarra Junction, saw the visitors bat first and reach 202 all out at close of play on day 1. James Rogers 50 and Ben Lever 43 were the best of the Eagles batsmen, while for Seville Andrew Kay 2 for 23 and Craig Atkins 2 for 51 of 19 overs were the leading bowlers.
Yarra Panthers hosted Coldstream, who were all out for 176 with Nathan Cuthbertson 44 being the only notable innings while Rob Williams bowled well to take 3 for 40. Yarra Panthers at stumps had reached 107 without loss J. Koole 56 n.o. and M. Derham 51 n.o.
In the RA Finger Trophy, Hoddles Creek are 4 for 201 (Brenton Derix 64 and Price 53) against Gruyere Districts.