Rain proves a spoiler

YVCA Round 4
THE men in white across the Yarra Valley had their first experience with precipitation this weekend, with the rain having an effect on the results of many games. The juniors were the big losers of the day, as the early morning downpour had them all slinking back to bed. Fortunately the skies had cleared enough by the afternoon to see most games kick off as scheduled, but occasional showers had the officials reaching for their rule books as lost time became a major factor.
In D.J. Strachan Shield, the big winners of the day were Yarra Junction, as they were the only team to secure a win, with the rest finishing in draws. Yarra Junction hosted Hoddles Creek and they managed to navigate through the rain to secure much-needed points after last week’s disappointing loss. Hoddles Creek batted first and put together an under par score of 5/120. The Wombats would have been disappointed with the return as batsmen Simon McLauchlan (29), Cameron Bell (23) and Luke Hetherington (20) all made significant starts, but couldn’t kick on and establish a defendable score for their team. As always, the Eagles attack was disciplined in their approach in restricting the Wombats’ final score, and no one is more dependable than Terry Ottrey with his useful outswing bowling netting 2/23. With rain effecting parts of the day, the Eagles had a tricky little chase to secure the win before stumps were drawn at 6pm. Marcus Hottes (22) and Stephen Flutter (21) are starting to combine into a useful opening partnership and they set the footing for the chase, but with their dismals the batting side turned to their captain Quinton Hodgkinson to lead them to victory, and that he did as his lusty 42 not out, ensured the home side would get the necessary runs before the close of play.
Yarra Junction now travels to Woori Yallock in a key matchup between two of the best young teams in the competition, with the Eagles eager to win to maintain their break on the competition, whilst Hoddles Creek have a couple of weeks to work on their games, before key matchups leading into the Christmas break.
Woori Yallock travelled to Healesville desperate to atone for last week’s fadeout against Mount Evelyn. The Tigers batted first and would’ve been a little disappointed with their eventual total of 9/140 as they were unable to capitalise on several starts and a bonus 30 runs from extras gifted from the home side. Once again, it was left to Chance Burridge (3/26) and Dylan Moore (3/29) to take control of the game, for Healesville, and limit the final score to a manageable one. With rain reducing the game to ordinary conditions, and a 6pm finish, The Bloods were limited in the quest for victory as the time remaining left a successful chase unlikely. Woori Yallock made the most of their opportunities in the time left, quickly reducing the Bloods to 2/6 and igniting their run at victory. Healesville steadied enough after the early wickets, to battle through the remaining time to salvage the draw despite finishing on 5/57. Simon Young (2/28) did his best to lead the Tigers to victory, but it was debutant Blake Binion (19no) who stood firm against the onslaught, showing maturity beyond his years.
After missing an opportunity to regain lost points, Woori Yallock will now navigate a tricky game against Yarra Junction to give their season some much-needed momentum, while Healesville travels to Seville in a tough clash to build on their solitary victory this season.
In the final game of the round, Mount Evelyn hosted Seville in a game where victory was at a premium with both teams keen to establish themselves inside the top four. Seville opened the game with the bat and started steadily against some steady bowling. Scott Rackham (34) set a great foundation for the visitors, but a mid innings collapse against some probing bowling from Gareth Fraser (2/35) and Chad Witherdin (2/41) had Mount Evelyn on track to restricting Seville to a small total. Sensing the moment, Blues captain Dean Troyhan upped the ante, and put the pedal to the floor with his brutal 71 not out accelerating the innings to a sizable 5/155. Both teams would’ve been confident at the change of innings, but rain at the break added a new dimension to the game.
With a little over an hour to play, Seville looked the only chance of winning, and the fall of two quick wickets to Matt Tilney (2/17) had them buoyed and sensing they could steal the maximum points. Like Troyhan, Mount Evelyn captain Kane Jones (22no) was having none of it, and accompanied by prodigious talent Gareth Fraser (29no), the pair quickly turned the game in the Rovers’ favour and ensured they weren’t coughing this one up, finishing on 2/60 and securing the draw.
Mount Evelyn now travels to Warburton-Millgrove, with a win to either side setting themselves up for the remainder of the season, while Seville will be keen to get a full game in against Healesville after the bye, and rain, have interrupted their season so far.
D.J. Strachan Shield
Yarra Junction 3/125 (Q. Hodgkinson 42no, M. Hottes 22, S. Flutter 21) d Hoddles Creek 5/120 (S. McLachlan 29, C. Bell 23, L. Hethington 20, T. Ottrey 2/23). Healesville 5/57 (B. Binion 19no, S. Young 2/28) drew with Woori Yallock 9/140 (M. Dwyer 29, P. Broussard 19 C. Burridge 3/26 D. Moore 3/29), Seville 5/155 (D. Troyhan 71no, S. Rackham 34, G. Fraser 2/35, C. Witherdin 2/41) drew with Mount Evelyn 2/60 (G. Fraser 29no, K. Jones 22no, M. Tilney 2/17), Warburton-Millgrove (bye)
R.A. Finger Trophy
Healesville 7/148 (B. Mackey 42, C. Bunn 24, M. White 3/38, J. Ferguson 3/41) drew with Woori Yallock 1/29 (Alex Ferguson 9no, L. Zanatta 1/8), Hoddles Creek 6/91 (S. Williams 36, A. Finch 20, D. Chaproniere 3/16) drew with Yarra Junction 3/129 (P. Ford 83no, S. Tipping 2/18), Seville 1/33 (R. Oates 22no) d Mount Evelyn 31 (L. Johnson 7/9), Warburton-Millgrove vs Coldstream (no scores).
C Grade
Yarra Glen 6/192 (A. Cowen 71no, J. Orren 42, N. Taylor 34, G. Thompson 3/59, A. Doolan 2/33) drew with Yarra Junction 3/18 (J. Orren 2/4), Launching Place 8/161(S. Parker 91 A. Waixel 4/37) vs Gruyere 5/147 (A. Waixel 60 M. McConnell 3/28), Healesville 72 (M. Churchill 17, J. Oakley 2/7 P. Laws 2/8 T. McKinnon 2/14) drew Wandin 9/67 (T. McKinnon 27, J. Oakley 21, M. Fawdry 4/15 S. Fawdry 3/16), Marysville vs Seville (no scores).
D Grade
Gruyere 8/122 (B. Young 41, D. Hopkinson 22, J. Burney 4/71, G. Block 1/20) d Launching Place 112 (S. Grindley 23, D. Colling 17, S. Lowe 4/20, D. Riddell 3/12), Coldstream 8/147 (N. Simon 46, S. Bethell 23, L. Long 3/30, B. Danson 3/12) d Yarra Junction 4/166 (K. Dark 38, N. Dowdell 31, S. Jordan 31, A. Delima 3/31), Mount Evelyn d Wandin (forfeit), Powelltown 6/150 (J. Cornish 40, J. Long 39, J. Lusk 3/39) d Yarra Glen 70 (R. Beath 19, J. Peters 16, G. McRory 4/7, S. Saunders 3/22)
One- Day Grade
Hoddles Creek 3/91 (A. Moit 38no, C. O’Connor 38no, M. Kikidopolous 2/8) d Yarra Glen 79 (A. Whelan 23, J. Moors 11, C. O’Connor 2/6), Mount Evelyn 162 (L.Corrin 58no, T.Hancock 22, A.Mathews 3/23, J.Buller 2/12) defeated Woori Yallock 10/56 (A. Mathews 27, T. Hancock 4/1, S. Tesoriero 2/0), Healesville White vs Warburton-Millgrove (wash out), Silvan vs Healesville Red (no scores)
Unofficial Game
Yarra Junction “One Day Grade” 4/76 (W. Robertson 19, M. Croaker 14no) d Mount Evelyn “D Grade” 72 (M. Walker 12, L. Lee Archer 11, B. Guest 3/12, M. Croaker 2/5, W. Robinson 2/10, L. Thompson 2/8).