By Chris Anderson
AFTER a rain-affected Round 1, cricket action in the Yarra Valley kicked off in earnest for the 2016-’17 season on Saturday.
After a close-fought season last year, Round 2 results suggest another may be on the way.
With last season’s finalists pitted against each other, this round always shaped as a crucial start to the season.
Woori Yallock started their search for a third consecutive premiership with a polished performance against Warburton at home.
The Tigers batted first in fantastic conditions and openers Ryan Smith (46) and Mick Dwyer (35) continued where they left off, setting the tone for the innings.
The pair’s partnership was a key factor in Woori Yallock’s success last season.
With consistent contributions at the top of the order, they allowed the attacking flair of their impressive middle-order to shine.
Saturday was no different as the pair laid an excellent foundation on which to build.
Both would have been bitterly disappointed to not cash in on impressive starts, while their wickets allowed the Burras to remain in the contest.
The Lever brothers, Daniel (4/34) and David (2/34), did their best to stem the flow as they always do.
But the home side managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over and, with Simon Young contributing a brisk 33 late, they were able to post a strong total of 7/169.
Warburton-Millgrove boasts a deep and powerful batting line-up.
So although the total was going to be tough one to chase, they gave themselves every chance.
David Lever (47) did his best to get the ball rolling with his unmistakable cavalier approach.
But his efforts were stunted by the work of Tigers speed merchants, Jackson Wright (4/23) and Simon Young (3/32).
Their wickets, at both ends of the innings, proved crucial in keeping the Burras in check.
The visitors kept the score ticking over, but the fall of regular wickets slowed the momentum of the innings.
Mick Walker (41) did his best to keep his beloved Burras in the game; but in the end, the reigning premiers proved too strong, dismissing the visitors for 140.
Healesville impressed with their post-Christmas form last season and they hosted Mount Evelyn in a key contest.
The home side elected to bat and were quickly put under pressure with early wickets.
Scott Hamer joined Bryan Scanlon (60) at the crease and built a useful partnership to regain momentum.
Unfortunately, Hamer was unable to capitalise.
With the quick fall of Ash Hamer, the Bloods again found themselves in a precarious position at 4/47.
Scanlon continued his considered approach to his innings, patiently waiting for errant deliveries and dispatching them when necessary.
His wicket with the score on 100 proved crucial in the visitors slowing the innings and despite a bright finish, the Rovers were able to restrict the score to 140.
Chad Witherdin (3/28) was the pick of the bowlers, crucial in restricting the score with late wickets, while Kane Jones (2/14) topped the rest of the bowlers with an economical spell.
The visitors made an impressive start with young stars Daniel Giblin (45) and Jon Williams putting together a brisk start.
Despite Williams’ exit, Gareth Fraser (32) joined Giblin at the wicket and after a 61-run partnership, the Rovers were well poised at 1/82.
Giblin’s stroke-play ended within sight of a much-deserved half century.
But with Kane Jones maintaining the momentum with Fraser, this contest looked all but done at 2/108 with plenty of overs in the bank.
Mount Evelyn has a habit of getting the wobbles; and when Fraser and Jones fell in consecutive overs, the wobbles soon became uncontrollable shakes.
The Rovers proceeded to lose 5/17, which breathed new life into the contest.
Unfortunately for the Bloods, it wasn’t enough to steal an unlikely victory as Luke Jones cooly guided the tail to the victory target with two wickets in hand.
The final game of the round proved that low scores don’t deter from the excitement of the game.
Seville hosted Yarra Junction in a game where both sides were keen to get the season started on a positive note after missing finals last season.
Seville batted first, though found the going tough against a disciplined attack and a slow outfield.
Mostly, the Blues matched the Eagles with a disciplined approach with the bat.
Tom Page (30) and Andy Di Pietro (26) did their best to beef up the score.
But despite batting out the overs, the home side found it difficult to find some free flowing scoring which ultimately restricted their score to 7/92.
Captain Quinton Hodgkinson (2/12) led a miserly Eagles bowling line-up that didn’t give an inch for 40 overs.
At the break, most would’ve pencilled this in as a comfortable victory for the Eagles as all they was one of their attacking stars to get off the leash for a short time to wrap this up.
The Seville bowlers weren’t having any of it.
Wickets up front to Mark Sandfort (3/27) immediately quelled the attacking threat, and enabled the young home side to get into the contest.
Like Seville, Yarra Junction found it difficult to score freely, and with regular wickets an engrossing tussle ensued.
Andy Kay’s (3/28) miserly spin dried up the score with regular wickets and with the ninth wicket falling with still runs to get, little separated the teams.
In the end, Seville’s total proved too small as the Eagles squeaked home with just one wicket in hand.
So with just one round completed, next weekend proves crucial for all teams as Saturday action sees the start of two day matches, while Sunday sees the teams compete in crucial one day fixtures.
DJ Strachan Shield
Woori Yallock 7/169 (R. Smith 46, M. Dwyer 35, S. Young 33, Dan. Lever 4/34, Dav. Lever 2/34) d Warburton-Millgrove 140 (Dav. Lever 47, M. Walker 41, J. Wright 4/23, S. Young 3/32). Mount Evelyn 8/141 (D. Giblin 45, G. Fraser 32, D. Fry 3/35, B. Scanlon 2/13) d Healesville 140 (B. Scanlon 60, A. Violi 20, C. Witherdin 3/28, K. Jones 2/14). Yarra Junction 9/93 (A. Taylor 24, A. Kay 3/18, M. Sandfort 3/27) d Seville 7/92 (T. Page 30, A. Di Pietro 26, Q. Hodgkinson 2/12) . Yarra Glen v Bye
RA Finger Trophy
Gruyere 8/229 (G. Sweetten 47, S. Middleton 4/69) d Warburton-Millgrove 10/85 (T. Appleton 45, M. Tilney 4/12, G. Sweetten 3/6), Hoddles Creek 9/171 (L. Rowe 64, T. Kear 22no, M. Pezzimenti 3/29, D. Evans 2/19, D. Sharp 2/21, L. Creedy 2/36) d Coldstream 7/163 (N. Taylor 44, D. Sharp 32, S. Phillips 23, D. Evans 19, T. Kear 3/38, M. Morgan 2/39), Yarra Junction 4/150 (M. Hammond 75, K. Dark 45, M. Beri 3/32) d Seville 6/147 (M. Beri 59, L. Johnson 28no, G. Foster 22, T. Ottrey 4/13, D. Chaproniere 2/25). Wandin v Healesville (no scores), Woori Yallock 5/152 (A. Dunn 54no, P. Broussard 54, B. Taeuber 2/11 Caitlyn Parker 2/20) d Launching Place 10/111 (B. Bradley 25, B. Johnson 4/22)
C Grade
Yarra Glen 7/160 (J. Kelley 47, L. Coulson 41no, S. Fawdry 3/37) d Healesville 9/91 (J. Braemar 26, M. Clare 3/14, J. Musk 2/36), Mount Evelyn 5/117 (A. Whiting 28no, M. Potter 19) d Wandin 7/108 (A. Whiting 2/14, T. Williams 2/19). Seville v bye. Woori Yallock 5/152 (A. Dunn 54no, P. Broussard 54, B. Taeuber 2/11 Caitlyn Parker 2/20) d Launching Place 111 (B. Bradley 25, B. Johnson 4/22)
D Grade
Hoddles Creek 1/106 (A. Randall 44no, M. Smith 38, J. Mullins 1/4) d Seville 9/99 (T. Bissels 25, B. Cole 4/37, B. Sinclair 3/5), Powelltown 2/83 (M. McArthur 37no, S. Thompson 28no) d Coldstream 69 (A. Steele 13no, S. Thompson 4/8), Wandin 2/124 (Daryn Trembath 58, D. Alderman 45no, L. O’Dea 1/9) d Yarra Junction 6/114 (R. Turner 74no, M. Lanham 2/25), Launching Place 6/126 (R. DeRooy 63no, J. Burnie 22no, M. Young 21, L. Dunn 3/29) d Mount Evelyn 7/116 (S. Van Hoogstraten 36, J. Butler 21, M. Walker 19, C. Voigt 3/33, M. Young 2/8, R. Thomas 2/12).
E Grade (One Day Grade)
Marysville 2/87 (B. Norman 31no, T. Gleeson 22, H. Vassallo 1/12, M. Bluett 1/27) Gruyere 54 (M. Bluett 16, R. Vassallo 11, J. Sims 4/10 L. Ronalds 2/5), Powelltown 9/131 (G. McRory 10, M. Clue 64no, B. Night 4/7) d Seville 9/113 (J. Proctor 26, A. Vattel 20, G. McRory 3/7, M. Clue 2/22).
F Grade (One Day Grade)
Healesville 5/161 (S. Gebert 40no, B. Louw 40no, B. Wheeler 2/12) d Coldstream 9/146 (B. Wheeler 48, D. Steele 21no, D. Ebbels 2/21, G. Dash 2/22)
Under 16s
Wandin/Coldstream 4/81, (L. Sinnott 33, M. Pezzimenti 12no, N. Andueza 2/16, M. Farr 1/15) d Warburton-Millgrove 8/75 (C. Newell 19, A. Nelson 14, J. Birnie 3/2, A. Steele 1/1), Yarra Junction 4/78 (B. Clarke 29no, J. Vanderhyde 19, B. Griffths 2/6, P. Heapy 1/6) d Mount Evelyn 5/76 (B. Griffths 22, B. Westaway 22, D. Rowe 3/14, H. Bansagi 2/15). Healesville v bye
Under 14s
Yarra Junction/Hoddles Creek 3/82 (L. Odea 24no, J. Ketebar 15no, C. Harabe 12no, A. Vanhoogstraten 1/2, C. Finch 1/4, D. Potter 1/4) d Mount Evelyn 2/48 (L. Shepherd 19no, B. Weir 1/4, M. Berry 1/7). Warburton-Millgrove 3/61 (J. Sharp 18, R. Gribbrock 8, Z. Vowles 1/3, C. Berry 1/5) d Yarra Glen 7/51 (C. Adamson 9, C. Berry 9, B. Olcorn 2/5, M. Boek 2/5), Healesville 5/109 (S. Gebert 41, R. Thomas 3/10) d Launching Place 5/104 (M. Bradley 42no, W. Cooney 2/20), Seville 7/108 (J. Proctor 25, C. Frankovic 12, L. Kay 10no, T. Noar 2/5) d Gruyere 26 (J. Beri 2/1)
Under 21A
Warburton-Millgrove 6/79 (R. Thompson 20no, E. Crowley-Brown 10no, D. Walker 9no, C. Bentley 3/7) d Seville 1/57 (E. Vanbeek 20no, R. Thompson 1/4), Healesville 3/70 (C. Anderson 11no, C. Nyko 9no, E. Smith 2/9, M. Cummins 1/13) d Coldstream 7/20 (E. Smith 4no, J. Drummond 2/0, C. Anderson 1/0), Mount Evelyn v bye
Under 12B
Healesville 5/48 (R. Handasyde 11no, T. Cope 1/1, B. Cope 1/1) d Launching Place 5/46 (L. Parker 11no, J. Dosser 1/3), Yarra Junction 2/51 (L. Theobald 7no, R. Bomford 4no, H. Grenfell 1/6) d Yarra Glen 1/46 (O. Grenfell 7no, A. Van Putten 5no, T. Vassallo 1 /1) , Hoddles Creek 1/88 d Marysville 3/24. Gruyere v bye.
