Mountain Gate’s push towards finals is hitting top gear as January kicks off the run towards the 2026 finals
The 1 XI are undefeated after a big weekend with wins over SKLPS Boronia and Gembrook, before a rare outright win over St Johns Tecoma secured a vital 10 points st
The 2 XI saw both sides of the coin after a win over Rowville before a long day at Knox Gardens. Meanwhile, the 3 XI keep on rolling towards the top with a win over SKLPS Boronia at Windermere. The 4 XI were introduced to the ladder leaders Johnson Park, and fought admirably with a Gators spirit of cricket
In the women’s, the 1 XI continue the push up the ladder accounting for Belgrave to kickstart 2026, whilst the 2 XI showed continuous improvement against Knox Gardens
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The Veterans finally got a match in after patiently waiting to play, securing 6 points over the Falcons with a crucial final match to come.
Meanwhile, the Under 16s returned against Olinda, whilst the Under 14s remain in a good position against Belgrave
AWORDFROMPREZ: CHOPCUNNINGHAM
Time flies when you are having fun!
As we approach the final weeks of the season, all teams are playing amazing cricket collectively as a team with plenty of individual highlights. All this is a highlight of the One Club mentality we live by down at The Swamp!
Socially, we look forward to welcoming our Past Players back to the Club on 31 January, and also as we prepare towards our final functions of the year at HV with the Adrian Feeney Best & Fairest Vote Count and Elimination Sensation on 28 February st th
The efforts over the Season have been something that I am proud to be overseeing, as everyoneregardless of age or ability - has a positive s of Mountain Gate!
Chop
COACH’SCORNER
ShaunNugara
The return to the Swamp after the break has been something special Seeing every side contribute since coming back has been incredibly pleasing. The Ones have gone from strength to strength, putting together some strong all-round performances with both bat and ball to deliver quality results
Jeff’s Seconds continue to give it everything each week and will be looking to notch up another couple of wins to secure their place in the finals
The Thirds have maintained their dominant form, which we’d love to see in these final rounds, while the Fourths are developing well as a group and hopefully can jag a few more wins.
With the bat, it was great to see Josh “Saucey” Hardman get among the runs against Gembrook He’s been working hard at training, and it was fantastic to see that effort rewarded Wayne and Paddle Pop Wise provided the Ones with some much-needed runs in our first game back against SKLPS, while JD continues to do JD things In the Seconds, Shah and Pamir have been consistent with the bat More recently, Tuppy produced a well-deserved 65, and Ryno Stapleton backed it up with a solid 81 against Knox Gardens. In the Thirds, Anok played a classy innings of 61*. With the ball, the better Williams continues to bowl consistent line and length and is being rewarded keep working hard, mate, you’re doing an outstanding job and taking your opportunity with both hands!
JD claimed seven wickets in the Ones’ match against St John’s, while TikTok sensation Luke Bakker has taken 10 wickets in his last three games since moving up from the Seconds, including a six-wicket haul against St John’s.
I’m extremely proud of where the club is at right now and excited about what lies ahead as we approach finals time Gator on!
Hi Gator family,
hoping everyone had a safe Christmas and new year!
CAPTAINKEV
KevinAtacador
While it was great to have a little break over Christmas, we now find ourselves in the second half of the year!
To start off the year, the 1XI were faced with two one dayers on Saturday 10th and also Sunday 11th
The team was facing a big challenge in back to back games, and they did not let us down! Winning against SKLPS and then Gembrook, helped us get into second place!
Some highlights over these two games was Wayne scoring 45 and Brodie with 35 also with the bat, where with the bowl, everyone who bowled got a wicket Standout was Chamud with 2/9 off 53overs and Dulana 2/15 off 8
The Gembrook game was such an important game as it was a fight for second spot, ended up winning
CAPTAINGA
GabbyGiulieri
by 8 wickets!! Massive congrats to Tom Button who got his first wicket in 1XI
Jimmy back in the action bowling againts St Johns getting 5/25, and Luke Bakker aka Tron, bowled a treat. Overnight getting 3 wickets and ended up claiming another 3 on the second day to finish with best figures of 6/15.
Winning the game by outright, has cleared us on second spot on the ladder by a game, and only two points behind first
The team is being more consistent which is awesome to see, and also a mention to Brodie Wise who took the reins as captain
With a few games left to go in the home and y season, we have eyes on top spot!
Hey my Gator Fam!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and safe break!
Our 1XI are currently sitting 2nd on the ladder and looking strong as we push towards a finals spot, the hard work is really starting to pay off! Meanwhile, our 2XI have stepped up into a higher grade in the FTGDCA and are embracing a new challenge with plenty of grit and determination.
It’s been fantastic to see new faces around the club, including our resident favourite sister duo Zoe and Miah Pearce, the return of Firooza Amiri to the Swamp, and exciting new additions Ekhil Latifi and Friba Hotak There have been lots of individual highlights, with players taking wickets and making valuable runs as we begin to prepare for the pointy end of the season
Don’t forget the Gator Beach Party is coming up in a couple of weeks, it would be great to see everyone come down and cheer our ladies on!
As always, thank you all for your continued support and passion for the club!
Gator on!
SeniorTrainingDetails
GATORSGIANTJANUARY OVERSKLPS,BROOKS,SAINTS
It has been a perfect start to the new year, with the Gators undefeated in January and establishing themselves as a Premiership threat after victories over SKLPS Boronia, Gembrook and St Johns Tecoma
The first match of the new year against SKLPS Boronia saw the visiting Gators batting first, with both openers in the shed at 2/21 James Dekel reached 18 before being caught, however Wayne Davison and Brodie Wise combined to press through the middle overs and keep the scoreboard ticking over
Wise reached 35 from 45 balls, whilst Davidson lead the batting with 45 from 96 balls Kevin Atacador (14 from 9 balls) joined for some late hitting as the Gators posted a modest 157
Early wickets were the key and the Gators duly obliged, with Kevin Atacador and Chamud Bhasula (2/9 from 53 overs) putting the hosts at 2/18 (1/30 from 8 overs). A brief partnership ensued, before Luke Bakker (1/18 from 4 overs), Josh Hardman (2/21 from 8 overs), Brodie Wise (1/3 from 1 over) and Dulana Karunachandra (2/15 from 8 overs) swung the match to the Gators’ advantage to dismiss the hosts for 98.
Backing up the following day, the Gators hosted Gembrook in a crucial match against the fellow finals aspirants The visitors batted first and got away to a quick start before Kevin Atacador (2/23 from 8 overs) broke through to 2/64 after 16 overs Gembrook continued to push for runs, however Luke Bakker hit form at the right time, claiming 3/35 from 8 overs as
the pick of the bowlers. The innings concluded, with the 2nd placed team reaching 8/192.
It would be a statement to chase down, and the Gators went about the challenge in a positive way as Shaun Nugara and Dave Tulloch opened to put on 47 before Tulloch was dismissed for a rapid-fire 31 from 29 balls, including 6 fours Shortly after, Nugara departed for 29 from 51 balls, bringing James Dekel and Josh Hardman to the crease The duo proceeded to put on an unbeaten 111 for the third wicket, chasing down Gembrook’s target with 8 wickets in hand and plenty of balls to spare Hardman walked off unbeaten on 41 not out, whilst Dekel continued his run scoring spree this season with 70 not out in a massive win in the context of the season to leapfrog the visitors in their final matchup of the Home and Away season
Round 11 saw St Johns Tecoma come to HV Jones, who were asked to bat first Runs were tough to come across from the Gator attack, forcing a collapse to be 5/37 after 22 overs The Sains pushed on, however another collapse of 5/10 saw the visitors out for 70 James Dekel proved a class above with the ball, claiming 5/25 from 82 overs with support from Kevin Atacador (2/1 from 4 overs), Chamud Bhasula (1/10 from 6 overs) and Josh Hardman (1/19 from 7 overs).
The Gators top order got away well with plenty of starts to chase the target. Shaun Nugara (21 from 65 balls) and Pamir Hussaini (17 from 25 overs) got things underway, before Kevin Atacador (10 from 5 balls) and James Dekel (74 from 67 balls) pushed the score past the target and continued to build Braedyn Williams (22 from 19 balls) and Tom Button (13 from 9 balls) also featured before the Gators declared at 6/166 With overs still to face on Day 1, the Gators unleashed Luke Bakker prior to stumps, claiming all the wickets as Day 1 closed at 3/11
Day 2 continued in the heat as early wickets fell to leave the Saints 6/17 A fightback ensued, before the hosts closed off the innings at 93 and winning by an innings and 3 runs Bakker wassuperb with the ball, claiming 6/15 from 10 overs including 5 maidens James Dekel (2/6 from 5 overs) and Tom Button (1/24 from 9 overs) were the other wicket-takers
The January wins now has the Gators clear in 2nd place and putting pressure on Olinda for top spot February matches against SKLPS Boronia (31st January & 7th February @ HV), Knox Boronia (14-21 February @ HV) and a final round One Day match at Talaskia against St Johns Tecoma will see out the regular season.
A Bakker’s half-dozen? Luke Bakker claimed 6/15 against St Johns Tecoma in the massive win
MIXEDRESULTSINBATTLE AGAINSTTHEBIRDS
It has been a split opening month to 2026 for the 2 XI - hosting victory at HV in Round 9 before Knox Gardens turned up the heat in Round 10
The matchup against the Hawks saw the Gators bat first, with Dave Tulloch (19 from 23) getting an early start with both openers returning to be 2/22 at the 9 over. th
Shoaib Sobhan combined with Chris Tuplin through the middle overs to press the scoreboard - Shah being dismissed for 41 from 53 balls, including 6 fours before Pamir Hussaini joined Tuplin in the middle.
Tuplin (23 from 69 balls) was next to go at 4/123, however Hussaini went on the attack scoring 46 runs from just 30 balls which included 5 fours and 3 sixes as the Gators reached 7/169 from the 40 overs
In reply, the Hawks were in early trouble as Chris Tuplin struck early and - combined with a runouthad Rowville 2/6 Tuplin tore through the top order to end with figures of 3/16 from 8 overs, before others joined in on the wickets
Ryan Stapleton (2/11 from 3 overs) took multiple, whilst single-wicket efforts to Brady Hunt (1/17 from 8 overs), Bhisma Pokharel (1/16 from 8 overs), Ethan Williams (1/36 from 8 overs) and Doug Barton (1/3 from 23 overs) saw the hosts claim the points as
Ethan Williams is fast establishing himself as a strike bowling option in the 2nds, claiming 5/49 against the Falcons
Ryan Stapleton was seeing them like a summer beach ball at Knox Gardens, hitting 81 from 90 balls against the Falcons
Round 10 saw the Gators come up against fellow aspirants Knox Gardens at Knox Gardens Batting first, the Falcons steadily gained momentum through their innings with the ball passed around to the entire 11 players.
Bhisma Pokharel (2/46 from 10 overs) and Chris Tuplin (1/52 from 17 overs) saw limited success on the super-quick ground.
However the standout was the statement of Ethan Williams, claiming 5/49 from 16 overs for his first 5 wicket haul to take the challenge to their hosts as they ended Day 1 on 9/309
Early wickets for the Gators in the run chase was not the ideal, however Chris Tuplin occupeid the crease to lead the Gator effort, hitting 65 from 70 balls in an innings that included 13 fours
In need of a partner to score runs, Ryan Stapleton answered the call with a half century, hitting 81 from 90 balls including 12 fours and 1 six
Doug Barton (21 from 38 balls) flowed freely from one end however the Falcon experience was able to dismiss Mountain Gate for 223 in reply
January’s results has the Gators sitting a game behind finals in 5 place, and will be looking to capitalise in matches against Rowville (31 Jan - 7 Feb, Seebeck Oval), Johnson Park (14-21 Feb, Fair Park Reserve) and Monbulk (28 Feb, HV Jones) to push the campaign into March. th
Rowville were dismissed for 103
GATORS2 AFTER UNDEFEATED2026 ND
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The 3 XI are keeping pace at the top of the Community 3 standings after a Round 8 victory of SKLPS Boronia at Stud Park Reserve
Bowling first, the Gators got the upper hand in the early overs courtsey of Dan Stapleton to have the hosts at 2/38 in the 12 over of the one-day matchup th
However, SKLPS were able to fight back in the middle overs before Matt Carter held onto a catch off the bowling of Justin Wise in the 19 over with the scoreboard reading 3/86 th
A runout shortly after from Kavith Weeraratne got the Gators’ 4 wicket, before Didula Liyanapathirana and Wise claimed the 5 and 6 wickets respectively in the latter overs. The hosts still able to score quickly, going at over 4 an over to reach 6/147 from the 35 overs. th th th
Dan Stapleton (2/25 from 7 overs) and Justin Wise (2/26 from 7 overs) were well matched in the attack, whilst Didula Liyanapathirana (1/26 from 7 overs) played a great supporting role to the bowling scorecard
With bat in hand, the Gators lost early wickets to be 2/32 before Dean Stapleton came to the crease, getting a start with 21 from 29 balls in the 31-run partnership
Anok Miranda and Mark Lieversz have both been in top form of late and it showed as the duo took the game for the Gators’ keeping in an unbeaten 83-run stand
Miranda brought up a new high-score of 61 not out and his second half-century of the year (narrowly missing a third), whilst Lieversz matched to just under a-run-a-ball with 24 not out from 25 balls as the Gators reached the target at 4/150 in the 30 over. th
Round 9 against Eildon Park was heated off, with points shared
The Gators now sit with the most points in the grade however in 2 position based on points average, however will take confidence that the team they sit behind is a team they have beaten previously and face next in Round 10 at Benedikt Reserve nd
Following the showdown with the Knights, the Gators host SKLPS Boronia on 14-21 February, before finishing the regular season at Windermere against the 4 Placed Belgrave th
Statistically speaking, Anok Miranda leads the way with the bat for the Gators, having amassed 163 runs at 8150 and currently sitting 3 in the division Buddhika Induruwage follows next with 124 runs at 41.33 with a high score of 45 against Belgrave, whilst Lachlan Barton has 97 runs to his name at 19.40, highlighted by a gritty 51 against Gembrook in Round 6. rd
With the ball, Dan Stapleton has been a revelation, with the talented Under 14s player leading the wicket-taking with 12 victims at 7.50 with a best return against the ladder leading Knoxfield claiming 4/6 from 6 overs Stapleton is just 1 wicket behind leading the Association wicket tally in Community 3 Didula Liyanapathirana continues his impact since joining with 5 wickets at 800, whilst Doug Barton (at 925) and Matthew Carter (at 1700) both have 4 wickets apeice across the season
Anok Miranda is in great form with the willow, reaching 61 not out against SKLPS in a big win
Dan Stapleton has been on fire with the ball across the season - 12 wickets across the campaign including another 2 against SKLPS
GATORSLOOKAHEAD AFTERSHARKATTACK
Mountain Gate’s 4 XI continue to press hard in their development, as the youthful squad discovered a hard day of cricket against Community 5 leaders Johnson Park at Fairhills High School th
The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first and immediately took to the Gator bowlers, with Firooza Afghan and Humaira Afghan presenting the Sharks’ opening pair with 8 overs of challenges
Mano Esarapu and Mikaela Giulieri were paired next in short and sharp spells, before the youthful Gator bowlers were hit around.
Matthew Whitfield provided the highlight with ball in hand, producing a caught and bowled effort to claim 1/32 from 2 overs.
Whitfield’s wicket caused the cessation of the innings as common sense prevailed and the innings was closed early, with the match well and truly over as a contest at 1/235 from 23 overs
In reply, the Gators again toiled hard, with Kyle Cleland spending time at the crease to be 9 from 57 balls Miah Pearce also was able to spend a long spell in the middle, top scoring for the Gators with 10 from 65 balls
Ultimately, the visitors reached the 35 over mark at 9/54, taking a number of lessons from the experience whilst being able to hold heads high on a tough day
The matchup against Knox Gardens at Windermere was abandoned due to Melbourne’s excessive heat, spliting the points.
Mountain Gate remains in 8 place, with matches against Knox Boronia (31 Jan & 7 Feb at Windermere Reserve), Knox Gardens (14-21 Feb, Knox Gardens #2) and The Basin (28 Feb, Windermere Reserve) to conclude season 2025/26 with th
The Gators will fancy theirselves against the Burras, having been the source of their sole win in the campaign which stands as the highlight of the season thus far
With the bat, Srihaas Esarapu leads the way with 74 runs at 2467, with a high score of 46 against St Johns Tecoma Lucas Santilli is next with 66 runs at 943, whilst Nakoa Beswick (at 1967) and Lachie Barton (at 5900) have both scored 59 runs each
With the ball, Matthew Carter has 7 wickets at 371, a return of 4/11 against Olinda the drawcard to his efforts. Mikaela Giulieri continues to bamboozle with spin, having claimed 5 wickets at 32.00, whilst Sithum Induruwage (at 7.00) and Nakoa Beswick (at 31.00) both have 4 wickets to their name with ball in hand.
Defensive effort was the key for Kyle Cleland, facing 57 balls in a tough day against the Sharks
Matthew Whitfield was the sole wickettaker against Johnson Park
GATORSSWOOPON MAGPIES
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The Gator Women’s 1 XI returned to the winners sheet against fellow FTGDCA participants Belgrave to kick start their 2026 run on a day where ball prevailed
Sending the visitors in to bat first, the Gators were quick to control the match, sending the Magpies to 3/24 at the 10 over mark as pressure fielding restricted runs
A brief partnership ticked the scoreboard over, however that soon changed as Bibi Amar Khil ripped through the middle order - claiming 3 wickets and collapsing the score at 6/55 after 19 overs.
Wickets then fell more frequently to the conclusion as the Gators took their chances with the ball to end the Belgrave innings for 75.
Once again, Miah Beardshaw finds herself at the top of the batting scorecard, including 42 not out against Belgrave
Bibi Amar Khil was the standout of the bowlers, claiming 3/11 from 5 overs Friba Hotak (2/10 from 5 overs) was next on the sheet, whilst single-wicket efforts from Miah Beadshaw (1/2 from 3 overs), Pareena Varsani (1/7 from 3 overs), Humaira Afghan (1/14 from 5 overs) and Mikaela Giulieri (1/16 from 6 overs) showed the depth of the Mountain Gate attack
Chasing the target and a crucial 6 points, the Gators started well to reach 0/28 before losing 2 quick wickets Miah Beardshaw then paired with Firooza Afghan, scoring freely towards the assignment before Afghan was dismissed with the win in sight, scoring 18 from 22 balls including 2 fours
Mikaela Giulieri then joined Beardshaw as the duo secured the win at 3/77 from 15 overs
Beardshaw’s innings was the highlight, reaching 42 not out from 46 balls, including 5 fours
Humaira Afghan leads the wicket-taking effort over the year, including 3/5 against Lusatia Park earlier in the season
FALCONSGETTHE BETTEROFIMPROVED GATOR/SKLPS
The Gator/SKLPS team continue to press for results, pushing Knox Gardens all the way in their latest matchup in FTGDCA A Grade
The hosts batted first in the T20, threatening to run away with the match before the Gators fought back with the ball
Mel Button challenged the Falcon lineup, claiming 2/20 from her 3 overs and puting the hosts at 3/70 after a double-wicket 11 over th
Not to be outdone, Ayesha Afghan took another double-wicket over to end with figures of 2/15 from 4 overs.
Abbie Pascoe claimed the final wicket of the innings for the Gators, her 1/10 from 4 overs the last of the wicket-takers as Knox Gardens was reigned in to finish at 6/115.
The Gator/SKLPS started well to be 0/22 before Mel Button fell for 7 from 19 balls in the 6 over. The Falcon bowlers did well to restrict runs, with Prisha Pindoria bucking the trend with 12 from 17 balls
Ayesha Afghan took on the Falcons, with 2/15 from 4 overs in the hitout at Knox Gardens
Wickets continued to fall around, however some late over heroics from Abbie Pascoe (11 not out from 16 balls) and Krupa Varsani (12 not out from 17 balls) helped the Gator/SKLPS to 7/93 at 20 overs in a relatively close matchup
The combined side sits 6 in the standings, with matches against St Johns Tecoma (1 Feb, Talaskia Reserve), Johnson Park (8 Feb, Windermere Reserve), Knox Gardens (15 Feb, Knox Gardens #1), South Belgrave (22 Feb, Belgrave South Rec Reserve) and Olinda (1 March, HV Jones Reserve) seeing plenty of opportunities for results and a climb up the standings approaching the pointy end of the season th st th th nd st
and also Mel Button challenged the hosts, snaring 2/20 from 3 overs
FTGDCA Women A Grade
ST JOHNS TECOMA
GATORSFLYINGHIG FALCONS,TOWARD
After a hiatus since Round 4 in mid-N Mountain Gate’s Veterans team finall against Knox Gardens, securing a key just one more match left to play
After washouts against Auravale and Gators hosted the Falcons in a key fin matchup
The hosts batted first, with Tim Wise order winding back the clock with 53 from 46 balls, finding the long Winde 8 times along the carpet
Consistent contributions through the lower order was the key to posting a score, providing no relief to the Falco
Dave Tulloch (14 from 6 balls), Jeff Hu balls), Richard Lieversz (22 from 26 ba Sharma (14 from 25 balls), Mark Lieve balls) and Doug Barton (18 not out fro reached double-figures as Mountain 8/173 to end their innings.
Tim Wise once again came to the fore when it mattered, reaching 53 retired not out in a massively crucial win over Knox Gardens.
In reply, it was a steady contest before the Gators went through the top order, claiming 6/30 to put the score 6/61. The bowlers continued to search for the wickets required for an early end, eventually dismissing Knox Gardens for 114 at the 30 over mark to secure the points and the win
Wickets were shared around evenly, as Jeff Hunt (2/13 from 3 overs), Tim Wise (2/17 from 6 overs), Ian Tudor (2/20 from 6 overs) and Richard Lieversz (2/22 from 54 overs) all took multiple wickets in the effort
The 6 points sees the Gators in 3 place with one match to go against the 6 placed Upper FTG
However it will be all to play for to secure a finals berth given the fixtures in the final round, with 6 points available to Scoresby and Auravale also should the Gators faulter rd th
Tim Wise now leads the run scoring, just 1 dismissal from his 77 runs seeing an average of 77 However it is a tight contest for leading run scorer with Doug Barton (74 runs at 7400) and Adrian Buras (73 runs at 2433) lurking close behind
Richard Lieversz has 6 wickets to his name at 17.33, with Ian Tudor next with 5 wickets at 13.00.
It was all smiles with ball in hand for Richard Lieversz, claiming 2/22 against the Falcons
KNOX BORONIA
Mountain Gate Cricket Club endorses the new Victorian Cricket Integrity Policies and procedures as follows:
1 2026 Member Protection Policy; and 2. 2026 Complaints and Resolution Policy together with re-endorsing Australian Cricket’s Child Safeguarding Framework policies:
3 Commitment Statement;
4 Looking after our Kids Code of Behaviour; and 5. Policy for Safeguarding Children and Young People. All information can be found here
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FEBRUARYTH
The final night of the Home and Away Season will be a big one, with Elimination Sensation combining with the annual Adrian Feeney Best & Fairest Vote Count, to be held at HV Jones Reserve on Saturday 28 February. th
With tickets available from the canteen, Elimination Sensation returns with a big prize on offer for the big cresendo of Season 2025/26!
The final Home and Away match of the season also sees the counting of the Adrian Feeney Best and Fairest Vote Count, with votes tallied from all men’s and women’s matches to award the Best and Fairest within the club for Season 2025/26 - a highlight of the year and a nod to the talents of the players!
