A word from the Prez Match Reports from Rounds 10 & 11
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Junior News
Mic’d Up with Diesel
Sponsors & Past Players Day
Merchandise Range
Upcoming social events
Mountain Gate remains in strong positions across all the grades after a return to play for 2025.
Formidable on their day, the 1st XI stunned ladder leaders Olinda to earn a vital win on the back of James Dekel’s 7 wicket display. Whilst in the 2nd XI, Dave Tulloch is hitting quickfire form to keep the Gators within striking distance of a finals placing. The 3rd XI continue to lead proceedings, after strong performances against Knoxfield and Olinda with both bat and ball.
In the women’s, the 1st XI remain in control of their destiny leading into the race for the finals, whilst the 2nd XI continue to develop towards results, finding themselves just 6 points back from a maiden finals appearance
In the Veterans, the old boys were humbled against a strong Eildon Park outfit however remain well in contention to secure a finals placing in their first year in David Clark Shield
The Gator Knight juniors are showing that the future is bright with both the Under 14s and Under 16s at the pointy end of the ladder as they look towards a run into March
AWORDFROMPREZ: CHOP CUNNINGHAM
Hi Gators,
Well we are well onto the home stretch of Season 2024/25 now, and all of our teams are well in the thick of the action!
The 1st XI produced an inspiring performance against Olinda to notch up their latest win, however a massive recognition needs to go to James Dekelhaving scored nearly 500 runs for the year, and now taking 7 wicket hauls is amazing stuff!
The 2nd XI continue to be in the equation in their first year up and will definitely be in consideration knowing the skills and experience within the team, whilst the 3rd XI sit atop the ladder with a great blend of youth and experience
Our women’s program continues to come along nicely, with a string of bad luck and weather not going our way in the 1st XI, and the 2nd XI continuing to push for their second win of the season.
The Veterans remain in the top 4 as we move into February with just a handful of matches remaining, whilst our junior teams are well up the ladder as finals come over the horizon
Our next social function is a significant one, being the Sponsors and Past Players Day on 8th February
This day allows us to recognize and acknowledge the wonderful businesses and people who have contributed towards the club and it’s goals of creating a rewarding cricket program experienceboth on the field and off.
Our Sponsors - DoneRite Home Repairs, Horizon Mortgage Solutions, Future Heath & Fitness, Topline Cricket Centre & Cafe 108, Horizon Financial Strategies, AAA Supplements and My Pool Shopcontinue to join us together on our journey to deliver not just a cricket club but a community organisation that we can all be proud of.
Equally, our player sponsors - FitCare, Kraken Marine, Jeff’s Lawns & Gardens, Sims Metals, Pedders, My Pensions Manager, GAM Steel, Aussie Air Compressors and Tuplin Accountinghave helped support our club by getting behind our players and helping us get as many people on the park as we can
And lastly, we welcome back some of our past players - whether from a few years ago or a few decades ago - to come and catch up with one another at HV Jones and become part of this special thing we are growing here.
Looking forward to the month ahead and finishing off the season strongly down at the Swamp!
Mountain Gate went a long way towards securing a Finals berth early in 2025, defeating the top-of-thetable Olinda after a massive day with the ball for James Dekel
After receiving the bye on the opening Saturday of the calendar year, and a washout against Gembrook, the Gators attention turned up the hill to the Round 11 clash against Olinda
Winning the toss, the visiting Gator side took the opportunity for runs on the board, with a strong start between Shoaib Sobhan and the promoted Dale Kline The duo put on 100 for the opening stand, before Kline (46 from 87 balls, including 10 fours) and Sobhan (36 from 92 balls, including 6 fours) had the score at 2/100
A trickle of wickets saw the score drop to 5/125, before Pamir Hussaini (21 from 30 balls) and Brodie Wise (18 from 61 balls) combined in a vital pairing which kept the scoreboard ticking along
Josh Hardman helped keep the tail wagging, ending 28 not out from 80 balls as the Gators reached 202 in the 72nd over Prior to stumps, Olinda reached 0/15
Day 2 saw Brady Hunt and James Dekel break through early on, with Hunt (2/27 from 7 overs) claiming his second to have the hosts 3/48 after 18 overs.
Whilst the Gator faithful are accustomed to watching Dekel influence a game with the bat, today it was with the ball as the pacer went through the middle order, triggering a collapse of 5/45 as the Gators continued to make a statement.
Brodie Wise bowled tight areas to build the pressure on the hosts, whilst Luke Bakker claimed 1/22 from his 4 overs Behind the stumps, Braedyn Williams had a day to remember with the gloves, holding onto 5 matches
However the day belonged to Dekel, claiming the final wicket in the Gator win and ending the match having taken a career-best 7/53 from 244 overs, including 6 maidens
The Gators ended up victors by 70 runs, dismissing Olinda in the 49th over for 132
The win against the Bloods comes as a valuable contribution to locking in a spot in March With just 3 matches remaining (vs Knox Boronia 1-8 February, vs Scoresby 15-22 February and Gembrook 23 February) and a 15-point buffer to the Brookers, the 6 points from Round 11 allows the Gators to be in control of their own destiny towards the latter stages of the Home and Away Season
Dekel continues to lead the way with the bat, leading the league for runs scored with 443 runs at an average of 63.29, including 3 centuries. Wayne Davidson and Shoaib Sobhan are next on the scorecard with 137 runs each - Davidson at 22.83 and Sobhan at 27.40 respectively.
With the ball, Dekel’s 7 wickets takes him to the lead wicket-taker with 14 wickets at 15.07, followed by Luke Bakker (10 wickets at 23.00) and Brady Hunt (8 wickets at 27.38).
Usually we write him up for the bat, but James Dekel was on a different level with the ball at Olinda, claiming 7/53
Alan Bailey
GATORSREMAININTHE MIXASSUPERFEBRUARY LOOMS
The 2nd XI will be looking towards a change of fortune in the run towards finals, with back-to-back defeats against South Belgrave and Upper FTG.
The Gators began the new year with a trip to South, with the hosts putting on a strong performance with the willow After early breakthroughs, the hosts threatened to run away with the match at 3/151 before the Gator bowlers struck back to restrict to 194
Chris Tuplin (3/19 from 4 overs) and Eraj Wimalaratna (3/34 from 8 overs) lead the charge for the visitors, with Pamir Hussaini claiming 2/8 from 2 damaging overs Tim Wise (1/22 from 8 overs) and Ben Ogley (1/35 from 6 overs) also found themselves amongst the wickets
A disasterous start to the chase for the Gators saw the scoreboard at 3/11 early in the chase, before Dave Tulloch and Ash Pensa recovered in a halfcentury stand Pensa’s departure for 16 from 24 balls saw the card reading 4/69 for the Gators
Tulloch was next to depart, falling agonisingly short
Dave Tulloch’s explosive batting has been a highlight of matches so far against South Belgrave and Upper FTG
of a half century - 49 from 31 balls, including 9 fours and a six. Ben Ogley took on the game also, hitting 8 boundaries on his way to 36 from 27 balls. However South managed to find a way to claim wickets at the right times, dismissing the visitors for 158 - 36 runs short
Round 10 saw the Gators hosting the ladderleading Upper Ferntree Gully at HV Jones Batting first, runs were hard to come by however Ash Pensa (17 from 64 balls) and Chris Tuplin (15 from 32 balls) put in the work for their starts
The bash-and-crash of Dave Tulloch resumed for another week, with a fast-paced 71 brought up in 79 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes
Ben Ogley was another one to show lower-order prowess, hitting 21 from 38 balls to keep the lower order ticking along before the Gators were dismissed for 151 in 51 overs
The Kings then showed why they were atop the ladder, passing the target 1-down before batting on Nonetheless, this provided the Gator bowlers with some good opportunities for matchday practice
Taylor Jones (2/4 from 2 overs), Ben Ogley (1/34 from 13 overs) and Eraj Wimalaratna (1/42 from 8 overs) all claimed wickets in the leadup to the tea break before stumps were pulled at 5/200, joining Cooper Gwynne (1/33 from 16 overs) as wicket-takers.
The Gators sit in 5th place, ahead of their matchup with Belgrave on 1st & 8th February,
Chris Tuplin found himself among the wickets against South Belgrave, claiming 3/19
SPONSOR
FOR 24/25
ONTOPOFTHEWORLD GATORSUNDEFEATEDIN 2025
Mountain Gate’s 3rd XI sit atop the ladder at the end of January, after starting off 2025 with back-toback wins
Hosting fellow finals-aspirants Knoxfield at Windermere Reserve in Round 8, the Knights took to the crease first however were pinned down early by a Gators bowling attack looking to make inroads and restrict the runs
Brady Pensa took the new ball with good returns, leading the charge claiming 3/16 from 54 overs as the ball was shared around 9 different bowlers
Doug Barton (2/14 from 3 overs), Ryan Stapleton (1/4 from 2 overs), Ian Van staden (1/8 from 4 overs) , Mark Stapleton (1/13 from 4 overs), Bailey Dehaan (1/13 from 3 overs) and Ethan Williams (1/13 from 3 overs) all troubled the scorecard as the visitors were dismissed for 120 after 33 overs.
In reply, the Gators lost early wickets before resuming the chase, with Ian Van staden (23 from 19 balls) and Ryan Stapleton (22 from 16 balls) combining for a quickfire partnership, before Mark Lieversz (20 from 44 balls) kept the pressure on as the scoreboard ticked down towards the target.
Anok Miranda helped guide home the chase, reaching 16 not out from 25 balls as the Gators brought up the win at 7/121
Meanwhile, Round 9 action at Olinda saw the Gators home in a thrilling end, holding on be 14run victors
Earlier in the day, the Gator top order shone, with the evergreen Lyndon Rowlands (35 from 60 balls) and Srineer Esarapu (31 from 44 balls) both getting the Gators started, before Ryan Stapleton hit another half-century, reaching 69 from 47 balls including 5 fours and 2 sixes
The runs continued to flow through the middle order, with Dean Stapleton (18 from 15 balls) hitting 2 fours and a six, whilst Ian Van staden was inspired by the BBL, his 12-ball innings late in the innings netting 25 runs courtesy of 2 sixes and a boundary.
In the end, the Gators reached a highly competitive 8/215 from their 35 overs on Olinda’s back oval, before looking to emulate the defense of the total just as the 1st XI were doing on the main oval.
Matthew Carter (1/23 from 6 overs) started the innings off well, claiming the first wicket before the hosts dug in to take the advantage However the Gators then struck back, with Ryan Stapleton (1/25 from 4 overs) and then Mark Stapleton (2/31 from 3 overs) claiming wickets in tandem
Tight restrictive fielding helped in the latter overs, generating a runout and allowing the Gators to keep Olinda to 5/201 at the close
The win sets up a fantastic showdown with 4thplaced Knoxfield on February 1 & 8 at Benedikt Park in a tight race towards the finals
Brady Pensa had a debut to remember in the 3rd XI, claiming 3/16 from 54 overs against Knoxfield
Ryan Stapleton leading the way for the ladder leaders, striking 69 from 47 balls
ALLTOPLAYFORAS WEATHER,SAINTS PREVAILOVERGATORS
The Women’s 1st XI will look to generate form into the last month of the season in a run towards finals, following a 20-run defeat against St Andrews.
With the first match of 2025 washed out against Montrose, the Gators looked with confidence towards the St Andrews matchup for Round 12 at HV Jones, having started off the campaign with victory over the Saints.
This time, it was the visitors who started at the crease and were on the back foot early as the Gators brought the Saints to 5/37
Miah Beardshaw rearranged the top order, claiming 3/15 from her 5 overs, well supported by Mel Button (2/15 from 6 overs) and Mikaela Giulieri (2/17 from 7 overs) with multiple wickets, whilst Emily Barrow (1/15 from 6 overs) and Caryss McCulloch (1/12 from 2 overs) also provided wickets
However the Saints were able to find a way to keep the scoreboard ticking along, including a 23-run 9th wicket partnership which assisted the visitors to 9/122 at the conclusion of the innings
An early wicket for the Gators fell, however Emily Barrow (16 from 32 balls, including 2 fours) and Miah Beadshaw (14 runs from 44 balls, including 2 fours) occupied the crease to good effect, getting starts at 3/38
However, just as the Gators looked to be getting a start at the crease, the Saints were able to capture a wicket, with Maddi Southam (11 from 17 balls), Mikaela Giulieri (19 from 23 balls) and Gabby Giulieri (10 from 14 balls) all falling to the visitors.
Nonetheless, the push towards the target continued, however with wickets in the lower order, the Gators were dismissed for 102 in the 28th over.
Miah Beardshaw proved to be a tricky customer for the Saints’ top order, claiming 3/15
The loss leaves Mountain Gate in 7th place, however with 4 rounds left and a potential total of 24 points available, the Gators are still in control of their fate despite the result
The Gators will be looking to return to the winners listing against 6th-placed Lusatia Park on 2nd February at Woori Yallock Reserve, before a run home against Canterbury (9th February at HV Jones), Heatherdale (16th February at Heatherdale Reserve) and Belgrave (23rd February at HV Jones Reserve)
Mikaela Giulieri top scored in the chase against St Andrew, scoring 19 from 23 balls
GATORKNIGHTSTOIL HARDATTHETIGERS LAIR
The Gator Knights returned following the midseason break, still on a high following their last-start win and looking to carry that form into the second half of the season.
Travelling up to Upwey for a One Day clash against the Tigers, the visiting Gator Knights were sent in to bat first at the Dome. An early wicket fell however then lead to a partnership between Emily Williams (14 from 38 balls) and Ashlee Cowie (5 from 25 balls), occupying time at the crease.
With Cowie’s departure with the score 2/29, the middle order looked to continue against the Tiger attack Anita Weinert (3 from 6 balls), Katrina Osborne (5 from 10 balls) and Vanessa Lindner (9 from 12 balls) pushed hard towards a target
Ultimately at the end of 20 overs, the Gator Knights had put 7/86 on the scoreboard for the Tigers to chase
The response saw the hosts not give up many opportunities to claim wickets, though the opportunity was taken for the Gator Knights to throw the ball around for some matchday practice, with no less than 8 bowlers used in the 13 overs
Ashlee Cowie and Anita Nguyen both finished on 0/8 from their 2 overs as pick of the attack, whilst elsewhere Naomi Taylor (0/12 from 2 overs), Vanessa Lindner (0/14 from 2 overs) and Emily Williams (0/17 from 2 overs) both sent down multiple overs against the Tigers
Umani Senavirathna (0/9 from 1 over) and Ruvani Wickramarathna (0/9 from 1 over) both bowled well in their debut match, whilst Katrina Osborne sent the final over of the day, ending 0/9.
The Gator Knights still sit just one game outside of the Top 4, with their next match against Knox Gardens at HV Jones on Sunday 2nd February.
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Anita Nguyen asked the questions of the Upwey batting lineup, finishing 0/8 from 2 overs
Emily Williams
the mainstay
the Gator Knights Innings against Upwey, posting 14 from 38 balls
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However the resu conclusion, as Doug Barton started strongly scoring 35 from 52 balls
The middle order saw the bulk of the chase, with Richard Lieversz (34 from 42 balls, including 3 fours) and Dave Tulloch (40 retired not out from 31 balls, including 3 fours and 2 sixes) ensuring that the Gators remained in the contest
Brett Cunningham (17 from 15 balls, including 3 fours) and Darren Tidey (29 from 32 balls, including 5 fours) further pressed the hosts’ claim, with the Gators sitting at 5/155 with overs in hand.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be as the required rate proved to be just out of reach from the Gators in a 400-run thriller, ultimately ending the 36 overs at 8/181.
The Gators sit in 4th spot on percentage over Upper FTG, and will come up against South Belgrave’s 4th XI (2nd February at Belgrave South Recreation Reserve) and a final round decider against the Kings at Kings Park Reserve on Sunday 9th February
Smile if you’re in the wickets! Nathan Giulieri claimed 2/19 against Eildon Park to lead the charge with the ball
Just another Dave Tulloch shot to the fence! Tulloch retired not out against the Panthers, scoring 40 from just 31 balls
MIC’DUPWITHDIESEL
And now for something a little bit different...
After a summer of cricket where the camera and the mic are around the stumps, this time they’re on the coach!
There are particular noises and sounds you hear around a club on a training night, and Coach Shaun Nugara managed to capture them all on a Thursday night
Whether that may be impromptu karaoke in the middle whilst batting, or flash quizes of players music choices, being nutmegged by juniors or even using players for a quick squat session.
Eyes on and ears on, as we Mic up Diesel to take us through the fun that is a Thursday night training session at HV Jones.
Mountain Gate Cricket Club endorses the new Victorian Cricket Integrity Policies and procedures as follows:
1 2024 Member Protection Policy; and 2 2024 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
Time to update the wardrobe? Want to wear the most fashionable designs this season? We’ve got you covered
Mountain Gate Cricket Club have teamed up with Sporting Fine Art to offer the most complete range of Gators apparel
Whether rolling the arm over on a Thursday, scoring One Day half centuries in one day matches or centuries in two day matches, look the part whilst you represent!
And it’s simple to order: Visit the Club Portal, select your items, pay and it’s on its way
PLAYER SPONSORS FOR 24/25
PLAYER SPONSORS FOR 24/25
SPONSORS&PASTPLAYERSDAY-8FEBRUARY
It’s the day we say thanks!
Join us on Saturday 8 February from 3:30pm as we join to recognize and say thank you to all of our sponsors who have made Season 2024/25 possible
With their generous support, the club has been able to continue to provide a cricket program and create a social environment around cricketthat continues to give back to our community.
Equally, the day presents an opportunity for Past Players to reunite and catch up together at HV Jones as the 1st XI play their final Home match of the Season, with festivities running into the evening for those who are unable to make it during the day.
SPONSORS & PAST PLAYERS DAY
Saturday 8th February
@ HV Jones Reserve
Join us from 3:30pm onwards as we recognise our sponsors and catch up with our past players
Both Gator Knights teams are well positioned as the final month of cricket gets underway following a late resumption due to the VMCU Carnival
The Under 14's sit a game clear on the ladder after mixed results in the opening fortnight against Belgrave and Lysterfield/Knox Gardens
The Gator Knights proved to be a cut above in the opening match of 2025, with the Magpies posting 8/63 from their 20 overs. Nakoa Beswick was the lead of the attack, taking 4/6 from 3 overs, whilst Daniel Stapleton snared 2/2 from 3 overs.
In reply, the Gator Knights were challenged for the result, however runs from Mitchell Ferguson (19 ret not out), Rhys Disney (12 not out), Nakoa Beswick (11) and Matthew Buras (11) saw the hosts home at 7/106
Lysterfield/Knox Gardens secured a 7-wicket win against the Gator Knights, with a low target proving costly
The Gator Knights’ scorecard was highlighted by Mason Lijnders (22 from 27 balls), whilst Daniel Stapleton (16 ret out) provided support on the way to 7/90 from 20 overs The bowlers struggled to break through, with the hosts bringing up the win in the 16th over
No such issues in the Under 16's as the Gator Knights accounted for Olinda at Olinda Dev Gupta was the pick of the bowlers with 2/13 from 4 overs, whilst Mikaela Giulieri was the other wicket taker with 1/18 from 4 overs as the Bloods reached 3/98 from 24 overs
In reply, Jayden Lavender produced a maiden halfcentury unbeaten, reaching 52 not out from just 33 balls including 6 fours. Mark Stapleton (31 from 28 balls) and Dev Gupta (16 from 16 balls) also featured on the card as the Gator Knights ended 5/139
The Under 14's will next host the top-of-the-table clash with Rowville on Friday 7th February at 5:15pm, whilst the Under 16's take on Johnson Park at Carrington Park Reserve on 1st & 8th February from 8:20am
