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The Moorabool News – 7 December, 2021 Page 29
Lions fail with the bat
Darley Cricket Club - By Todd Whelan
Darley coach Brian Wheelahan has labelled his prides’ performance with the bat as ‘embarrassing’, after East Ballarat knocked over the reigning dual Premiers for just 107, and on their way to an upset four wicket win at the weekend. The Lions looked to be cruising at 0/28 after winning the toss, before a dramatic batting collapse saw the home side lose 8/35, including 5/8 through the middle stages. Promising all-rounder Mitch Ward (27*), added some respectability to the score late with wicketkeeper Andrew Pickett (21), adding 36 runs for the ninth wicket before the Lions were bowled out in just 37 overs. Only four of the potent Lions batting line-up made it past six (runs) - proving again, this game of cricket was never meant to be easy. The total score of 107 was their lowest since Round Two 2020/21 when ironically East Ballarat skittled the Lions for just 90 and their lowest recording at home since Round One 2018/19 when Mt Clear did the damage - then, all out for 69. “The ‘batting’ just wasn’t us - simple,” Wheelahan said. “We made a few poor choices with the bat but we’re a proud group, we addressed it and we move on to next week.” While the designated target looked vulnerable at best to defend, Wheelahan was full of praise of his bowlers and their efforts to pull off an unlikely victory. Spinner Hasi Wickramasinghe (4/17) near single handledly bowled the Lions into contention from his 10 overs, a return not missed by Wheelahan in the aftermath. “Hasi led the charge and really turned it on back at Darley Park,” Wheelahan said. “In fact, the entire bowling group bowled their hearts but 107 was always going to be hard to defend.” Wheelahan said while they were embarrassed with the performance with the bat, he was confident his boys would bounce back quickly. “We’ll be ready to go for next week’s challenge,” he said. “We are still in a really good place to complete phase one of our season before Christmas and have ourselves in an ideal position to relaunch into the New Year.” Darley are at home this Saturday for a meeting with ninth
placed Mt Clear before a trip to Golden Point (fifth) on Sunday restores the season with a catch-up game from their abandoned Round Two fixture due to rain. Play starts from noon.
BCA 4th GRADE Darley 79 all out, Overs 37.3. Ballarat-Redan 4/81, Overs 23.4. A. Bird 2/13 Darley lost by 6 wickets - (Darley 7th).
Results – Round 5
BCA 5th GRADE Darley 8/140, Overs 40. D.Kilmartin 70. Brown Hill Bulls 5/146, Overs 28.1. Darley lost by 5 wickets - (Darley 10th).
BCA 1st GRADE Darley 107 all out, Overs 37. M. Ward 27*, D. Chandima 26. East Ballarat 6/108, Overs 44. H. Wickramasinghe 4/17. Darley lost by 4 wickets - (Darley 2nd). BCA 2nd GRADE Ballarat-Redan 8/245, Overs 45. J. Stephenson 4/39, L. Cornford 2/23. Darley 7/201, Overs 45. W. Johnson 62*, B. Gellie 54, J. Oorloff 33. Darley lost by 44 runs - (Darley 16th).
WOMEN’S LEAGUE - (Rd 4) Darley 7/95, Overs 20. K. Bessell 57* Macedon 1/44, Overs 12. Darley lost on first innings - (Darley 6th).
BCA 3rd GRADE Darley 127 all out, Overs 33.1. C. Salisbury 25. Wendouree Red 2/129, Overs 30. Darley lost by 8 wickets - (Darley 6th).
Darley Women’s cricket. Photos - Tim Saultry / sportingherald.
com.au
Tornado storms into millionaire status By Michael Howard (HRV) Tornado Valley has crashed through the million-dollar mark in brilliant style that has become the trotter’s trademark, with a flawless all-the-way performance last Saturday night. The crushing win in the Aldebaran Park R C Freestone Trotters Free For All, the 39th of his 108-start career, saw the nine-year-old become the ninth Australasian trotter to amass seven figures in stake winnings, a relief and a thrill for trainer Andy Gath and driver Kate Gath. It was also the headliner on a terrific night’s racing at Tabcorp Park, in which two late dashes claimed the Youthful Stakes and bold performances won heats of the Gordon Rothacker Memorial Championship.
The night belonged to Tornado Valley and connections shared a mix of relief with the result and optimism for what might still be to come. “It was super special,” Kate Gath told TrotsVision. “To get it done was everything, really over the moon.” While Andy Gath said the thrill wasn’t so much about passing the million-dollar mark as “bringing him back and showing that he’s still got plenty to offer”. “It was a dominant performance, it wasn’t unexpected, but you still have to come and do it,” he said. “It’s a bit of a relief, but it’s great that he’s still got life in his legs.” Tornado Valley was in a class of his own in the Group 3 over the middle distance, tearing from the gate in the style that has helped him build his stunning record.
Tornado Valley - Ninth Australasian Trotter to amass A$1 million in stakes. Photo Stuart McCormick
There was little pressure throughout, and Kate Gath stretched the field with a 28.8-second third quarter before coming home in 28.3 to win by 5.6 metres from Aldebaran Tess, with Sundons Courage and Powderkeg completing the first four. “Once I asked him, he was just off and gone and he got to the line really well,” Kate Gath said. And the dominance assures there will be more to come, with the camp hopeful he’ll be able to defend his Great Southern Star crown on February 4. “He loves being in work, he loves racing, and he loves stable life,” Andy Gath said. “We’ll keep going until we think he’s not going to be at his best. Tonight, he proved he’s still got plenty left.”