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Ballan Cricket Club RESULTS – Week ending Saturday 12 March Under 11s - (R12) It was the last game for the season and Ballan faced Creswick. A full team effort and all the hard work during the year paid off with everyone contributing in some way. Creswick batted first and made 56 (8 outs). Kiara Grigg, Charlie Black, Ned Conroy, Cooper Olthof and Mickey Rawlins all got a wicket while Lachie Olthof, Hunter Clark and Layla Shugg did exactly what their coach asked, to bowl tightly. Ed Bayard finished with terrific figures of 3/4. A strong performance with the bat by Ballan saw return the figures of 3/115. Banjo Luke and Ed Bayard were the strong openers with fantastic running between wickets. Micky, Cooper Charlie, Ned and Lachie all scored runs. Hunter, Layla and Kiara batted out their time without losing their wicket, as did first year player Ava Conroy. RESULTS – SEMI FINAL Under 13 v Buninyong: Ballan 4/100 def Buninyong 8/82 Batting - Clover McIlwaine 22 Ret. n.o, Beth Davenport 19 Ret. n.o, Jai Singh 8, Charlotte Wallace 4, James Bayard 4, Jackson Letcher 3 n.o. Bowling - Clover McIlwaine 4/11, Jai Singh 2/18, Jackson Letcher 1/7, Eamon Grigg 1/10, Angus Tranter 0/5. Winning the toss and batting first, Clover McIlwaine and Beth Davenport set a fantastic foundation for the team to build on. Following their retirements, the team unexpectedly lost a couple of quick wickets. However, pleasingly the team continued to play positive, fearless cricket and keep pressure on the opposition with clever running between the wickets and displaying excellent game awareness by taking advantage of misfields and overthrows. Once the bowling innings commenced Clover McIlwaine and Eamon Grigg both got early wickets with Sarah Burton taking an awesome catch in slip off Eamon’s bowling. Ballan continued to work tirelessly in the field with Angus Tranter particularly busy, but the opposition continued to score and appear to have the run chase under control. A further bowling change to Jai Singh netted another wicket (Jai’s first at the club) with Sarah Burton this time taking a catch at square leg. Jai was then able to get another wicket in his second over. The opposition still appeared to be in control needing 24 runs off 7 overs. Jackson Letcher made the most of his spell, bowling super tidy and getting a wicket. Sarah assisted again taking a catch at mid-wicket running with the flight of the ball, her third of the match. Clover McIlwaine then returned for her second spell bowling with pace and accuracy to seal the victory with a further 3 wickets in 9 balls and Jai Singh taking a brilliant catch at short cover to help with the final wicket. The team were ecstatic with the hardfought win and now look forward to playing in the Grand Final this week.
The Moorabool News – 15 March, 2022 Page 21
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Under 15 (R8): Ballan 1/121 def Brown Hill 6/104. Batting - Josh Singh 30 not out, Noah Pace 30 not out, Sarah Burton 8, Tom Norman 5 not out. Bowling - J Singh 3/14 off 3 overs, T Norman 1/9 off 4 overs, C McIlwaine 1/17 off 4 overs, B Davenport 1/4 off 2 overs Unfortunately, even with the win, the team just missed out on finals. At the beginning of the season it looked like not having a team, but with lots of brave under 13s join, they played some fantastic cricket. We got our first win before the Christmas break and continued winning for the remainder of the season. Under 17s (R8): Ballan 3/174 def Mt Clear 8/158 Batting - H Doherty 50 n.o, N Loft 37 no, M Golding 22, J Jarvis 21 no. Bowling - R Lister 2/20, G Muir 2/23, J Childs 2/28. Despite the win the team finished heartbreakingly just outside the final 4 on percentage only, so that’s it for this season. The team thanked coach Lachie Snaith and others in seniors who helped coach and mentor the team, to family members and friends for their support and to players for the ongoing commitment to training and games.
Edward Bayard batting for the U11s after getting 3/4 with his bowling.
Seniors The First XI had a chance of grabbing one of the last spots in finals if they had secured a win, but with rain meaning points evenly divided, they were unable to have that chance. The seniors ended their season with rain abandoning their last round back on 5 March. *** The 2nd XI finished outside of the finals also, but had some good wins and stellar individual performances along the way. A great team with a mix of players from U17s to veterans.
Top scoring with 22 runs and getting 4/11with the ball, Clover McIlwaine (U13) finished the game on a hat trick. First ball this week may give her that hat trick.
Jai Singh (U13) takes the last catch of the day to ensure Ballan’s win to go into the Grand Final. Jai also returned 2/18 with the ball.
First year player Ava Conroy batting for the U11s.
The victorious Semi Final winners and coaches from the U13s. Photos – CHRIS THOM
Lions aim to make history Darley Cricket Club – By Todd Whelan The wait is finally over. Only Napoleons-Sebastopol stands in the way of Darley’s dream of making it to a third successive BCA Grand Final as the two sides prepare for Saturday’s sudden death Semi Final at Alfredton Oval, Ballarat. While the Lions did lose their round 18 clash with BallaratRedan at the weekend, coach Brian Wheelahan believes there is no cause for concern. “We’re not always going to produce, just as long as we do when it counts most,” he said. “We’re proven performers, have played enough good cricket and now we’re a one-in-four chance creating something special.” That something special happens to be a rare three peat achievement of BCA First Grade flags, back-2-back-2-back. There’s no denying the absence of star all rounder Danza Hyatt’s will make the Lions task that little more difficult but Wheelahan’s faith in his Pride remains unwaivered and steadfast. “I have the utmost confidence in this group, we’re a proud bunch and we can’t wait for Saturday,” he said. “We’ll ramp up our preparations this week and be raring to go.” Let’s take a look at the likely Lions First XI, and how they’re shaping up...... Bradley Barnes (c) - rhb. Selfless leader who has put youth ahead of his usual top order role for the most part of the season. Smashed a better than run-a-ball 80 in round 14.
Dilon Chandima - rhb and leg spin bowler - Lions leading run scorer in his debut season with the club - has 767 runs @59.00 average ( 2x100s, 4x50s). Also 21 wickets at 14.48 avg. Chandima is the key at the top of the order. All class. Mitch Ward - left arm seamer, rhb. Opened the batting for an hour at the weekend as the Lions try and find the right pairing at the top with Chandima. Has proven he can play a role with the bat in big games. Known more for his contributions with the ball - 18 wickets @ 15.17 avg. Brodie Ward - rhb. Youngster who has spent considerable time in the number three position. Has had four solid starts since Christmas with a 32, 24, 17, 23. Ready to go on with it now, a big score is not far away according to Captain Bradley Barnes. Madushanka Ekanayake - right arm quick - Lions leading wicket taker with 30 including 9/15 in round one. If ‘Eka’ can break through at the top early, the Lions chances will be greatly enhanced. No slouch with the bat either chasing quick runs in the later overs. Hasi Wickramasinghe - rhb and off spin bowler. Often the glue through the middle order having his best season with the bat since joining the Lions. Has 441 runs @ 33.92 avg. Bowls important overs through the middle stages, has 16 wickets @17.88 avg. Has the best economy rate of all Lions bowlers (2.95). Drew Locke - lhb - Versatile. Can be patient or aggressive whatever the situation. Has made a start in three of last four knocks - will be required to deliver on more of the same. Good gully fieldsman. Rahmatullah Khwaja - rhb and right arm seamer. Excellent change of pace bowler with his own bag of tricks. Can take
‘big game’ wickets (24 @ 14.17 season average) and will be called on for a cameo role with the bat. Clever cricketer. Benny Longhurst - right arm seamer - Opener who bowls his 10 overs out more often than not at the top. Has had a consistent year with 23 wickets @14.74 avg. Andy Pickett - wicketkeeper - Lions coach Brian Wheelahan has been very vocal in his support and encouragement of Andy who continues to work hard on his craft. His gloves are always in the game with this attack who have taken more wickets than any side this season. Jae Oorloff - right arm seamer - Youngster and newcomer to the side with eight First Grade games under his belt. Adds depth to the bowling group and has 3 wickets @22.67 avg from his 17 overs. -----------------------------------------------------------------The Lions 3rd Grade showed tremendous spirit in their seven wicket Qualifying Final win over flag fancies Buninyong. Joshua Murphy smashed 14 fours and one six on his way to a match winning 73 off just 68 balls. The Lions now face Golden Point in a semi-final showdown at Wendouree West on Saturday for an elusive Grand Finals berth. RESULTS BCA 1st GRADE - (R18) Ballarat-Redan 6/196, Overs 50. M. Ward 3/40, R. Khwaja 2/40. Darley 119 all out, Overs 39.5. H. Wickramasinghe 30, D. Chandima 21. Darley lost by 77 runs - (Darley finished 2nd). BCA 3rd GRADE - (QUALIFYING FINAL) Buninyong 5/132, Overs 40. J. McKerrow 2/25. Darley 3/133, Overs 28.4. J. Murphy 73, C. Salisbury 23* Darley won by 7 wickets - (Darley progress).