General News
5 December, 2024
What's the point of rain for cricketers?
APART from farmers in the middle of harvest, few were more disadvantaged by last Saturday’s deluge than Upper Loddon Valley Cricket Association players. And Arnold Redbacks suffered the most, due to having a bye in the senior competition. With...
APART from farmers in the middle of harvest, few were more disadvantaged by last Saturday’s deluge than Upper Loddon Valley Cricket Association players.
And Arnold Redbacks suffered the most, due to having a bye in the senior competition.
With games washed out, the other four teams were awarded three points for “no result” outcomes, which meant Boort Yando and Bridgewater Bulls crept half-a-game closer on the ladder to third-placed Arnold in the fight for a finals berth.
Redbacks captain Henry McCullough said the potential disadvantage for his side had been noted.
“I’m not too concerned at this point, but it definitely crossed my mind,” he told the Loddon Herald.
“It’s an interesting predicament. If it’s a one-off it may be fine, but if there’s another washout it could become an issue.”
What shaped as a pivotal round for the season last Saturday was abandoned, and with more than half of the home-and-away season completed, places in the final four are still up for grabs.
Wedderburn Band and Kingower are comfortably the top two teams, and their meeting last weekend was much anticipated.
The Band is undefeated, while Kingower’s only senior loss this season came against Wedderburn.
Had the match gone ahead and Kingower won, the team would have risen to top spot.
At the other end of the table, a win for Bridgewater against Boort Yando would have seen the Bulls climb off the bottom and into a finals’ position.
Boort’s three points for the abandoned game means the team now has a chance to leapfrog Arnold into third place this coming Saturday.
Boort hosts Wedderburn while the Bulls travel to meet the Redbacks in the final T20 round. Kingower has the bye.
Kingower skipper Jayden Leach is having a season of enormous personal highlights. He is averaging more than 100 with the bat and is also the competition’s leading wicket taker.
From the team perspective, he is delighted with how the season has played out.
“I’ve been really happy. The opening bats (Matt Rowe and Will Deason) have played really well, and everyone is doing their bit,” Leach said.
He was particularly pleased with the development of some of the team’s younger players: Tyler Murphy, Ryder Smith and Morgan Lonza.
While disappointed the clash with Wedderburn was washed out – “It’s always a dog fight when we play them” – Leach is looking forward to the inaugural T20 grand finale against the Band on December 15.
“It could go either way – a really high score or a really low score. It’s a bit hard to adapt to after playing 40-over matches.”
Bridgewater president John Daldy said the Bulls’ youngsters had impressed this season, with the club returning to the competition after a year in recess.
He said senior players had found it hard to find time to turn out for the club, but more were returning to the fold as the season progressed.
The T20 competition had encouraged many players back to the game, said Daldy, who is also association president.
“So far, the season has been going really well after a few teething problems. There have been no major issues, and everyone is enjoying the format.”
Boort Yando club secretary Kristen Gooding said player numbers remained a problem, with many of the unbeaten junior team doubling up with the seniors on a weekly basis.
“One week we had six juniors filling in. It’s a great experience for them, and all the senior players are no supportive,” she said.
However, it was not a long-term solution.
“Our president David Rees has sent out a call-to-arms letter asking for feedback from past players to see how we can get people to come back” Gooding said.
“We’ve probably got a core of 20 players, but not all are available each week. Our coach Brian Minogue is on the phone every week trying to find players.”
LADDER
Wedderburn 39
Kingower 33
Arnold 12
Boort Yando 9
Bridgewater 3