Wando Vale's close win

3 March 2010

Casterton News

MERINO'S Sam Penfold and Neville Holmes resumed their overnight score of 2-91 at the Wando Vale reserve.

Their target was Wando Vale’s first innings score of 143 but, when the score was 102, Jake Tomkins had Penfold (50) caught by Troy O’Connell.

Three runs later Holmes (22) was caught Peter Tomkins bowled Jake Tomkins. Wickets continued to tumble as Liam Geary and Lionel Balzan got into the act with further timely dismissals.

At 8-141, Merino was still in with a big chance as Darren Murrell was in full flight with the bat, however Jake Tomkins had the last laugh as both Murrell (24) and Ryan Reedman (0) fell with no further addition to the Merino total.

Jake Tomkins was the star with the ball for Wando Vale's with an outstanding 5-58 from 22 overs. He was ably assisted by Lionel Balzan (2-12) and Liam Geary (2-16). Batting a second time, Wando Vale was 8-212 at stumps with good contributions Jake Tomkins (67), Lionel Balzan (49), Liam Geary (31), Troy O’Connell (17) and Jack Gartlan (11).

Josh Searle took 3-40 for the Wombats. Points: Wando Vale 24, Merino 12.

Edenhope too good for Casterton

CASTERTON resumed its innings at 2-51 at Island Park (1) to chase down the Edenhope first innings total of 209.

Kane Forbes (11), Adrian Meyer (7), Matt Murphy (2) and Matt Koutrobos (2) fell in quick succession as the home team collapsed to a precarious 6-78.

Callum Currie (41) and Shaun Taylor (11) then temporarily steadied the ship with a 32-run partnership for the seventh wicket. But it was Edenhope’s day and Casterton was soon all out for 128 in 46 overs.

Chris Carter (4-35) and Theo Zaxos (3-28) were the stars with the ball for Edenhope. In the 38 overs remaining, Edenhope batted again and was 6-171 at stumps. Alan McIntyre’s (100) was a powerful contribution for his team, while Aaron Lloyd (21), Chris Oliver (20 not out) and Chris Carter (17) added valuable support.

In the absence of Matt Killey, the Casterton bowling attack was led by Callum Currie (3-43) and Joe McArlein (2-29). Points: Edenhope 25, Casterton 11.

Pigeon Ponds bats have a day out

WHEN play resumed on Saturday Pigeon Ponds was soon in trouble when Dergholm’s Brett Vaughan shattered the stumps of Michael Close (34) without any further addition to the overnight total of 76.

At 4-76, the Ponds still needed 61 runs to achieve a first innings victory. Worse was to follow when Michael Craig (23) and Sam Roberts (3) followed Close back to the pavilion.

At 6-109, there was still the chance of a Dergholm victory. But Craig Grant (122) and Daniel Brody (33) put paid to the Scrubbers’ hopes with a seventh wicket partnership of 94 runs.

In a polished display of batting the last four Pigeon Ponds wickets added a further 233 runs to their team’s first innings total. Other batsmen to do well were Murray Staude (37 not out) and Charlie Stewart (11 not out).

Best with the ball for Dergholm were Brett Vaughan (3-53), Shane Cryer (2-20) and Matt Treglown (2-92).

Dergholm captain Matt Treglown used 10 different bowlers in an effort to break up the Pigeon Ponds' lower order partnerships. Points: Pigeon Ponds 24, Dergholm 8

Final ladder

THE senior ladder at the end of the home and away series: Vale 158, Edenhope 154, Pigeon Ponds 149, Casterton 131, Dergholm 113, Merino 99.

The winner of this season's Murrell Family Cricketer of the Year award is Wando vale's Troy O'Connell with 613 points followed by Callum Currie (C) 601, Jake Tomkins (WV) 592, Brett Vaughan (D) 508 and John Austin (PP) 468.

The Kookaburra Rising Star for January was Jake Tomkins. Clubs are reminded that the association presentation dinner will be held at the Casterton Hotel at 7.30pm on Wednesday March 17. Clubs must advise the association secretary, Andrew Ferguson, of numbers attending by March 10. The evening will be preceded by a delegates meeting at 6.45pm.