Warragul washed out in GCL
The wet weather which saw several club level games across Gippsland abandoned on Saturday threatened to do the same for Gippsland Cricket League the following day.
The scheduled match between Warragul and Traralgon ended when the umpires deemed there was too much water on the pitch, so players retreated to the rooms, split the points and enjoyed an early drink.
Fortunately, there were no significant downpours and players in other matches were able to take to the field for the opening round.
The newly formed Latrobe Valley District league inaugurated their GCL existence with their match against Sale Maffra at Yallourn North. The picturesque ground and cloud cover offered a homely feel for the half a dozen English players which took part in the Latrobe Valley side.
A delayed start due to some damp spots on the pitch persuaded Latrobe Valley captain Blake Mills to bowl first after winning the toss.
His decision appeared justified when Sale Maffra stumbled to 7/98 with Toby Leed’s 34 the only significant score at the top of the order, before a critical 56-run partnership from numbers seven and nine Dylan Bolton (29) and Ben Jones (40) stretched out the final Sale Maffra total to 9/166.
For the Latrobe Valley, Lewie Harper finished with 4/33 while a Jonty Rhodes-like run out by Ross Whelpdale using his superior pace from cover caught Josh Davis short of his ground.
In reply Latrobe Valley would have been disappointed in their batting effort, as no one in the top six really went through. A few players got starts with Irishman Ross Allen the top scorer on 24, but all in all too many players went out to soft dismissals, either shelling catches in close or holing out to men in the deep.
The Sale Maffra bowlers were well served by Dylan Bolton who picked up three wickets, along with Brad Scott who took two. Jack Tatterson also bowled tidily, going for only 12 runs off his six while youngster Charlie Morrison looks a promising player as he wrapped things up with the economical figures of 1/8.
Sale Maffra opening bowler Todd Mann said it was pleasing the side was able to execute their plans.
“At drinks the game was still in the balance, so we knew we were going to have to bowl them out to win,” he said.
Conversely, Latrobe Valley manager Craig Giddens lamented an opportunity wasted.
“We had our chances to win but, in the end, the two things that let us down were bowling too many extras and trying to blast too many boundaries instead of rotating the strike,” he said.
In the other match Bairnsdale made Leongatha’s trip back from Wy Yung a sombre one as the home side showed why they are provincial standard cricketers, claiming victory with relative ease.
On a pitch that was described as slower than usual, Bairnsdale compiled a first innings score of 195, with Scott Davidson making 43 and Luke Endley remaining unbeaten on 35.
As the list went on for Bairnsdale there were a few other players that got starts, which all contributed to the score. For Leongatha Tim Wightman claimed four wickets while every other bowler used was able to claim one.
Chasing a modest total Leongatha would have backed themselves in, however ended up being bundled out for 94 in the 40th over. Of that 94, 61 was made between Sam Huitema (29) and skipper Daniel Newman (32) back from district cricket.
The Bairnsdale bowlers all had good days running in, as Leongatha’s lost an astonishing 8/23 in the finish. Luke Edeny and Ricky Tatnell both ended with three poles, alongside Will Hamilton and Dylan Jordan who claimed two.
In the aftermath a Leongatha spokesperson said Bairnsdale were just far too good.