Byrnes to feature at Dimboola

Former Victorian cricketer Fiona Byrnes will put emerging cricket stars through their paces at Dimboola Recreation Reserve on Sunday.

Byrnes will attend round nine of Wimmera Girls Cricket League courtesy of Australian Cricketers Association, as the league continues to gain momentum and attract attention from across the state.

Byrnes will deliver a free clinic for the league’s future stars, with girls from the region’s primary schools invited to participate.

The clinic kicks off at 10am and will include prizes and giveaways.

All three round-nine fixtures will be at Dimboola, starting with Stawell Strikers v Horsham Sixers at 9am.

Wimmera Mallee Belles will go head to head with Murray Downs Diamonds, with Dimboola Roos to host Horsham Hurricanes.

Last week, the Swan Hill-based Diamonds, 6-110, pipped the Sixers, 2-23, in a thriller to come away with their maiden victory.

The Belles scored 4-126 to defeat the Hurricanes, 6-71, to sit atop the competition ladder, while the Strikers toppled the Roos, 3-118 to 10-103.

Ararat Redbacks scored a 29-point win over Terang Tornadoes at the weekend to secure a home Country Basketball League final. The Redbacks will host Warrnambool Seahawks at Ararat Fitness Centre on Saturday night. The winner of the cut-throat southwest conference semi will advance to the grand final, at Colac on March 6. Ararat and Warrnambool met in round six, with the Redbacks triumphant by nine points. The Redbacks have been in outstanding form this season, helped by a strong spread of scorers. Zac Dunmore and Jaydo Wright top scored against the Tornadoes with 15 points apiece, with William Hynes, above, dropping 12 points and Josh Fiegert, left, contributing 9. The final starts at 7pm. Pictures: PAUL CARRACHER