Combine cricketers hold top rung
GBY ‘ONE SHORT’
rampians Cricket Association ended the season as it began – with a wash-out.
Persistent rain on Saturday saw all matches cancelled, which left Swiftsgreat Western atop the A Grade ladder with 69 points followed by St Andrews, 63, Pomonal, 60, Rhymneymoyston, 45 and Chalambar, 33.
B Grade stood at Swifts-great Western, 57 points, Halls Gap, 54, Halls Gap 2, 27, and Rhymney-moyston, 15.
A rather unique fact from the results is that Swifts-great Western finished on top of the ladder in all four grades, having won the under-13 Naram Shield with SGW Red finishing on top and being awarded the premiership.
Hall of Fame induction
Of interest to Grampians followers was the induction of two identities into the Victorian Country Cricket League’s ‘Hall of Fame’.
The VCCL, as a way to celebrate 100 years of the Melbourne Country Week Cricket competition, staged a match at Ballarat between Ballarat and Hamilton — the inaugural finalists of 100 years ago.
At a luncheon, the VCCL launched its Hall of Fame to reward and commemorate various personnel for notable contributions.
Grampians connections to receive this award were Henry Gunstone, for his remarkable Country Week performances over a long period, and Anthony Martin for lengthy services as an administrator.
Both were on-hand to receive their certificates of induction.
Semi-finals
This week’s A Grade semi-finals are between Swifts-great Western and Rhymney-moyston at Central Park, Stawell and St Andrews and Pomonal at Alexandra Oval in Ararat.
In B Grade, Swifts-great Western will play Rhymney-moyston at Great Western, and Halls Gap will take on Halls Gap 2 at Halls Gap.
Swifts-great Western is a perennial finalist and would hope to use that experience to their advantage.
A Grade captain Sam Cocks has enjoyed a stellar season with the bat, averaging more than 100 runs, and will prove a handful for Rhymston bowlers.
Should Cocks miss out, the Combine has other capable batters in Jack
Cann, Matt Delzotto and Rick Peters who will also make it hard for Rhymston.
The last time St Andrews played Pomonal it resulted in a resounding win to the Saints, with the Tigers’ batters failing to James Hosking, Adam Haslett and Sam Sommers.
However, if Tigers batters Clinton Mackley, Lynden Brewis, Matt Peel and Corey Taylor fire, then bowlers Lachy Dalkin, Lachy Green and Harry Evans will have the runs to bowl to.
B Grade leaders Swifts-great Western have an impressive record against Rhymston 2, recording solid wins every time they met during the season and will be hoping for a repeat performance.
At Halls Gap it will be a battle between both Gappers teams, with the number-one team likely to advance to the final.
Clubs are reminded that play will start at noon, so players and officials have time to attend the presentation night at Ararat RSL, starting at 7pm.
Voting for the Greg Goldsmith Best A Grade player will take place and other trophies are presented throughout the evening.
Clubs are requested to attend with a minimum of four players or officials.