Diggers overpower Club

C Grade, Division 1

OMK secured a win over 

Wonthaggi Club in C1’s first round of the 2025/26 season.

Club won the toss and sent in OMK first.

OMK put on an impressive 160 runs, which was led by Mat Walker with 41 runs off 35 balls. 

Club stepped up its bowling, led by captain Sam Liddle, and restricted the run rate in the bottom half of the batting order.

Wonthaggi was trying to chase down the runs, but it looked all over when OMK had it 4/9 

Wonthaggi’s middle order put a few runs on, with Matrix Chisholm adding 40 runs in an attempt to reach the target. 

Adam Fisher’s bowling attack took down Club’s middle order with two wickets and six runs.

Owen Fitzpatrick and Dan Wylie took three each to secure the win for OMK. 

OMK captain Jordan Myors said the goal for the C1 side is to ensure the guys are getting plenty of time out in the middle, and that there is consistency through the team’s batting and bowling.

Aside from a couple of new recruits and one departure, OMK is coming into this season’s C1 competition with the same side that fell short in the last premiership game and is keen to go that extra step.

AROUND THE GROUDS

Town do battle with Phillip Island

LEONGATHA Town’s A Grade travelled to Cowes on Saturday to take on Phillip Island. 

Island won the toss and chose to bowl first after losing an early wicket.

Captain Jesse Giardina and number three bat Jack Hume put together a solid partnership and got the score over 50. After losing a clump of wickets, Madura Madusanka batted well with the lower order, making 50 runs and getting the score up to 140. 

Town was dismissed on 143.

Heath Womersley was Phillip 

Island’s top bowler, taking 3/16.

Archie Fixter bowled a great spell of taking 1/7 off five overs, and Luke Ashton 3/37 off six overs, was the only other wicket taker. 

For Phillip Island, Kurt Lane got the ball rolling with 35 runs, and the partnership of captain Daniel Mock and Tharidu Asurumuni were 38 not out and 36 not out respectively when the game was won. 

In B Grade, Town won the toss and chose to bat first with both openers getting a start before the top four was dismissed. Rory Gillette steadied the ship with 62, including four sixes before being dismissed. 

The lower order then got the score up to 145 off 38 overs.

Bowling second, Town’s Ryan Jorgensen took two early wickets and Beau Gillette taking two as well had the Sharks at 4/65 with the Sharks steadying and getting to 4/147 of 30 overs.   

C Grade won on forfeit.

Stingrays challenge Club in A1

INVERLOCH was defeated by Wonthaggi Club at McMahon Reserve.

Club won the toss and made a strong start, led by Mitch Thomas with a commanding 118, supported by Alex Geyer (47) and Ryan Thomas (30). Inverloch’s wicket takers were Lewis Rankin, Ron Abeysinghe, Rhys Newman and Ty Debono. 

Inverloch was ready to chase down the target but lost opening batsman Riley Harris for a duck. Brett Debono kept the momentum going with 61 runs and captain David Newman contributed 61 runs to produce a score that threatened Club. 

“We had a close loss by about nine runs in the end,” Inverloch’s Dave Newman said. “We were hoping to restrict them a little more with our bowling, but it was a good team performance with the bat.

We are just coming up from A2 with a few young kids, so it’s been good to give them this sort of experience. It doesn’t get any easier for us. We have Nerrena next week, but we are looking forward to it.”

Glen Alvie C grade off to flying start

IT WAS a strong weekend across the board for Glen 

Alvie Cricket Club, with both on-field results and off-field momentum building as the new season hits its stride.

In C Grade Division 2, Glen Alvie secured a memorable victory over Koonwarra Leongatha RSL, chasing down 145 to win by two wickets at home. 

“Kent Andersen’s innings was certainly a turning point for the club on Saturday. It was fantastic,” club president David Hynes said. “He came to fill in one game last season with his son and has played ever since. He’s been working hard, training hard, and he deserved to make the runs and win the game for us.”

Andersen was the standout with a match-winning 68 from 71 balls, anchoring the innings alongside captain Ian Thorn, who finished unbeaten on 49 not out. Earlier, young all-rounder Jarvis Hynes impressed with 3/33.

Ashley Boxall was the highest run taker for the visitors securing 47, followed by Brett Bishop on 37 before a lbw finished his innings.

In A Grade Division 2, Archie Moore notched up his maiden half-century, an encouraging sign for the promising youngster who is finding his feet at senior level against Nyora.

“Archie’s gaining in confidence in the A Grade side, and it’s great to see his hard work paying off,” Hynes added.

For Nyora, scoring the win with 9/178 in 37.4 overs, Jy Hull steered the batting side from early trouble with a classy 44 from 50 bowls.

Nyora’s Jona Watts had a great club debut with 0/28 off 8, and could have easily had a couple of wickets along with 25 with the bat, according to club secretary Adam White.

“Great lower order effort by Lochie Row, Jake Henry and Jaylen Waixel to secure the win when needing 40 for the last two wickets,” White added. 

Off the field, excitement is growing as Glen Alvie’s women’s team prepares for its 25/26 season debut this Sunday.

“We’ve had really good numbers at training across the board, and it’s starting to pay off,” Hynes said. 

“It was great on the weekend that everyone got to play in the first round and there were some close matches.”

Knox leads Nyora to strong B grade win

NYORA B Grade kicked off its 2025/26 season in style, claiming a convincing seven-wicket victory over Koonwarra Leongatha RSL at the Velodrome.

After the hosts elected to bat, Nyora’s bowlers shared the workload superbly to dismiss Koonwarra for 158 in the 40th over. Veteran Keith Maclure was the pick of the attack, finishing with a miserly 3/12 off eight overs, tying down the middle order after Koonwarra made a fast start. Tyler Perkins (3/25) and Viraj Peiris (2/28) also kept the pressure on, while skipper Michael Lynch chimed in with 1/25.

In reply, Col Knox produced a match-defining knock, finishing unbeaten on 96 from 88 balls, including 16 fours and a six. He first combined with his son Jordan Knox for a special 74-run father-son stand, then steadied the innings with Lincoln Brock (22 not out) in an unbroken 85-run fourth wicket partnership, after loosing 3/1 in the middle overs.

Secretary Adam White said the Knox partnership was the turning point.

“Col and Jordy Knox with a father/son 74 run stand for the first wicket, Keith Maclure tied down the Koony batsmen with 3/12 off 8 after they got off to a flyer. Overall, a team effort with the ball,” he said.

Nyora’s B Grade heads to Meeniyan next week, while A and C grades have a bye.

“Looking forward to having U13s start up soon,” White concluded.

Koonwarra L/RSL claim second win in style

KOONWARRA L/RSL A Grade opened their second account with a commanding six-wicket victory over Foster at Mary MacKillop Oval in round two of the LDCA Division 2 competition.

After losing the toss and being sent into the field, Koony’s bowlers took control early, restricting Foster to 121 all out in 36.5 overs. James Rushton led the charge with an impressive 3/16 off eight overs, supported by Tanuj Namalge (2/22) and Blake Smith (2/27). Captain Callum Buckland and Jason Kennedy chipped in with a wicket each, while sharp fielding, highlighted by a run out from Buckland, kept the pressure on throughout.

In their first hit-out of the season, following a round-one forfeit, Foster made a solid return, with Mitchell Jones setting the tone at the top of the order. His 39, featuring four boundaries, laid the platform before Mitch Allott steadied the innings, finishing unbeaten on 31, however, ultimately Foster was all out in 36.5 overs.

Chasing 122 for victory, Tanuj Namalge set the tone with a blistering 38 off 24 balls, including five boundaries and a six. After a small wobble, William Cashin (31 not out) and James Rushton (13 not out) guided the side home with composure, securing the win in just 19 overs.

Koonwarra L/RSL will look to build on the strong start, particularly with the ball, when they take on MDU next round, who, despite not yet recording a win, have posted some strong scores early in the season. Meanwhile, Foster will enjoy home ground advantage as they host Korumburra.

Sharks storm to victory 

EXCELLENT batting by both teams meant Saturday’s B2 match between The Imperials and Kilcunda-Bass came down to bowling prowess.

Playing at the Bass Recreation Reserve, the Imperials chose to bat first.

Andrew Meyer, Cameron Bruce, captain Samuel Vagg and Clint Honeysett each gave great performances, with Meyer recording the top score of 64 runs.

The Imperials knew it would come down to their bowling and fielding, but a 150-run partnership from Ray Gardiner and Adam Miller secured the win for the Sharks.

“It was a good game of cricket. Our 229 was a solid score, but it came down to a few crucial dropped catches,” Imperials club president and B2 vice captain Kristian Gray said. 

“We had four batsmen who all batted well. We took a few early wickets, so Kilcunda-Bass was behind on the run rate initially. Adam (Miller) got his eye in and showed that he’s a handy player and

Ray (Gardiner) stuck with him to get the runs they needed. We had our opportunities, but couldn’t stop them in the end.”

Miller was 129 not out and Gardiner made 70 runs before he was run out by Lachlan O’Connor. 

The Imperials will play Glen Alvie next week, which is coming off a loss after a close contest with MDU.

This result suggests an equal competition may be the order of the season in B2.

The Imperials are also looking forward to the Woolworths Blast program starting this week.

The program will start at 4pm on Thursday, this week to be held at Leongatha’s East Campus. 

Club defeats the Stingrays

WONTHAGGI Club proved to be the stronger side in its battle with Inverloch in C2 on Saturday.

Dalyston Recreation Reserve hosted the match, and Club sent Inverloch out to bat first after winning the toss.

Inverloch’s partnership of Dave Tessari and Jordan Foote combined well to make 67 and 58, respectively.

Tessari was not out at the end of Inverloch’s allotted overs.

For Club, Ryan McGuirk and Brendan Pentland bowled well.

Club’s partnership of Jatin Shannon and Justin Licis ensured the win, making 51 and 44 runs respectively.

“The game was played in good spirits with a good mix of youth and experienced players on the field,” Club president Luke McGuirk said.

“Inverloch was well controlled and well captained by Warren Williams, but it was our partnership of Jatin and Justin that put us in a winning position.”

Club will take on OMK next week and Inverloch is set to face Koonwarra L/RSL.

Rampaging Kookas take on Research Rhinos

ANOTHER season began last Sunday for the South Gippy Over 60s Kookaburras.

The Kookas road tripped it to Research. 

The Kookas took the willow first. 

Vic Rep Peter Miller and his ol’ mate Warwick Hayes opened up. 

Haysey got a quickfire 11. 

Tony Latham then joined Miller and both tore it up.

Miller was 33no off a lazy 27 balls and Latham was 33 off 25. 

Gary Adams was once again sublime with 26no, and was well supported by Neale White 14no and Mike Newton 14no. 

Off their 30 overs, the Kookas made 5/158. 

Ol’ Grayza Wighty and Pieter Loos did their bit for women’s cricket by both being dismissed by a very young looking over 60s gal called Sarah. 

The Kookas then took the pink pill. 

All bowlers were somewhat rusty but finally contained the Rhinos to 2/158. 

Best of the bowlers were Neale White 1/12 and Ol’ Wighty 1/17. 

Man of the match went to Tony Teflon Latham for his blistering 33no. 

It was a great start to the Kookas. 

A magnificent season of fun and “Mens Shed on Grass” will follow.