Woodend on the rise

The Woodsmen find themselves in the middle of round 11 with a bit of work to do to get into finals contention. The seconds are fourth on the ladder and are a long way behind the front-runners.

The firsts and thirds are remain in fifth position and need to win everything from now on to ensure finals. The Under 16s are fourth and the Under 14s are third. Sleepy Woodend is known to start slow and come home like a train.

SENIORS

McIntyre Cup – The Woods played Ruperstwood at Rupo. They routed Rupo for 115. Greggie Matthews got 5/21 and young Andrew (Smaley) got 3/32. The Woods put on 82 for the opening partnership before passing Rupo to be 3/159 at stumps. If I were skipper, ‘Badge’,I’d put ‘em back in next week to go for the outright, and I’m pretty sure I overheard him at the rooms saying just that!

C Grade - The seconds played Sunbury United at the GeeGee. They batted first and

creamed 315. Chris Boyer (the destroyer) made 121. He achieved his ton with two huge sixes. The last, was seen heading for the trees behind the footy rooms. Boyer is ex-army, built like the proverbial and one of the cleanest hitters and drivers at the club. You don’t take your eye off the ball at training when two guys are batting in the net. One is Chris and the other is Dan (wombat) Heaney. Mitchy Hannan also got 33, and Scotty Fuller made 42. With a strong bowling attack, me- thinks that the Woods’ have this one in the bag, but that would be mozzing us, so I won’t go on.

E Grade - The Terds played fifth placed Diggers Rest/Bulla at the

Racecourse in a must win game. They lost the toss, bowled first and got the Burras out for 170. The Woods had a scrappy start. They dropped a few catches but pulled them back thanks to some good

bowling by Grayham Hannan with 3/31 and Luke Mann with 2/17 and great catching. Brett (Trout) Beattie was tight, and his caught and bowled was something to behold!

Old Jamo and I had to face a nervous last half hour and I’ve got to admit, pretty good Diggers bowlers. We managed to survive on 0/10. It will be a tight game.

One Day - The Oncers played East Sunbury and won easily by making 6/201. Skipper, O’Meara (Bear) made 50, Waters made 48 and Jimmy (Soda) Hepburn with 40 all got into the run hunt. We then skittled them for 102 with Brendan (Funnel) Fennel getting 3/10. That’s gotta

be better than fishing, Funnel. He reminds me of Andrew Symons.

JUNIORS -

December 8 and 15

Woodend Tempest (under 16s) - Our boys played Bacchus Marsh Blue and got them out

for 115 off 40 overs. Saddington got 3/9 in what I have heard was a lovely spell of bowling.

Hamish Renwick was particularly miserly at one stage with three maidens from five overs. A great partnership between Jack Cubley with 37 and James O’Malley with 28 just about put

paid to the game, but we only just made it in the end, being 8/121 at the end of play - phew!

Under 14 East - Our Saplings played Gisborne Lightning. This is always a tough

game between traditional rivals. Our boys pummelled the ‘Gissie bowling for 186, with Jotham Hughes(y) and James Blyth (do your mates call you Blythy?) making 34 and 47 respectively.

Blythy took 3/5 and who I must imagine is his youngest brother, S Blyth took 2/22. A bag for the family? Brandon Nicholls was good too with 2/6 and ‘Gissie was all out for 113.

*Apologies to the Woodend Cricket Club and Macedon Ranges

Guardian for the lack of cricket write-ups for the last few rounds. I’ve been moving house. Happy new year, everyone.