Finals around the corner for Woodend

(Top) Jesse 'Juicy' Waters was in cracking form last week to lead Woodend into the grand final of the One Day competition against East Sunbury. (Above) captain Max Ambler is confident that the Woodsmen are a great chance to take home the premiership. Photos: Chris Fleming

Barry Man

Firstly, on behalf of the committee, I want to say a special big thank you to Ronan Hume, Brenda McDonald, Julie Warner, Joanne McIntosh, Mel Gardner and the many others who made sure the Pink Stumps Day went off.  The $1500 in proceeds will be a welcome donation to this great cause for women.
The first day of the last home and away round for the 2012/2013 season was a mixed bag for the Woodsmen.  
SENIORS
McIntyre Cup -  The Woods, played Romsey at Romsey and got ‘em all out for 120.   Wazza Else snagged 4/18, Marcus Ciunik took 3/26.  Jamie Stembridge (Asia) continued his rich vein of form and chipped in with 2/12. This total would normally be well within our boy’s grasp, if not for the fact that we have wobbled to reach 4/37 by the end of the day.  There is still plenty of batting left in the shed, but it will be a good test of the nerves for those currently in (Gards and Digger) and those left to come in!
C Grade – The seconds played top side Digger Rest at the GeeGee. They batted first and made 259, with the two Dan’s (Eastley and Heaney) making 82 and 71 respectively, and putting on 130-odd partnership.   That’s pretty good against the best bowling team in the comp. If we can knock ‘em off their perch next week, Woodend will be a team to be feared and loathed in the coming finals.  Go get ‘em boys.
E Grade - The Terds played East Sunbury at Goonawarra and unfortunately lost the toss and were given the ball.  On a hot steamy day, East Sunbury eventually dragged along to get 5/235 on the small, quick ground.  Bomber O’Malley and Kezza Else toiled particularly well for a couple of very unfit guys, and we kept it tight all day. This is not enough I reckon for the pretty good batting line-up that we have.   This is a good opportunity for gathering intelligence too, as we play East Sunbury again next week in the first semi-final!
One Day Comp – The Oncers played Lancefield in the semi-final at the GeeGee, came back to form and caned the Lancers.   We batted first and made 7/190, with Jimmie (Soda) Hepburn making another 50, ably supported by Funnell with 39.
We then rolled the Lancers for 76, with J Waters getting 4/8 is a sizzling spell, and with Funnell and Soda getting a couple of wickets each.  Hard to pick the MoM for this one, but I guess it would have to go to Soda!   The Oncers play East Sunbury at Goonawarra next Sunday in the Big One, so I would urge all those out there who like to watch swash-buckling cricket to get along!  Go Boys!
JUNIORS
Woodend Tempest – The Under 16s played Wallan at Wallan, bowled first and got the Wallies all out for 112, with Whitey (2/19) and Briggsy (2/11) snaring a couple each, and young Jack Boyer getting 2/2!  Should be able to get those!
Under 14 East – Our Saplings played the Macedon at home batted first and made 121 off 37 overs, with young Nicholls again amongst the runs with 40.  Next closest score was 14 from Glamour Girl Jess Dugdale-Walker.   Well done Jess. Macedon then had a bat for a nervous 4 overs, and were 0/11 at stumps on first day.
Under 12 East – In a game full of wickets, our Seedlings played Romsey at Romsey.  The Romsey boys made 71 all out.  We then made, wait for it, 14/74!  Didn’t know you could bat that many, but for the kids it’s all about just getting a hit, and a lot of em did!  We lost on points!  Never mind it’s all good fun.