In what was a really positive start to the year, Devlin Webb led the charge and the Lakers brought home the chocolates against the City Colts.

After starting the year with a bye, the Lakers were keen to hit the scoreboard.

Coach Kyle won the toss and elected to bat.

Smart and Knight opened the innings and got the ball rolling, taking the shine off the ball.

After a 42 run opening stand, both fell in quick succession bringing together Brock McCabe and Devlin Webb for the first time.

These number three and four didn’t disappoint. They put together a terrific 80 run partnership before McCabe was run out for 26.

By this stage Webb was set and had started to bludgeon the ball to the boundary. He compiled a very pleasing 65 on debut for the YMCC.

Coach Kyle came to the crease and combine with Reid Clarke for another handy 40 run partnership.

Coach Kyle played a great role as a hard hitting X-factor and smashed his way to a very handy 35 before Matt McCabe had seen enough and promptly ran him out.

All in all, the Lakers went and had a sandwich and a cup of tea content having set a strong score 226.

The bowling performance was equally as impressive. Particularly from the man of the match (Webb).

Opening the bowling with ever reliable Gus Helslin (2 - 29), Webb finished the day with the outstanding figure of 5 - 28 from his nine overs.

Capping of what can only be described as a sensational club debut.

TJ Docking also picked up a wicket on debut and bowled beautifully for his eight overs finishing with 1 - 19.

The Lakers eventually (in the 45th over) bowled the Colts out for 151.

A great start to the first season of WDCA “one-day only” cricket.

Gillies shines as A Res win in thriller

With already one win under their belt, the Lakers were looking to keep momentum in round 2.

Bowling first, openers House and Kreeck looked to keep it tight early, taking advantage of the new ball.

The wickets fell early, kickstarted by a quick runout from Gus Saunders, and the Lakers had Rovers scrambling early at 3/3.

First change bowlers Mitchell and Taylor kept the momentum going, with a couple more wickets falling for not many, Rovers 5/30 after 16 overs.

However, the two batsmen dug in, taking advantage of a couple of loose balls and dropped catches, having a partnership of 80.

With the Lakers looking to get back on top, in came Ollie Connell to calm the troops, taking 3/13 and dismissing Rovers main danger man. Rovers bowled out for 124.

After watching Jyda House eat everyone else’s arvo tea, openers Gillies and Mitchell looked to bat smart early.

Just as he started to score quickly Mitchell was dismissed, with Skipper Gillies hanging in to give the Lakers a base to build on.

It wasn’t long before Gillies reached 50, however was out shortly after for 51, a great skippers knock, Lakers 2/83.

After a few cameos from Kealy and Taylor, the Lakers started to look shaky.

Wickets quickly fell, with the tail left to finish the job. With 4 runs to get, Lovel and House both capitulated leaving Murphy and Connell to save the day with 1 wicket left. But Murphy, cool and collected, guided one down through the slips to casually hit the winning runs with a few overs to spare.

A Res face Delatite at Stan Hargreaves this weekend.

Fine tin fills fast as the B Grade bag win

Yarrawonga Mulwala 7/161 def Rutherglen United 9/138.

B Grade kicked off their 2025/26 season in fine style, securing a strong victory over Rutherglen.

After losing the toss and being sent into bat, the Lakers made a lively start thanks to new recruit Rob Borowski, who cracked three consecutive boundaries to get the innings underway.

His early aggression set the tone before the top order settled into their work.

Jack Hudson was the standout with the bat, producing a composed and powerful 78-run innings that anchored the Lakers’ total.

He received solid support from Matthew Wilson (22) and Brendan Hill (20), helping the Lakers post a competitive 7/161 from 36 overs.

In reply, Rutherglen were kept under constant pressure by a disciplined Lakers bowling attack.

The Lakers were able to take consistent wickets with Brendan Hill (2/28) and Jack Hudson (1/21) getting things underway.

Rob Borowski snared 3/25 from four overs, while Ben Pickering built up scoreboard pressure with tidy figures of 1/18 from his eight overs.

Debutant Ashley Thiseen was brought on for a spell of leg spin and bowled with great control, if the Lakers could hold a catch, he might well have had five wickets on debut.

However the missed chances ensured the fine tin got off to a healthy start for the season.

The Lakers were well supported by three young fill-ins — Lucas Pickering (1/4 from 3 overs), Byron Dodd (1/10 from 2 overs), and Declan Reeves (0/1 from 1 over) — who all bowled superbly and played a key role in closing out the innings.

Rutherglen were eventually dismissed for 138 with two overs remaining, giving the Lakers a 23-run win to start their season on a high.

C Grade

Yarrawonga Mulwala 10/179 def by Benalla Bushrangers 6/184.

Bushrangers won the toss and batted first — and from there, it was chaos in every direction.

Two-first-names Kade Michael toiled away for 0/40 off 7, showing the Bushrangers that boundaries are, in fact, optional extras.

Gus Browning bowled like a man who’d rather be anywhere than fetching the ball — finishing with a miserly 3/8 off 4.

Taj Parker was his usual Mr. Reliable self with 0/5 off 6, bowling dot balls like he was getting paid per one.

Debutant James “Sumps” Orr made his presence felt with 1/21 off 5, and even more so later when he assaulted a parked car.

Despite some slippery fielding and a few generous dropped catches (“we’re just good hosts”), the Bushrangers posted 6/184 off their 36 overs.

Lakers batting

The Phibbs duo got the Lakers rolling, with veteran Phibbs calmly carving 20 while young Connor cracked 19, proving that genetics can produce runs.

The two-first-names combo Kade Michael and T-Bone Taylor, along with the new spin Wizz Bill Stevens (yes Ryders brother and Tracey’s boy) were in and out quicker than you can say “dinners ready.”

Taj Parker looked solid for 18, and Gus Browning, matching his bowling brilliance, played a glorious 48, making the Bushrangers wish they’d left him at the pub.

Older Parker (Dad edition) belted a rapid 33 — not bad for someone who still refers to shorts as “slacks.”

Then the highlight of the day — Sumps Orr launched his second ball into a car, leaving a red cherry the size of a cricket ball (funnily enough) on a blue bonnet.

The car was promptly moved… which turned out to be a wise decision, because two balls later he hit an even bigger six to the same spot.

In the end, Browning (6)* and Richardson (4) nearly pulled off a miracle, the Lakers falling just five runs short in what was a cracker of a contest.

Three sets of father–son duos out there — proving that family cricket chaos is alive and well in the district.

A great start to the year — plenty of laughs, plenty of runs, and one slightly damaged car.

C Grade take on Moyhu at VP2 next week.

Bring your helmets… and maybe park a bit further away.

“Ghost Writer welcomes all to the 25/26 season”.

Under 16s

Day 2 will commence this Saturday morning against Beechworth.

Come down to Stan Hargreaves Oval and cheer on the young Lakers.

Under 15 girls great first up effort

Yarrawonga Mulwala 4/81 def by City Colts 3/123.

After being sent into the field first up, the Lakers’ Girls were given the challenge of restricting the City Colts to score they could chase down, and the 2025-2026 team half full of new players didn’t disappoint.

A bright start by Paige Bamford was overshadowed with two boundaries off her last two balls on a lightning-fast Victoria Park No.2 Oval outfield, before taking the edge and letting keeper Kirsty Plevnik accept the catch.

Sienna O’Brien, on debut, was right on the money with tight line and length bowling that troubled the batters.

This was then seized upon by fellow debutant, Mackenzie Wolfe, who placed the clamps on the run rate, conceding only two runs from her first two overs, including a maiden.

Lexi Richardson and first gamer, Claire Pearce, joined in on the miserly bowling with a trickle of runs resulting from their turns with the ball.

Matilda Thackray was wide of the target to start, then adjusted the radar to send the bails flying and claimed her first wicket of the season.

Brydie Pearce performed well in her first ever over. As the youngest player in the team, she rocked down some deliveries that made scoring tricky for the visitors, before a few no balls and wides released the pressure build up.

Kirsty exchanged the big hands for a go with the cherry, but her first over copped two costly wides and then she reigned things back with a composed second over that saw only a solitary run scored.

Stella Hill came in for some tap as the City Colts were now pushing for a big score, but Hill’s competitive spirit soon silenced the opposition’s attack as she created a wood heap of the stumps.

Some late, big hitting by the City Colts enabled them to post a score of 126 runs, which would take the Lakers best efforts to overhaul.

The change of innings break, saw Captain Plevnik open the innings with Claire Pearce. Having never opened before, Pearce showed solid defence and worked her way to a Not Out Retirement, a fantastic effort by the debutant.

Plevnik was in control, having struck two crisp boundaries, before an attempt at a third saw a misjudgement of the pace claim her off peg. Bowled for 15.

Vice-Captain Bamford took on the responsibility of the run chase with aplomb, clubbing a quick fire 14 with one boundary and a handful of sharp twos.

She also reached retirement, which also showed her continued development and improvement.

Thackray was untroubled in her stay at the crease, until she popped one back to the bowler to cut short her stay. Still a real positive inning from “Tilly” points to a good season ahead.

Sending the first ball she faced for two, Wolfe went about building an innings like a veteran, but a mix up running between the wickets saw her short of her ground and was run out for 3 in her debut game.

Hill and Richardson combined for many an over to have the home team moving towards the target, but the run rate was climbing.

Hill fell one short of her retirement to a stunning one-handed clutch by the keeper that signalled luck was not running with the hosts.

Richardson continued her improvement with the bat, chalking up her retirement and showing better things on the horizon with the bat.

It was left to O’Brien and Pearce the younger to try and get the Lakers home, but there were simply not enough deliveries left for them to have a true go at the target, thanks to some tidy bowling and fielding by the opponents.

Sienna and Brydie finished undefeated at the end of the allotted 20 overs and the Lakers posted a score of 81.

With four fresh new faces making their debut, it was a proud and pleasing moment for the club to take this group to the first game.

With three more debutants in the wings ready for the next round match against the “Old Enemy”, the Lakers are looking at a very bright and positive season ahead.

Thanks to all players and families for assisting with the little tasks at training and match day that allows the girls to have a go at cricket – T.E.A.M.

Under 14s home town rivals face off

Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 5/184 v Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls

Day 2 will commence this Thursday afternoon between the two Yarrawonga Mulwala sides.

Come down to Vic Park and witness the Lakers take on each other in the ultimate rival match.

Under 12 Rams

Yarrawonga Mulwala Rams 9/56 def by Benalla Bushrangers Red 6/115.

The under 12 Rams started their season playing Benalla Red on Saturday.

After winning the toss, captain for the day Ted Hammon decided to bowl.

Wickets were hard to come by with Bobby Best the best of the bowlers collecting 2/4 from his 2 overs with Ted Hammon the other wicket taker.

The boys did a good job in the field with 3 run outs. Benalla finished their innings with an imposing 6/115.

The run chase didn’t go to plan losing wickets at regular intervals.

Ned O’Brien top scored with 14, Charlie Kennedy made 6 and Alex Mulquiney 4 not out. We were all out after 13 overs for 56.

In round 2 the Rams take on Benalla Green.

Under 12 Bulls off to great start

Yarrawonga Mulwala Bulls 6/75 def by Benalla Bushrangers Blue 6/59.

Hugo Bott and Darcy O’Dwyer got the Bulls batting off to a flyer, along with some good batting from Rosie Lidgerwood and Flynn Connell.

Posting a total of 6/75.

In the field the McDonald boys; Ollie and Finn set the standard, with Jack O’Dwyer claiming his first ever wicket following it up with his second the very next ball.

Benalla Blue finishing 6/59.

A good first up performance. Bulls have the bye next week.

Tungamah has first win back in comp cricket

Katunga 10/65 def by Tungamah 10/98.

Tungamah cricketers have recorded their first win since reforming the club.

To their great jubilation, they were able to overcome many challenges throughout the day.

Katunga won the toss and elected to bowl on a sporting wicket over at Katunga. This appeared to be a really good decision, when Tungamah lost four quick wickets in the opening overs, slumping to 4/12.

Then came the fightback when Lucas Tonna and Tom Irvine combined to steady the ship. They took the score to 42, before Tonna was caught behind for 17.

Irvine and Jeremy Kelly then settled down with an excellent partnership of 30 before Irvine went for a splendid 37. Irvine was severe on anything loose and was a dominating influence.

Kelly made 14, while Jim Irvine was 10 not out at the end, giving the boys from Tungamah a defendable 98.

Kennedy and Baker were the outstanding bowlers for Katunga.

Katunga started well and looked to threaten early, taking the score to 16, before speedster Ben Beaton blew the innings apart with another magnificent display of pace. Beaton is an aggressive bowler who does a fair bit with the ball.

Katunga were never allowed to build partnerships as Beaton took 5/12, his second bagful in two games.

Tom Irvine backed up his superb batting with 2/10 and a couple of nice catches.

All players were thrilled to have a long overdue win. Katunga were all out for 65.

Yarrawonga Chronicle Google News Panels

Tuesday, 23rd November 2027

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