IN STARK contrast to the previous weekend’s brilliant conditions, the conclusion to Round Five action in the Yarra Valley was marred by persistent rain.
A few games across the association managed to get enough play to produce a result, and in the only game to get play in DJ Strachan Shield, Hoddles Creek produced the biggest upset so far this season.
Facing the top of the table Coldstream, and defending a mediocre score of 137, most cricket followers gave the Wombats no chance against a strong Crocs batting line-up.
Someone forgot to tell the visitors of the script, as improving youngsters Dave Chesney (3/8) and Nick Lawlor (3/32), with the support of the classy Brenton Derix (3/20), ripped through the top order to have the home side hammered at 8/60.
A hard hitting rear-guard attack from Jarrod Bayliss (56) gave the Crocs a sniff of hope but the Wombats deservingly nipped the last two wickets out to take an unlikely nine run win.
This result has left the DJ Strachan Shield ladder a tight one after five rounds.
The previously undefeated, Coldstream now slips back to the pack a little with all other sides securing split points.
With three two-day games before Christmas, the next month could dramatically shape the 2013 and 2014 season.
Round six action sees Coldstream host Mount Evelyn in a crucial match, where the home side will be looking to bounce back from a dismal performance this week while the Rovers need to get their season flowing again after two washouts in three games.
Seville is in desperate need of resurrecting its title defence and will host a Yarra Junction side that is keen to capitalise on its recent good form, with the winner clearing from the lower rungs of the ladder.
A buoyed Hoddles Creek will host Woori Yallock which escaped the hangman’s noose this round, with both sides in need of victory to stay in touch with the top four.
In the final game of the round, Warburton-Millgrove will host a red hot Healesville and this promises to be gripping contest.
The Bloods are the most improved side in the competition while the Burras have put behind them a disappointing 2012 and 2013 season, and are looking to reclaim their position as a power within the association.
This week is all about the future stars of the competition.
On Sunday, the cream of the Junior competition faced off with Ferntree Gully DCA in the first game of the VCCL Region Eight games.
The scores were unavailable at time of print.
The Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 teams will use these games as valuable practice and team selection for the VMCU Representative Carnivals held over the summer school holidays.
The Juniors will also be able to make up for lost time after Saturday’s washout, with a midweek Twenty20 game.
This will be the third round of the Twenty20 competition with semi finals and finals to follow in late November.
Many of the clubs are gearing up for their Milo in2Cricket programs which kick off over the next few weeks.
Mount Evelyn, Healesville, Hoddles Creek and Woori Yallock conduct the entry level program.
The MILO in2CRICKET program is dedicated to helping kids learn how to play cricket.
The MILO in2CRICKET program is aimed at children aged five to 10.
Each session is different and the clubs have introduced a refreshed curriculum to ensure that participants are having the maximum amount of fun while learning the basics of the game.
The activities are designed to be inclusive, action-packed and fun in a well organised environment to help kids to develop social skills, physical fitness, sportsmanship and basic cricket knowledge.
DJ Strachan Shield
Woori Yallock 10/102 (Mock 37, Ferguson 22, Hodgkinson 3/33, Ottrey 2/8, Lever 2/23) v Yarra Junction 1/18 (washout).
Hoddles Creek 10/137 (Weir 42, Derix 28, Bayliss 5/40, Vaux 4/38) d Coldstream 10/128 (Bayliss 56, Chesney 3/8, Derix 3/20, Lawlor 3/32).
Healesville 10/161 (Stock 50, Heywood 40, Hadlum 4/34, Amarasinge 3/43, Kay 2/26) v Seville 3/30 (Howard-Scales 1/15) (washout).
Warburton-Millgrove 10/221 (Barnard 97, Coghlan 32, Jones 3/30) v Mt Evelyn (washout).
RA Finger Trophy
Seville 155 (Johnson 31, Troyahn 25, Hamer 7/36) v Healesville 3/5 (Sandfort 2/2) (washout).
Yarra Glen 10/317 (Claire 83, Orren 81, Beath 40, Humphrey 3/64, Holden 2/74) v Warburton-Millgrove (washout).
Hoddles Creek 6/159 (Robertson 90, Jones 30, Hulm 4/46) d Coldstream 10/110 (Pegg 19, Jones 6/34).
Yarra Junction 7/319 (Fall 144, Mallick 48, Osborne 47, Sanders 2/50) v Woori Yallock (washout).
C Grade
Seville 174 (Kear 48, McInness 43, McGrath 4/16) v Healesville 0/38 (Waixell 28) (washout).
Marysville 10/173 (Fisher 56, Elliott 37, Rogers 5/56, Voight 2/20) d Launching Place 10/150 (Parker 79, Voight 19, Cummins 4/23, Fiske 2/14).
Mt Evelyn 10/191 (Whiting 53, Williams 28, Waixel 4/26, Hodgetts 3/72) d Gruyere District 10/174 (Hodgetts 52, Harding 37, Giblin 4/46, Finch 1/6).
D Grade
All games washed out.
One Day Grade
Healesville 2/197 (Higgs 40, Maile 40, Taylor 42, Reed 1/13, Roy 1/14) d Yarra Junction 10/82 (Roy 27, Maile 3/13, Brooks 2/11, Hallory 3/12). All other games washed out.
Juniors
All Junior grade games washed out.
