Women’s premiers crowned CRICKET CLV WOMENS By LIAM DURKIN   CRICKET Latrobe Valley women’s grand finals were played last Friday (March 13). There was no Friday the 13th bad luck for Raiders and Morwell, who won the respective premierships. Raiders emerged victorious in the premier decider against Willow Grove. Batting first at Apex Park, the team from Yinnar closed at 6/96 off the allotted 16 overs. Madison Winter top-scored with 25, and received good support from player of the match Janice Auchterlonie, who made 23. She was adjudged lbw to Kate Wheildon, one of her three wickets for the game (3/21). The Wolves were knocked over for 69 in reply. Only Megan Metcalfe (21 not out) was able to reach double figures. Zoe Quinsey-Munro led the way with the ball, taking 3/11. Auchterlonie snared 1/16. The winning team was: Zoe Quinsey-Munro (captain), Janice Auchterlonie, Harpa Baker, Olivia Allen, Bec Romyn, Roxanne Townsend, Lily Van Berkel, Ebony Wedd and Maddison Winter.   Success: Raiders won the Cricket Latrobe Valley Women’s Premier flag. Photograph supplied   MORWELL survived a late scare to defeat Raiders in the championship final. The Tigers put up 3/107 off the allotted 16 overs batting first on the Maryvale astro. Raiders scored 3/90 in reply, as fading light saw the game end in near darkness. Cara Mayberry played a captain’s knock for the winners, making 26 not out after calling correctly at the toss. Rajani Pidikiti took 2/9 for Raiders. Raiders’ innings was not without incident, as a runner had to be called on early in the piece. Mandy Quinn retired after scoring a run-a-ball 33. A close chase was on the cards with four overs to go, but the equation became virtually a boundary a ball by the final over. Lilly Freeman took 2/20, and was named player of the match. Presentations were held inside the newly refurbished Bernie Vizard Pavilion at Latrobe Cricket Club, as the chill factor outside became significant. Morwell’s Simone Clymo added another flag to her growing collection, which would now be close to or above double digits. Latrobe accepted hosting duty at short notice, with the game moved from Apex Park on the Monday leading into the game. It was felt the match should be played on synthetic given that was the surface most players had played on all season. The winning team was: Cara Mayberry (captain), Kim Mercieca, Raelene Ball, Bridee Clymo, Simone Clymo, Danielle Cole, Gemma Cukier, Lilly Freeman, Matilda Freeman, Natalie Freeman, Amanda George and Mark Wynne (coach). CLV continues to set a high bar in women’s cricket. There was 15 teams across two divisions this season – easily the most of any association across Gippsland. The competition welcomed players from outside the league to come and have a hit during the week, before playing with their home clubs on a weekend. Raiders, Centrals and Willow Grove all fielded two teams.

LV Express: Women’s premiers crowned #Sport #CricketLatrobeValley #Morwell

Lifetime of service recognised CRICKET BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT   STALWART of the Gormandale Cricket Club and Traralgon and District Cricket Association, Gavin Foenander was recognised for his contributions to the game with an Order of Australia medal (OAM). The lifelong cricket volunteer played north of 400 games during the course of his career and served on both club and league committees for close to four decades. Foenander was “extremely proud and honoured” by the recognition. “I actually couldn’t believe it, I was pretty surprised,” he told the Express. “I think for cricket and local cricket, for someone to get recognised is fantastic. I loved playing, I loved being able to help the game … I always felt that if you had a well-run comp, your clubs would benefit, and I felt we all can.” At seven-years-of-age, Foenander played for Centrals throughout most of his juniors with his whole family established there. His father and former Traralgon Journal and Latrobe Valley Express cricket writer, Roy Foenander served as secretary of the TDCA for many years. The junior Foenander recalls when World Series Cricket arrived in the Latrobe Valley in December 1978 when Australia and the Cavaliers clashed in Traralgon and Morwell. “As a 12, 13-year-old, that was just massive,” he said. “It packed the (Traralgon) showgrounds out. Kerry Packer put a turf wicket in … and I just remember dad helping put that in.” This gave Foenander the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of meeting his cricketing heroes, such as Greg Chappell, Sarfraz Nawaz, Ray Bright and Wayne Daniels. After spending two years at Traralgon Rovers, making his A Grade debut, Foenander arrived at Gormandale in 1982 and never looked back. He has served virtually every role at the club over his time, including vice president, junior coach, curator for 36 years, and most importantly, club president from 1994 to 2021. Foenander received Gormandale life membership in 1996 and has been named best clubman on five occasions. As a player, he was initially 12th man for Gormandale’s first-ever A Grade premiership in 1982/83 – his first year at the club. On that day, Gormandale set a record grand final total against Traralgon Imperials, putting on 496 and winning the flag on the fourth day. Foenander played in three A Grade grand finals before getting over the hump in 1992/93, and then later captaining an additional grand final side in 1997/98. Instrumental in seeing Gormandale establish a turf wicket in the early 1990s, by the time he took over as president, Foenander led the club during the biggest decision in its history. The cricket club moved out of town from Gormandale Recreation Reserve and formed a new home at Stoddart Oval in Traralgon. “Around 2004, we were looking over the numbers and there was only one player who was actually living in Gormandale,” Foenander said. “The school was very, very small, and we just thought (that in the) juniors there was no future … our wicket bench was in desperate need of a full renovation. “No one objected to it. Everyone was a bit disappointed about it, but there was no official objection, and the biggest part of it was that we got to keep our name. “It was probably the biggest and best decision ever because we went through an absolute purple patch once we shifted to Traralgon of sustained success and attracting some of the best players (in) country Victoria that the league had seen.” In 2004/05, Gormandale broke a 13-year A Grade premiership drought during its last season in town, before seeing a further five A Grade flags captured finishing in 2013/14. That included a three-peat of A Grade premierships from 2007 to 2009. Foenander played his 400th and final game at the age of 54 and did so in A Grade competition. In 1989, he also joined the TDCA committee, going along all the way until the league merged with the Central Gippsland Cricket Association to become Cricket Latrobe Valley. Foenander points to seeing his father undertake those responsibilities at a young age as to why he felt compelled to follow in his footsteps. “Certainly the influence of dad doing that sort of league community work was a massive reason why (I took up administrative roles),” he said. Serving as vice president of the TDCA for five seasons, Foenander has played the role of secretary (2010-2018), publicity officer (2010-2016), and undertook umpiring duties for three seasons. He was awarded league life membership in 2011 and served additional roles at Gippsland Cricket as a board member for seven years, match coordinator, umpire and vice president. Foenander still plays his part behind the scenes at Gormandale, and acknowledged the “great ride” he’s had in cricket. “From a club-level, there’s too many people to mention – the friends and the great hard workers – but I think that my time at Gormy … I’ll cherish (those) times and the friends I’ve made,” he said. Leongatha and District Cricket Association legend Gary Adams was also a 2026 OAM recipient for his 50 years of service. He also taught Foenander at Liddiard Road Primary School.

LV Express: Lifetime of service recognised #Sport #Centrals #CricketLatrobeValley

Latrobe Valley girls crowned champions CRICKET GCL BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT   JUNIOR cricketers were afforded a late treat before school holidays wrapped up, with the Sophie Molineux Cup once again offering a two-day extravaganza for girls cricket. Yinnar Recreation Reserve welcomed all four of Gippsland Cricket’s leagues from Monday, January 19 to Tuesday, January 20 featuring the best female juniors across the region. On their technical home ground, Cricket Latrobe Valley road an unbeaten round robin to defeat Sale-Maffra Cricket Association in a rematch of last year’s final. After winning their prior matches by an average of 50 runs, Cricket Latrobe Valley made up for the previous year’s woes by dispatching Sale-Maffra on the Yinnar turf. Despite Cricket Latrobe Valley’s success leading into the final, Sale-Maffra elected to bowl after winning the toss. Skipper Gracie Sanders quickly got to work for Cricket Latrobe Valley, making 29 not out, with three boundaries and an additional six. All-in: The Cricket Latrobe Valley girls team rally around captain Gracie Sanders during the final of the Sophie Molineux Cup. Photographs: Blake Metcalf-Holt Anna Shine then arrived and immediately piled on runs in bulk. Totalling five balls that flew over the cones on the full, Shine made a game-high 42 not out. Cricket Latrobe Valley provided little doubt that they’d be able to hold off their opponent, putting up an exceptional bowling effort to protect their 128-run target. Aaliyah Hodson nailed two early wickets, while Lily Blackshaw and Lilly Freeman etched important dismissals late. Shine was recognised for her efforts with the player of the match medal, while team captain Sanders was awarded Cricket Latrobe Valley’s Spirit of Cricket medal. Latrobe Valley cricketing legend Wayne Mills presented coach Jay van der Stoep and the girls with the Sophie Molineux Cup and shield. The Sophie Molineux Cup is named after the Bairnsdale resident and current leading Australian women’s cricketer.

LV Express: Latrobe Valley girls crowned champions #Sport #CricketLatrobeValley #GippslandCricketLeague

Morwell hosts GCL gather round CRICKET GCL By LIAM DURKIN   GIPPSLAND Cricket League had its own version of AFL Gather Round at the weekend (Sunday, January 18). Representative cricket was played at Morwell Cricket Club, with two senior games happening at once. Leongatha played Warragul on the football ground, while Latrobe Valley battled Sale-Maffra at Keegan Street. Bairnsdale had the bye for Round 5.   Sale-Maffra 7/135 def Cricket Latrobe Valley 10/133 SALE-MAFFRA won a competitive game by three wickets, in what was also a precursor to the senior GCL final. Chasing 133, the Sharks made life a little more difficult than it perhaps should have been, eventually winning in the 35th over. Matt Dyke was the only Latrobe Valley batsmen to make much of an impression, scoring 43 at the top of the order. He was forced to knuckle down while wickets fell around him, seeing off more than 100 balls before becoming one of Freddie Fellows’ two wickets. The home side was in a strong position at 2/80, before Fellows swung momentum. He finished with 2/20 from 10 overs, delivering four maidens as well. GCL mainstay Jack Rietschel secured 3/34 with his left arm orthodox, while Mason Annear took 2/21 across multiple spells. Sale-Maffra lost a few wickets on the run to victory, but got there thanks mainly to Jay Diamond (27) and expert stockist Ben Jones (26). Latrobe Valley left nothing on the table, only using four bowlers, who all couldn’t be faulted. Todd Mann used his experience playing against a few Sale-Maffra players from his time with Boisdale-Briagolong, taking the first three wickets to fall. Keenan Hughes snared 2/34 and Adam Brady 2/39. The two teams qualified for the final after finishing the regular season first and second on the ladder. The final will be played Sunday, February 1, in a rematch of the 2023/24 decider.   Leongatha & Disctrict 3/98 def Warragul & District 10/96 LEONGATHA easily defeated Warragul on the other oval. It was a relatively quick kill, after the Wild Dogs were routed for just 96. Leongatha then took just 17.1 overs to win. Leongatha ended the season with a win, while Warragul remained anchored and winless at the bottom. This season of GCL was heavily compromised, as wet weather left many games incomplete. The final ladder was: Sale-Maffra (18 points), Latrobe Valley (15), Bairnsdale (12), Leongatha (9), Warragul (6).   Senior women’s GCL women’s played a T20 round-robin at Traralgon Showgrounds. In Round 1, Bairnsdale easily defeated Latrobe Valley. Batting first, the visitors compiled 4/139. Latrobe Valley was bowled out for just 56 in reply. Emily Shaw had some success, taking 2/10 in a losing cause. Sale-Maffra also easily defeated Leongatha. The Sharks closed at 1/103 after 20 overs, and then restricted Leongatha to 7/59. Megen Wrigglesworth played a captain’s knock of 35 not out, while Olivia Speairs also remained unbeaten on the same amount. Indianna Coleman (3/7) and Zoe Hustwayte (2/7) were Sale-Maffra’s leading lights with the ball. Sale-Maffra continued its winning way in Round 2, defeating Bairnsdale. The Sharks closed at 6/113, with Kirrily Bruce (25 off 23) leading. Chloe Lenehan then took 2/7, as Sale-Maffra held off a fast-finishing Bairnsdale, who made 7/102. The next round will be played Sunday, February 1.   Under 18 THE under 18s played for the Cameron White Cup – a separate twenty20 competition named after the Bairnsdale and former Australian player. Sale-Maffra defeated Leongatha at College Oval, after compiling 9/141. Highest scorers were Monty Mayman (35 off 26) and Shevan Fernando (29 off 25). Leongatha fell just shot in reply – 6/132. The side did well in fairness to get as close as they did, after losing 2/0 before the game even had a chance to settle. Campbell Moncrieff was the chief destroyer with 4/18, while Mayman and Ashane Fernando played a hand in the early chaos, netting a run out. Latrobe Valley defeated Bairnsdale. Chasing only 94 at Colin Wrigglesworth Oval, Bundalaguah, Latrobe Valley lost just three wickets in pursuit. Sale-Maffra packed its bags and headed to Bundalaguah later that day (January 18) and defeated Latrobe Valley in Round 2. Defending 145, the home side held on for dear life by three runs. Moncrieff continued his good day, scoring 64 off just 41 balls, along with Tex Dyson, who played a busy hand of 28 off 25 deliveries out in the middle. Jake Keily (3/30) and skipper Zac Bastin (2/27) were multiple wicket-takers for Latrobe Valley. Jaxon Murdoch scored 32 off 23 against the new ball for the visitors, as the chase went down to the wire. Mayman (2/23), Max Shaw (2/31) and Shevan Fernando (2/32) hit good areas for the Sharks. Leongatha defeated Bairnsdale in the other match, 3/93 to 92. Warragul had the bye. The 18s will next play GCL on Sunday, February 1.   Under 15 SALE-MAFFRA lost to Leongatha in Round 5 of the 15s competition. Latrobe Valley had the bye. The Sharks were bowled out for just 75 at Korumburra, chasing 130. The batting returned nothing special, although the bowling saw Shane Breddels (3/22), Mason Caldwell (3/25) and Hayden Outhart (2/15) successful. Bairnsdale (5/76) defeated Warragul (75) in the other match.   Under 13 ROUND 5 last Sunday saw Sale-Maffra defeat Leongatha at Koonwarra. The Sharks made 158, led by Robert Sullivan’s captain’s knock of 55 not out. Wickets were shared, as Leongatha was then bowled out for 129. Izack Massey had the most success, taking 2/23. Bairnsdale beat Warragul in the other match by just seven runs. Latrobe Valley had the bye.

LV Express: Morwell hosts GCL gather round #Sport #BairnsdaleCricketAssociation #CricketLatrobeValley

Punishment comes for CLV cricketer CRICKET By LIAM DURKIN   ACT your age, not your shoe size. Gormandale cricketer Callum Polo will sit out until after Christmas, following his meltdown for the ages in Cricket Latrobe Valley. Polo punched, kicked and ripped a stump out of the ground after his dismissal on Day 1 of the Round 6 A Grade clash against Latrobe. The incident took place on Saturday, November 15 at Stoddart Oval, with the perpetrator learning his official fate last week. Polo had taken an early guilty plea immediately after Day 1, and was given a two week spell in the sin bin. The Cricket Latrobe Valley board however felt a harsher punishment was warranted. The tribunal seemingly agreed, ousting him for a total of five weeks. Taking in the three-week break over Christmas, the sentence means Polo won’t be able to play again until January 10, 2026 at the earliest. As more and more local cricketers are finding out, the advent of FrogBox means there is nowhere to hide. Not surprisingly, video of the reaction went viral, making it all the way to FoxCricket and even to the Barmy Army. While it is not uncommon for cricketers at all levels to throw gear in frustration after a poor shot or bad umpiring decision, Polo’s actions well and truly took the phrase ‘throwing the toys out of the cot’ to new levels. A Gormandale official told the Express the action was very out of character for the left hander, who was “incredibly remorseful” and “looking to make amends”. The official confirmed Polo was still supporting the team, while the club was somewhat mystified a player could take an early plea and still be lumped with a more severe penalty. Last weekend’s game was washed out, which counts toward the weeks to be served. Watching the footage back, there does not seem to be anything to trigger the reaction that followed. Latrobe players maintain there was no sledging in the build-up, nor did they look outraged after the incident. Sharks captain Steven Freshwater alerted the umpire to the damage, while teammate Rhys Noble picked up the flattened off stump. Polo was on 12 off 72 balls opening the batting, negotiating what was clearly a tricky pitch. Puffs of dust were visible after the ball pitched during the 20th over, up to when the incident occurred at 23.2 overs. Before that, Polo had expressed frustration by kicking the air after mistiming a few shots, and jumping after hitting a no-ball straight to the cover fielder. Young Latrobe spinner Liam Duncan was bowling when Polo was dismissed. He took a wicket with a full toss in his first over, and followed by disturbing Polo’s pegs in his second. The nature of the wickets arguably had some say in the eventual reaction. Polo vented after he’d left the field, with the audio picking up “f**king” followed by something unclear. Just one umpire officiated the game, and deserves credit for allowing the game to continue when many would have used it as an opportunity to wield their authority further. Cricket Latrobe Valley President Evan Sheekey sent a statement to the Express. “I can confirm that an independent tribunal convened last week to address breaches of the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct involving a CLV player,” he said. “The CLV Board wishes to make it absolutely clear that we have zero tolerance for any breaches of the Code of Conduct by CLV players or member clubs. All valid reports lodged will continue to be addressed promptly and in full accordance with CLV By-Laws. “The board has a responsibility to our senior and junior players, members, sponsors, and the wider community to ensure the integrity of the game is upheld and that our sport is not brought into disrepute.” The fallout has continued, with Gormandale Cricket Club opting not to broadcast matches on FrogBox from now on, unless full player consent is provided.   UNDERSTANDABLY, the league is wanting to stamp out poor behaviour following a number of unsavoury incidents in recent years. The decision last season to hand down a 10-year ban to the player at the centre of an on-field brawl certainly drew a line in the sand. Prior to that, incidents of players storming the field, swearing at umpires in the presence of parents and kids, and manipulation of rules were not uncommon. One well-travelled umpire, who has officiated at BBL level, has previously said they’d never seen such poor player behaviour until they moved to the Latrobe Valley. Speaking from personal experience, having played in both Cricket Latrobe Valley and Warragul District, there is absolutely a difference. There are no send offs, personal sledges or sore losers unwilling to have a beer after play in Warragul. Having covered Sale-Maffra as well, the biggest difference I’ve found is clubs down there help each other. Players often move from club to club just to try and even the teams out. It is often said people in the Latrobe Valley have big egos. Perhaps it’s time they were shelved.

LV Express: Punishment comes for CLV cricketer #Sport #CallumPolo #CricketLatrobeValley

One dayers from here on out CRICKET CLV By Liam durkin   ONE of those annoying days. Cricket Latrobe Valley matches were abandoned at the weekend due to damp conditions. Heavy overnight rain last Friday left grounds soaked, followed by spasmodic drizzles for most of Saturday. The league made the call early Saturday morning not to proceed. Not all will be lost however, as Premier A and A Grade matches hadn’t started, meaning Round 7 games in the top two grades will be played as one dayers. Poor souls in Sale-Maffra were forced to report to grounds, as two-day games remained incomplete. Warragul District had Saturday/Sunday games scheduled, only for most to be abandoned across both days. While the sun came out later in the day, and play could have been possible, it is unlikely many more than 20 overs would have been completed. Heading into Christmas, and commentary surrounding certain teams is intensifying. Perhaps none more so than Raiders, who are second-last on the A Grade ladder just a season after coming down from Premier A. It is doubtful anyone thought the Yinnar side would struggle this much, especially after Keenan Hughes joined. Hughes however is currently on the sidelines, as is Glengarry superstar Nat Freitag. The Magpies are clearly not as strong without him, but whether or not their current ladder position of fifth reflects this is debatable. Fixtures for this week are; Premier A: Imperials vs Ex Students (Catterick Crescent), Centrals vs Churchill (Apex Park), Toongabbie vs Glengarry (Roger Reis Oval), Moe vs Morwell (Burrage Reserve, Newborough). A Grade: Willow Grove vs Latrobe (at Moe Racecourse), CATS vs Gormandale (John Black Oval), Rovers vs Raiders (Duncan Cameron), Mirboo North vs Traralgon West (Mercer/McKenzie Wicket). Ladders Premier A: Ex Students (22 points), Imperials (20), Moe (19), Morwell (18), Glengarry (15), Churchill (14), Centrals (5), Toongabbie. A Grade: Rovers (20), CATS (19), Traralgon West (17), Latrobe (15), Willow Grove (12), Gormandale (10), Raiders (10), Mirboo North (10, they’ll do something from this position, you just know it).

LV Express: One dayers from here on out #Sport #CricketLatrobeValley #KeenanHughes