WHAT a wild weekend of weather. Those that got out and won benefitted, while those that lost might have been put behind the eight-ball.
THE RAIN WREAKS HAVOC
In the end, I think the Diamond Valley Cricket Association did well to only have four games across the four divisions called off, considering the weather that came across Victoria on Saturday morning.
Still, by no means are we out of the woods yet, with a lot more threatening weather supposedly on the horizon over the next couple of weeks. It should mean that only this round is affected, but let’s see how it all plays out.
MUCH-NEEDED WIN
Last season’s Barclay Shield grand finalists, Epping, have struggled to start the season, with playing depth still somewhat of an issue, but wins like Saturdays could galvanise the group into producing more miracles in 2026/27.
Epping recovered well from Heidelberg starting 0/84 before the Pingers slowed down the run rate well, restricting the Berg to 3/157 off 35 overs.
Needing 158 in 30 overs with the rain forcing its hand, it was the work of Tom Emmins, the inspirational batting leader, who put together a quickfire 48 off 53 deliveries, while Raspreet Raspreet scored 35 off 46 to help guide Epping to a six-wicket win which lifts it off the foot of the ladder.
RAMSEY HEROICS LIFT DIAMO
Diamond Creek met Macleod, but it was all about Jacob Ramsey at the end of the game.
The Creekers made 165, with Robert Phelan setting up the side with his 79 off 91, while Daniel Gilbert added a handy 51 off 76.
When it came time to bowl, Ramsey was their man.
Macleod started well enough, putting on 42 for the first wicket, but Ramsey did his best work off eight overs, taking 5/32 to ensure Macleod fell to 5/99, before eventually finishing the allotted overs with 6/127.
BIG RESPONSE FROM RIVERGUM
After falling for 74 last week to Research Eltham Collegians, Rivergum sure needed something special, and it was provided with a six-wicket win over Mernda.
Batting first, the Dees started well through Gareth Sharp, who made 58, while David Chesterton added 39, but Rivergum got back into the game through constant wickets, with Ben Lyons taking 3/20, Kyle Ewart 2/29 and Daniel Sedgwick 2/37 as Mernda were bowled out for 165.
A 129-run opening stand between Dale Rigby (53) and Matthew Keily (64) set the tone to ensure the Burra got there, scoring 4/166 in response.
ROSEBANK ON THE BOTTOM
After struggling greatly in Barclay Shield last season, Rosebank’s fortunes haven’t improved as of yet, and now sit bottom after a six-wicket loss to Banyule.
Joseph Russo did his bit for Rosebank by scoring 73 out of its 8/163, but Lachlan Pasquali’s 3/32 and Julian Drohan’s 2/28 slowed the Eagles down.
In response, Drohan scored 58 off 65, while Ryder McMurray added 44 off 44 to ensure the points were Banyule’s, scoring 4/165.
FULL ROUND OF MASH SHIELD
Mash Shield got all four games going, with some interesting results.
Keon Park took the first win, a much-needed six-wicket win over Panton Hill after losing convincingly to Greensborough last week.
Jordan McNamara did the damage with the ball for the Parkers, taking 4/22, helping slow the Redbacks down after Ryan Edwards (53) and William Brennan (30) gave them a good start.
Michael White scored 75 off 62, while Abdulsatar Jamal added 55 off 80 to ensure the Parkers won convincingly.
STARS BACK ON WINNERS LIST
After falling just seven runs short last week, Lalor Stars needed a win, and survived a Jesse King barrage early on to score by five wickets over Plenty.
King batted superbly for the Power, scoring 84 off 106 to help Plenty set 6/187 to win, with Mitchell Komen taking 3/26 and Jamie Scott 2/30.
However, some good batting from Jordan Steele, who scored 66 off 84, and Ricardo Mittica, who added 45 off 59, ensured Lalor Stars would get to the target, scoring 5/188 to move into the top four.
MONTY YOUNG GUNS GET IT DONE
Also impressive were Montmorency, who defeated Bundoora Park by seven wickets.
Fletcher Pendlebury starred with 3/19 as Bundoora Park were well-held to 7/101 off 32 overs, before Jeremy Hansen (22) and Dylan Keating (24) anchored the middle order to help Monty score 6/102, despite the best efforts of Hayden Culph, who took 4/10 off seven overs.
GREENSBOROUGH LOOKING GOOD
The Boro took a very comfortable nine-wicket win over at Ben Frilay Oval, with captain Mathew Salvatore doing plenty of work, as did opening batsman Trent Groom.
Salvatore did it with both bat and ball, taking 4/24 to restrict Hurstbridge to 8/163, before adding 55 off 52.
However, it was Groom who was the star with the bat, scoring 11 fours and four sixes to score 92 off 68 – the only way he could be stopped from 100 was the fact that the Boro passed Hurstbridge’s total in just 21.5 overs, scoring 1/164.
OLD IVANHOE IMPROVING
Another win for Old Ivanhoe, who could easily have been unbeaten, but either way, it is a big improvement in its second season.
This time, it was a 91-run win over Thomastown United.
A multitude of performers highlighted the win, with Steve Elworthy scoring 41, Michael Ryan scoring 36 and Adam Baldwin adding 29 with the bat, before Ben Hazeldine and James Hollaway took three wickets each.
MILL PARK THE BIG IMPROVERS
Another scalp for the Tigers, this time Laurimar at Redleap Reserve.
Connor Walsh-Queay scored 64 off 84 to guide Mill Park to 182, before Caleb Leckstrom and Antonio Guerra took three wickets each to hold Laurimar to 9/147.
The Power are exceptionally young, with a bit of a different team in this week compared to others, with the likes of Harry McKeown, Jayden Clifford, Justin Billing and Cooper Lewin finding their way.
LOWER ELTHAM HANG ON
Despite the best efforts of Terry Liddicutt, Lower Eltham continue its hot start to the year with a 31-run win over South Morang at Mill Park Lakes.
The Lions would have been confident after holding Lower to 9/148 off 40 overs, with Liddicutt taking 6/31 in a phenomenal effort.
Liddicutt performed well with the bat too, adding 27, but Lower Eltham performed strongly via committee, with Josh Farrell taking 3/19 and Justin Whitcher 2/6 off six overs.
DISASTROUS DAY FOR THOMASTOWN
Dennis rolled in and took a straightforward 10-wicket win at Main Street Reserve, with Mark Chamberlain doing all the damage with the ball.
Vishist Dura was the only Thomastown batsman to score more than 10, top scoring with 12 as it was rolled for 54, with Chamberlain taking 6/17 in a virtuoso performance.
Just 10 overs were needed for Dennis, with Luke Green scoring 22 and Daniel Gregory 15, with some wayward bowling making it more straightforward – Thomastown conceded 19 extras.