Churchill Cricket Club - December 2024

Churchill Cobra’s season is well and truly under way. For the first time in many seasons, most games have been played and weather is yet to play a part.

Our A Grade side, now led by Ryan Ayres, finds itself in second position winning five of its six games, many by big margins. Brae Kelly has been Mister Consistent at the top of the order with nearly 200 runs to his name including a fine knock of 75. Right behind him is Ryan Ayres, already with a century and a half century in the books. Other worthwhile knocks came from Ryan Harvey, John Keighran and Steve Warr all belting out big 50s. With the ball, both Chris Williams and Steve Warr have 12 wickets to their name. Chris with two hauls of five wickets and Steve being once again, super consistent.

A Grade are also involved in the new Twenty 20 competition each Tuesday night. The first game was a win with Yinnar setting 112 after Ryan Harvey ripped through the top order and Ross Whelpdale controlled the middle. We started quickly, but soon lost wickets at a consistent rate. The two Ryans held it together with Ayres making a quick 50 and Harvey not out 31, passing the score with four overs up their sleeve. Watch our Facebook for the next Tuesday night home game. Well worth the watch.

Ross Johnson’s B Grade team has found the going a tad harder. Their highlight came in Round 7, with their first win beating Mirboo North away after starting the game all out for 37. It was an amazing comeback and will give the team a mountain of confidence heading into the rest of the season. Batting for B grade has been a struggle with only five half centuries so far for the season. Archie Normans first senior 50 in Round 4 along with Ijaz Ahmed’s 67 to drive a win in Round 7 were the highlights. Ross Johnson, leading our batting also heads up the bowling with 14 wickets for the year at an impressive average of 10.43. 16 year-old Jacob Dunn is on his heels also with 14 wickets. B Grade is building momentum and would hope for a much better run home.

Our ladies, playing each Thursday night have also had six matches so far enjoying two wins in a very tough competition. Danielle Cole, Emily Lugton and Simone Forbes have contributed strongest to the runs with all three providing consistent scores in the 20s and 30s during their 16 over competition. Our bowling spread has been a little more even although Danielle Coles’ four wickets lead the way. The Round 1 win against Traralgon Imperials was a highlight chasing down the large total of 83 and winning the game on the last ball of the day.

C Grade also finds themselves on the top of the ladder with super impressive performances winning all games played. Our batters sit one and two on the leaderboard with Craig Dekaste on 385 runs including two centuries and two half centuries at an average of 128.33. Shaune Wernham is on 208 runs at an average of 104.00 with a well earned century in Round 4. Craig also leads the bowling for the competition with nine wickets so far to his name. He is ably supported by Captain Rob Harrington who has eight. The C Grade team will be hard to beat and are aiming to go one better than last years’ second place finish.

Under 12’s will enter Round 4 and last years premiers have yet to drop a game, sitting comfortably in second place on the ladder. Some great all-round performances from the team, many playing well under their age limit, and Simon Forbes has the team humming. Harvey Brighton and Ed Forbes being standouts with the bat with a fairly even spread of wickets from the bowlers. The 12’s train on a Thursday night at 4.30pm and play Mondays at 5.00pm.

The Cobras are fielding teams in A grade, Women’s Premier, B Premier, C Grade, and Under 12’s but are always looking for new players. Our mini cobras will be on Thursday nights at 4.30pm at Andrews Park West in Churchill, beginning November through to December and then starting up again in February Registration for 6 – 10-year-olds includes a free Churchill Cricket Club Polo. If you wish to be part of the club this year in any form, follow us on Facebook, email us at churchillcc@hotmail.com, or simply pop down on a Tuesday or Thursday night to say hello.