The Yarrawonga Mulwala Lakers A -Grade side capped off the first half of the WDCA 2025–26 season with a thrilling victory in the T20 Grand Final, defeating the Wangaratta Magpies by eight runs at Norm Minns Oval on Saturday evening.
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After a nervous start with the bat, the Lakers posted 5/161 from their 20 overs before restricting the Magpies to 7/153.
Batting first after winning the toss, the Lakers may have initially questioned their decision as Wangaratta’s James Thewlis and Chris Clement tore through the top order.
In less than three overs, the Lakers were reeling at 3/11 and in desperate need of a fightback.
That resistance came through Ben Welsh and Zac Fraser, who steadied the innings with a combination of sharp running, power hitting, and intelligent shot selection.
The pair combined for a superb 131-run partnership, spending more than 14 overs together at the crease and lifting the Lakers to a competitive total.
Both batters contributed evenly. Fraser brought up his half-century in the 14th over with a slog over mid-wicket, while Welsh followed in the next over with a lofted cover drive for four.
The partnership was finally broken in the 18th over when Tyler Nanson dismissed Welsh for a well-made 57 off 44 balls.
Reid Clarke (5 off 5 balls) and Kyle Archibald (1* off 1) added late runs, while Fraser carried his bat, finishing unbeaten on 82* from 55 deliveries.
Chasing 162, the Magpies required just over eight runs per over, an achievable target given their powerful batting lineup, as they took to the field under lights.
Openers Cooper Matheson and Tyler Nanson made a promising start, adding 70 runs in 8.5 overs.
However, the Lakers’ disciplined bowling soon tightened the screws.
Jyda House broke the partnership, bowling Nanson for 34 off 27 balls as he attempted to clear mid-wicket.
Just five balls later, Matheson was dismissed for 29 off 29, caught at square leg by Kreeck, swinging the momentum in the Lakers’ favour.
While there were contributions throughout the order, no Magpies batter was able to build momentum against the Lakers’ meticulous attack.
Needing 13 runs from the final over, the Magpies faced man-of-the-match Zac Fraser, who sealed the contest.
Only two runs came off the bat, along with two leg byes, before Fraser capped off the match by bowling Rosser for 10 off 11 balls.
The Lakers’ bowling proved decisive, with Jyda House (3/23 from four overs) and Van Kreeck (2/30) leading the way.
Devlin Webb bowled economically, finishing with 0/13 from four overs, while Angus Heslin conceded 37 runs from his four.
The WDCA competition will now break for the Christmas and New Year period, with A Grade and A Reserve returning in the one-day format on January 10, 2026.
B Grade - Lakers drained as Colts salute
B Grade made the arduous trek to HP Barr, where a late change saw the match moved to “the big ground.” After much discussion over Jacyee’s new cocktail menu, the toss was conducted and the Lakers were sent in to bowl.
Greeted by a flat pitch, a quick outfield, and stinking hot conditions, the Lakers’ pace attack—Santa in particular—struggled early, leaking too many boundaries, possibly due to the short pitch at one end.
B Hill then wrested back some control with consistent line and length. After Colts’ Moore was forced to retire hurt due to a heart issue, the dangerous duo of Thissen and Vagg slowed the run rate and created opportunities, including a delightful stumping off Jug behind the stumps.
Colts’ Braden then took charge, exploiting loose death bowling and a few dropped chances. Lucas Pickering deserves a mention with 2/19 from the final three overs, alongside B Vagg, G Hill, and J Hawking for their wholehearted fielding efforts in challenging conditions. Colts finished at 6/196.
The Lakers’ chase began positively, with Hargreaves and Wilson setting a solid platform, getting through to drinks unscathed. However, Wilson retired due to exhaustion, followed by Hudson’s brief stay ending with a catch behind.
Buerckner’s short stay ended due to a misfield mix-up, Vagg was adjudged LBW, and Hill fell to Braden, who dominated the game. Late-order hitting from Hawking, Pickering, and O’Brien wasn’t enough, and the Lakers finished 6/158, losing by 39 runs.
Special mention goes to Disco Darcy Hargreaves, who followed his 39* with a well-compiled 52, looking back in form. Plenty of lessons to take into the break.
C Grade - Vikings too good for Lakers
The day didn’t start ideally, with the captain arriving late to find one player still asleep after a Christmas party.
While that player scrambled for his keeping gloves, the captain had to dash home to grab his runners, missing the 11:30am team meeting entirely. Professionalism at its finest.
The Lakers won the toss and batted. Kade “Three First Names” Michael and his father Jamie opened.
Jamie, still feeling the effects of Christmas spirit, was bowled early, while Three First Names struggled, scoring a gritty 8.
Junior Parker danced down the track to a spinner and was promptly stumped for 2.
Veteran Browning added 14, while Senior Parker suffered a painful hit before running himself out two balls later for 8. Another batsman was stumped for a duck shortly after.
Tow-Ball Head Jim Reeves and his son added a solid partnership before Jim was again run out for 17.
Dec Reeves chipped in with 9, and Tracey’s boy Billy compiled a patient 12*, making his dad’s trip worthwhile.
Junior Browning added 5 before Showman X Colvin entertained with some bold hitting.
The Lakers finished 9/89 off 36 overs.
Afternoon tea was a welcome highlight.
With the ball, Three First Names and Veteran Browning produced a superb opening spell, keeping the Vikings in check.
Three First Names finished with 3/28, Browning 4/24, and Parker bowled economically with 0/10.
C Jamieson’s dad may not have helped with batting, but Jamo excelled behind the stumps, taking a ripping catch. Young Wild Thing Reeves contributed 1/13 off 3.3 overs, while Billy’s leg-spin ended with 0/14.
In the end, the Vikings passed the total 8 wickets down in the 26th over.
Despite the loss, the very young Lakers put in a spirited effort. A few Christmas beers were enjoyed before the team returned to headquarters.
The Ghost Writer thanks all sponsors and supporters for their backing this season.
C Grade wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year. See you all in 2026.
Ghost Writer out for 2025.
Tungamah cricket
The Hoppers returned to Barooga Recreation Reserve on Saturday for another home game.
A huge thank you to Barooga CC for their fantastic support in making our home games a success, particularly Samuel Leigh for preparing the pitch and the bar team for their warm hospitality and efficient service.
This day was especially significant, marking the first joint appearance of the Doyle brothers, Archie, Billy, and Deis—on the field.
Additionally, Matt Bourke returned to the playing ranks, following his last appearance in the 2013/2014 premiership-winning team.
Bourke Harvesting’s sponsorship has been vital in the club's reform efforts and in providing for our players this season.
The game kicked off on a high note as returning club captain/coach Tom Irvine won the toss and elected to bowl.
The Hoppers took to the field with determination, aiming to restrict Cobram to a manageable total.
The match began in thrilling fashion as Lucas Tonna bowled a masterful first ball, dismissing the opening batter and immediately igniting the team’s excitement.
He struck again in his second over, sending another batter back to the pavilion and leaving Cobram reeling at 2/16.
Cobram’s middle order eventually settled, building a partnership and timing their shots well.
Tonna returned in the 17th over to bowl another quality delivery, taking a vital wicket before the drinks break.
After the break, the Cobram captain began to assert himself, forging another partnership that tested the Hoppers’ patience.
Despite the morning heat and rising frustration, Travis’s persistence with the ball led to the dismissal of the Cobram captain in his fifth over.
Captain Tom Irvine then took center stage, claiming two wickets in a single over without conceding a run. By 26 overs, Cobram were 6/134.
In the final 14 overs, Cobram’s lower order launched a late assault, punishing loose deliveries to the boundary and over the ropes, eventually finishing with a total of 247.
Kieran Green captured his second wicket with a caught-and-bowled effort. Matt Bourke also made an impact on his return, taking 1/15 from two overs.
Both teams enjoyed a well-deserved break in the Barooga clubrooms, where the Hoppers provided a delicious spread, giving everyone a chance to refuel and socialize before returning to the midday heat.
Opening the batting innings, Lucas Tonna and Travis aimed to forge a solid partnership and lay the foundation for a successful chase. However, Lucas was dismissed LBW early, and Jayden Arnold joined Travis but was bowled for 10 after contributing 14 runs to the partnership.
At 2/23, Tom Irvine joined Travis at the crease, and the two batsmen began to rebuild the innings with some confidence.
Unfortunately, Tom’s innings was cut short at 8 runs, and from there the Hoppers struggled to establish any meaningful partnerships.
Chris Johnstone and Jeremy Kelly added 6 runs each before losing their wickets.
The innings ended in a dramatic collapse, with the final five wickets falling for just six runs.
Matt Bourke showed determination and resilience in his batting but was stumped while attempting his first run.
The Hoppers were all out for 60.
Man of the Match: Lucas Tonna - Bowling: 8 overs, 3/42 - Batting: 6 runs - 1 catch.
Despite the heavy loss, the Hoppers showcased determination and teamwork, particularly in the field and through individual performances.
This marked the final game of 2025 for the Hoppers.
They will return to the field after the Christmas break, eager to return to the winners’ circle, with their first game back against Nathalia on January 10th.