**The word champion gets bandied around far too often these days but sits comfortably on the shoulders of UPPER BEACONSFIELD great Scott Pitcher who played his 300th senior game against LANG LANG on Saturday. The big-spinning leggie and solid middle-order batter was just 18 when he played in a thrilling premiership win over EMERALD in 2001. His career has been remarkable, claiming 562 wickets and more than 3000 runs and he is widely considered the best leggie to play in the WGCA for the last decade. Pitcher has been fiercely loyal, knocking back several big-dollar deals to leave the Maroons and find a new home. Pitcher showed his class on Saturday, taking 5/20 off eight overs in the Maroons thumping win over the Swamp Tigers. Well done Scott Pitcher on a career extremely well played!
**Another legend of local cricket played his 300th game on Saturday with MERINDA PARK’s Marty Donaldson making 88 not out in the Cobras C Grade victory over KOOWEERUP. Donaldson has been a familiar face around every cricket ground in the WGCA over the years and has played his cricket with dignity and a distinct touch of passion. Over 350 wickets and 5000 runs…it’s a career that anyone would be proud of. Donaldson sits comfortably among the Cobras greats, with the club naming its Club Champion Award in his honour. Congratulations Marty from the entire WGCA community.
**The WGCA is widely renowned for being the worst when it comes to keyboard warriors taking a swipe at each other – but mainly others – on social media. It’s been happening for years and the WGCA has just about had enough, set to call in a couple of regular participants who are constantly doing damage to the brand and reputation of the league. WGCA president Rob Hansen is really strong on this one…and you can totally understand why. It’s just cowardly, and very hurtful to their targets, from people who should know better.
**The WGCA has made a decision on the Covid-forfeits of CRANBOURNE MEADOWS against TOORADIN and CLYDE in rounds 10 and 11. The Rebels were hit hard by Covid and had to forfeit their outings against the Seagulls and Cougars. The original decision was to split the points – six to both teams for each contest – but an adjustment to the Covid-rule has seen the Rebels stripped of their points completely. The adjustment means that teams must have five players impacted by Covid for the game to deemed a draw…anything less than that and teams will surrender the 12 points. The change has had a massive impact on the WGCA Premier Division ladder with the Rebels losing to CARLISLE PARK last week and now sitting in last place on the ladder. The Rebels will need to defeat CARDINIA this week to be any chance of avoiding relegation.
**It was a special day for NARRE WARREN youngster Liam Hill on Saturday, with the Under-18 batter making 111 against CRANBOURNE in DDCA Turf 4 at Sweeney Reserve. That’s a pretty special achievement in itself, but making the runs on the ground named in honour of your great grand-father makes it even more special. Sweeney Reserve is named after legendary NARRE WARREN Football Club identity and league icon Pat Sweeney.
**An unusual occurrence took place during the WGCA A Grade match between PAKENHAM and CARDINIA at Toomuc Reserve on Saturday. Cardinia – The Bulls – had made 6/199 from their 40 overs when the sprinklers decided to go off…and no-one had any idea how to turn them off! Toomuc Reserve is currently undergoing extensive renovations and several areas of the facility are fenced off. From what we’re hearing, one of those areas houses the water control unit so everyone’s hands were tied. The game was called off and declared a draw. The result won’t affect both teams, with the Bulls unable to lose top spot and the Lions suctioned firmly to the bottom of the ladder.
**The WGCA will host its 2021/22 Presentation Ceremony at the Cardinia Park Hotel on Beaconsfield-Emerald Road on Sunday 10 April. Details of the event are still sketchy, but a late afternoon/early evening start looks likely with a live stream also a possibility. We’ll keep you updated as more details come to hand.
**Picking the WGCA Premier Division Team of the Year is going to be a difficult task with eight of the top-10 run scorers this season all openers. Do you spread out names like Kodithuwakku, Smith, O’Hare, Bright, Singh, Hameeteman, Nooy and McCalman down the list, or just stick with a more traditional structure. Looks like the selectors have got some thinking to do!
**Well done to the WGCA and the young girls who play cricket throughout the association on the inaugural running of the WGCA All Stars Girls Pink Stumps Round. Four teams – DEVON MEADOWS, LANG LANG, OFFICER and UPPER BEACONSFIELD – gathered at Heatherbrae Reserve in Officer, to play cricket, but to also raise funds for the Jane McGrath Foundation. A total of 36 girls took part in the event, which was meant to take place in 2021 but was cancelled due to Covid. Girls wore bandanas, music blared and dance moves were off the charts…and of course there was the cricket. Upper Beaconsfield held off Lang Lang and Officer sprung a surprise by defeating Devon Meadows. The WGCA is committed to making this a regular feature on the calendar. The WGCA community can support the girls’ cause by going to https://www.pinkstumpsday.com.au/fundraisers/WGCA-girls to make donations.
**Can you spot a legend in this group of boys (pictured) having a couple of cordials at PARK OVAL on Saturday? We will give you a hint… he pretty much invented goal-kicking. In front of them at the cricket, the boys saw 514 runs in 88.1 overs. However, we aren’t sure how many they can officially account for. The group got a simple message from the journo they stopped for a photo, “behave boys”.
**You can always rely on family to keep you modest. DANDENONG’S MATT WILSON has captured 26 wickets this summer (equal third in VPC), but whenever he goes to field at backward square leg at SHEPLEY OVAL his family make sure to bring him down a peg if he hasn’t been absolutely flawless. Perhaps they’re the key to his success.
**How about PRADEEP DE SILVA in the MPCA! The dasher made 135 from 85 balls on Saturday and it’s his fifth century for the year, fourth in the MPCA comp. The BALLAM PARK opener might give SEAFORD’S RYAN MCQUEEN a run for his money in the league medal. Go and have a look at the fall of wickets for DE SILVA’S centuries, it’s extraordinary.
**’I will get three votes today’. One player in a local league spotted a former team mate in the supermarket on Saturday morning, after a brief chat about the upcoming fixtures for their respective sides, one player said ‘I will get three votes today’… worst part is, he would’ve. An all-round performance from this LEGEND would’ve undoubtedly secured him maximum votes. I guess when you’re good, you’re good.
**MICHAEL HUSSEY’S review of CRICKET VICTORIA came out on Friday and after a few years of some interesting calls; VICTORIAN PREMIER CRICKET lovers were pretty pleased with one specific line of the review. It read: continual selection of pathway talent despite under-performing in Premier Cricket where others are performing better…bias in selection and contracting, where certain clubs are favoured. WHACK!
