CRICKET finals are in full swing and Werribee Cricket Club has all four senior teams, which is a credit to president Ivo Havard and the hard workers around the club. The first XI have lost the last two games very narrowly and will be hoping that is just a hiccup now the real stuff starts. They did finish on top of the ladder but only by percentage in the end. They will be looking for big finals performances from their stars Tim O’Brien (487 runs at an average of 60) Matt Dean (485 at 37) and with the ball Heath Pritchard (41 wickets at 9.41) Jono Burton (23 at 16.74). The finals are on this Saturday – the first X1 are at Avalon Airport Oval, the seconds at Soldiers Reserve, thirds at Ivanhoe Park and the fourths at Crispe Park, Reservoir. Yarraville Club Cricket Club which snuck into the VTCA finals has made it through to the grand final beating top team Greenvale. Emmett Bronca starred taking 5/39 and he was backed up by Adam Contessa 3/32. Chasing a modest 140 to win they were in trouble early at 4/25 then 6 /75 but veteran opener Justin Baker carried his bat for 68 not out and Michael O’Keefe 38 not out got them home by four wickets. They will meet South Caulfield in the grand final.
STEVE Thom, the chairman of selectors, tells me the WRFL interleague squad has been really burning up the track during the couple of sessions they have had so far. While some players are yet to commit, those who have put their hand up are really putting in. I hope all WRFL clubs get behind Brett Jacobs and the team when they take on the Southern Football League on Saturday 29 March at Visy Park at 11.15am. It would be great to see players, officials and supporters of all WRFL clubs at the ground to cheer on the bots from the west. I hope this competition can grow in the future and that players have the same desire to wear the WRFL jumper as an adult that you have when you are under age.
IN other local footy news Deer Park has snared another former AFL player with Ryan Houlihan signing for the Lions for 2014. Some other interesting clearances see Altona losing Travis Lunardi, Joel Magnabosco, Steve Kennedy, Richard Knight and Anthony Chiu. Spotswood gain Sablich, and Dumbleton but lose Elliot Wood and Ben Perry plus the irreplaceable Chris O’Keefe and Lachlan McGhie, who I hear has retired. The Lampi brothers are on the move Jessi to Yarraville Seddon Eagles and Jordan to Sunshine Heights. Troy Kelm is returning to Albion and the Stephens brothers, Sam and James, have moved yet again this time to St Albans. More news on clearances in the coming weeks.
WYNCITY Bowl and Entertainment Centre has moved from its Riverside Avenue Werribee home where it has been for 30 years to a state-of-the-art new facility at 36 Wallace Avenue, Point Cook, near the Phoenix Hotel. They have really gone upmarket with many more attractions than your traditional bowling alley. There is mini-golf, bumper cars, laser tag, arcade games, a restaurant and bar and a layout that makes it a top class entertainment complex with something for everyone. A well entrenched Werribee family business, I wish them all the best for the future which I think will be very good.
WERRIBEE got the win over Williamstown in the practice game last weekend at Arden Street. The Tigers have this weekend off while the Seagulls will travel to Casey Fields on Saturday for another pre-season game. This VFL season has so much interest especially with Footscray entering the competition.
IF you have any news or events please let me know on email kevin@howdypartnersmedia.com.au and you can follow me on Twitter @KevinHillier and check out the website howdypartnersmedia.com.au
