04/03/2026
Our 2025/6 campaign came to an end last Saturday with all three grades bowing out.
Our U12 squad go out with their heads held high, going down in a close one in their semi-final against Wangaratta Magpies. As he has done all year, Tyler Mullavey lead from the front with a well-compiled 38, receiving strong support from Taylor Hurley (13) and Kyden Skate (9no), on the way to a team total of 89. Charlie Hamilton, Fred Whelan-Brain and Taylor Hurley all claimed a wicket with the ball, before Magpies made the required runs with a few overs to spare.
It has been a superb effort all year from our U12 boys and girls, with a number of the squad very early into their cricket careers. We look forward to their development over the years to come.
With 13 players unavailable across our two senior teams for the final round, selection was a mentally taxing affair, and perhaps fittingly C Grade finished up at the Mayday Hills oval against Beechworth. It was a brave effort with a number of new and inexperienced players coming together, ultimately going down to Beechworth in a tight one. Our openers got off to a great start with old war horses Andrew Holmes and Lucas Peacock both bringing up half centuries, with Peacock including a couple of mammoth sixes over long off in his knock. Short but sharp contributions from Saville and Moshopolous followed, finishing with 2/146 off our 36 overs. While early wickets to Lister and Colvin suggested an upset may be on the cards, the experienced Beechworth squad ultimately chased down the required runs with 6 overs to spare.
The last three weeks of the season were perhaps the best for C grade, taking three quality finals sides deep in their respective matches, showing we are thereabouts if we can field our strongest team more often.
An undermanned B Grade went into the last round with finals out of the equation but the opportunity to upset Benalla's own finals aspirations. Choosing to bat, the boys were off to a shaky start with Richards and Lister soon back in the shed. Thankfully the middle order were able to dig in with captain Kurt Schmidt compiling a patient 42, and in a nice moment put on a 50+ run partnership with his father Brad (30no), to give the team a puncher's chance at 7-127 after their 36.
With two inches of rain through the week there was a bit of spice in the Barkly Park pitch, and our bowling attack had Benalla pinned down early. Schmidt and Richards both took three wickets, Lister finished wit a tidy 2/10 off his 8, and despite a middle order rally of their own, Benalla were ultimately bowled out 17 runs short of their target.
It was great to sign off with a win, though also a bittersweet reminder of what could have been. Our B Grade squad certainly had the weapons to trouble any side in the competition, but fleeting form and availability were the story of the season.
On to bigger and better things next year. Go United!
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