By ONE SHORT

The main talking point in Grampians Cricket Association last weekend was a forfeit from Youth Club to Halls Gap in A Grade competition.

This must be of great concern to the association’s pennant committee because Youth Club is one of the competition’s founding clubs and won the first association A Grade shield.

Youth Club’s problems appear to stem from a variety of issues, from losing key payers and an ageing list, to a lack of junior structure and off-field support.

Of the matches that were played last week, Swifts-Great Western and Buangor-Tatyoon fought out a tense battle, with the Hawks prevailing, responding with 5-159 to the Combine’s 5-156. 

Batting first, the Combine lost both Eckels, Jesse and Tom, cheaply and struggled until Kyle Chamberlain joined with Matt Heffer to post an unfinished partnership of 80.

The Hawks also lost early wickets, slumping to 4-16, but a series of small partnerships enabled them to pass the score with four overs to spare.

Heffer was the best bowler on the day with 3-15 off his eight overs.

Pomonal is rejoicing after defeating Chalambar at home for the team’s first points of the season.

Batting first, the Tigers recorded 7-152 with Lachlan Dalkin top-scoring with 39 and Lachie Green making 29 in the middle order as cagey Matthew McKinnis took 3-38.

In reply, Chalambar scored 121, with skipper Luke Walker unbeaten on 35 and Green leading the way with the ball with 3-12.

This week’s round of matches will feature Buangor-Tatyoon hosting Halls Gap at home for the first time this season.

Buangor-Tatyoon has done nearly everything right this season without any player really standing out. A team effort should get them over the line against the Gappers, who got the points the easy way last week.

Pomonal, fresh from victory, takes on Swifts-Great Western, which is on the rebound from its loss to the Hawks.

Both these teams would love to record a win, but the Combine appears to have the edge, that is if it goes into the game with a full team. 

In the remaining game, Youth Club hosts Chalambar at Central Park.

Hopes are that the Clubber players will get behind their club and make every post a winner for the remainder of the season. 

They can start by defeating last season’s B Grade premiers at home.

This week: Buangor-Tatyoon v Halls Gap at Tatyoon; Youth Club v Chalambar at Central Park, Stawell; Pomonal v Swifts-Great Western at Pomonal.

Results: Pomonal 7-152 (L. Dalkin 39, L. Green 27, L. Brewis 24; M. McKinnis 3-39) d Chalambar 121 (L. Walker 35; L. Green 3-12), Buangor-Tatyoon 5-159 (M. Heffer 3-15) d Swifts-Great Western 5-156 (K. Chamberlain 46, S. Cocks 41, M. Heffer 33no), Halls Gap d Youth Club on forfeit.

Ladder: Buangor-Tatyoon 21 points, 1.61 percent; Swifts-Great Western 12, 2.45; Halls Gap 12, 0.84; Youth Club 6, 1.09; Chalambar 6, 0.52; Pomonal 6, 0.36.

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