Yesterday we took on Yarram CC in all grades. Unfortunately as a Club, we are becoming too good at saying goodbye, with another player departure occurring, with Dean Jones moving to Bendigo this week to take up a new job in the mines. Dean has been a member of Imps since making his debut in the Under 14’s in 2010/11. In that time, Dean has played a total of 151 games for the Club, with 121 of them in the Seniors and 30 in the Juniors.

Dean started his career as an opening bowler/lower order batsmen, and as the years went on, ditched the bowling and became a middle order batsmen. Dean’s best effort with the bat was a score of 66 against Toon CC A Grade last season, where he shared in a 98 run match winning partnership with Scott Aitken. With the ball, Dean took 152 wickets across his 151 games, with a best of 5/20 in the Under 15’s, way back in 2012/13.

We won the toss in the A’s and chose to bat. We welcomed Lachy Rickwood into the side for his A Grade debut, and also welcomed back Sharpy into the side. We made 136, with Witchy top scoring with 38, with Sharpy making 32, and Elmsy with 12 the only other player in double figures.

We took some early wickets to have Yarram at 3/45, with wickets to Size, Sharpy and Scotty. Yarram progress to 4/104, and it looked like they were going to coast to an even victory, but three late wickets saw them seven down with 10 runs to get, and there was a glimmer of hope for an Imps victory. Wasn’t to be however, with Yarram getting the 10 runs for victory.

Sharpy bowled a great spell to take 2/16 off his 10 overs. It’s unfortunate Sharpy is only available every few weeks due to work, as he makes a huge impact with the bat and ball when available. Size took 2/34, battling through an arm injury he got last week versus Toongabbie. Rossy and Scotty both took a wicket each.

The B’s took on Yarram at a neutral venue at Stoddart Park. Thanks to Gormy CC for providing their ground for use when they had the bye. Yesterday’s B Grade side contained three women, in Keira Morley, Ryley Reid and junior player Ashlyn Murtagh, who was making her senior Club debut. I’m assuming this is the first time in TDCA history that a Club that a B Grade side has fielded three women in the same side.

We were sent in by Yarram, and we were dismissed for a disappointing 112. The innings was dominated by Josh Jennings with 61. Doesn’t really matter what grade he plays, Jenno just makes run for funs. He was supported by Dash with 17 and Jordy Anderson with 18.

Given Yarram are a game clear on top in the B’s, you’d assume they would chase down the 113 to win with ease, but thanks to opening bowlers Dash (3/15 off 9) and Mick McNulty (3/38 off 9), Yarram were reduced to 6/52, but Yarram were able to string a couple of good partnerships together to pass our total eight wickets down. Despite the loss, this was a good effort by the B’s, with one of the more inexperienced sides of the season.

The C’s travelled down to Tarraville for their clash. Yarram batted first, and thankfully were without Western Bulldogs premiership superstar Josh Dunkley. Despite Dunkley’s absence, the Yarram C’s were able to score 193 off their 40 overs. You don’t lose too many games of C Grade defending 194.

Hunter Dunstan was the pick of the bowlers, taking career best senior figures of 2/2 off 2 overs. Ray Burgess bowled well to take 2/20, followed by Johnny Downs with 2/28. Yarram proved to be one of the few C Grade sides capable of unlocking the mystery of Eggy’s bowling, taking him to the tune of 2/59 off 7 overs.

Not a great start to our run chase, with us being 2/10, so it was a good effort from their to make 7/147 off our 40 overs, falling 47 runs short of the target. We had a few blokes make starts, but only Johnny Downs with 51, went on to make a significant score, with The Rizz, Luke Hegarty and Jesse Sutherland, all getting out in the 20’s. We take on Gormy CC in all grades next week.

An update on the Devils Draw to be held on Sunday 6th of March. We have now sold over 100 of the 150 tickets available. Tickets are $30, and if you are after a ticket, please reply in the comments below.