North Alphington Cricket Club's David Bell appeals for an LBW decision in his Over 50s Div 1 Veterans Semi Final. Umpire is John Collins. Photo ©Chris Mirabella 2025
Dingley too good for Melbourne Uni in Grand Final re-match
Hot and howling southerly winds made for challenging conditions for all our Veteran teams in the Semi-Final weekend. It was one of those days where the bails were either being blown off or removed all together. Regardless, there was great cricket being played across all our over 40s and 50s Divisions. We visited two games - and in true Vets traditions, there was plenty of suppot on show for the players from family and friends. We are grateful to have such a vibrant Vets community and we appreciate the efforts of the clubs and the players in this important part of the ECA.
Over 40s Div 1 Semi Final Results:
Dingley 8/176 d Melbourne University 8/134
In the Over 40s Div 1 Shield - defending champions Dingley continued their unbeaten run this season with a comprehensive win over Melbourne University. Play HQ Semi-Finals Div 1 Scorecards.
Batting first, Dingley openers Tarek Moughanie (42) and Rahul Khera (41) looked to have set up the game for the hosts with a blistering opening partnership of 115. Uni's Matthew Hewat (2/15), Luke Duffey (3/8) and Stewart Harris (0/7 from 4) clawed back the momentum with some excellent bowling to restrict the hosts to 176. Dingley's Justin Nelson (2/28) and Chirs Pereira (2/14) were excellent with the ball and Uni struggled to build partnerships. Ben Costello with a whirlwing 33* top scored. Dingley through to their second consecutive Grand Final
Hawthorn Boroondara 7/211 d STC South Camberwell 9/128
In the other Over 40s Div 1 match, Hawthorn Boroondara were too strong for STC South Camberwell. Batting first at Rathmines, the hosts Skipper Toby Mullen (40ret) and Nick Thomas (40ret) set up the match with a brisk century opening partnership. Mehul Somaia also retired with 40. STCs Simon Lally was excellent with the ball picking up 4/11 from his four overs. STC were in strife early losing two quick wickets but Tim Leoncelli (32) and skipper Andrew Leoncelli (45ret) got the innings got the innings back on track. However HBs attack gave little away and they ran out comfortable winners.
28 February - Grand Final: Dingley v Hawthorn Boroondara - Dingley Reserve, Dingley.
Play HQ Semi-Finals Div 1 Scorecards.
Over 40s Div 1 Semi Final Results:
Dingley 8/176 d Melbourne University 8/134
In the Over 40s Div 1 Shield - defending champions Dingley continued their unbeaten run this season with a comprehensive win over Melbourne University. Play HQ Semi-Finals Div 1 Scorecards.
Batting first, Dingley openers Tarek Moughanie (42) and Rahul Khera (41) looked to have set up the game for the hosts with a blistering opening partnership of 115. Uni's Matthew Hewat (2/15), Luke Duffey (3/8) and Stewart Harris (0/7 from 4) clawed back the momentum with some excellent bowling to restrict the hosts to 176. Dingley's Justin Nelson (2/28) and Chirs Pereira (2/14) were excellent with the ball and Uni struggled to build partnerships. Ben Costello with a whirlwing 33* top scored. Dingley through to their second consecutive Grand Final
Hawthorn Boroondara 7/211 d STC South Camberwell 9/128
In the other Over 40s Div 1 match, Hawthorn Boroondara were too strong for STC South Camberwell. Batting first at Rathmines, the hosts Skipper Toby Mullen (40ret) and Nick Thomas (40ret) set up the match with a brisk century opening partnership. Mehul Somaia also retired with 40. STCs Simon Lally was excellent with the ball picking up 4/11 from his four overs. STC were in strife early losing two quick wickets but Tim Leoncelli (32) and skipper Andrew Leoncelli (45ret) got the innings got the innings back on track. However HBs attack gave little away and they ran out comfortable winners.
28 February - Grand Final: Dingley v Hawthorn Boroondara - Dingley Reserve, Dingley.
Play HQ Semi-Finals Div 1 Scorecards.
Mont Albert to take on Lyndale in over 50s Div 1 Grand Final
In the over 50s Div 1 Grade, defending champs Canterbury at home, were comfortably defeated by Lyndale, while at Mont Albert Reserve, the hosts kept their nerve against a plucky North Alphington.
Over 50s Vets Semi Finals Results:
Canterbury 8/165 def by Lyndale 5/167
Lyndale Vets scored an impressive away Semi-Final win at Highfield Park by chasing down the Canterbury's total in the 33rd over. Canterbury made a postive start with skipper Adam Powick (38) and Paul O'Grady (23) pushing the score to 1/75. However middle order wickets tumbled thanks to excellent Lyndale bowling. Despite Richard Wicks brisk 38 from 34, 165 looked a short on the lightening quick outfield. Adam Richmond finished with 3/21. In response, despite losing an early wicket, Lyndale were too strong, especially down the order. Opener Russell Anderson top scored with 40, while Adam Richmond completed an excellent all round match making 32 from 34 to go with his three wickets. Jon Moodie (2/20) was the pick of the bowlers.
Mont Albert 6/136 def North Alphington Panthers 7/135
This one looked like it was finishing early as North Alphington, after winning the toss, collapsed to be 7 down for not many. But an exceptional recovery thanks to Richard Price (40ret) and Chris Price (36*) - who are not related saw the visitors post a defendable 7/135.
Brad Woodhouse 2/22 and Phil Avery 3/14 did the damage with the ball. NAP late order momentum carried over to the bowling innings - with some excellent stump to stump bowling on the slowish, wearing Mont Albert Reserve wicket reaping LBWs and a bowled to have Mont Albert in a spot of bother at 5/53. In all the mayhem that quick wickets brings, number three Phil Avery (42) kept his nerve and with support from Terry Smit (25) and then Chris Wijayadharmadasa (17*) navigated his side (to almost) over the line in the 35th over. Chris Wijayadharmadasa hit the winning runs. We are awarding Phil Avery player of the match!
28 February - Grand Final: Mont Albert v Lyndale at Mont Albert Reserve
Play HQ Semi-Finals Div 1 Scorecards. Over 50s Vets
Over 50s Vets Semi Finals Results:
Canterbury 8/165 def by Lyndale 5/167
Lyndale Vets scored an impressive away Semi-Final win at Highfield Park by chasing down the Canterbury's total in the 33rd over. Canterbury made a postive start with skipper Adam Powick (38) and Paul O'Grady (23) pushing the score to 1/75. However middle order wickets tumbled thanks to excellent Lyndale bowling. Despite Richard Wicks brisk 38 from 34, 165 looked a short on the lightening quick outfield. Adam Richmond finished with 3/21. In response, despite losing an early wicket, Lyndale were too strong, especially down the order. Opener Russell Anderson top scored with 40, while Adam Richmond completed an excellent all round match making 32 from 34 to go with his three wickets. Jon Moodie (2/20) was the pick of the bowlers.
Mont Albert 6/136 def North Alphington Panthers 7/135
This one looked like it was finishing early as North Alphington, after winning the toss, collapsed to be 7 down for not many. But an exceptional recovery thanks to Richard Price (40ret) and Chris Price (36*) - who are not related saw the visitors post a defendable 7/135.
Brad Woodhouse 2/22 and Phil Avery 3/14 did the damage with the ball. NAP late order momentum carried over to the bowling innings - with some excellent stump to stump bowling on the slowish, wearing Mont Albert Reserve wicket reaping LBWs and a bowled to have Mont Albert in a spot of bother at 5/53. In all the mayhem that quick wickets brings, number three Phil Avery (42) kept his nerve and with support from Terry Smit (25) and then Chris Wijayadharmadasa (17*) navigated his side (to almost) over the line in the 35th over. Chris Wijayadharmadasa hit the winning runs. We are awarding Phil Avery player of the match!
28 February - Grand Final: Mont Albert v Lyndale at Mont Albert Reserve
Play HQ Semi-Finals Div 1 Scorecards. Over 50s Vets
Mont Albert Number 3, Phil Avery hits a ball backward of square for runs in the Semi Final Over 50s Vets semi-final match against North Alphington. Photo ©Chris Mirabella 2025
Mount Waverley United's Nick Murray hits a ball for runs in his Over 40s Division 4 Semi Final against STC South Camberwell Photo ©Chris Mirabella 2025
STCs Christopher Knott bowled an exceptional spell picking up 5 wickets in the Over 40s Division 1 Semi Final against Mount Waverley. Photo ©Chris Mirabella 2025