BEN Cooper knew what mindset he needed to get a hat-trick. The youngster had claimed two wickets in a row on three occasions but the magic third never came for him. On Saturday, the Woolsthorpe cricketer grabbed two successive wickets. "I just thought the next one had to be like it was an ordinary bowl," he said. It worked for the 14-year-old as he knocked off the bails to grant him his first hat-trick. "I was pretty excited," he said. His first victim was also bowled and the second caught in slips. Ben, who finished with 3-13 off three overs, is a busy boy as he also lines up for Woolsthorpe's B grade side each Saturday. He thanked colts coach David Cranwell and B grade teammate Robbie Walsh for helping him with his cricket. Ben's colts side is 5-25 in pursuit of Purnim's 85. The Hawkesdale P-12 student was not able to contribute to his side's total as his hat-trick was followed by a duck.
A LITTLE bit of luck has fallen the way of East Warrnambool, Woodford and West Warrnambool.
Warrnambool and District Cricket Association (WDCA) has released its Twenty20 Cup draw, with president Robert Haberfield explaining the opening round fixture was picked randomly. A division two side is guaranteed to advance to the second round this summer, with East and the Eels clashing. They will be joined there by West Warrnambool, which has secured the automatic right to advance by gaining a first round bye. You would think WDCA would want its strongest teams progressing through the rounds, so why not use last season's WDCA standings as a guide to determine the Twenty20 draw?
Common sense says it should have been something like: Allansford v East Warrnambool, Russells Creek v Woodford, Nestles v Koroit, Brierly v Wesley CBC and Merrivale v West. With Dennington being the competition's reigning premier, it deserves the round one bye.
WDCA's 2008-09 Cricketer of the Year has quickly settled into Premier Cricket. Former Russells Creek all-rounder Kyle Humphrys scored 111 for Fitzroy Doncaster thirds on Saturday. His second career century comes after some healthy innings since he moved to Melbourne. He has also posted scores of 56, 65, 33 and 37 for the Lions' thirds and is averaging 54.
CAMPERDOWN Cricket Club's 150th anniversary weekend was a success. The feature was a reunion dinner on Saturday night, with more than 90 people attending. They were able to hear letters of congratulations from cricketing greats Neil Harvey, Ricky Ponting and Richie Benaud.
A LAKERS legends team was annnounced. It was made up of legends who played at the Lakes Recreation Reserve since Camperdown relocated there in 1972. The team selected in batting order was Allan McKenzie, Colin Jennings, Peter Hall, Michael Connors, Paul Mahon, John Molan, Bill Hosking, Sean Justin, Ray Riches, Michael Kavenagh, Stephen Wright and Rob McLaughlin.
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