CHRISTMAS decorations are already up around the place so we may as well reveal what Dennington captain-coach Glenn Skinner wants this festive season. He wants his players healthy. The Dogs have been struck with two injuries to key players - Dustin Drew and Matthew Gunther. "Drewy would have to have the softest hands in cricket," Skinner joked. "He split his webbing in his hand. He's got a steel splint in there for another three weeks so I'd be surprised if he's even back in early January." Gunther has a broken toe, with Skinner giving him a 50-50 chance to return after this weekend's break. The skipper said Drew would be sorely missed leading up to Christmas as he has been opening the Dogs' batting and bowling and is a leader of the side.

WHEN Hawkesdale's Chris Bartlett hit a six almost a fortnight ago, he really smashed it... into a windscreen. The car on the receiving end belonged to Killarney captain Heaton Jarrad, a teacher at Hawkesdale P-12 College. Barlett made 88 against the Crabs while on Sunday he posted an unbeaten 154 against Panmure Pups. His latest score didn't include any sixes. Perhaps he subconsciously avoided clearing the fence in a bid to prevent another insurance claim?

STEP aside boys and let the men show you how it's done. A few seasoned Warrnambool and District Cricket Association players proved their staying power on the weekend. While Brierly veterans Dale Mitchell and Andrew Giblin steered the Bulls to victory over Russells Creek, Bill Fary was man of the match at Merrivale.

Not only did he grab a five-wicket haul on day one but he top-scored on Saturday with 61 to guide the Tigers to beat Wesley. Merrivale captain-coach Michael Walsh explained the club president, who he believed was pushing 50, was a late inclusion. "We had a couple of blokes out but I think he's still good enough to play in the ones," the skipper said. "It didn't surprise me one bit what he did. He keeps saying he'll go back to the twos and he's happy to give up his spot but hopefully he'll continue playing with us.