Our first involves wicketkeeper-batsman Wayne Jenkins. This shot (right) was taken in the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association (WDCA) grand final of 1980-81.

Jenkins was playing for Kraft-Allansford against Merrivale.

As Jenkins explains, it was an innings swimming very much against the tide.

“We led on the first innings by 13 runs but they made a huge score in the second innings,” Jenkins recalls.

“They had a good bowling attack so we were under real pressure batting a second time.

“I sprained my ankle on the Thursday night playing basketball so I was hoping I didn’t have to bat.

“But they had a good attack so we lost enough wickets for me to have to face the music. I was on crutches so I had to get rid of them.

“I hung around for about three quarters of an hour and made four.

“The aim was to try and bat the day out but we couldn’t, they ended up big winners.”

It was to be Jenkins’ last game for Kraft-Allansford, making the move to Port Fairy the following season. 

Jenkins went on to forge a long career for the Pirates, gaining life membership. Jenkins said a career highlight was opening the batting with his son Mark in a division three game for Port Fairy. The pair both made centuries, leading their team to a score of 0-250.  

The opening round of the Grassmere Cricket Association (GCA) season will be played this Saturday. The GCA A grade competition will comprise of all two-day games, with the first round featuring Hawkesdale vs Purnim, Killarney vs Wangoom, Yambuk vs Panmure and Grassmere vs Mailors Flat.  Woolsthorpe has the bye.

Saturday marks the beginning of the WDCA division two competition.

East Warrnambool YCW is the only division one club without a team in division two, with its second senior side playing in division three.

Koroit and Nirranda’s division two teams will be the highest ranking teams at both clubs.

Opener Patrick Sinnott will lead the Saints. Matthew Webster will again lead the charge with the bat for Koroit while youngster Matthew Sinnott will be a player to watch with the ball.

Nirranda has made the step back from division one this year.

Allrounder Jarryd Walsh will be a key player for the Knights, as will opening bowler Christopher Haberfield. 

With turf wickets still some time away from being ready to play on, the WDCA has called on help from the GCA to make sure there is a enough grounds to play on.

Woolsthorpe Recreation Reserve and Peter McDonald Oval in Purnim will host WDCA division two games this weekend.

The close working relationship between the WDCA and the GCA has extended to junior cricket.

The GCA does not have a junior competition this season but will have a presence in the WDCA.

Panmure will field a team in the under 17s competition while combined Moyne Shire/GCA teams will play in both the under 13 and 15 grades.    

WDCA juniors begin this week with the under 15s in action on Friday night and the under 13s on Saturday morning.

The first round of under 17s, which will be Twenty20 games, will be played on Tuesday.

WDCA president Gordon McLeod said he was thrilled with player numbers.

“We are very happy, overall the amount of junior players and teams are up on last year,” McLeod said.

“It’s terrific to have the GCA teams playing, it’s a real plus for the competition. 

“In the under 17s, Dennington and Koroit have teams after not having one last year and Nestles and West Warrnambool have stand alone teams after combining last season.” 

The WDCA season is underway with a round of one-day games last Saturday.

It was a mixed bag when it came to the battle between bat and ball.

Winning scores from the weekend were 253, 140, 220, 163 and 131. 

The team batting first won three of the five games, with 220 from Nestles the highest successful run chase.

Getting your eye in early in the season can be tough and that proved the case for a few openers on the weekend.

Opening partnerships in the main across round one struggled to get going, with more misses than hits.

Five of the 10 first-wicket stands failed to reach double figures.

Only two made it over 50, with the highest an 87-run stand between Geoff Williams and Caleb Bidmade.

We welcome feedback or ideas from the cricket community for our weekly column.

Email us at warrnamboolstandard@fairfaxmedia.com.au 

1. Cam Williams (Russells Creek) 84

2. Nick Butters (Woodford) 65 & 3/24

3. Geoff Williams (Nestles) 65

4. Shashan De Silva (Russells Creek) 61

5. Ben Threlfall (West Warrnambool) 60

6. Josh Stapleton (Merrivale) 56* & 1/23

7. Jacob Hetherington (Nestles) 55* & 1/31

8. Joe Kenna (Russells Creek) 3/35

9. Darren Lloyd (Port Fairy) 3/8 & 28

10. Thomas Moloney (East Warrnambool) 4/42

11. Jason Perera (Port Fairy) 4/6