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| THREE WAY TIE IN WILLOWFEST AWARD |
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| There was an unprecedented three way tie in the Globalwater Willowfest Player of the Carnival award. Three players, Lachlan Skinner of the Sunraysia Daily Demons, Sandy Hodge of the Johnny Mullagh Squad and Luke Davis of St Marys, all tied on votes. Willowfest Ambassodor Rodney Hogg presented trophies to each of the players at the Presentation Dinner held on Wednesday evening at the Mildura Workingmans Club. Lachlan Skinner helped the Sunraysia Daily Demons to two good wins in the Tourism Victoria C-Grade competition of the Carnival, with a 46 not out effort on Day 3 and a 64 not out on the last day to catch the umpires votes. Sandy Hodge of the Johnny Mullagh Squad had a terrific carnival scoring a total of 265 runs at an average of 66.25, with a highest score of 94 not out on Day 1 and 83 runs on Day 3. Hodge was a vital part of the team that although they went down to Mont Albert in the Mildura Workingmans Club B-Grade competition, they have vowed to return next year with a better team to take out the title. While St Mary’s didn’t enjoy a lot of team success during the championships, star batsman Luke Davis was a consistent contributor for his team with scores of 43, 37, 24, and 16 in the Tourism Victoria C-grade competition. Two players also tied for Player of the Carnival in the Ladies Section with Sunraysia Heat’s Caitlin Hancock tieing with Brighton’s Donna Moore for the honour. Globalwater Willowfest Committee President Anthony Telfer then announced the Lencia X1 Team of the Carnival HAYDN THORPE- Captain (KANGARILLA) Leading runscorer of the Championships with 329 runs at an average of 109.7, including a highset score of 153 not out. SANDY HODGE (JOHNNY MULLAGH SQUAD) Compiled second highest run aggregate with 265 runs at 66.25 including an unbeaten 94 runs on Day 1 DYLAN KIGHT (TANKARD DENTAL MELRYMPLE) Consistent batsman in Cup Grade with scores of 35, 64 not out and 46. ANDREW WILLASON (MILDURA EAST) Fell painfully short of his century on Day 3 and was only dismissed only twice during the Championships RHYS WEBB (THE FUTURE) Captain of this young C-Grade team and scored 109 runs at an average of 21.8 and took a respectable ten wickets during the Championships to earn the all rounder role in the team. CHRIS SHAW (HUTT RIVER DEDICATION) Leading wicket taker of the Championships with 16 wickets at 7.94 apiece. ROBBIE MARKS (JOHNNY MULLAGH SQUAD) Captain of this enthusiastic team who showed out with the ball taking 11 wickets at 9.09. BILLY ELLIS (MOUNTAIN GOATS) Brought a team from suburban Sydney for their first Willowfest and was rewarded with 11 wickets over the four days TEEI PIANI (WILLOWFEST X1) Took 13 wickets over the Championships including a enormous 8/21 off 8 overs on Day 3. DAMIEN ELYSEE ( ST. MARY’S) Quiet achiever in the bowling ranks taking 11 wickets at the best average of 5.09 SAM SKINNER (O’MALLEY’S PANTHERS) Near flawless display behind the stumps taking 12 catches over the four days and conceding just two byes to be the wicketkeeper. Telfer then paid tribute to the loyal and generous sponsors who have assisted in the continued growth and success of the Championships. He the made a presentation to long serving committee member Creagh Simes, who has been involved in organising the Championships for ten years. |
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| HOGG'S BACK FOR WILLOWFEST! |
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Controversial Australian Cricket Legend Rodney Hogg has agreed to return for this year's Willowfest Australian Cricket Club Championships. Hogg proved a big hit in his role as Ambassador for the Championships last year and his return should add to this years Championships, particularly after Hoggís recent stint to the United Kingdom as a cricket commentator for SBS during the recently completed Ashes Test Series. He has some great insights into how Australia managed to let the weakest English team ever win the Ashes. Controversy seems to follow the Australian fast bowling legend. His first class playing career encompassed a period littered with cricketing incidents that have been embedded in sporting history. The underarm bowling incident, Lilleeís aluminium bat, Marsh's 500-1 winning bet, Boonie 43 can drinking effort, all occurred when Rodney Malcolm Hogg supported the baggy green cap. He played in a cricketing era when characters of the game and controversy came to the fore often. |
Since retiring from cricket, Hogg has continued to generate controversy with his forthright comments on cricket as an acclaimed TV and newspaper journalist and public speaker. In his role as Ambassador, Hogg will be guest speaker at the Final Presentation Dinner and will visit the grounds during play. From Australiaís point of view it the Ashes was tour shrouded with controversy, with Australiaís inconsistent batting, Mitchell Johnsonís erratic bowling and the puzzling team selections, Hoggís slant on proceedings promises to be entertaining and enlighting. Hogg was right on the spot for the entire series so he will be able to give cricket enthusiasts a rare insight into the workings of an Ashes series that will be remembered probably more for the wrong reasons rather than its successes. |
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| WILLOWFEST GOES GREEN WITH COUNCIL SUPPORT |
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| Playing cricket on great turf wickets with lush green outfields is not reserved to just first class players. The Willowfest Australian Cricket Club Championships gives the opportunity for country cricketers to play matches on first class ovals that would rival our first class venues. The Mildura Rural City Council has shown its support to this carnival by providing the valuable water supply to maintain these magnificent ovals over the hot summer months so that the facilities can be at their peak for the Championships starting on 27th January 2009. Council are also undertaking an intensive aeration program on all their sports ovals to improve water infiltration, reduce compaction and improve the health and condition of the playing surfaces. The Willowfest Committee is grateful for the valuable support of the Mildura Rural City Council. Willowfest has been conducted in Mildura for over 30 years and the Championships have grown to be one of the premier cricket championships in regional Australia. Country cricket clubs from all states in south east Australia now compete for over $10,000 in prizemoney over the four day competition. White cricket balls will be used in all games for the Carnival to enhance playing conditions for players and spectators. At the end of play there plenty of social opportunities for all visitors to relax and enjoy, when play is completed. With its great location on the mighty Murray River, fantastic summer weather and vast array of tourist attractions, Mildura is well suited to host such a successful cricket carnival as the Willowfest Australian Cricket Club Championships. Water activities on the Murray River attract many participants and their families to extend their stay to enjoy the great holiday atmosphere of the Sunraysia region. |
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