Tag Archives: Bloods

Warrandyte set for a ton of finals action

Heading into the New Year, a majority of the Warrandyte teams would have felt they were lower on the table than they would have liked.
Some close losses hurt and add a disjointed start to the season, the break was a chance to clear the mind and come back with a renewed sense of vigour.
Clubs look to their leaders for guidance and at times for that spark.
In the case of 1st XI captain Ben Taylor, it was less a spark and more a roaring blaze, as back-to-back hundreds — 123 not out and a 110 in an outright victory — plus an 11-wicket match from Nuwan Liyanapathirana have set the Bloods up for another finals tilt.
Results from the opening rounds of 2023 are below.

MATCH REPORT:

Bloods sweat and tear through Wantirna South’s Webb

The forecast for 38 degrees forced the lower grades to be called off, but for four of Warrandyte’s teams, it meant game day was still very much on.
Losing the toss and being sent to bowl against Wantirna South, the 2nd XI would need to make sure they didn’t let the game get away from them early.
Bowling a wide-ish line to start, the Bloods picked up two wickets for just 14 runs which had the energy high.
But, C. Webb from Wantirna South looked to steer the game away from the home side, and at the drinks break it was 2/38.
The heat was rising and the pressure to find the breakthrough increased.
Unable to really get a partnership going with Webb, Wantirna South lost 2 wickets more before tea, but had added nearly 50 more runs, 4/86.
Crucially, only 36 overs had been bowled, and with the heat getting more oppressive, a strong partnership after the break could all but put Warrandyte out of the game.
And indeed that is what happened, as the two Wantirna south batsman made a great start, Webb hitting a four first ball after tea to bring up 50, and then the runs started flowing, boundaries and quick singles, the Bloods struggling to find an answer to this onslaught, within nine overs of the restart, Wantirna South had put on 50 runs for no wicket, and Webb was into the nineties.
Things looked dire for Warrandyte, before a fantastic catch from Brown had the young Bloods back with energy, Webb was still in on 92 but suddenly the game had a bit of intrigue.
Three maidens in a row and then another outstanding catch, this time from Warren.
Then another wicket, first ball, and suddenly Malluwawadu was on a hattrick.
This game was heating up, both literally and metaphorically.
Inches, mere inches, from a hattrick, Warrandyte controlled the end of the innings and rolled the visitors for 186, C. Webb making 123 not out.
With 19 overs to face in the first days play, Warrandyte came out and just went for it.
Brown made 50 inside the first seven overs, Malluwawadu following suit, hitting 50 off 46 balls.
Warrandyte nearly had 100 inside 14 overs and, had Brown not been caught and bowled, the game could have finished on day one.
As it was, Warrandyte was 1/114 at the close of play, and a game that looked like it was slipping away, was suddenly all but won.

The following week, Warrandyte knew that the game was there to be won early and a potential chance to hit the runs quickly and then try to bowl Wantirna South out again, but to the visitor’s credit the bowling was tight, and made the Bloods earn every run.
Slowly but steadily the target was chased down, at the score hit 150, 3 wickets down all the Bloods players in the stand were suddenly glued to their phones, and the MyCricket app, as news that first XI captain Ben Taylor was again in the 90s whipped around the ground.
After a few minutes of score tracking, and the news that it was back-to-back tons for Taylor, the gaze switched back to the middle, and the drinks break which saw the Bloods 3/158 off 39.
Chasing this kind of target, you lose wickets going for quick runs.
As the game plan was to try and be proactive, it was Lachlan Haberfield with a four to bring up the runs for victory, and then he hit two into the creek, bringing up 200.
50 in 55 balls and the lead passed 50 as 3pm rolled in.
At tea, the Bloods were 7/260, with 44 overs left in the day.
Some 4 overs later and some quick-hitting, Warrandyte had a lead of 107, and send Wantirna South back in.
Another 18 overs later with the score 0/18 and a rare Haberfield over, the players shook hands and walked off the ground.
Warrandyte with a win that now has them in a strong position to make the top four and gives them a shot at the double chance.

1st XI

Round 10
Warrandyte 6/235
def
Kilsyth 232

B. Taylor 123*
L. McAlary 52, N. Liyanapathirana 4/39, B. Matherson 3/45

Round 11
Mooroolbark 89 & 123
def by
Warrandyte 4/215 (dec)

B. Taylor 110, N. Liyanapathirana 4/33 & 7/34

2nd XI

Round 10
Kilsyth 5/165
def by
Warrandyte 4/167

A. White 2/32 & 54*, H. Brown 55

Round 11
Warrandyte 9/293
def
Wantirna South 186 & 0/18

Malluwawadu 64 & 3/61,
H. Brown 58, L. Haberfield 53
(Special mention to Wantirna South player C. Webb with 127* & 5/105)

3rd XI

Round 9
Hoddles Creek 2/155
def
Warrandyte 8/152

HM Hodgson 34

Round 10
Warrandyte 7/195
def
North Ringwood 8/193

B. Bowyer 49, JP Aitken 39 & 2/31, M. Whitbread 3/25

4th XI

Round 9
St Andrews 3/106
def
Warrandyte 105

N. Croft 32

Round 10
Warrandyte 124
def by
Yarra Glen 6/128

J. Weatherley 50

5th XI

Round 9
Warrandyte
def
Wantirna South
(forfeit)

Round 10
Montrose 6/248
def
Warrandyte 6/238

D. El Moussalli 66, S. Goddard 45

6th XI

Round 9
Warrandyte 6/205
def
Hoddles Creek 5/186

A. Barclay 49, D. El Moussalli 44, M. Butcher 43

Round 10
Chirnside Park 6/188
def
Warrandyte 8/165

G. Warren 4/39, M. Butcher 53

7th XI

Round 9
Lilydale 133
def by
Warrandyte 9/143

B. Stubbs 3/13, M. Tredrea 2/17 & 46

Round 10
Wonga Park 3/120
def
Warrandyte 117

C. Prior 2/10

8th XI

Round 9
Warrandyte 5/179
def
Chirnside Park 7/177

S. Grocott 53*

Round 10
South Croydon 5/135
def by
Warrandyte 6/152

R. Potter 3/19

Women’s 1st XI

Round 9
Warrandyte 3/153
def
Officer 67

V. Muleta 50* & 2/10, L. Trevena 30*, R. Watts 4/8

Round 10
Wandin 1/106
def
Warrandyte 7/96

Round 11
Warrandyte 2/99
def by
Yarra Junction 2/108

Y. Ziada 48*

Round 13
St Andrews 1/145
def
Warrandyte 5/143

V. Muleta 65

Round 14
BYE

Templestowe win the tussle

Templestowe won over Warrandyte in the annual STOP. One Punch Can Kill cup, with both Reserve and Senior outfits winning comprehensively.

STOP. One Punch Can Kill, an organization founded in 2013 by Caterina Politi after the tragic death of her son, David Cassai (a member of both the Warrandyte and Templestowe communities), is dedicated to teaching others the dangers of violence.

Both Warrandyte and Templestowe football clubs have been avid supporters of the cause, and changed the name of the Yarra Cup Challenge match to the STOP. One Punch Can Kill Cup in 2016 to further lend their hand to the organization.

Reserves

The Reserves struggled early in the game, kicking just the one major in the opening quarter.

Zac Ratcliffe continued his good form, constantly attacking the ball, but Warrandyte couldn’t manage to create clear-cut forward chances.

However, Warrandyte’s defence held firm, managing to restrict Templestowe well throughout the first half, and holding the margin to just 19 points at the major break.

Unfortunately, Josh Huntly sustained a broken arm in the second quarter, an injury that will see him spend a significant amount of time on the sideline.

The Bloods started the third term with great purpose, peppering the goals and generally running over Templestowe.

Sadly, Warrandyte would rue missed opportunities in front of goal to bring the game within reach, and despite only trailing by 16 points at three quarter time, fell by over eight goals at the final siren 3.7 25 to 12.5 77.

Seniors

The Senior side mirrored the Reserves early in the game, finishing the first quarter without recording a score while Templestowe piled on five goals.

In the second term Warrandyte managed to click into gear, with young star David Wilson kicking two terrific majors to ignite the Bloods.

Former Templestowe player Michael Cullum also managed to get one on the board as Warrandyte continued the charge, outscoring Templestowe for the quarter to trail by 29 points at the half.

Throughout the second half, emotion began to get the better of a few players out on the park, but both sides settled down to continue a decent second half of footy.

The Bloods, in particular Cullum, Troy Ratcliffe and Wilson, fought bravely throughout the third and fourth term, with Cullum adding another major.

Sadly, the Bloods were unable to make any real inroads on the margin, with Templestowe continuing to pick apart the defence to score when necessary.

When the final siren sounded, the Bloods trailed by 42 points, 7.10 52 to 14.10 94.

The Bloods face off against fierce rivals Ringwood in their next fixture – again at Warrandyte Reserve – and will look to secure a vital victory.

Despite a less than ideal result, the club can take away that STOP. One Punch Can Kill’s message about the dangers one punch can do was delivered.

Photo sourced from Warrandyte Football Club Facebook page

Warrandyte junior footy teams chase flags

LOCALS are urged to put a few hours aside this Sunday to lend their support to two Warrandyte Junior Football Club teams who have made it through to the grand final in the Yarra Junior Football League.

The two teams are the Under 14s (above, celebrating a recent victory) and the Under 15s (below), who both will play at Victoria Park Lower at 12.30pm and 2.45pm respectively, which means the Red & White army of supporters can set up camp at the one venue and watch the two Grand Finals in a row.

Both teams have not only made the big dance, but are red-hot favourites and had the luxury of a weekend off after smashing victories last Sunday week.

The U15s finished their year second on the ladder with an impressive nine wins from 14 matches. They came into their semi final full of confidence after winning their last three matches of the season.

In the first week of the finals the Bloods travelled to Bundoora, who finished on top of the ladder, only losing four matches all year. Our boys dished out an impressive performance and gave the home team a lesson as they smashed Bundoora 14.14.98 d 5.4.34. The win meant the U15s could progress straight to the Grand Final and have a week off.

Eugene Hanson, coach of the U15s, spoke passionately about how the boys were ready to go and had the potential (playing at their best) to win the Grand Final but had to learn to control their emotions.

“I told them don’t think about the game itself, it’s very important to make the build-up as normal as possible,” he said.

“We have been training to manage and help the players understand the emotions coming into the game. The boys lost a grand final in the U10s competition five years ago and some of them have a fear of losing, so we want to make sure their emotions don’t get the better of them.”

The U15 boys will go into the Grand Final clear favourites as they do battle with Macleod at Victoria Park Lower in Kew at 2.45pm this Sunday (August 28). The good news is our Bloods have beaten Macleod twice throughout the season by comfortable margins. A flag is looking good.

On the same day the U15s rocketed into the grand final, shortly after the U14s followed suit, giving Doncaster no chance of even a sniff of victory as they ran over them 13.5.83 to 5.12.42.

The U14 team’s road to the finals was solid as they finished the regular season on top of the ladder, winning 11 of their possible 15 games, including only one loss in the last 11 (to Preston who was bundled out last week). What made the U14s semi final win even more impressive was that Doncaster finished second, also on 11 wins, with only percentage separating the two teams.

Warrandyte will battle it out with Banyule in the Grand Final after the Bears beat Doncaster in the preliminary final by one goal on Sunday.

U14s coach Andrew Wallace says he is very confident and reckons if the boys “stay strong and work as a team” and “keep their heads up until the final siren” they can pull off a win.

Warrandyte’s U14s will play Banyule at Victoria Park Lower, Kew, at 12.30pm this Sunday (the match before the U15s).

Both coaches and the rest of the WJFC urge Warrandytians to head down to the grand finals this Sunday and support our young Bloods as they hunt for flag glory.

Save