Cricket
6 March, 2025
Donald Jeffcott aim for back-to-back
The Wimmera Mallee Cricket Association Grand Finals will be held, Saturday, March 8. Donald Jeffcott, who won both grades last year, will aim for back-to-back titles.
In A-grade, Donald Jeffcott will play Birchip at Anzac Park in Warracknabeal. Donald Jeffcott finished first with 12 wins and one loss and defeated St Marys to make the grand final, while Birchip finished third with seven wins and six losses, upsetting Marnoo on the weekend to make it.
They have played twice this year in the one-day format, with Donald Jeffcott winning on both occasions.
In round three they won by 70 runs and in round nine, they won by two wickets in a tight match.
Donald Jeffcott are the superior batting team with Daniel Atkins second on the table this year with 378 runs at an average of 31.5, 68 behind Marnoo's Nic Baird. Lachlan Jones is third on 349 at 69.8, and Cooper Anderson sixth with 259 runs at 19.92.
Birchip's top batsman for the season is Rylee Smith, who has scored 226 runs at 37.67. Riley Doran is the only other Birchip player to score over 200 runs, with 218 at 27.25.
Donald Jeffcott also led the way in the bowling, boasting a potent attack of Cooper Anderson, Daniel Atkins and Eddie Landwehr.
Anderson has taken 23 wickets at an average of 11.26, Atkins 21 at 10.38, and Landwehr 18 at 7.17.
Birchip's bowling is also strong, with Jonty Randall leading the way with 19 wickets at an average of 10.16 and Rylee Smith with 17 at 8.18. Riley Doran also has 17 at 13.29.
Despite Birchip's strong bowling attack, Donald Jeffcott has the better all-round ability and should come away with the win.
Donald Jeffcott and Watchem will square off at Marnoo Recreation Reserve in B-grade.
Donald Jeffcott finished on top of the ladder with 11 wins and two losses, defeating the Southern Mallee Giants to make it, while Watchem finished third with nine wins and four losses and defeated the highly rated Charlton.
They have played twice this year in the one-day format, and have a 1-1 record, setting up an intriguing finale.
In round four, Watchem won by five wickets. In round 10, Donald Jeffcott won by 111 runs after scoring 284.
Donald Jeffcott has the edge in the batting department. Andrew Bayles has scored 379 runs at an average of 63.17, Thomas Reeke 360 at 45, Kalon Green 248 at 27.56, and Sam Postlethwaite 241 at 30.13.
Watchem's Ty Colbert leads the league with 493 runs at an average of 54.78. Daniel Slater is sixth with 269 runs at 26.9, and Daniel Tatarskyj is ninth with 196 runs at 24.5.
Watchem has the better bowling attack, which will trouble their opponents. Austin Dean leads the league with 22 wickets at an average of 9.64, Connor Boyle has 21 at 11.95, and Ty Colbert has 16 at 17.31.
Donald Jeffcott's bowling attack is led by Thomas Reekie and Niluke Nanayakkara who have 14 wickets each at 15.21 and 15.50 respectively.
If Watchem's bowlers bowl to their potential, and can get a few key wickets, that will give them the edge in what is expected to be a close match.