What's New

100 Games

Thomas Nichols, The President has been a reluctant cricketer in recent years & injury has held him back. Whilst contributing huge amounts off the field for such a longtime it’s great to see him enjoying time in the field again. 

100 Games

Nathan Skewes returning to the club after a long hiatus primarily due to work commitments,  Skewsy quickly found his feet & surpassed the 100 game milestone. It’s great to have him back around the club. Keep them coming 🏏

150 Wickets

 Fantastic effort by Creati reaching the 150 wicket mark for the club. His skiddy in-swingers offer a point of difference & he has been a proven wicket taker in any grade he plays. Plenty more wickets in you Creati 🏏

1,000 Runs

Scott Hems is enjoying his time back at the club after a long break from cricket, Hemsy has ticked over 1000 runs for the club this season. A fantastic effort with some valuable middle to late order knocks for the fifths. Good Work Scott 🏏

1,000 Runs

Anthony Creati on the back of his bowling milestone, surpassing 1000 runs also shows his versatility as an all rounder. A solid middle order batsman who also has the ability to chase quick runs. Keep up the good work Creati 🏏

50 Games

Josh Mills is arguably playing his career best cricket this season, Millsy has had better continuity on the field with work & it shows in his results. A passionate bloke to have around the club & a valuable all rounder. Keep them coming Millsy 🏏

200 Games

Michael Knight a strong club contributor for 20+ years, Mick has given his all in every game with bat, ball or in the field. Micks efforts over his career have been lauded both internally & at league level. This 200 game milestone is testimony to his loyalty, determination & resilience, particularly in recent years playing through injury. Great work Mick 🏏

500 Runs

Josh Mills a great effort surpassing 500 club runs, most of which were scored in the top to middle order. Never shirks a situation & willing to bat wherever the team needs him. Well done Millsy 🏏

500 Runs

Liam Radlof a model of consistency since coming to the club over the last couple of years. Liam had a reputation as a dasher but soon proved there was much more to his game than extravagant stroke play. Opening in the top grade he has shown great concentration & resilience. Done well Radlof, keep up the good work 🏏

200 Games

Cam Egan a staple of the top team for a number of years, Cam this year surpassed the 200 club game milestone. A sublimely talented player, Cam made his name as an all rounder but in recent seasons has taken the keeping gloves. 200 games is testimony to his resilience, love of the game & his loyalty. Well done Cam 🏏

4,000 Runs

Danyel Attard devotes a lot of his time to cricket. Be it shared between his sons or coaching or playing. There aren’t too many times during the week you won’t find him within 100 yards of a cricket pitch. Milestones like these most likely pale in comparison to playing with his sons but that doesn’t make the milestone any less special. If anything, it would only add to the shine. Well done Dan Attard in reaching 4,000 club runs. I’m sure his got a list of names he wants to catch yet!

Past Players Day

VRI hosted its 2nd past players day! The weather was absolutely beautiful and the drinks, memories and laughter were flowing just as good! Was great to see a few of the younger faces as well. The club was also gifted a piece of VRI history a baggy blue from the late 60’s early 70’s from John Wakeling we can not wait to display it. 

6,000 Runs

Jason Smith a bloke who would tell you otherwise but appears ageless. He continues to make runs regularly and selflessly makes himself available for whatever grade of cricket he is needed in. Exactly two years to the day since he passed the 5,000 run mark and starting the season needing 417 runs to reach this milestone, it shows the resilience and determination exhibited weekly by him to continue achieving success. Well done Jason Smith in reaching 6,000 club runs. A legend in every aspect of the word.

Stand Up Comedy Night

VRI once again hosted On The Road Comedy. What a great night and such a good laugh! Was great to see most seats we filled! The comedian were Billy Stiles, Dave O'Neil, Matt O'Neil and Evan Hocking. Highly recommended attending the next one!

 

VRI Blaster Program

Our 8 week program came to an end. We had 9 kids register which they all enjoyed every lesson they came to! We hope to see them all back next year :) 

    

500 Runs

Mark Ryan as versatile a player as you could ever hope to have. Taken on the captaincy of the 3rd XI Div 2 in his third year at the club, a wealth of cricketing experience has seen him anchor innings or put the pressure on the opposition by turning on the quick runs. An opening batsman that deserves all the accolades he receives as an opener. Well done Mark

1,000 Runs

John came to VRI from the great Grampians town of Stawell. Willing to bat any where in the order that’s required. Currently opening the batting for our 1st side well into his 40s, last week made a man of the match innings of 74 batting for 50 overs. You will see him around the club both at training and after game days drinking his favourite beverage ‘VIC’ 

1,500 Runs

Josh Kennedy…a return that can only be described as a sight for sore eyes. Always a man of few words and ever modest, he has managed to accumulate over 1,500 runs for VRI. Stranded on his highest score of 95* only a few weeks ago, he has become Mr. Dependable with bat in hand. Too bad he’s banned from any more Jag the Joker draws. Well done, Keno!

3,500 Runs

Big congratulations to Joshua Ryan, played over 200 games for VRI through all divisions. Josh hasn’t only been a great server for the club but also a great comedian & great servant to the duck pond in a couple of those years, his charismatic smile and white line fever on the ground has been a big morale boost over the years at the club. Hopefully many more runs and laughs to come.

250 Games

A massive congratulations to club stalwart Les Baxter who last round played his 250th game for the club Vs Golden Point. Les has been a consistent performer with the ball for almost 25 years at the VRICC. 8 times he has taken 5 wicket hauls & currently sits 3rd as our all time wicket taker on 376. Hopefully 400 wickets in sight. Well done Les ⭐️

Trivia Night

We hosted a trivia night which was a great success! Lots of new faces which we love to see! The cougars were the champions for the night. We would love to thank everyone for there donations time and help for the night to be as smoothly as it was!

Life Members & Sponsors Day

VRI hosted its first Life members and Sponsors day. Was a great day with lots of laughter and memories that were talked about. Definitely something we look to continue again next season. We also believe it's the first time these boys have ever had a sit down meal in the clubrooms 🤣

2,500 Runs

Congratulations to Cam Egan who knocked up a brilliant 70 on the weekend to take him past 2,500 runs for VRI. Well done Cam 🏏

Shirt Presentation

VRI hosted a shirt presentation for our junior and senior players along with a BBQ dinner.

   

Season Launch - Barefoot Bowls

Our Barefoot Bowls Season Launch was a massive success and everyone had smiles on their faces! Thank you to everyone who came along today it was great to see more kids coming along and everyone getting involved 💕 Also should probably congratulate the winners Ben Tuovinen & John Johnston! Better start training for the back to back win 🏆

      
400 Wickets & 5,000 Runs!

Congratulations to Jeromy Johnston on making 5,000 runs and also taking 400 wickets for VRI! This is a massive achievement and one we are proud to watch him reach. Jez has played his whole cricket career juniors to seniors at VRI, he is a life member for our club and has been a Major Sponsor for many consecutive years. Jez has played 234 games, made 5012 runs, Highest career runs is 162, 3 100's and 26 50's. Jez has bowled 13,104 balls, 526 maidens, taken 400 wickets which 12 of them were 5 for's. Well done Jez and good luck for the 250 games that you are approaching!

200 Games

Congratulations to Dan Attard who played his 200th game! Dan has a long history with the club that spans well over 20 years as well as being honoured as a life member. On the field he has made a valuable contribution with both bat and ball. He is closing on almost 4000 runs, 2 100s and 17 50s. With the ball he has taken 283 wickets and has also taken 68 catches. Off the field Dan has made invaluable contributions in the junior program, a coach and committee member for many years!

100 Games

Congratulations to Stuart Wren who played his 100th game! Its taken Stu 10 years to achieve this milestone due to his work commitments but when we get him on the park he is great to have in any side. Stu has a highest score of 58 not out, best bowling of 3/10 and was a member of the 2014/15 Division 3 Premiership team. Well done Stu!

Inaugural Past Players Day!

VRI hosted its first Inaugural Past Players Day and it was an absolute hit, everyone enjoyed the day! The past players created a great atmosphere for the boys playing, giving them the boost when they really needed to push harder. Thank you to all involved!!

Sunday Stand Up Comedy!

Our first On the Road Comedy show! Was a great afternoon can not wait for next year! 

Under 11s!

Our under 11's finally got a game and they loved it!

Girls Blaster Program!

Today saw the start of the Delacombe PS all girls blaster program in conjunction with VRI Delacombe CC. We hope this 4 week program is the first step towards us having an all girls team in the not too distant future! Well done girls!! 

2022/23 Captains and Vice Captains

Congrulations to Captains & Vice Captains 

Outdoor Net Completion!

We finally got our new nets!

  

Season Launch - Barefoot Bowls

Season launch of Lawn bowls was a success and fun was had by everyone of all ages. Was great to see partners and some kids attending as well. Congratulations to the winners   

Lets continue the great attendance and fun throughout the coming season.

Pre-Season Training

With Season 2022-23 rapidly approaching, we have drawn up the following Pre-Season training schedule which will lead into our main training.

Tunnels Sessions - 7^th August - Sundays (weekly) between 2-4pm until the season commences.

Available to all players wanting to have a hit. Anyone wanting to book a private session we do have the online booking link, it is $30 per hour.

Stadium Training - 16^th August – Tuesdays weekly until the season commences 5-6:30pm. Juniors and seniors are invited to attend as a club bonding training session.

Outdoor Training - 6^th September – Tuesdays (weekly) between 5:30-7pm

27^th September - Tuesday and Thursday training 4:30-7:30

A big focus this season will be to incorporate our new nets as much as possible whilst performing other drills and match simulations out on the oval. We are in the process of forming a Selection Committee that will oversee all selection of teams in conjunction with selected team captains.

Nights where the weather plays havoc will see us into the stadium for an alternate session to try and build morale around the club. Still bring all your gear to each training session.

 

Renegades Roadshow

VRI Delacombe Cricket Club were fortunate enough to be a part of the renegade’s roadshow. Tuesday 26^th of July we visited Lumen Christi primary School, there was about 80 kids in grade 3/4s that were out through their paces by frontline renegade players Will Sutherland & Georgia Wareham. Hopefully some VRI Delacombe stars of the future!

 

Welcome to Jordan Wilkes @ VRI Delacombe

My name is Jordan Wilkes and it is with great pleasure that I introduce myself as the new coach for Season 2022-23 (and hopefully beyond) at VRI Delacombe Cricket Club. 

Having started my cricket journey where all greats do, Major League Indoor Cricket Centre Ballarat, my love for the game grew from there. I played my entire junior career at North Ballarat before progressing into the senior ranks. 

A couple of years off to enjoy the last years of my teens and I found myself playing in a small league just outside of Ballarat, the Pyrenees Cricket Association. An eye opening experience, it is definitely something I would recommend to any cricketer to try at least once. Some of the Bradman’s of the Bush would only be discovered in leagues like this. 

A season with Manor Lakes in the Western Suburbs Churches League then saw my return to the BCA through VRI. Work and life somewhat took over and limited my availability to play seeing me transfer to the Maryborough & District Cricket Association to play alongside a few mates at Clunes. 

When the opportunity to apply for the coaching role with VRI arose, I jumped at it with both hands as I was highly impressed with the direction of the club under the leadership of Tom Nichols as well as the plethora of junior talent coming through to the senior ranks, a lot of whom were just starting their junior careers the last time I was at the club. 

It is from here that I hope to help continue building a strong family-oriented club the can sustain success at a competitive level for years to come. I’m always happy to talk anything cricket and can usually be found on game days by the bar with a few amber cordials in hand. 

Hope to see you all this season. 

Go Dragons!!!

• Lillee Barendsen

 

Congratulations to our young gun Lillee on an outstanding season of cricket! Lillee received the NWA player of the season, Team of the year, NWA Batting Average & NWA U18 MVP @ the WCCCC Awards night! Keep up the amazing work  Lillee!!

 

 

Life Member ~ Jeromy Johnston

 

Jeromy’s cricket career started when he was 11 in the under 14 and has played 21 seasons at the club.

In that time he has been a part of an under 14s, under 16s, district division 2 and a BCA 2nds premiership’s.

He has also won the David Nichols division one B&F 7 times 6 of them in a row and the Mick Hampson club champion 4 Times. All of this on top of Jeromy’s outstanding stats go into making him one of if not the best cricketer VRI ever had.

Well done Jez congratulations!!

 

• ~ Year Books for Sale ~

 

Our 2021-2022 are still available to be purchased for $15 each! During the off season we are happy if anyone wanted to purchase a book and we get it to you in a timely manner!

Account Name: VRI Cricket Club

BSB: 063862

Account: 10457986

Once money has been sent to us if you could please send us a message with your address that would be great!

 

 

Winners are Grinners!!

Big congratulations to our U15 side on winning the premiership, defeating Wendouree 10-147, VRI 7-238.

Was a fantastic effort by the whole team. Not every day you win a premiership let alone back to back.

Thanks to Dan Attard and all the parents throughout the year.