SECONDS BEST - AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE MEAN!

Champions and Premiers - that's the mantle for Moonee Valley's Second Eleven from season 2014/15.

After going through the regular season undefeated, the team skippered by Jim Polonidis had to dig deep in both finals - withstanding a late charge from Flemington in the semi, and then turning a heavy first innings loss against Maribyrnong Park/St Marys in the Grand Final into a reverse outright and a Premiership.

It was Seconds Best - and certainly not second-best!

It's a credit to the guys that they managed such a herculean turnaround across the four days of the VTCA North B2 Grand Final, played at home at Ormond Park on March 14/15 and 21/22. From 73 all out in the first dig to 9/343 declared in the second, the Valley Boys showed what tough cricket is all about.

When Maribyrnong's last wicket fell around 5pm on the final day, caught keeper Peter Golding off the bowling of coach Rex Bennett, the Valley joy was unrestrained.

The players on the field embraced, and the big contingent of Valley supporters on the boundary also leapt with joy and emotion. It's a Grand Old Flag.

Above right: Matchwinning batsman Channa DeSilva waves a stump to the crowd, as the triumphant team comes off with umpire Brian Lazzaro, led by coach Rex Bennett and keeper Peter Golding on the left.

*****For more photos and a match report from the Premiership, CLICK HERE.

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It's a Grand Old Flag for the Mighty Fighting Sixths

Moonee Valley's Sixth Eleven capped off an unbeaten season when they won the Ralph Barron Shield grand final in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association.

There were a few tense moments across the March 14/15 match, but we prevailed over West Coburg, winning by 54 runs. Our 263 on Day 1, on the back of a magnificent 104 from Sean O'Kane and 59 from Paul Edwards, proved a bridge too far for West Coburg.

Magnificent bowling spells from Peter O'Kane - 25 overs on the trot for 2/85 and captain Mark Gauci - 21 overs in a row for 3/50 - put the choke hold on the opposition, then Sean O'Kane came in at the end with 4/18 to wrap up the Premiership.

It was a wonderful return for Brett Curran, Paul Hobbs and Dean Lawson among a group of parents who came together to Moonee Valley in 2006/07 to play, and  have done everything the club has asked of them.

Along the way they've gathered in some other committed parents and players and over the nine years have been our most consistent team, missing finals only once in that time. Now they've got their reward, and well done to the Mighty Fighting Sixths. You deserve it!

Above: It's a Grand Old Flag - celebrating the Sixths Premiership are L-R Sam Carbone, Peter and Sean O'Kane, Kevin Gardiner and Paul Hobbs.

For more pictures and words, click HERE.

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Valley pair make the Australian team for England

Moonee Valley stalwarts Rex Bennett and Neil King have been selected in the Australian Over 60s team for a tour of England later this year.

Fresh from helping Victoria win the national Over 60s championship, Rex and Neil are looking forward to taking on a number of County teams before playing three Tests back in the Old Dart.

The 18-member touring party has three other Victorians joining Neil and Rex, and Australia will need to have a rotation policy in place as they play 19 games across 27 days, starting in early June.

Rex is two years into his second stint as Moonee Valley coach, while Neil has been back for four seasons after first playing for Valleys in our early years.

Both play for Moonee Valley on Saturdays and then take to the field on Sundays for their respective Over 60s clubs - Neil with Essendon and Rex with Macedon Ranges.

At right: Moonee Valley cricketers selected to play for Australia - Rex Bennett (far left) and Neil King.

Our cricket season comes down to the count

Moonee Valley held its Most Valuable Player and Fieldlow awards count on the March long weekend, and a big group of players had a lot of fun as the votes were read.

The Sunday evening event at the Reunion Bar in Ascot Vale had plenty of spice, as both the Seconds and Sixths had won through to Grand Finals that day - both in games which held a bit of drama.

The Sixths were struggling at 5/65 on the Saturday before posting 222 and rolling Jacana for 131, while the Seconds had the game in hand for much of the two days before shoring up the second innings as Flemington tried for a reverse outright.

So the March 8 MVP night had a bit of a gala to it - but the players also know there's still plenty of hard work to be done before we can truly celebrate.

Our winners were:

Most Valuable Player - Firsts Matt Thomas; Seconds Channa DeSilva; Thirds Saad Hussain; Fourths Jesse Nankivell-Sandor; Fifths Danny Terzini; Sixths Kevin Gardiner; and Sevenths Shane Chalmers.

Fieldlow fielding award - Firsts Troy Eden; Seconds Michael Ozbun; Thirds Michael Ozbun; Fourths Mark Cini and Allan Cumming; Fifths Shaun Rayment; Sixths Sean O'Kane and Sam Carbone; Sevenths Vishal Chopra.

Our thanks to Matt Clare and the Reunion Bar for sponsoring our MVP night.

Above: Coach Rex Bennett at our MVP night, with Fifths fielding winner Shaun Rayment (centre) and Firsts player Khalid Hassan.

*****CLICK HERE for all the voting details and more photos from the night.

 Main Club contact details:

* Charlie Walker - President 0409 237 543; 9370 1802
* Adam Patchell - Club Secretary 0407 552 141 
* Peter Golding - Club Treasurer 0419 009 721
* Simon Thornton - Vice President 0417 570 779
* Kevin Gardiner - Junior Co-ordinator 0417 536 896

Email: mooneev@club.cricketvictoria.com.au


For more contacts, see " Office bearers & Officials " under "Club News & Info" at the top of the page

Last updated: March 23, 2015.

For more of our history, including our Premierships, click HERE