SO CLOSE FOR THE SHINERS

The game was almost in their grip, but the Moonee Valley Fifths fell agonisingly short in their NWMCA Girolami Shield Grand Final against Maribyrnong Park St Marys on March 5.
Cruising at 2/140, we lost direction and were all out for 185. We then gave Maribyrnong a big scare before they passed Moonee Valley seven wickets down inthe 33rd over.
At left: Our mighty Shiners Grand Final team: L-R. Back - Manu Poulose, Liam Shaw, Paddy Shelton, Ryan Chirgwin, Cassidy Box, Jesse Nankivell-Sandor, Liam Farrell, Jesse O'Grady. Front - Jarrad Sims, Charlie Jackson, Nathan Deery, Dominic Rettino, Taylor Newton.
It had been a tough battle to get to the Grand Final, after finishing second on the ladder.
We finished in arrears on the scoreboard in the Semi Final, but were awarded the game when opponent Aintree was found to have played a player under a false name.
Perhaps the drama of that encounter took it out of us before the decider, after we had to play out a tough tussle off the field.
Regardless, a great season to the Mighty Shiners and well done guys.

It's 100 times three for the Shiners

It's been a big week or two for Moonee Valley's Fifth Eleven in terms of turning over the triple figures.
Co-captain Paddy Shelton became the first of the Shiners to reach 100 games in the last home and away round on February 12 - and fellow captain Dominic Rettino was only thwarted from sharing the milestone with him by a COVID contact exposure.
But Dom bounced back and brought up his 100th game in the Quarter Final at home on February 19.
And for the third century, the Quarter Final also gave Jarrad Sims the chance to shine - with a brutal 105 retired not out.
At right: Hundreds all round for the Shiners: L-R Dominic Rettino with 100 games, Jarrad Sims with a Quarter Final century with the bat and Paddy Shelton with 100 games. 
The three milestones all contributed to a finals focus for the team - as we set a new record highest score for the Moonee Valley Fifth Eleven - with 368.
The tally, with the loss of just five wickets off 35 overs - surpassed the previous tally of 363, set in a semi final in 2019/20.
Jarrad hit 11 fours and 6 sixes and was ably supported by Jesse O'Grady, who bludgeoned 6 fours and 10 sixes off just 29 balls in his 90 not out.
Dom Rettino (58) and Ryan Chirgwin (50) also chimed in to the massive tally, then we rolled Flemington Colts for just 90.
Paddy is the spiritual leader of the Shiners and was one of the originals who just walked in to the club in 2014/15 after having a kick of the footy at Ormond Park.
And we're glad that he did. Congratulations guys - you're a credit to our Club.

**It was Valley's Back to Ormond Park day

The Moonee Valley Cricket Club’s “back to Ormond Park” day on January 30 was a great success, with our reverse raffle as a highlight.
Past and present players, Life Members, supporters and friends all flocked to the park to enjoy the cricket action from the Fourths and Sevenths, the food drink and camaraderie.
At left: Some significant players - past and present - who have contributed to Moonee Valley's history - L-R: Back: Allan Cumming and Rex Bennett. Front: Greg Peters and Darren Nagle.
And the raffle. The last five ticketholders agreed to combine the prize, so it was shared across Doug Cumming, Peter Butler, Michael Harvey, John Talone, Jack Newman and Sandro Capocchi.
Other $100 prizes were won by Stephen Esmore, Charlotte Gibaldi, Jason Walsh, Graham Bowden, Jimmy Holt and Garry Dudderidge.
Special thanks to Chris Sherer and Peter Bevis for running the kitchen and keeping the hot food up all afternoon, Peter Golding, Jack Cumming and the others behind the bar, Ian Denny and Dom Rettino for conducting the raffle, and Agatha Jukic for a hand in everything along with Vanessa Schuller.
The Back to Ormond Park day was meant to be the second part of a big weekend with our 50^th Anniversary ball, but we had to postpone that due to the spike in coronavirus. We expect that to be on later in the year, possibly in October.
Our Teams of the Decade for each decade of our first 50 years were posted in the clubrooms for the Back To event, and were keenly read.
Each decade had its Team of the Decade drawn from First Eleven players from that era. There was also an “Other” team comprising players who played most of that period in the other grades, plus a couple of significant contributors in other areas.
*****For more pictures and detail of the Team selections, click HERE

  MOONEE VALLEY CRICKET SENIOR TRAINING

Moonee Valley’s senior training is on each Tuesday and Thursday, following COVID-safe requirements.  We have QR code sign-in posters and hand sanitiser. Cricket Victoria is strongly encouraging all players or participants to get vaccinated. We are asking our players to show evidence of their vaccination status, as there are mandated requirements on using our facilities.
If you feel comfortable, please complete the information in this form (click here) , including uploading your vaccination certificate. Your information will be held securely with the club secretary, Michael Ozbun, until the time that it is needed. 
Anyone interested in playing for Moonee Valley this season - seniors, juniors or our premiership-winning women's team - can phone or text President Charlie Walker on 0411 705 381 or Senior Coach Glen Courts on 0403 329 652

Buy club clothing, pay your membership, buy tickets to club functions - do it all at www.mooneevalleycricketstore.com.au

     Main Club contact details:

* Charlie Walker - President 0411 705 381; 9370 1802
* Peter Golding - Treasurer 0419 009 721
* Michael Ozbun - Secretary 0448 548 860
* Mark Gauci - Vice President 0457 778 335 
* Charlie Walker - Junior Co-ordinator - mooneev@club.cricketvictoria.com.au    

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 9, 2022.
For more of our history, including our Premierships, click HERE