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Front Page - up to March 2, 2021

Ben's Hur-culean effort

Congratulations to Ben Thomas on reaching his 250th game at Moonee Valley - a place where only 11 Moonee Valley players have gone before him in our 50-year club history.
It's a remarkable achievement, given that Ben initially showed no interest in joining brother Matt at the Valley, and instead played his junior cricket at Barkly Street.
But once we got Ben down to Ormond Park in 2003/04 he's stuck fast, and has forged his own history at our Club.
At the start of this season Ben sat 10th on our all-time runs leader board, and is rapidly closing on 5000.
At right: Milestone man Ben Thomas (right) with fellow life member and teammate Dean Jukic.
He's had an interrupted 2020/21 season so far, missing most of the early games due to an ongoing back problem. But in the past couple of weeks in the Thirds he's hit his straps and hit some runs.
Ben brought up his milestone game in a solid win over Flemington on February 7 and top scored with 29.
Such is his unassuming character, he tried to let the significant milestone go unnoticed.
The Thirds are finals-bound this season, and Ben is sure to be a key cog in the push for a flag.
Ben's already a two-time Premiership winner, and a third medal would look very nice in the trophy cabinet.

The new and the old life members: L-R Peter Smith, Danny Terzini, Kevin Gardiner Charlie Walker, John Talone, Matt Thomas, Peter Golding, Jim Polonidis, Dean Jukic, Allan Cumming, Mark Gauci, Ben Thomas, Sandro Capocchi and Ian Denny.

PRESENTATION NIGHT WELCOMES NEW LIFE MEMBERS

One Life Member to another - Ben Thomas pins Allan Cumming's badge to his lapel.

One Life Member to another - Ben Thomas pins Allan Cumming's badge to his lapel.

Our belated 2019/20 Presentation - pushed back nine months because of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown - was a big night at the Ormond Park clubrooms on January 30.
As well as Life Memberships for Allan Cumming and Peter Golding, the night saw the announcement and presentation of the prestigious Lindsay Jones Best Clubman award to Peter Golding.
Peter has long been the driving force behind the committee and the executive, and spent four years as our Secretary before the last seven as Treasurer.
At right: One Life Member to another - Ben Thomas pins Allan Cumming's medallion to his lapel.
He piloted us through the move to the portables while our new clubrooms were built, the transition back and survival through coronavirus, all in his calm, inimitable way.
Peter's Life Membership was announced and presented by past Secretary John Talone, who had an incredible 14 years in that role, while Allan's was presented by President Charlie Walker, who started his journey at Moonee Valley about the same time.
Allan reminisced about his first presentation night, and being inspired by the heartfelt speech of Sandro Capocchi when he received Life Membership.
Peter came on board in 2007/08, when as a dad of Sam in the Under 10s he answered a call to help overcome a shortage of players in the Ninths.
Both are exemplary members of our Club and the committee, and worthy life members.
Anthony Cafari was crowned Club Champion for his efforts with bat and ball in the First Eleven in our Premiership year.
And Dean Jukic won the Sean O'Kane Award for the best player (all other grades).
Luca Nimorakiotakis won the Coach's Award for Most Improved Player from Tony Gleeson, after breaking into the First Eleven late in the 2019/20 season.
Peter Golding was Wicketkeeper of the Year.

**FOR SOME EXTRA PHOTOS, CLICK HERE

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

Senior cricket training – Tuesdays and Thursdays

Moonee Valley seniors are training Tuesdays and Thursdays - with our women's team booked to train Wednesdays.
Coach Glen Courts is at Ormond Park early to get training under way by 5.30pm, and we are training in accordance with COVID-19 compliance and safety.
There are strict requirements from the Victorian Government and from Cricket Victoria which have enabled us to return to play, and they have been endorsed by our Associations.
As part of staying safe:

*Players should come dressed ready to train or play - minimise use of change rooms.
*There is no sharing of food or drinks. Players should bring their own food and drink - or can buy an individual, clear-wrapped meal at the canteen.
*Sanitizer is provided at the ground, and players are expected to sanitize hands on a regular basis.
* Any shared equipment has to be sanitized before it can be passed to anyone else.
*Balls will need to be regularly sanitized.
*Social distancing is required, and players are required to wear masks at all times unless batting, bowling and participating in drills which require exertion.
*We all have masks from the lockdown, so players should bring their own mask.
*Players and anyone staying on game day or for training more than 15 minutes MUST sign in and sign out for training with the QR code – and this can be done on mobile phones. People who come into the pavilion must also sign in and out with a separate QR code.
*Under the return to play provisions, players MUST train in groups of up to 11 on each night, and are not allowed to mingle or interchange with the other groups at the session.
*Anyone who feels ill or has any symptoms of COVID-19 must stay away from Ormond Park and other players, and as per Government directives should get tested.
Players interested in joining Moonee Valley can ring Glen Courts on 0403 329 652 or club President Charlie Walker on 0411 705 381.
See you at training.
Charlie Walker.
President,
Moonee Valley Cricket Club

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
* Peter Pickering - 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 : February 22, 2021.
For more of our history, including our Premierships, click HERE