Our Bairnsdale boys

Bairnsdale boys show city slickers how to play cricket

A group of Bairnsdale lads who moved to Melbourne for study and work and came together to play cricket for a bit of fun have taught the city teams a lesson, winning their premiership in a canter.

The boys found a willing host in the Moonee Valley Cricket Club and formed a one-day team, with most of the teammates they also pulled in to fill out the squad coming from country clubs.
The “country team in a city club” held the opposition Northern Lions to 80 in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association Grand Final on March 7, and knocked over the chase in 8.1 overs just two wickets down.
Four of the Bairnsdale boys starred in the finals campaign – co-captain Dominic Rettino (above), fast bowler Cassidy Box, keeper/batsman Sam Kater and all-rounder Manu Poulose – all former St Marys Nagle Cricket Club players.

Above right: Our Bairnsdale boys who came down to Moonee Valley to show how to win a flag! L-R Sam Kater, Cassidy Box, Manu Poulose and Dominic Rettino.

Another mainstay of the team, Nathan Deery played an uneventful Under 13 season at St Marys Nagle before giving the game away. Lured into senior cricket by his mates, he’s scored a couple of 50s but missed the Grand Final due to family commitments.
Other players from St Marys Nagle clubs who have played occasional games for the team include Taylor Newton and Alex Kater.
Dominic Rettino, now a 50-game player at Moonee Valley took out man of the match honors in the Grand Final, ripping apart the Northern Lions middle and lower order with 4/7 off 6.1 overs. Fittingly, Dom was in the middle when the winning runs were scored.
Cassidy Box didn’t take a wicket in the GF despite a snick through slips in his first over. However, he’s the leading wicket-taker for the grade with 31 @ 10.9, and is a warm favorite to take out the comp bowling award.
Sam Kater took two sharp catches behind the stumps but was not needed with the bat, despite his powerhouse 90 in the semi final.
Manu Poulose opened the batting in the Grand Final, and his brutal 18 runs off the first two overs on his way to a rapid 30 ensured Northern Lions didn’t ever have a sniff.
The Bairnsdale boys showed how it’s done!