A number of players across the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association reached playing milestones at the weekend.
The most notable came in the form of Ian Freshwater, who has now played an incredible 450 senior games for Rosedale-Kilmany.
Freshwater, the Warriors games record holder, has virtually done it all at RK, captaining, coaching, and playing in multiple premierships.
It was an extra-special occasion for Freshwater on Saturday, as he brought up the milestone playing in the firsts alongside his two sons, Cameron and Leigh.
The milestone man took the winning wicket in the Warriors’ victory over Longford, ending with figures of 1/18 off 7.4 overs.
Milestones kept coming at RK, with Michael Walters playing his 200th senior match in the same game.
Nicknamed ‘SOS’, Walters has been an outstanding role player for the Warriors A Grade side in recent seasons, and also contributed greatly off the field, mainly as an astute treasurer.
There wouldn’t be too many pennies coming in and out of Rosedale CC for the best part of the last decade Walters hasn’t known about.
BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG’S Dylan Bolton also reached a milestone at the weekend.
The Saints’ first grade captain played his 150th game in the top flight.
Bolton is now one of only four people to reach the 150 mark for Boisdale-Briagolong in A Grade, and has been described as arguably the Saints’ most accomplished player.
AT Nambrok Cricket Club, there were a couple of reasons to celebrate.
Al Robinson played his 350 senior match for the Hawks, while Dan Cormack played game number 200.
The former has been at the club for 30 years, and the latter for 15.
In terms of a perfect day, it couldn’t have gone much better – the pair were able to celebrate their milestones in the same team, at home, and with a win.
Robinson scored an unbeaten 44 and Cormack took 1/8, as Nambrok defeated Sale in third grade.
Fittingly, Robinson was the one who introduced Cormack to Nambrok CC all those years ago.
Little was anyone to know it would be the start of a 15-year association.
ALTHOUGH not last weekend, another milestone recently achieved was Sam Anstee playing his 300th senior match for Stratford.
Most of those 300 have been in A Grade, and there has been no shortage of awards, especially premierships, in that time.
In terms of ‘doing it all’, the man known as Nugget well and truly fits this bill – bowling leg spin, opening the batting, even wicket-keeping, curating and administrating during his tenure with the Redbacks.
Author’s note: Congratulations to all players on achieving milestones, amazing to see so many across one weekend. All are worthy of separate stories, which I will endeavour to get to in time.
