MALVERN WIN TWO FLAGS 
After a tense and enthralling struggle with a gallant Caulfield we emerged successful to claim our tenth 1st XI premiership and first back to back flags since 1936/37. Grand finals are desperately hard to win especially away and the players deserve all the credit for a simply superb performance. To add to a great weekend the Colts won convincingly to claim its first flag five years after its inception. In the 1st XI, overcast conditions were the order of the day and losing the toss probably wasn't a bad thing. You had to bat but the overhead conditions would suit the bowlers. Thankfully our opening bowlers were on the money from ball one. Ajay Bhatt (3/34 off 20) and Ben Nethersole (1/15 off 12) were brilliant again as they reduced the strong Caulfield top order to 4/27. Brett Chard (2/33 off 18) chipped in with another wicket before tea and at 5/58 off 41 we were ahead of the game. As happens against good sides Caulfield didn't lie down and after tea batted well to reach 118 before Monto (3/33 off 20), after repeated close shouts, got an lbw verdict in his favour. From there Monto and Chardy tightened the screws never letting the Caulfield lower order get away. The last four wickets fell for just thirteen runs and we dismissed the opposition for 131 off 75 overs. Given the outfield was very slow the opposition score was worth more but we would have taken it in a heartbeat at the start of the day. Our batting has been indifferent to say the least at times this season so it was always going to be a tough second day. We knew Caulfield would throw everything at us and they didn’t disappoint. The conditions were a lot more batter friendly though and the wicket was still good. We started brightly with the top order attacking the bowling. Unfortunately though this led to the downfall of Liam Dunne, Damien Hale and Ranga De Silva and at 3/25 we found ourselves in the same position as Caulfield did the day before. Nick Gill and Nuwan Kalpage steadied the ship but the loss of Gill, Perera and John Blakely all before tea left us languishing at 6/68 in a bit of trouble. Batting at no.8 Ben Nethersole (31 off 50 balls with 3-4’s) has dug us out of many holes this season with his aggressive batting and yesterday was no exception. With Nuwan solid at the other end, Benny took to the bowling and was particularly strong down the ground. We moved closer with real momentum and with the score at 112 we were pretty confident. Ben’s dismissal dragging a pull shot back on to his stumps brought Caulfield back to life and a huge lbw shout against Chardy first ball had Rooster supporters a bit toey. From there Chardy (15 not out off 17) followed Ben’s lead and scored quickly scoring the bulk of the twenty runs required. Fittingly a lofted shot through cover by the Malvern veteran, Chardy saw us over the line to universal applause from the huge Rooster contingent. We shouldn’t lose sight of Nuwan’s (29 not out off 121 in 181 minutes) tremendous powers of concentration. He played a similar role last year at Melton and was the glue that kept the innings together. Finals are won by those prepared to do the hard work and Nuwan is the ultimate big game player. Benny Nethersole was deservedly named man of the match and took the opportunity to make a significant point in his response. He pointed out that over half the side have played together for five years starting in the 4ths and coming through together. They had watched Monto, Ranga, Nuwan and Chardy over the years and wanted to be part of a successful group when their turn came. We pride ourselves at Malvern in providing opportunity and the younger guys have repaid the faith in spades. As always Conners was gracious in victory recognising Caulfield’s tremendous home and away record, their hospitality and the contribution of the umpires.The contributions of Wal, coach Steve Atkins and Knobby were all recognised as they were each given a premiership medal. The Colts path to premiership glory was a bit more straightforward. Batting on after making 7/290 on the first day we chewed up another twenty overs before being dismissed for 323. With 80 overs to get the runs the lower ranked Coles had to bat swiftly. We were never really threatened though as Snooksie and Matt Anderson took three wickets each to dismiss the opposition for 151 off 66 overs. In a poignant moment back at the rooms the song was led by premiership winning youngsters Damon Egan, Andrew Snooks and Liam Ladgrove along with club legends Knobby, Dixie and Ox. Like Conners said Malvern gives anyone an opportunity from the age of five in the Have A Go cricket to play cricket under the Malvern banner. Not everyone will stay as long as the club legends but they will have a great time at Malvern whilst they are there. 
 
Ben Nethersole receives the Jack Batty Player of the Match Award Conners addresses the players and supporters  It doesn't get any better than this - "up the old Red Rooster!!" CONGRATULATIONS MICK BEER MALVERN'S FIRST HOME GROWN TEST CRICKETER 
Mick at Malvern's recent 150th season celebrations Michael Beer's surprise inclusion in the Australian squad for the Perth test and Melbourne tests and then to debut at Sydney in the recent Ashes series was a source of tremendous pride for the Malvern Cricket Club and the VSDCA in general. Mick's ascension to test ranks has seen him follow the perfect template for identifying talented cricketers in victoria and has highlighted the usefulness of VSDCA and Premier cricket in harnessing that talent.Mick started his senior cricket at Malvern as a thirteen year old in 1997/98. Around the same time he played for the Roosters in the RM Hatch competition. He received a great grounding in the lower elevens in his early years and played in a 4th XI premiership at Malvern in 1998/99. Originally he bowled steady medium pace but as he grew it became apparent he was more suited to the patient art of left arm orthodox like his father before him. With his development physically in his late teens he really blossomed as a player. He made a rapid rise from 3rd XI cricket to 1st XI cricket and played under multiple Championship winning captain David Jakobi in Malvern's senior side. He played half a season in the 1st XI in 2001/02 and a full season in the 1st XI in 2002/03. That season he took 32 wickets at 10.56 as Jakobi took him under his wing and gave him great opportunity with the ball. In his last home and away game in VSDCA cricket he picked up 5/5 vs Croydon opening the bowling.After such a good season that saw him win the coveted Ron Howland Player of the Year Award at Malvern and the 1st XI bowling average, the time was then ripe for Mick to move to Premier cricket and with Malvern's strong connection with St Kilda through Nigel Murch and Ron and Shawn Craig the Saints were the obvious fit. For seven seasons Mick thrived in a successful environment with the Saints.With Malvern in all elevens, Mick played six seasons and seventy games and took 112 wickets at 14.89. Mick received a solid grounding in the game at home as well with father Tony a renowned VSDCA player for Malvern. He is a member of the Malvern Team Of the Century side, one of two representatives from the club to be a member of the VSDCA 200 Club and a life member. He played 430 games for the club making over 5000 runs and taking nearly 600 wickets with his own brand of left arm orthodox. He was also a brilliant slip fieldsman. His mother Patsy is a well known supporter of the club too. 'Malvern through and through' as she likes to say.Everyone connected with Malvern Cricket Club and the VSDCA offers their congratulations on a wonderful achievement and both organisations are proud of the small role each has played in assisting Mick with his cricketing development. | 
