Rounds 8, 9 & 10

BONUS FOR LIONS

Melbourne finally received some much needed rain last weekend and, although it ruined the second day of Round 7, most cricketers would happily concede some play for some precious precipitation.

For Fitzroy Doncaster, the washouts at most other grounds meant that the Lions were the only club to gain first innings points for the round. This result was better than an outright win and saw the Lions jump from fourteenth to just outside the eight.

PRIMARY EDGE CUP

The first round of the Primary Edge Cup has been completed, with some outstanding performances. Carlton's 1/264 was an incredible score, with Evan Gulbis (124* off 57 balls, 14x4, 6x6), Tim Ludeman (87 off 49 balls, 10x4, 3x6) and Jeremy Brown (42* off 14 balls, 4x4, 3x6) all displaying some amazing strokes. The Blues' score established a new Primary Edge Cup record and, although it has probably been eclipsed somewhere in the world, there has been no higher Twenty20 total in any match internationally, in the UK or in recent IPL or ICL tournaments on the sub-continent.

The next fortnight sees Rounds 2 and 3 contested. Hopefully all clubs will get to play their two preliminary matches without weather or bad light intervening. To date we have been fortunate in this regard - not one of the 96 matches played since the competition's inception in 2004/05 has been washed out.

Amajor drawcard this week is sure to be Brendan Fevola's appearance for Essendon at Windy Hill on Wednesday evening. "Fev" and well-known former AFL premiership player Ricky Olarenshaw will both be guest players for the Bombers.

FEATURE MATCHES

Some terrific matches loom over the next three rounds. Ladder leaders RINGWOOD take on MELBOURNE, PRAHRAN and RICHMOND in the lead-up to the Christmas break. Apart from the Rams next weekend, MELBOURNE also meets MELBOURNE UNI and ESSENDON and the Saints tussle with the Hawks, Lions and the Blues in what will be a testing month.

The battle for the John Scholes Trophy next weekend between CARLTON and FITZROY DONCASTER is the first of several significant commemorative matches. Also up for grabs will be the Don Mathieson Trophy (RINGWOOD v PRAHRAN) and theMichael Sholly Cup (MELBOURNE v MELBOURNE UNI) in Round 9. We salute the staggering contribution of John Scholes later in this issue.

PHOTO QUIZ

Who am I? MORE

MILESTONES

Details of milestones achieved to date and those anticipated in Rounds 8, 9 & 10. Congratulations to those players and officials concerned. MORE

KOOKABURRA AWARDS

To view the Kookaburra Awards winners up until round 7 click HERE

DOWNLOADS

2008-09 1st XI Debutants (83.23 KB )	Rounds 8, 9 & 10 Fixture (96.93 KB )
Ladders & Leading Players (100.76 KB )	Outstanding Performances (94.30 KB )
John Scholes (99.99 KB )	A Look Back (97.33 KB )
Our Premier Umpires - Graeme Lloyd (81.82 KB )