Archive 2009/10: Joe Ansaldo's 250th game

250 was the go for Joe
Life member Joe Ansaldo brought up his 250th game for Moonee Valley in style when his Ninths wrapped up an easy win over Oak Park and leapt to fourth spot on the ladder for the finals.
The February 28 game was a triumph for the wily Joe with two wickets, although his trademark flourish with the bat brought a top edge and he didn't trouble the scorers. He faces up here at left.
Joe became the fourth player to play 250 games for Moonee Valley, behind just Darren Nagle, Ian Denny and Sandro Capocchi. His 250th game also brought him closer to another milestone - he now has 42 ducks in his career, and is threatening to reach 50 if he gets half a chance.
Joe had some stalwarts in the team to help him celebrate the milestone - life member John Talone, Kevin Gardiner, Steven Ball, Paul Comino, Jeff Nicol and skipper Allan Cumming have been long-time team-mates and clubmates, while we had some exciting young players to help keep the match ticking over.
For the record, Moonee Valley 8/181cc defeated Oak Park 78. Joe took 2/8 off four overs.
The Ninths were confirmed as one of our seven senior teams in this year's finals, to accompany six of our junior teams.
The Firsts, Fourths and Sevenths finished top of the ladder, while the Seconds and Thirds finished second.
In the Thirds, Sam Coventry-Poole (left), in his first full season out of juniors, made an unbeaten 120 against Glenroy, to follow on from the century hit by George Pearson on Day 1 of the match. It was Sam's maiden century, and we won easily.

Joe's team-mates (particularly skipper Allan Cumming and the kids) put together a memorial
for his 250th.
L-R: - Back - Mark Spagna, Paul Comino, John Talone, Bryan Milne, Joe Ansaldo, Kamal Parmar,
Kevin Gardiner and Allan Cumming. Front - Nick Taylor, Jeff Nicol, Steven Ball and John Loy.