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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 his 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.

Maiden Valley tons for Mickster, George
Our one and only Mickster - Michael Cumbo, hit his maiden century on the February 20 weekend when he opened the batting for the Fourths against Pascoe Vale Central.
One of the most popular players at Moonee Valley, Mickster anchored the team's innings and helped set up a big total of 290.
And on the same day newcomer George Pearson also notched up an impressive century in the Thirds, George Loh (right) took 7/32 to rout Glenroy for 68.
George P joined Moonee Valley just before Christmas from Oak Park, where he had captained their one-day team.
He had never played turf cricket before coming to the Valley and has quickly adapted, and will play a key role at the top of the order in our finals campaign this season. He had previously scored four tons with Oak Park.
The Mickster's century makes him part of a very select group of players who have made a century and taken a hat-trick.
Mickster, who has a mild intellectual disability, took his hat-trick against Socials in 2004.
He brought up his 100th game for Moonee Valley in the last round before Christmas.

For more pictures of Mickster's achievements, turn to the News pages 





Above - George Pearson (left) and Michael Cumbo celebrate their centuries.

Right - Michael Cumbo is congratulated by team-mate Steve Radford.