Sport
27 March, 2026
Raiders celebrate season 2025/26
NORTHERN Raiders Cricket Club has celebrated a successful season both on and off the pitch.
A bumper crowd turned out last Friday night for the junior and senior presentations, also acknowledging past premiership glories from the former Grassmere Cricket Club history.
Guests included Moyne Shire deputy mayor Cr Myra Murrihy along with Warrnambool Moyne District Cricket Association representative, Rob Johncock.
Junior awards were presented for the under 11 mixed, under 13s, under 14 girls, under 15s and under 17s – with special recognition of the under 14 girls as 2025/26 grand finalists.
Former Grassmere Cricket Club premiership sides were well represented, with five men representing their late fathers who were members of the 1955/56 A grade premiership team.
Both the 50 year Colts and 30 year A grade one-day Cup players were also introduced to the crowd.
A highlight of the evening was the attendance of 87 year-old Kevin White and his son Ashely who both played in the 1995-96 B grade premiership side.
Kevin was a renowned opening batsman and wicketkeeper of legend status via the original Grassmere Cricket Association (where he is a life member and original inducted Hall of Fame member in 2005-06).
Kevin was a stalwart player of the Bushfield Cricket Club before it went into recess after the 1978/79 season.
He played with Mailors Flat and was a member of the club’s first ever A grade flag – premiers and champions in season 1979/80.
After a brief stint with Purnim, Kevin’s career was completed at the Grassmere club where he spent another 20 years.
He was awarded a life membership of the Grassmere Cricket Club in 2010/11 and was acknowledged by the Northern Raiders as its number one ticket holder for the 2021/22 season.
“Last Friday night was a great one for our club, with the room packed with members, families and supporters,” Raiders spokesman Peter McDonald said.
“The reunion guys enjoyed catching up to reminisce and share memories while the juniors and their families enjoyed the presentations.
“To have Kevin there, at the age of 87, was fantastic. Some recalled the years he would present the Saturday night GCA cricket results via 3YB; it was a must to listen to back then and he’s still an icon today within local cricket circles.”
Ed Taylor dominated the Premier division one awards, taking home the batting aggregate/average plus Club Champion award.
Jo Noonan took home the prestigious Club Service Person Award.
Other award recipients included:
Division one – captains award Paddy Bubb, club champion/batting awards Ed Taylor, bowling average Hayden McGovern.
Club coaches award – Sam Gleeson.
Division two – champion and bowling Corey Couch,
Under 15 award winners – Timmy White, Sam Gleeson and Jack Hollard.
Under 13 – coaches award Nate Maher.
