Monash Tigers have secured a grand final berth in the Bartercard Victorian Premier League after defeating the more fancied Melbourne in their semi-final at Princess Park number one oval. The Tigers routed Melbourne for just 125 and in reply were 3-209 at stumps on day one when both captains called an end to the match.

Demons skipper Andrew Kent won the toss and elected to bat on a firm wicket with some grass cover. Conditions were perfect for cricket and early on it appeared the Melbourne batsmen would take full advantage of those conditions.

The premiership hangover continues for Footscray-Edgewater following their loss to Melbourne-Uni in their round thirteen one-dayer of the Bartercard Victorian Premier League season. The Bulldogs did well to hold the Students to 4-233 on a flat wicket and despite another half-century by Travis Dean and some lusty hitting from keeper Dylan Kight, 66 from 64 balls (7 boundaries, one six) they fell short of the total by 18 runs, dismissed for 215 in the final over.

Carlton have secured a berth in the semi-finals of the Bartercard Victorian Premier League after accounting for Essendon at Princess Park #1 Oval in their quarter final on the weekend. The Blues now face Ringwood away in the hope of securing a grand final berth and their first flag since the 1980/81 season.

For the Bombers it was a disappointing end to the season after they reached the final last year losing to Footscray-Edgewater. Carlton recovered to post 256 but given the Bombers depth it looked within their reach, however on the second day, promising opening bowler, Ryan Sidebottom, had a day out for the Blues taking 5-42, including the first five wickets, to steer his side home by 61 runs.

Merton have celebrated their 150th anniversary of racing at the track on New Year’s Day with a successful meeting held in fine conditions before an estimated crowd of around 1,500. A six race card kicked off mid-afternoon with punters and picnic goers mingling beneath the elm trees and pulling eskys from their car boots.

As the Strathbogie Ranges bathed in the sunshine the jockeys in the first made their way to the barriers at the 1100. The PA system bellowed the second from Doomben and children scurried in-and-out of rare lawn space.