Sports Snaps with Gus Underwood

At the Northern Oval in the Goulburn Murray competition Fire Brigade’s Paul Newman was giving another reminder why he has been one of the local and region’s greats of the game.

Mueller unleashed a barrage of 10 boundaries and eight sixes in a brutal unbeaten knock of 131 which delivered the win virtually with no support from his teammates.

When he stepped up his aerial bombardment towards the end of his innings, spectators began moving their cars from the boundary to escape them being struck.

I have never heard of anything like this happening before in my time in local cricket.

Newman made 73 with 10 fours and 2 sixes which enabled The Flames to upset Moama.

Newman’s best might be behind him but sheer natural ability still makes him a force and a match winner.

The gifted Mueller is just entering his prime as a cricketer so expect more of the same.

But whatever happens from now on when the subject of Kyabram’s cricket greats over the years are discussed, you can bet the names of Newman and Mueller will be right up there near or at the top of the list.

Former Bomber keen to play

Could the Kyabram Bombers have a former premiership player returning to its ranks next season?

Coach Paul Newman said at the weekend the club was negotiating with an ex-player who has expressed interest in reuniting with the club.

‘‘There’s a few things to be sorted out yet but we are hopeful we can come to a suitable arrangement. He would be great for our club and team,’’ Newman said.

With the departure of key defender Jack Sheldon, the player in question would be a great fit in the rebuilding of the Kyabram side.

Scopelliti strikes twice

Young cricket talent Liam Scopelliti has bobbed up twice within a week in two different cricket associations.

Last Saturday week he was in Tatura Cricket Club’s side which put up a gallant but losing effort against top side Central Park St Brendan’s in Cricket Shepparton’s Haisman Shield competition on Saturday.

The talented opener top scored with 49 for Tatura which compiled a healthy 8/221 which took its rival over 42 overs to cover.

Last Saturday Scopelliti was back with home club or Cooma in Goulburn Murray Cricket association.

Liam played with Tatura for the day to help out with numbers because Cooma had the bye.

Liam has now been joined back at the club by his brother Mason, who has been overseas.

Mason top scored on his return on Saturday, and with Liam, will play leading roles in the club’s rebuild.

Drummond in, Whittaker out

This year’s GVL big improver Mooroopna is beefing up its ranks to be among the top flag contenders next season.

The Cats’ latest star recruit is Nathan Drummond, a former junior player at the club drafted by Richmond where he got to play five senior games over four years.

For the past four years he has played with Footscray’s VFL side where he will continue, but also fit in some games with the Cats.

While the Cats are welcoming Drummond back, the club is losing a stalwart to Picola League club Katandra.

Former Mooroopna player, junior football organiser and assistant senior coach Jason Whittaker has taken on the challenge to coach the Kats.

He had reservations about leaving the club he has served so loyally over a long period of time, but in the end thought the Katandra challenge was too good to turn down.

A finalist this year, Katandra found itself without a coach when its playing coach Trent Herbert — a brother of Kyabram star Kaine Herbert — recently announced he was joining the Shepparton Bears in the GVL this season.