The reunion starts on Saturday afternoon when the club hosts two games at the Stanhope recreation reserve.Reunion goers are invited to watch their former team in action.On Saturday night the festivities continue with a dinner at the Stanhope Hall.Club president and reunion organiser Matt Evans said one of the highlights of this evening will be the naming of Stanhope’s best sides down the ages.The club’s oldest member and former player, 97-year-old Alex Nelson, will name his best team from 1920 to 1970 while Noel Gay and Graham Luker will announce their best side from 1970 onwards.Evans said interest in the reunion had been pleasing and indications were that a lot former players and officials will be attending.He said while invitations had been sent out to members of Stanhope premiership sides to attend the reunion, anyone with any connection with the club over the years would also be warmly welcomed.If anyone still wants to attend the Saturday dinner they can contact Matt on 0418375025.
The reunion will conclude on Sunday with the club’s annual Melbourne Cup fund raiser.Over the last 100 years the Stanhope Cricket Club has produced 14 A grade premiership sides in the former Kyabram District Cricket Association.
Umpire receives recognition
Kyabram teenager Connor Hawes has been recognised by the Goulburn Valley Football Umpires Association.At its recent presentation night Connor received the award for being the association’s Most Improved Field Umpire.Connor, who umpired senior games this season, is also a talented player who played for the Kyabram Thirds this season.His dilemma now is making a decision on which passion to pursue in the future.Blur runs his last race
Grand old trotter Kyvalley Blur has run his last race.Owner Jim Connolly made the decision to retire the 12-year-old gelding after his fourth placing behind Tornado Valley, beaten less than 10 metres, at Melton on October 5.‘‘He has been pulling up a bit sore in his recent starts so we have decided to retire him, he’s been a great horse for us,’’ said Connolly, who has his breeding farm at Kyvalley near Kyabram.Connolly was naturally hoping he had made a good choice when he bought the all-American bred Kyvalley Blur (by Chocholatier out of Duo Val Car) at an American yearling sale in 2009.With his 136 career starts producing 30 wins and 53 placings and stake earnings of $611,787 Kyvalley Blur has repaid Connolly’s faith in his purchase in full — and quite a bit more.Connolly will repay the old champ with a life of retirement at his Kyvalley property where he will have another of his former star performers, Kyvalley Road, as company.Lucky trot for trainerKyabram trots trainer and owners have had an enjoyable week.At last week’s Shepparton meeting the Mark Watson-trained Some Change upstaged his rivals at odds of over 20/1 and at the Kilmore meeting the following night Winkanditsover, owned by Kyabramites Peter Hall, Tony Hansen, Rob Whitford and John Lilford, claimed his 11th career win.Bad behaviour begs a banCentral Murray Football League has come down heavily on three supporters of the Mallee Eagles Football Club for their behaviour in the recent grand final clash against Woorinen.The Central Rivers Board dished out a two-year ban on the trio of supporters attending any Central Murray or Golden Rivers games.The supporters were found guilty of abusing Woorinen players, AFL Central Murray officials and board members with offensive and threatening language.