Former Orbost cricketer Max Welsh will chase his third premiership of the season on Saturday, when his adopted club Stratford does battle with Sale in the 2024/25 Sale-Maffra Cricket Association grand final at the Stratford Recreation Reserve.
Welsh captained the Orbost Cricket Club to premiership glory in the Bairnsdale Cricket Association in 2022/23, but after the club had a disappointing season last year, he decided to play with several mates at Stratford this season.
Stratford made its way through to the grand final after last week’s semi-final was washed out, they progressed due to their higher place on the ladder, which was just as well, with Maffra looking well placed at 3/79 chasing 121 when the heavens opened.
Welsh was part of the Stratford side that was successful in the one day competition final a couple of weeks ago over Sale, where he contributed a handy 14 late in the order.
He also played in Sale-Maffra’s Gippsland Cricket League grand final win over Bairnsdale in early February where he made a valuable 46.
He almost made it three premierships for the year at Melbourne Country Week when Sale-Maffra went down narrowly to Ferntree Gully in the Provincial grand final.
Welsh had an outstanding week, with scores of 75, 59, 20 and 28.
In a huge positive for the Orbost Snowy Rovers Football Club, Welsh will now suit up in 2025 after looking likely to play for Rythdale Officer Cardinia.
