by Liam Durkin
Trafalgar cricketer Rhys Holdsworth is set to play his 200th First XI match this weekend.

A true modern day great of Gippsland cricket, there isn't much the 34-year-old hasn't achieved in his close to 20 seasons with the Ships.
Holding down a spot at first drop, Holdsworth has scored the best part of 7000 runs to sit third on the club's all time First XI aggregate.
He is also third on the all time wickets tally with more than 200 poles at First XI level.
These numbers have led to him winning an astonishing four league best-and-fairest awards. He was Central Gippsland's top player in 2013/14, won two league medals in the Latrobe Valley District league (2019/20, 2022/23) and was the Warragul District Cricket Association's best player in division two last season (note: Trafalgar moved from Latrobe Valley to Warragul in 2023).
Playing as a left hand bat/right arm bowler, his best knock is 228 (still a WDCA division one record), while best bowling is 7/24.
Remarkably, he scored his double ton when he was only 16-years-old.
Efforts such as these caught the attention of Victorian Premier clubs in Melbourne, and he went on to play at First XI level for St Kilda and Casey South Melbourne respectively.
Other higher levels during his time have included Victoria Country, Gippsland Pride, Country Week and Gippsland Cricket League.
He captained Central Gippsland/Latrobe Valley for a total of seven seasons at senior GCL and Country Week.
Holdsworth has also had stints playing for Buln Buln (winning a division one premiership in 2017/18) and Ex Students.
Trafalgar however has always been where his heart lies, and where he has enjoyed his most memorable moments.
He has played in three First XI premierships for the Ships - 2006/07, 2014/15 and 2019/20 - captaining the last two, as well as an All Gippsland one day title in 2010.
He has captained the Trafalgar First XI on-and-off for a total of 10 seasons and coached for five, at times combining the two roles.
Club awards have been prolific: seven best-and-fairests, nine batting aggregates and two bowling aggregates.
A reliable slipper (usually standing at second), he has also taken more than 100 catches.
Perhaps the only blemish is his number of centuries (nine), although he has been dismissed in the 90s countless times.
His off field work for the Trafalgar Cricket Club has been equally significant.
He knows the centre wicket and the nets better than most, having concreted the pitches in both, as well as at Trafalgar High School.
Holdsworth has also been the club's sponsorship director, and played a key role in recruitment and helping mentor future club leaders.
In reaching 200 First XI games, he becomes the seventh Trafalgar player to do so, joining Graeme Rankin, who played 305, Alan Rankin (300+), Laurie Rankin (280+), Craig Nielsen (233), Vic Jean Jr (220+) and John Asmussen (205).