NOVEMBER 2015
Greetings once again members and friends of Bowral Cricket Club.
With seven rounds down there’s much to canvass across the senior and junior sectors of the club.
To set the scene once more, we have a 1sts, 2nds and 2 x 3rds senior sides this season. In the junior division we have 4 x U12 sides and 2 x U14 sides. Nearly 50 kids have registered through Bowral Cricket Club to play T20 Blast Cricket (cricket for juniors aged 8-12) and some 45 tiny-tots are involved with our Saturday morning In2Cricket for absolute beginners.
As a reminder, our club ethos is about giving people a go – particularly juniors – and recognising and respecting each other for adhering to the spirit of cricket. We’re pretty sure we’re in the box seat to get this right this season with so many dedicated and enthusiastic players, families and friends on board.
Now for some news…..
GOODBYE DUNC, HELLO CHRIS
It was a pivotal and poignant moment for BCC when long-time 1sts Captain Duncan Macpherson recently announced he was moving interstate. That saw the end of a memorable era of leadership for our club. Beyond being 1sts Captain ‘Dunc’ was a mentor and voice of reason to many. His contributions were significant on and off the field, including a long stint on the BCC board. We had a fantastic turn out at Bowral Bowling Club to farewell Dunc last month, and the numbers of people who came to say goodbye said it all.
There was a unanimous board decision that Chris Weller should be invited to step into this prestigious role. Chris took the reins as of round four and we’re incredibly grateful for the commitment and leadership he has shown. Thank you Chris, and all the best as the season progresses.
‘Dunc’ (holding shield) with 2014/15 BCC 1sts & New BCC 1sts Captain Chris Weller
CLUB CLOTHING
Note in the picture above that Chris Weller – who doubles as a model with moderate prospects – is wearing our new club spray jacket, part of a new line of BCC clothing. Made by Canterbury, the quality jackets cost $40 each (price does not include the leather ball or Chris himself). We also have BCC-coloured fleecy hoodies for $60 and smart looking collared polo shirts for $40 (sizes are from small to 3XL). Finally, we have BCC-logo wide-brim hats for $25 each. For orders please email Angus Humphries on [email protected] The spray jackets are available now and the other items will be available shortly. The profits from selling the clothing are modest and any money made goes straight to the club.
SEASON WARM-UP DAY
What a fantastic turn-out for our pre-season warm-up day at Stephens Park on Sunday 5 October. First to the field were a mix of juniors from our U12 and U14 age groups. Batting pairs took to the pitch for four overs each, prompting plenty of big hits and a hungry run chase. Many of the young players stayed back for a subsequent parent-and-junior match. A crew of seniors finished off with a hearty bash. The idea of the day was to welcome new members to the club and get everyone back into the swing of cricket ahead of the formal season start. Mission accomplished! Thanks to Pete Carnegie for coordinating so many aspects of the day.
BCC pre-season day, Stephens Park, Sunday 5 October, 2015
BCC TRIVIA IS BACK – HOLD THE DATE
What’s a whole lot of fun for adults and kids and raises money for BCC? Answer – our annual trivia night! Our third annual trivia gig is happening on Saturday 6 February 2016, so hold the date. Anyone and everyone is welcome, including members and friends and people from other clubs. Come alone or get a table together. More details will be provided closer to the date.
Did you know….. that BCC’s trivia night is back?
SLEDGE OF THE SEASON COMPETITION
We’re delighted to announce the BCC “Sledge of the Season” competition to recognise the most imaginative, colourful and good-natured sledges and comments over 2015/16. Simply email the remark to [email protected] along with who said it, when and where, and, if possible, what the reaction from everyone else was. Sledges from rounds 1 – 7 are acceptable, as are comments at training. All entries from junior and senior divisions will be published in upcoming newsletters (offensive remarks or comments not in the spirit of the game obviously won’t be). The BCC Board will announce the winner at the end of the season. PS golden oldies are acceptable – not everyone has heard them so let’s share them around.
A quick one to get the ball rolling (Merv Hughes to Graham Gooch, who was having trouble seeing the ball): “If I bowl a piano to you do you think you can play that?”
BCC THIRDS CONQUER BRADMAN OVAL
At long last our frequently misunderstood and maligned thirds are stepping up to play a competitive match on that hallowed ground, Bradman Oval. Thanks to cooperation from the Bradman Foundation our two 2015/16 thirds sides – the Cavaliers and Kookaburra’s – will have a showdown on Bradman on Saturday 6 February. This will of course be the biggest thing at the ground since Sachin Tendulkar’s visit, so plan to arrive early before the local streets are closed off. All players seem to think they’ll be arriving in helicopters at midday to sign autographs, ahead of the 1.30 match start.
If the derby encounter between the Kookas and Cavs at Stephens Park on Saturday 21 November is anything to go by, the follow-up at Bradman should be a show-stopper. The Cavs batted first at Stephens and managed 142. In reply the Kookas hit back with…. 142, making it a draw. A cricketing cliffhanger!
BCC 3rd grade Cav and Kookas, Stephens Park, 21 November 2015
Graham Brake eyes a Mark Chance special, 3rds derby day, Stephens Park, 21 Nov, 2015
HIGHLANDS BIG BASH COMPETITION
The Highlands District Cricket Association has announced the local 2015/16 “T20 Smash” competition for senior players. Preliminary matches will be held at various local grounds on Sunday 20 December and the final will be on Friday 8 January. It’s a 20-over structure with some modified rules. BCC is pulling teams together. Anyone interested in playing should contact John Lindsay on [email protected] Spots are limited.
SIXER’S GIRLS CRICKET LEAGUE
Cricket NSW has organised an Illawarra/South Coast sixer’s girls only cricket league to be played on Sunday mornings. There is a summer season (Jan-March) and a Spring season (Oct-Dec) There are U13 and U17 age groups. The matches are 8-a-side. For more information contact Paul Brockely at [email protected] on 0425 297 718.
SIMON’S S EXCELLENT U.S. ADVENTURE
Welcome back to Bowral BCC Patron and international umpiring identity Simon Taufel, who was in the middle of the recent Cricket All Stars League action in New York, Houston and LA. As you may know this was an extravaganza of 30 former big-name international players including Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar, the purpose being to give the Yanks a taste of cricket. Interestingly, the tosses were done with Bradman minted gold coins donated by the Bradman Foundation. According to Simon the experiment was a big hit and enjoyed much by the local crowds.
BCC Patron Simon Taufel (left) watches the Cricket All Stars League toss at ‘Citi Field’, New York
BCC: THE STATE OF PLAY
Now for a round up from the BCC senior and junior sides…..
FIRST GRADE
After seven rounds the Bowral Cricket Club 1st XI sit 4th on the ladder with 1 win, 4 losses and 1 draw (due to weather). The season didn’t start well for the 1st XI boys with a narrow and thrilling loss to Hilltop at Bradman (going down by 5 runs in the last over of the match). The boys backed up on the Sunday to play Robertson/Burrawang and were beaten convincingly by 181 runs.
Round 3 saw the 1st XI play Wingello at Lackey Oval in what was Duncan’s last game for BCC. The boys tried hard to get a win for Duncan, but ended up falling short by 38 runs in a very good chase that went down to the last few overs.
Round 4 saw Bowral play East Bowral. This was the team’s first win of the season, taking the match by 7 wickets (chasing 121). Round 5 against Wingello was washed out due to heavy rain leading up to the game.
A special to mention goes to Peter Carnegie and Nick Carter. These guys resemble what the spirit of cricket means. They both are team players and are willing to do whatever the team needs of them at the time. Peter helps out with arranging players each week making sure there are 11 players on the field along with keeping the colored clothing in order. Nick Carter is a new player this year to the side and puts his whole hearted effort in week in and week out. Nick is happy to bat anywhere in the order, fill wherever he is needed and bowl when ever need. He is highly regarded by all.
Standout performances from the season so far include 1 x 5 wicket haul (Justin Weller) 4 x 50’s (1 x Duncan Macpherson, 2 x Chris Weller and 1 x Adam Weller) and 1 x 100 run partnership ( 113 unbeaten between Chris Weller and Adam Weller).
SECOND GRADE (Bowral Raiders)
It has been a tumultuous start to the season for the mighty second graders, a band of brothers who fight tooth and nail for every match. Although, being unable to get points on the board in the first three, there were a few standout performances, exemplifying the true capacity of this team. From every loss there was a lesson to learn. We now find ourselves on the brink of three in a row; the team have come together through the good the bad and the ugly to present as a formidable opposition.
The off-season saw the recruiting of a couple of big names in James Minter and Hugh Kanaar, a pair of lads who seemingly bleed red, white and blue and have truly exhibited their athleticism in the field. Ben Warburton has spearheaded Bowral’s bowling attack causing opposition batsman to tremble in their boots with his signature change of pace. Amit Bhatia has returned to where he truly belongs taking one of the catches of the season; charging at full pace, arms at stretched and as he tells us “with the sun in his eyes”.
This rag tag amalgamation of cricketing aficionados are on their way to greatness, in more ways than one… More than anything, a team that truly love spending their Saturdays together: win, lose or draw.
Cricketing aficionados: the BCC 2nds, Stephens Park, November 2015
THIRD GRADE CAVALIERS
Having emerged from their winter hibernation and plenty of therapy and medication after their 2014/15 grand final loss on the last ball of the match, the Cavs got down to business for 2015/16 round one against the Wingello Cubs at Bill O’Reilly Oval. Like Cujo at the windscreen, they were scratching and slobbering for an early win. They needed this. It was about renewal. Turning the page. So losing that first match was as handy as speed-humps on a runway. For reasons of decency we can’t articulate here the impacts of the back-up loss to Robbo in round 2. But three subsequent wins against Mitta, Bundy and Hilltop (and the round 7 draw to the BCC Kookas) saw the boys at least plug their leaking tank of pride. The Cavs are equal second on the ladder.
The side has done well overall amidst injury and players shifting to fill gaps in the upper grades. A big setback was last season’s star young bowler Clayton Barnes bowing out with a knee injury. Young-gun batter Jack Pollard missed a few matches due to a back injury. It will be great to have young all-rounder Angus Lowden back, in between his his schooling commitments. Thankfully some other young players such as all-rounders Connor Gilmore and Tyson Stanton are keeping the side competitive. Questions are being asked of Jeremy Hore who has only taken single digit catches off the back of triple-digit catches last season, a shameful transgression offset by some great batting. Will Clarke remains a fixture and it wouldn’t be the same without him.
The older folks of the team are like cellared wine…. dusty if not grotty to look at, but fine beyond doubt when it counts (Captain Phil Sherley, Greg Cruger, Glen Harrington et al). None of the older guys have had injuries because they never exert too much. Graham Brake – aka Panther, aka ‘Melbourne Cup’ – hungers to smash another six onto the roof of the house adjacent to the Stephens Park carpark… and leave it to his team mates to get the ball and apologise to the house owner.
THIRD GRADE KOOKABURRAS
After seven rounds the Kookaburras are fifth on the ladder after three wins, a tie, a loss, a bye and a wash-out. The team’s best performance came in Round 2 with a close win over last year’s 3rd Grade Premiers Bundanoon. We have some tough games ahead before the Christmas break.
The Kookaburras are a blended team of the Highlands Social Cricket Club, new arrivals to Bowral, and a number of father son combinations including the Michie’s (Alec & Max), Chance’s (Mark & Nash), Maurice’s (Tim & Sam), Haire’s (Simon and Dominic) and the Muldoon’s (Chris & Lachlan). It’s a wonderful experience for the Dad’s to play cricket with their kids and it’s great to see the whole team involved in helping these younger players become better cricketers and teaching them the spirit of cricket.
We send our best wishes to Paul Dalrymple who was struck down by a knee injury in round 2 and hope to see him back in action after the Christmas break. Max Michie has stepped up to stand in for Paul as our new wicketkeeper and is showing great improvement in learning his new trade behind the stumps.
U14 TAYLORS
The U14 Taylors have their tails up after a rusty start to the season. After a round one loss to the Bowral Clarkes the boys have rallied and scored two outright wins, despite the team being down in player numbers. We are currently placed 3rd out the 8 teams in the 14’s competition.
The boys all enjoy their cricket and have been working hard at training to better their cricketing skills. Notable improvers are Noah Powell in batting, Henry Disher in bowling and Alex Ta-me in the field. The team leader, Captain Zac de Hosson, has led by example in aspects of the game. It has been very pleasing to see the players gel into a team by supporting and encouraging each other throughout our matches.
Go the Tubbies!
Michael Murton (Coach)
BCC U14 Taylors and PSSA South Coast player Warwick Preston
U14 CLARKES
With the season on the go we have a very enthusiastic team, with a mix of players from last year, players stepping up from under 12’s, some players from Mittagong and some new players from out of the district.
We started the season against the other Bowral U14’s team team – the Taylors – not having a real training run. It was a good start though. Dominic Haire, new to Bowral, was on fire with 5 for 5 then 52 with the bat. Others to mention are Toby Smith with 4 for 10, Edward Haydon 38 and a great stumping.
Since then everyone has started to settle in to new surroundings, new players and coaches and new ways of doing things.
We have discovered some up and coming talent amongst the boys. Others up for a mention are Edward Haydon with 96 runs and 5 stumping’s. Harry Miller is our team talker (you can’t keep him quiet)… that’s not a bad thing.
Everyone is keen as mustard to learn and get better but not so keen on fitness and skills drills – but that’s how we get better (hey boys!!)
Everyone is looking forward to the rest of the season. Ohh. And Christmas as I have been informed is only 5 weeks away.
James Smith (Coach)
U14 Clarkes player Toby Smith takes a drive against Oxley Blue, Taylor Ave, 21 Nov 2015
U12 BORDERS
Some recent highlights from the U12 Borders commentary box:
“And here comes Joseph Marasery, opening his spell from the Moss Vale end. Marasery to Perkins, bowled! Joseph has a wicket with his first ball. Third ball, in comes Marasery to Gentles, it’s a peach, bowled him. Marasery two for none. Now here’s Hall, on nought, facing Marasery, who is on fire today. It pitches, he swings: bowled him! The crowd goes wild. Marasery is mobbed by his team. A three-wicket maiden.’’
“And here comes Bundanoon’s French to Jack Turner. Turner on 28, looking for his first retirement. It’s short, leg side, Turner pulls. It’s a huge hit. But there’s Hall on the boundary and takes the catch. Bad luck Jack but what an entertaining innings. He’s one to watch, this Turner.’’
“Cian Stirling now at Exeter, bowling from the railway station end. He bowls, it pitches on a good length. Wright swings, and misses. Got him. Bowled. Stirling’s first wicket for the year. Well done Cian.’’
Brendan O’Keefe (Coach)
U12 CHAPPELLS
There have been many noticeable performances amongst the Chappells so far. Daniel Hill and Jack Ayling are doing well with the bat, both scoring 30 runs in round 3. Hayden Willebrand, Finn Kaufline and Will Kowalski have bowled a consistent line and length. In the field Hayden took a superb diving catch at point in Round 4 and Angus Webster took a great overhead catch at slip in round 6.
Both new and experienced players all bonding well and enjoying training and game time.
Byron Kaufline (Coach)
The U12 Chappells celebrate their round 5 win at Bundanoon.
U12 TAYLORS
The boys have made a good start to the season having won all but one game. The team is a combination of kids who have not played together as a group before but have come together really well. Their enthusiasm in the field is great to see and has eventuated in some great performances all round with plenty of catches and run-outs so far with everyone contributing.
Flynn Corby and Will Dowe have shown great improvement in their bowling and Lachlan Cooper with 20 not out in a recent innings has shown how much he has worked on his batting during the winter. Franki Nesci has managed two 30 run retirements.
Richard Anderson (Coach)
Lachie Goodwin (U12 Tayors) celebrates a catch, Stephens Park, Sat 21 Nov 2015
U12 WAUGHS
With a split of U12 mates from last year and players new to competition cricket, the Waughs got into the season with a match against the Bowral Taylors at Stephens Park. The Taylors gave us heaps and although the Waughs managed a narrow win it was a jolting experience, setting a tone that we’d have to play and work hard all season. The Waughs have managed a row of wins since, but given the calibre and progression of other teams – not to mention the four Bowral U12 teams currently holding the top four ladder positions – it will be interesting to see what the coming rounds bring.
Stand out performances have come from Angus Hayman who bowled 0-3 after two overs in round three. Will Watson managed a 3-3, Judah Wright 2-1 and Moses Rewais 2-4. Who’d have thought that eight-year-old Tommy Olofsen would go on to take two wickets so quickly? And brother Lachie Olofsen… a 1-6 after two in round five? Hilary Swan’s bowling has gone to another level, with Hilary also pulling off a 1-6. Under a rotational batting structure Will Watson has retired on 30no four times. Matt Colgan, Hal Canute, Judah Wright and Jack McCallum have also carried us with the bat.
If only the words ‘walk it in’ would register!
Matt Watson (Coach)
U12 Waughs players at training, Stephens Park, Nov 2015
MILO IN2CRICKET
We’re off and running with what must be one of the most satisfying parts of local cricket – the Saturday morning In2Cricket sessions for absolute beginners at Bradman Oval. The first session was Saturday 7 November. It was such a buzz for our club to have 45 kids show up and acquaint with cricket on one of the most beautiful and renown cricketing grounds in the world. Special thanks to Andrew Macleod who is again coordinating this. If you are interested in getting your kids involved or are available to help (parent help is fantastic) contact Andrew at [email protected]
In2Cricket on Bradman Oval – what a way to start
T20 BLAST
Once again we’ve had a huge response to this fun and exciting format of cricket that caters for both new and more experienced players, with BCC fielding 6 out of the 14 teams participating. It’s wonderful to see the 48 young BCC cricketers (aged 8-12) turn up in their Sixers’ pink (or, should I say, magenta) shirts and hats on Thursday afternoons at Eridge Park, smiling and laughing throughout. Unfortunately, “if it’s thursday, it must be raining” has been a bit of a theme so far, with 3 sessions cancelled due to bad weather. There will be some makeup dates that will be announced soon.
Deanna Pagnini (T20 Coordinator)
That’s “Batting Above Average” for now. We’ll be back again soon with another update.
May we say thank you once more to our sponsors, Bowral Bowling Club and Raine & Horne Bowral.
Yours in cricket, the BCC Board.
