All posts by resches

NOTES  FROM THE WEST INDIES BARBADOS INTERNATIONAL OVER 60s TOURNAMENT FROM STUART RIDGE

NOTES  FROM THE WEST INDIES BARBADOS INTERNATIONAL OVER 60s TOURNAMENT FROM STUART RIDGE

AUSTRALIA OVER 60s BARBADOS PLAYING SQUAD JANUARY 2023

Back: Glenn Richardson VIC; Syd D’Mello WA; Sam Davis WA; Stephen Moore TAS; Greg Hoysted VIC; Stuart Ridge NSW; Kent Officer QLD; Claude Orlando TAS; Dale Thornton VIC

Front: Mike Riley SA; Peter Mills VIC; Peter (Archie) Dudderidge VIC; Eric Higgins (c) NSW; Peter O’Reilly NSW;Alan Bougoure QLD.

WEDNESDAY 18 JANUARY (PRE TOURNAMENT)

Will find out if I’m in the side for the first competition game tonight Barbados time v England tomorrow (Monday). If I’m playing I should be able to give you an update on that for next week’s Camperdowner.

Otherwise, so far we have had a centre square practice at the Wanderers ground where I believe CCNSW have played.

And a warm up game v West Indies 60s at Pickwick CC (next to Foursquare Rum Distillery and venue for the England game) which we ended up winning quite comfortably. They had a couple of decent bats and a couple of bowlers who looked as though they would have been a scary prospect when younger – including one who still had a decent bouncer (first I’ve seen in 60s). But fell away pretty quickly once we got past them.

Had a decent bowl myself. Came on first change as the other main opener fancied the same end (downhill with wind). Broke a good opening partnership and put the brakes on scoring rate so was happy with that. Wickets as expected were rolled mud with a few clippings but a little bit in them for the bowlers and some swing with the pink Dukes we are using.

You’ll be able to see scores from the tournament here:

O60s BMC Caribbean Cup 2023: Schedule – Cricket West Indies Masters Association (“CWIMA”)

And scores from the practice game here – a bit informal with a few 2nd chances and recycling to get everyone some game time.

League: Australia vs West Indies – Cricket West Indies Masters Association (“CWIMA”)

Will let you know what happens with the first game.

GAME 1 MONDAY 30 JANUARY 2023 AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND

Fantastic start coming out on top in an epic battle with England.

Very proud (even as a ‘Pommie exile’) to be presented with a baggie green before the game.

England were celebrating holding us to 140 on a tricky pitch and large slowish outfield due to some overnight rain. We got off to a good start against the openers but then were quickly bogged down against their slow bowlers. Lindfield’s Peter O’Reillly was the backbone of the innings with a patient 43.

Not a lot in it for the seamers but with the pink Duke ball giving a bit of shape, we were able to tie down the openers to 20 off the first nine before the scoreboard pressure forced a rash shot for the breakthrough and my first international wicket.

England then imploded with a series of poor shots against our spinners falling to 8-45 before a tense and stubborn rearguard partnership of 70 for the 9th wicket kept them in the game. However, the run rate had been creeping up and a final breakthrough with 4 overs to go slowed them further and allowed us to close out a 15 run win.

Scorecard: Australia 8-142 (45 overs) defeated England 9-127 (45 overs)

S. Ridge dnb and 9-2-25-1For full details of the game,  seehttp://www.windiesmasters.org/cwima/viewScorecard.do?matchId=953&clubId=30679

League: Australia vs England – Cricket West Indies Masters Association (“CWIMA”)windiesmasters.org

Match replay with good commentary

Big Man Cricket: Caribbean Cup Master’s Over 60 Australia v Englandyoutube.com

GAME 2 v REST OF THE WORLD WEDNESDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2023

The Rest of the World  won the  toss and made the unfortunate decision to bat first in a wicket still a little damp with overnight due. Games start early at 9:30am and I think the covers were not removed early enough. Plenty of movement in the air and off the wicket made scoring very difficult. No batter got in and with a regular fall of wickets we knocked them over for 46 in 28 overs. I got into a good rhythm and bowled 9 straight – 6 maidens, 2 for 5 and picked up MoM.

 By the time we batted the pitch had settled and we completed a comfortable 10 wicket win. A few familiar faces in the RoW side from the Southern Highlands Vintage side – Ian Bradburn, Gary Whitaker and Mark Preddey.

Stuart Ridge being presented with MoM award for Australia v Rest of the World

GAME 3 v USA FRIDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2023

An easy win v USA. Batted first, scored 268 and then rolled them for 68. Had another tight opening spell picking up a couple of wickets, 5 overs 2 for 4.

GAME 4 v WEST INDIES MONDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2023

A nail biter v West Indies. A good side with at least a couple of ex first class players. Sent them in after a little overnight rain and contained them well to 144 in their 45 overs.  No wickets this time but probably my best spell – 9 overs 0-16.

Our innings closely mirrored theirs for run rate and loss of wickets but some cool finishing got us home by 2 wickets with 5 balls to spare.

Both games streamed and available on You Tube for anyone interested.

Australia v USA at Pickwick Oval

West Indies v Australia at BNOC

We are now guaranteed a spot in the final at Kensington oval on Friday where we are told

“FYI.  Just received this from Raj @ BMC O60s Caribbean Cup re the Australian Honorary Consul’s (James Gardiner) role Friday    

He [the Australian consul]  will be going to the Presidential Suite in the main pavilion. We are hoping to get the US & English ambassadors there also along with some of the WI cricket legends. Sir Wes Hall is expected there to do some of his book signings, etc. He will be expected to mingle with the players and guests there during the time he will be there.”

I’m having a rest for the next game and hopeful for selection on Friday against the winners of the England v WI game tomorrow.

GAME 5 v INVITATION WEDNESDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2023

A day off for me and another comfortable win. Whilst a dead rubber in terms of getting to the final still a bit at stake for individual performances with competition for places in the team for the final at stake.

Scorecard

http://www.windiesmasters.org/cwima/viewScorecard.do?matchId=964&clubId=30679

After completing the round robin stage unbeaten in 5 games, Australia qualified to play in the final at Kensington Oval against second placed England whose only loss was against Australia in the first round.

Final table after round robin.

No.TEAMPWLPointsWin %
  1Australia55010100
  2England541  8  80
  3West Indies532  6  60
  4Rest of the World523  4  40
  5Invitational XI514  3  20
  6USA505  0    0

England won the toss and elected to bat first.

On a good pitch with a fast outfield we contained England reasonably well until their number 5 Edward Gordon-Lennox took the game away from us with a brutal 75 off 55 balls including 6 sixes to post a total of 9-238.  We gave him a couple of lives including an early missed stumping and a relatively easy drop of my bowling in my second spell before his final onslaught.

Personally, I was pleased to continue my tight bowling from earlier rounds despite an expensive last couple of overs at the death against some good hitting from Gordon-Lennox.

We felt the total was achievable in the conditions but England bowled and fielded very well giving nothing away.  The first half of our innings followed a similar trajectory to theirs but we were unable to sufficiently accelerate and steadily lost wickets as the run rate crept up.

Despite the final margin looking comfortable it was a hard fought game with the main difference being the Gordon-Lennox innings.

Scorecard for the final:

http://www.windiesmasters.org/cwima/viewScorecard.do?matchId=968&clubId=30679

Full replay on YouTube

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jLCsmUBXcI&t=915s

The full match report from the Australian Veterans Cricket Facebook page was:

Match report Australia vs. England, O60 Big Man Cricket Caribbean Cup final , 10 February 2023

The scorecard can be found at cricclubs.com, under Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA)

The venue was the historic Barbados test ground at Kensington Oval. The privilege of playing on such a storied ground was icing on the cake in this competition to players on both teams. The outfield was, understandably, huge, the grass uniform and tightly mowed, and the pitch was flat and firm. A perfect venue for the top two teams of the tournament. Australia had played strongly and consistently through the five games of the minor round, beating all teams, including England, and looking to repeat their first round result. England had the one loss – and were intent on avenging that loss to Australia.

England won the toss, and had no hesitation in batting. The English openers saw the Australian opening bowlers off, only for Merriman to fall to Dudderidge’s off-spin, with a comfortable catch in deepish gully with the score at 34 off ten overs. The large outfield was quite quick, with the boundaries either sloping down from the square or at least level, so good shots were rewarded. Grant and Braithwaite settled in and motored along at an average of almost five runs an over until Thornton had Grant caught behind on a well-earned 54, at 93 runs off 22 overs. Just three overs later Douglas was run out by a sharp piece of fielding by Thornton, with only 18 added to the score. That brought Gordon-Lennox to the crease with the score at 3 for 111, with some 20 overs left. Dudderidge continue to bowl tightly, and soon had Braithwaite LBW after a useful 34. Dearden (7 off 9) was caught behind off O’Reilly, and Butterworth (9 off 12) was caught by Thornton off Ridge. At that point, 36 overs and 175 runs on the board, Gordon-Lennox teed off on the attack, blasting 6 sixes and five fours, although he had luck go his way several times. He was eventually caught off Riley to a brilliant diving catch by Miller at cow corner, with the score at 224 off 43 overs. Caunt batted confidently to take the score to 236 before being run out by substitute fielder Bougoure. Riley took the last wicket on the last ball – after having bowled a contentious wide the previous ball. England put up a healthy 239, which was thought to be a reachable score.

Both teams were invited to the Presidential Suite at Kensington Oval for a wonderful lunch spread. On the way upstairs we passed Sir Gordon Greenidge, sitting like an unassuming spectator in the stands! He chatted amicably to a number of the players before we headed upstairs where we were greeted by Sir Wes Hall signing his book for players. Cricket royalty indeed!

Australia started solidly, with Higgins and O’Reilly going along at 4 runs an over until O’Reilly (21 off 36, with four superb 4s) was removed by a smart leg-side stumping, overbalancing and lifting his back foot slightly. Thornton, Officer and Hoysted fell rather quickly, so the score was now 4 for 70 after just over 20 overs. The required run rate at this stage had escalated to 7 runs an over – still doable, but with England having five fielders right on the long boundaries it was becoming more of a strangle. Higgins batted superbly, but some eight or nine of his powerful sweep shots went straight to the sweeper on the leg side boundary, and a similar number of signature cut shots went either to point on the sweeper at deep backward square. Fatigue had crept in, and he fell finally for a well-earned 53 off 84 balls, all with only four 4s, having pushed the score to 107 with 5 wickets down and only 17 overs to go. The asking rate had climbed to 8 runs per over. Richardson and Miller tried to push the score along, with Miller falling for 6 at the end of the 33rd over with the score on 129. Twelve overs and 111 need at over 9 runs an over. Dudderidge joined Richardson, and they pushed aggressively, scoring 37 in the next four overs at the elevated asking rate, and giving hope to the Australian supporters. But such aggressive batting against the English field meant taking risks, hopefully calculated, but both Richardson (40 off 44 with only two 4s) and Dudderidge (12 off 12) fell on the same score, followed by Ridge on the same score of 156. The asking rate had ballooned to 11 runs per over at that stage. The Australian wicketkeeper, Orlando, pushed aggressively but sensibly, ending up 11 not out off 8 balls, including one booming six over cow corner, until Riley was bowled attempting a pull shot to the vacant region behind square leg, ending the Australian chase on 168 in the 39th over. Three of the English bowlers took three wickets each.

Australia’s choice for England’s man-of-the-match was easy, with Ed Gordon-Lennox with a power-hitting display of 74 runs off 55 balls. England nominated Australian captain Eric Higgins for his fine 53.

So despite coming in second to England, all the Australian players enjoyed their time in Barbados, bonding as a group and performing solidly the entire tournament. Credit to England for coming back strongly after their first match defeat.

As something of a consolation, Australian players featured in several top-5 categories in the tournament:

Batting: #5 Glenn Richardson, 165 runs at an average of 82.5

Bowling: #1 Mike Riley, 12 wickets at 8.83 off 33.3 overs

Fielding: #2 Claude Orlando, 5 catches, 2 stumpings and 2 run-outs from fielder throws.

Player rankings: #2 Stuart Ridge, 880 points

#4 Archie Dudderidge, 675 points

Note: A player ranking score was used to determine the player of the tournament and despite not contributing with the bat and not topping the wicket tally or averages, the algorithm used obviously rewarded my tournament best economy rate (only pushed above 2 in an expensive last over) to rate my efforts 2nd overall. 

My overall figures for the tournament:

5 matches

Bowling 41 overs 6 wickets 89 runs 14.83 average 2.17 runs/over economy rate

Batting – 1 first ball duck!

Fielding: 1 catch, 1 run out

WEEK SEVENTEEN: WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY-SUNDAY 29 JANUARY 2023

LMS T20 (8-a-SIDE) EASTERN SYDNEY MIDWEEK DIVISION 2  ROUND 10 v ‘NRLCC’ AT MP 8, ROBERTSON ROAD, MOORE PARK ON WEDNESDAY 25 JANUARY 2023: REPORT BY SCOTT WILLIAMS 

CCNSW win the toss and elected to bowl. Things got off to a great start with Mick McGrath being unplayable and even bowling a maiden-a very rare event in LMS cricket. Scott Williams and Mick kept things tidy for the first 8 overs and NRLCC never recovered, only scoring 5-106 off their 20 overs with new keeper and English debutant Freddie Greenwood getting a stumping and 2 catches..  

CCNSW needed to score 107 within 16 overs to get the bonus point and Stephen Sheakey (13 off 9 balls) and Rob Shone (30 off 35 balls) got us off to the start we needed. Once ‘Sheaks’ departed, Freddie Greenwood (50* off 34 balls) picked up where ‘Sheaks’ left off and we managed to win in the sixteenth over with a bonus point. 

The Team was: –  Steven Sheakey 13, Rod Shone 30, Fred Greenwood (w) 50*, Tom Richardson 9, Mick McGrath 0, Scott Williams 5, Jim Hadley (c) dnb, Soren Hughes dnb and Will Jacobs dnb

The Result was:- 

NRLCC: – 5-106 (20 overs)

Lost to

CCNSW: – 3-107 (15.2 overs) (F. Greenwood 50*; R. Shone 30)

By 5 wickets

The Bowling was: – S. Williams 4-0-14-1; M. McGrath 4-1-13-2; T. Richardson 3-0-21-0, S. Sheakey 3-0-13-0; R. Shone 3-0-16-1; J. Hadley 3-0-27-0

The Fielding was:-

Stumpings: – 2 to F. Greenwood

Catches: – One to F. Greenwood (w)

Run outs: – Nil

Player points (awarded by captain): – 3 points to F. Greenwood; 2 points to M. McGrath; 1 point to R. Shone

See:  https://www.lastmanstands.com/leagues/scorecard/2nd-innings?fixtureid=370871

SOCIAL GAME V ‘RAGA’ INVITATION XI   AT CAMPERDOWN PARK, CAMPERDOWN  ON THURSDAY 26 JANUARY 2023: REPORT BY PETER ROLLS

[PETER ROLLS REPORT TO FOLLOW]

The Team was: –  John Finucane  4, Andrew Thurlow 3, Michael  Carman 10, Mel Lucas 30*, Peter Rolls (c) 7, Greg Brooks 5, David Craig 13, John Jackson 25. Paul Kumar 1, David Wright 9, Joe Scarcella 0

The Result was: 

Raga Invitation XI: – 9-199 (40 overs) (J. Finucane 3-14; G. Brooks 3-24)

Defeated

C.C.N.S.W.: – 10-119 (38 overs) (M. Lucas 30)

By 80 runs

FoW: – 1-4 (A. Thurlow); 2- 9 (J. Finucane); 3-50 (G. Brooks); 4-50 (P. Rolls). 5-72 (D. Craig); 6-73 (P. Kumar); 7- 94 (J. Scarcella); 8-113 (D. Wright); 9-117 (M. Carman); 10-119 (J. Jackson).

The Bowling was: – G. Brooks 6-0-24-3; J. Scarcella 6-1-20-1; D. Craig 6-0-41-0; M. Carman 4-0-23-0; P. Rolls 6-0-31-0; J. Jackson 5-1-23-1; J. Finucane 4-0-14-3; A. Thurlow 3-0-21-0

The Fielding was: –

Stumpings: –

Catches: – 2 to M. Carman; 2 to P. Kumar, one to P. Rolls and one to J. Scarcella

Run outs: – One to anonymous

CITY AND SUBURBAN ROUND 10  v HUNTERS HILL  AT BORONIA PARK, HUNTERS HILL ON SUNDAY 29 JANUARY 2023: REPORT BY TOM ROBERTSON

Always interesting playing at Boronia Park. Wicket is full of spice. To help bowlers even more, the humidity at Hunters Hill may have exceeded 100%. 

Craig Kitson took the reins and went and lost the toss. Hunters Hill decided to have a bat.

Avi Bhandari and Toby Forbes opened the bowling and the scoring rate was dour. Hunters Hill amassed 1-29 from  their first 18 overs. After drinks wickets steadily fell. We knew their best batter hated spin so Adam Khamis  came on and bamboozled him and got his wicket not long after. One of their middle order batters so struggled with his pads that he eventually just batted without them. Something you don’t see every day. Hunters Hill ended at 9-109 after 35 overs

Our turn to bat to chase a small total. The modern vogue in cricket is to attack the bowling but Hunters Hill’s strength is bowling so we needed to be careful about our chase. Tom Robertson  and  Jamie Murtha opened the CCNSW batting and went at over a run a ball. The ground is probably the biggest in C&S and that made it ripe for threes. We certainly earned our runs the hard way.

A 50 opening partnership all but ensured victory. Tom proved his inability to finish again by choking within sight of the line. Harry Bridge and Paul Nash took us home with more threes. One real point of difference in the sides was our catching; we caught everything (Oh except Declan when his Dad arrived to watch).

The Team was: – Tom Robertson 56, James Murtha 15, Paul Nash 18*, Harry Bridge 11*, Peter Constantinou dnb, Soren Hughes dnb, Toby Forbes dnb, Declan Thomas (w) dnb, Craig Kitson (c) dnb Avinash Bhandari dnb

The Result was: 

Hunters Hill: – 9-109 (35 overs)

Lost to

C.C.N.S.W.: – 2-111 (16 overs) (T. Robertson 56)

By 8 wickets

FoW: – 1- 54 (J. Murtha); 2- 93 (T. Robertson)

The Bowling was: – A. Bhandari 9-4-17-2; T. Forbes 6-2-10-0; S. Hughes 5-0-21-2; P. Nash 3-0-4-0; C. Kitson 3-0-13-1; A Khamis 7-0-35-2; P. Constantinou 2-1-5-2

The Fielding was: –

Stumpings: – Nil

Catches: – 3 to T. Forbes; one each to A. Bhandari S. Hughes, A Khamis, C. Kitson and T. Robertson

Run outs: – Nil

Player points (awarded by captain): – 3 points to T. Robertson; 2 points to A. Bhandari; one point to T. Forbes

MASTERS ROUND 8 v STRATHFIELD CC AT CAMPERDOWN OVAL  ON SUNDAY 29 JANUARY 2023: REPORT BY ANDREW DADSWELL  

A tough day in the office against some genuine quality cricketers

It was hot. It was humid. The opposition was high quality.

After two washouts the CCNSW Masters were keen to get on the field and have a crack at the defending premiers and undefeated Strathfield on our home soil. We presented a strong line-up by CCNSW standards, but so did Strathfield, in fact they seemed to have all their gun players on show and boy did they come ready to play.

Strathfield skipper Pasupati won the toss and happily batted first, taking advantage of the hot conditions. The pitch was an unknown factor and gave us some hope of early damage. Brett James didn’t disappoint with a fine display of left arm medium new ball bowling. But the Strathfield openers played the right shots at the right times until Ben Stanic got a wicket first ball of his spell to remove the dangerous Patel. Strathfield went about seeing off the good balls and punishing anything remotely loose. Four of their top seven batters reached 40*+ retirement scores as we struggled to make inroads in the middle overs. It wasn’t so much a case of bad bowling – it’s just that the batting was very, very good.

Ben Stanic continued to create chances and Mick Tarrant’s second spell was high quality. Their efforts created our best period in the field as we took wickets after drinks. But when Strathfield’s Paul Maraziotis came back to the crease he played his shots and ended up on 92* – just 98 short of his highest score of 190 for the NSW 2nd XI against the likes of Mitch Johnson back in the 2000s!

Against this kind of quality batting if we were to restrict them we needed to hold every half chance. We had our moments in the field with a brilliant one handed diving catch by Brett James, Jason Kenn’s great pair of hands and a beauty of a direct-hit run-out by Ed Cross. However we let a few chances slip too which proved costly, as they always do.

Strathfield’s 8-320 was going to be tough to chase down and it didn’t start well as both openers, Ed Cross and Jason Kenn, departed for ducks. Dan  Turner looked very good against the pace of Kish ‘I don’t bulk bill’ Nadesan and Scott Wells saw off the good bowling early before cashing in with some lusty blows and retiring at number 4. They were ably supported by Rob Lawther who continues to show his quality against good bowling.

But as each quality Strathfield bowler’s spell ended, another quality one would begin There was no let up and we ended up being all out for 134.

Beers were enjoyed after the game and the Strathfield guys are a good bunch.

It is easy to see why they keep winning the over 40s Masters competition each year. With Paul Maraziotis, the 8th highest run scorer ever in Grade Cricket, followed by two current representatives in the Australian  over 40s side  and a bunch of other quality players, they are the yardstick and they showed us the level to which we need to get  if we are to threaten the top sides.

The pitch played excellently and provided good consistent bounce throughout the day.

The Team was: –  Ed Cross 0, Jason  Kenn 0,Dan Turner 26, Scott Wells (w) 43, Rob Lawther 19, Brett James 2, Andrew Dadswell (c) 7, Jose Poothokaren 0, Michael Tarrant 11, David Abreu 11*, Ben Stanic 0

The Result was: –

Strathfield CC: – 8-320 (40 overs) (B. Stanic 4-77)

Defeated

C.C.N.S.W.: -10-134 (35 overs) (S. Wells 43)

By 86  runs

FoW: – 1-0 (E. Cross); 2-0 (J. Kenn); 3-39 (D. Turner); 4-83 (B. James); 5-91 (A. Dadswell); 6-98 (J. Poothokaren); 7-100 (R. Lawther); 8-118 (M. Tarrant); 9-118 (B. Stanic); 10-134 (S. Wells)

The Bowling was: – B.James 9-0-36-1; M. Tarrant 8-0-69-1; B. Stanic 9-0-77-4; D. Abreu 6-0-51-0, A. Dadswell 6-0-57-1; J. Poothokaren 2-0-28-0

The Fielding was: –

Stumpings: – Nil

Catches: – 2 to J. Kenn; one to each of S. Wells (w), B. James and R. Lawther

Run outs: – One to E. Cross

Player points (awarded by umpire): – 3 points to S. Wells; 2 points to B. Stanic; one point to D. Turner

See: https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/org/sydney-masters-cricket-association/masters-summer-202223/masters/game-centre/b54ac9dd

VINTAGE ROUND 8 v GEORGES  RIVER   AT BLAND OVAL, RIVERWOOD  ON SUNDAY 29 JANUARY 2023: REPORT BY GREG BROOKS  

When you’re hot, you’re hot!!

The over 60s CCNSW side arrived at Bland Oval with the conditions best described as hot and humid. Clouds were gathering and the first thought from the ‘Weather Oracle’ (Mr. G. James) was rain by 3pm.

Georges River won the toss and sent us in on a well grassed, hard wicket. We had a slow and measured start by Gerard O’Shea alongside guest player Neville Emerson who joined us via the “Raga network”, a very extensive network as we know! Neville was first to go adjudged lbw and Gerry was joined by Frank Baliotis, resplendent in his new CCNSW long sleeve shirt. He has now worn it twice and made consecutive 30 not outs! Further steady progress was made until Gerry (23) was stumped with the score on 43. Peter Rolls and Frank both batted well and were in complete control. On Frank’s retirement at 30* ret not out, ‘the Prez’, Greg Brooks  joined the Skipper, Peter Rolls to initiate some acceleration. The fours and sixes flowed and with the ‘Prez’s’ departure (34* ret not out) Mick McCormick joined Peter who retired not long after for 31*. Garry James (30* ret not out) then strode out… (perhaps more of a shuffle with his sore knee!) and smacked it to all parts of the ground continually “encouraging” Mick to follow suit! Mick (33* ret not out) changed bats and started to find the middle with regularity.

‘The Oracle’ was only 10 minutes off and sure enough at 2:50pm we retreated to the pavilion as a thunderstorm came through with solid rain. As a result we lost three overs. John Finucane  (8*), Sittampalam Ragavan (0) and Joe Scarcella (8*)  then came out swinging on the resumption and we finished with a very healthy total of 3-218 off 37 overs.

The umpire for the day Scott did a great job in managing the break between innings. Both teams wanted to get back out there and play some cricket as the covers had done their job. A target of 219 from 37 overs was always going to be tough so getting through the first 15 overs as quickly as possible to ensure a game was our first objective.

Georges River got off to a terrible start with the opener chopping down on his stumps (hit wicket) in the first over. Joe Scarcella (3-15) and Paul Georgiadis (1-20) did all the early damage backed up by some great catches from Neville Emerson (2) and Gerry O’Shea (1). With Garry James and Greg Brooks  replacing the openers Georges River found the going tough. Six of the runs from Garry’s bowling came in one blow yet the next ball saw a smart stumping by John Finucane and GR’s best batter was on his way! From  5-58 there was no recovery but two more wickets to Garry James (3-8) , one to Greg Brooks (1-14) and a destructive 2 ball /2 wicket spell from David Craig (2-0) meant the last 5 wickets fell for nothing!!  All out 58 in 21.2 overs.

David Craig as a 58 yr old ‘youngster’, played his first Vintage competition match thanks to permission from the Vintage Association Committee (and with the consent of the Georges River captain) and he duly delivered! Excellent in the field as always and limited to a 4 over bowling, he short changed himself by needing only 2 balls to wrap it all up.

Georges River were good sports and we had a laugh and a beer to finish.

Tough matches lay ahead starting with Southern Highlands at Camperdown on Sunday February 12th, followed by Central Coast and Northern Stars to finish.

If we continue to back our batting and bowling with good fielding we can give this competition a shake!

The Team was (playing 12): – Gerard O’Shea 23, Neville Emerson 4, Frank Baliotis 30*, Peter Rolls 31*, Greg Brooks 34*, Mick McCormick 33*, Garry James 30*; John Finucane 8*, Sittampalam Ragavan 0, Joe Scarcella 8*, Paul Georgiadis dnb, David Craig dnb

The Result was: –

C.C.N.S.W.: – 3-218 (37 overs) (G. Brooks 34*; M. McCormick 33*; P. Rolls 31*; G. James 30*)

Defeated

Georges River CC: -10-58 (21.2 overs) (G. James 3-8; J. Scarcella 3-15)

By 160 runs

FoW CCNSW: – 1-18 (N. Emerson); 2-43 (G. O’Shea); 3-209 (S. Ragavan).

FoW GR: – 1-0, 2-21, 3-27, 4-31, 5-48, 6-58, 7-58, 8-58, 9-58, 10-58.

The Bowling was: – J.Scarcella 7-3-15-3; P. Georgiadis 5-0- 20-1; G. Brooks 5-1-14-1; G. James 4-2-8-3; D. Craig 0.2-0-0-2

The Fielding was: –

Stumpings: – One to J. Finucane

Catches: – One to J. Finucane (w) and two to N. Emerson and one to G. O’Shea

Run outs: – Nil

Player points (awarded by umpire): – 3 points to G. James; 2 points to G. Brooks; one point to J. Scarcella

See: https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/org/sydney-masters-cricket-association/vintage-summer-202223/vintage/game-centre/45652d38

WEEK SIXTEEN A: THURSDAY 19 JANUARY-SUNDAY 22  JANUARY 2023

LMS T20 (8-a-SIDE) EASTERN SYDNEY MIDWEEK DIVISION 3  ROUND 9 v  ‘CLEVELAND SEAMERS’ AT MP 5, ROBERTSON ROAD, MOORE PARK ON THURSDAY 19 JANUARY 2023: REPORT BY SCOTT WILLIAMS

On a wet and miserable Thursday CCNSW were up against the previously undefeated Cleveland Seamers. Cleveland Seamers ‘generously’ offered to bat first without a toss, Our captain, Scott Williams jumped at the chance to get the ball in his hands so accepted the offer.

Some tidy bowling from Dan May (1-20 off 4 overs) and Scott  Williams(1-18 off 4 overs) had them on the back foot. Matt  Edge  (2-36 off 4 overs) didn’t let the foot off with constant wickets slowing their progress. Seamers set a pretty modest score of 150 which we never thought was to be in doubt. However what we had never contemplated when we accepted  their  ‘generous’ offer at the “toss” was that we were going to have to bat in the dark; we had been played. James Bonkowski (8) was out early to some very good line and length bowling but Rob Shone (53*) and Joel Uddstrom (24) got us back on track. On Joel’s departure, Scott  Williams came to the crease with CCNSW  needing 8 an over. His 30 off 11 balls followed by Dan May’s 37* off 20 balls was enough to get us over the line to win with 11 balls to spare and back on track for a place in the finals.

The Team was: – James Bonkowski 8, Rod Shone 53*, Joel Uddstrom (w) 24, Scott Williams (c) 30, Daniel May 37*, Matthew Edge dnb, Craig Fordham dnb, Peter Constantinou dnb

The Result was:-

Cleveland Seamers: – 5-149 (20 overs) ()

Lost to

CCNSW: – 3-155 (18.4 overs) (R. Shone 53*)

By 5 wickets

The Bowling was: – D. May 4-0-20-1; S. Williams 4-0-18-1; M. Edge 4-0-36-2; P. Constantinou 4-0-39-1; C. Fordham 4-0-35-0

The Fielding was:-

Stumpings: – Nil

Catches: – One to each of R. Shone and S. Williams

Run outs: – Nil

Player points (awarded by captain): – 3 points to D. May; 2 points to R. Shone; 1 point to S. Williams

CITY AND SUBURBAN ROUND 9  v NONDESCRIPTS  AT CAMPERDOWN OVAL, CAMPERDOWN ON SUNDAY 22 JANUARY 2023

Cancelled because of rain

CLASSICS ROUND 8 v ST CLAIR WARRIORS   AT MERRYLANDS  OVAL, MERRYLANDS ON SUNDAY 22 JANUARY 2023

Cancelled because of rain

Vale John Russell (JR)

MEMORIES OF JOHN RUSSELL IN MEMORIAM
1929-2018

Greg Brooks (current President C.C.N.S.W.): I first met John in 1994 when I began my first season with the C.C.N.S.W. John was a senior member of the Club and part of the management committee. I soon learned how involved he was in the Club and as the then President John McGruther’s words testify elsewhere he was a true club man.
Every Saturday JR would turn up to Camperdown and elsewhere to score the match and ensure the C.C.N.S.W. badge was well represented. A cup of black tea and some afternoon tea kept him going all day!
After the match we would all adjourn to the Camperdown Bowling Club for a drink and a few laughs with the opposition around the day’s events, good and bad. We won more than we lost, and JR was very proud of the team…indeed he was thought of as one of the team. After a whiskey and a soft drink JR would load up his white Subaru and be on his way home.
JR regularly joined us on tour, both to the country venues like Mudgee, Bowral and Camden, the interstate fixtures to Melbourne and Brisbane and of course overseas. He was present whenever we were privileged to play on the SCG and I know he was very pleased to receive his memento from the Governor of NSW, Marie Bashir when the Club was asked to play a match against the Army to celebrate 150 years of cricket at the SCG.
One of the highlights of our time together was the 2007 tour to South Africa, a trip made possible for John thanks to generous contributions from club members, particularly Steve Taylor who made a significant contribution. JR had a fantastic time, highlighted by several train journeys, one of which between Mosel Bay and George was almost missed but saved by the tour group to ensure JR’s bucket list was met! The trip to the Zulu village and the subsequent greeting ceremony was also remembered by John as a highlight…for entirely different reasons!
Even as age and illness caught up with JR and he could no longer attend our matches I would receive a phone call on Saturday or Sunday night to check the results of his beloved C&S team. All the details were required, and it was often a long call!
John was made a “Legend of the C&S” in 2010 and was a life member of the C.C.N.S.W.
There are many stories that could be told, and I do not have enough space here to re tell them all. Suffice to say that JR contributed to every aspect of our small Clubs’ activities and he will always be remembered as a great club man, a true gentleman and a wonderful friend.

Brian Fallon: John was one of nature’s true-gentlemen, one whose attitudes to life and practised-values, inspired you to do better.

Adrian Hawkes: John would have been 60 when I first met him in1989 with his playing days behind him. An initial gruff exterior hid a gentle man who was passionate about cricket and steam trains; loved to score with his “special” system and produce averages and quotients. He started the practice of writing weekly match reports on our C&S games which he scored and managed. His reports could be passionate; I remember his once writing that the opposition were “cowboys” but fortunately this was pre internet days. In his later years he liked to ring up for a chat and usually this lasted longer than an hour. I will miss him.

Joff Johnson: It is with a very heavy heart that I respond to the sad news about our beloved mate, JR. JR was highly respected and admired by all the C.C.N.S.W. family who came in contact with him. He was a permanent fixture at most of the games I played with the C.C.N.S.W. and we loved him being with us. I will remember him as a gentle caring man who could not do enough for the players and supporters – he will be sorely missed.

John McGruther: I recount some brief thoughts below by way of some Memoir contribution:
There are only a select few who, in life..whether in or outside of sports affairs…meet
the Biblical test of impeccable Stewardship. That is, of the true and faithful servant.
John Russell is the epitome of the ethic.
I should know. I worked with John, .affectionately “JR” to most…for periods on a daily basis, for over 12 years during my term as President, and a co- Director with him, of the Cricketers’ Club of NSW. That was only part of our affinity. From 1985 to now is 33 years for all of which I have held JR in the closest and affectionate regard.
Words cannot do justice to some Testimonies, this being one. This attempt thus can only be humble.
But JR’s Club Stewardship is potentially impassable. He organised Cricket Matches, he attended to Score them, he wrote Newsletters to Members about them whether whimsical, serious, or chastising, usually all three). He was a delegate of the Club at City & Suburban Association level, as well as being a C&S officer himself.
At the “old” Barrack Street Club, he collected the Pokie money from the machines, occasionally calling me from some losing Court case to help him carry the multitudinous coin- bags up the Club stairs. The penultimate finite Treasurer!
He helped organise Club Tours, a legacy for which CCNSW is still famous. Often, he arranged, or unsuccessfully tried to influence the design of, Club clothing, but usually
got right Players’ sizes right, even allowing for inconsiderate Player off- Season gorging.
All this, and more, despite, it might be added, intermittent health challenges occasionally challenging him.
Indeed, were there a Turnstile at the old Club entrance, it surely would have registered
daily, out of hours, and week-end entry. Such was also JR’s Club function attendance record.
The Testimony of JR is the very definition of Stewardship.
“Thanks JR” in one sense may not be enough…but in another, perhaps says it all.

John Anderson (Melbourne Cricket Club): Fond memories of JR. Man of integrity. Was never tempted to slip an extra run in the scorebook for CC of NSW in some of those close finishes we had at the SCG.