LMS T20 (8-a-SIDE) EASTERN SYDNEY MIDWEEK DIVISION 3  ROUND 5 v ‘ONE MORE BEER’ AT MP 4, ROBERTSON ROAD, MOORE PARK ON WEDNESDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2022:REPORT BY JAMES MURTHA  

(Editor’s note: When one of the opposition players opens  and  scores 80* and later opens the bowling and  takes 3 wickets in his first over, with figures of 3-11 in 4 overs, it is difficult to win!)

A  tough loss to swallow considering we bowled well. One of their players, Michael Hardy was great and a distinct class above the other 15 players. After scoring 80*, he took 3 wickets in his first over and we could not recover.

 We lost the toss and were sent in to the field.  The team bowled well, limiting the boundaries and taking a couple of early wickets. Rod Shone’s leg spin was extremely well bowled, he took 3 genuine wickets in his 4 overs and was the pick of the bowlers. Dan May on debut bowled mostly yorkers and looked very dangerous too. Our fielding standard was also very high especially considering we had no experienced keeper.

We were happy with our effort restricting them to 157, we set out to chase the runs, unfortunately 3 wickets in the first over and 1 in the second flattened our hopes of winning the game easily, Jamie Murtha and Craig Fordham started a nice partnership before a mix up lead to a run out, Rod Shone entertained as the last man for a while but we were soon wrapped up by the opposition for 75. 

We have six games remaining for the season before the Finals and need to win most or maybe all of them to have a chance of making the Finals!

The Team was: – Daniel May 1, Peter Buruma 2, Ben Digan 0, Steve Middleton 1, Jamie Murtha (c) & (w) 25, Adam Durant (w) 1, Craig Fordham 24, Rod Shone 15

The Result was:- 

One More Beer: – 6-157 (20 overs) (R. Shone 3-36)

Defeated

CCNSW: – 8-75 (17.2 overs) 

By 82 runs

The Bowling was: – A Durant 4-0-46-0; R. Shone 4-0-36-3; J. Murtha 4-0-19-0; C. Fordham 4-0-27-0; D. May 3-0-12-2, P. Buruma 1-0-12-1

The Fielding was:-

Stumpings: – One to A. Durant

Catches: – 2 to D. May and one to J. Murtha

Run outs: – Nil

Player points (awarded by captain): – 3 points to Rod Shone; 2 points to Dan May; 1 point to Adam Durant 

See: https://www.lastmanstands.com/leagues/scorecard/1st-innings?fixtureid=370860

C&S   ROUND 5 v KNOX OLD BOYS AT GILLESPIE FIELD, WAHROONGA ON SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER 2022: REPORT BY JIM HADLEY 

CCNSW lost the toss and was asked to bowl. Soren  Hughes and Harry Bridge opened the bowling on an under prepared but consistent surface. Both Harry and ‘Sooz’ were a bit unlucky with anything miscued finding space which seemed to give the Knox openers further licence to try their hand. Bridge eventually got his man but Knox OBs were by then 1-113. Jamie Murtha and Adam Khamis were brought on and troubled the Knox batters but just couldn’t sustain a consistent length, Khamis 8 overs 2-58 and Murtha 6 overs 2-42. Peter Constantinou held a good length for 3 overs 1-15 and Ash Perrot and his son Tom Perrot bowled the final overs reasonably cheaply Ash 3 overs 0-27 and Tom 2 overs 1-17. Our keeper Declan Thomas threw himself everywhere to hardly concede a sundry all innings. Knox 7-245 after 35 overs. 

Tom Robertson and Karthick Subramanian opened the batting with Tom hitting 16 off the first over. Tom soon skied an off drive to be out for 21. Karthick hit some big pull shots before departing for 31 when trying to up the run rate. Constantinou played round an off spinner to be bowled for 14 and Bridge after an encouraging start departed for  23. Ash Perrot got the only low bounce of the day, bowled for 0 and Murtha played on for 2. Hughes skied one hitting out for 0 as did Thomas 0. Lenny Volkov looked solid till being given out lbw and the final overs were played out by Khamis 19* and Hadley 10*. CCNSW finished 110 runs behind at 9-135 after 35 overs. 

The Team was (playing 12): –  Karthick Subramanian 31, Tom Robertson 21, Peter Constantinou  14, Harry Bridge 23, Ash Perrot 0, James Murtha 2, Soren Hughes 0, Declan Thomas (w) 0, Adam Khamis 19*, Len Volkov 2, Jim Hadley (c) 10* and Tim Perrot dnb

The Result was: –

Knox Old Boys: – 7- 245 (35 overs)

Defeated

C.C.N.S.W.: – 9-135 (35 overs) (K. Subramanian 31)

By 110 runs

FoW: – 1- 33 (T Robertson); 2- 59 (Peter Constantinou; 3-76  (K. Subramanian); 4-76 (A. Perrot).5-86  (J. Murtha); 6-86 (S. Hughes); 7- 95 (D. Thomas); 8-122 (H. Bridge).; 9-119  (L. Volkov)

The Bowling was: – S Hughes 7-0-55-0; H. Bridge 6-1-34-0; Adam Khamis 8-0-58-2; J Murtha 6-0-42-2; Peter Constantinou 3-0-15-1; A Perrot 3-0-27-0; T. Perrot 2-0-17-1

The Fielding was: –

Stumpings: – Nil

Catches: – One to D Thomas (w); one to S. Hughes and one to A. Perrot 

Run outs: – One to Tom Robertson

Player points (awarded by captain): – 3 points to K. Subramanian; 2 points to D. Thomas; one point to H. Bridge

MASTERS ROUND 5 v NORTHBRIDGE AT CAMPERDOWN OVAL, CAMPERDOWN ON SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER 2022: REPORT BY DAVID CRAIG 

Well, it’s that time of the year and every team I know of seems to be scrambling for eleven players. (Personally I can’t understand this, but then “I don’t like cricket, no, no, I love it!”), and Tex had to put a late Saturday evening call out for a batter. When NSW Emus rep Michael Pinter answered the call (11.03pm), skip gladly confirmed his spot in the team (11.05pm) – good call! Another good call was winning the toss and batting on the same old Camperdown strip (nearest the fig trees), which looked terrific but had already been used about six times this season and was either mutton dressed as lamb or a wolf in sheep’s clothing, depending on your personal platitude  and cliché proclivities. It started to break up from ball one, and while a lot of balls from the Australia Street end kept disconcertingly low, it was true enough to allow a decent contest between bat and ball.

Ed Cross and Mile Pinter (“Punter”) took to the crease against a Northbridge team new to the competition, and perhaps more suited to Classics than Masters. Twelve off the first over was a bright start and CCNSW were never really under pressure from this point on. (Game over, six points and a song, where’s the beers!). Nevertheless, it was a beautiful warm summer’s day and another 79 overs of cricket scheduled, so we played on regardless. In the fourth over Zatz got one to move in and got the lbw decision to send Ed on his way for 9. From there Pinter and Dan Turner compiled an excellent partnership, with Punter turning the strike over nearly every ball, while Dan dealt primarily in boundaries to quickly reach 40 retired not out at 1-79 in the twelfth over

Northbridge may have been relieved to see the back of the (first) mountain man, but there was to be no respite as Jason Kenn strode to the crease. There are strong Matthew Hayden vibes about the Springwood lefty, with his muscular build and belligerent hitting down the ground, but whereas ‘Haydos’ preferred catching in the gully, ‘JDo’s prowls around point or midwicket saving bulk runs and creating run out opportunities. The runs continued to flow with both Pinter and Kenn regularly finding the boundary and keeping the singles ticking over before retiring either side of the drinks break (1-136 after 20).

As often happens, the double retirement put the brakes on the scoring for a little while, and when  Tony Campey making his CCNSW Masters debut (Ed note: Tony became a financial member in January 2020 c 3 years ago),  and veteran Mike Weaver perished in consecutive overs we were 3-156 in the twenty fifth over and with a slight feeling of the old revolving dressing room door, new batters Andrew Dadswell (c) and Dave Craig set out to consolidate for a few overs. Eventually the shackles were broken as Tex drove extravagantly and yours truly fulfilled his contractual obligations by reverse sweeping the spinner to the third man boundary. The partnership yielded 56 before Craig mowed across the line once too often and the skied top edge presented little challenge for the Northbridge ‘keeper. Skipper Dadswell continued on his merry way to a quick 40*, whereupon David Abreu demonstrated why he is a highly regarded new ball bowler by swinging lustily: the willow moving plenty of air but not a lot of leather! Some late hitting by Jose Poohokaren in a nice partnership with a scampering Ben Stanic lifted the tally to 5-259 off our allotted 40 overs. 

After a sumptuous afternoon tea with all the major food groups represented (Twisties, lamingtons, muffins, cakes, cookies, snakes) we took to the field. I had the privilege of witnessing a clinical new ball spell from behind the sticks. Ben Stanic charging in from the Australia Street end with the wind at his back was getting good inswing, and with the ball regularly keeping alarmingly low, was a constant threat. From the Rotunda end, left armer Dave Abreu bowled with control and variety, mostly pushing it across the right handed openers, swinging the odd one back in, and occasionally rolling his fingers over a nasty leg-cutter that beat the bat consistently. It was only a matter of time really, as the dots began to fill the scorebook, and sure enough in the tenth over Collins skied Abreu into the safe hands of Ed Cross at mid-off (1-18). His mate Boulton followed next over with a textbook “top of off” from Stanic sending him back to the sheds. A problem for Northbridge quickly became a crisis two overs later when Ben induced a nick and Mike Weaver snared a one-handed screamer at second slip to dismiss Greenlees for a 🦆. Next over DA produced a peach that flicked Smith’s off stump, 4-30 after 14.

The game was still well and truly in the balance though, with Northbridge skipper Monty Noble at the crease. This bloke is good enough to have a stand named after him at the SCG, so commands RESPECT with a capital everything. Fortunately, Stanic got a thin edge and debutant ‘keeper Craig stooped low to scoop up the chance in defiance of the trademark Camperdown mullygrubber-style bounce. 

Tony Campey relieved Abreu from the Rotunda end, and his first delivery was a little off line, crashing into the middle stump instead of the off stump. Very disappointing, but the wicket first ball did help to ease the pain, and at 6-31 in the 16^th over this was becoming something of a rout. Stanic bowled out his ninth over at the other end, finishing with the remarkable figures of 9-4-8-3 before handing bowling duties to Jose Poothokaren. For Northbridge Danny Zatz joined Parker at the crease and they built a nice partnership of 41 with some classical straight drives and not-so-classical mows to leg. The drinks break came and went and both batters reached 22 before the pressure eventually proved too much. First Zatz skied a lifter from Campey to a fast moving Mike Pinter running to his right from cover. Soon after Parker chanced his arm against Tony Campey (TC – Top Cat, anyone?) once too often, the lofted slog settling into the hands of “Tex” Dadswell at long-on. Jose Poothokaren toils were rewarded next over when Maw screwed one to backward point where ‘JDos’ Kenn wrapped his mitts around it (9-87). 

Jason Kenn  kept his mitts on the ball to relieve Campey from the Rotunda end, commencing his first bowling spell for CCNSW Masters. It did not last long. Steaming in to a badly wounded Cope (early in their fielding stint he went down as if a sniper had felled him, hamstring gaaawn), Kenn’s pace was just too much, and Cope could only spoon the very first ball to Stanic at mid-wicket.

There were a number of “firsts” for the Club in this one. Tony Campey, in his first official outing for CCNSW Masters  snared a wicket with his first ball, a feat later replicated by Jason Kenn (well into his second season but hitherto not entrusted with bowling duties). Considering Dave Abreu also snared a pole with his first ball for the Club in Round 1, perhaps we could change our recruitment spie to:: “Join CCNSW Masters and you are practically guaranteed a wicket first ball!” And after pestering numerous CCNSW captains unsuccessfully over the years, I finally got the nod to ‘keep and if I had to say (reluctantly, of course) the feedback was pretty bloody positive in fact (thanks for the opportunity Tex).

A great day out against some top blokes (shout out to Northbridge for bringing beers), I’ll be back for more for sure .The Team was: –Ed Cross 9, Mike Pinter 40* (ret not out), Dan Turner 40* (ret not out), Jason Kenn 42* (ret not out), Anthony Campey 5, Mike Weaver 6, Andrew Dadswell (c) 40* (ret not out), David Craig (w) 16, Jose Poothokaren 23*, David Abreu 0, Ben Stanic 5* (and Sundries 33)

The Result was: 

C.C.N.S.W.: – 5-259 (40 overs) (J Kenn 42*, M. Pinter 40*; D. Turner 40*; A Dadswell 40*)

Defeated

Northbridge CC: – 10-87 (27.1 overs) ((B. Stanic 3-8; A. Campey 3-28)

By 172 runs

FoW: – 1-21 (E. Cross), 2-156 (A. Campey), 3-156 (M. Weaver), 4-207 (D. Craig), 5-238 (D. Abreu)

The Bowling was: – B. Stanic 9-4-8-3; D. Abreu 7-2-21-2, A. Campey 6-0-28-3; J. Poothokaren 5-0-26-1; J. Kenn 0.1-0-0-1

The Fielding was: –

Stumpings: – Nil

Catches: – One to D. Craig (w) and to each of E. Cross, A. Dadswell, J. Kenn, M. Pinter, B. Stanic and M. Weaver.

Run outs: – Nil

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

See: https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/org/sydney-masters-cricket-association/masters-summer-202223/masters/game-centre/b29ca527  

VINTAGE ROUND 5 v BURWOOD/KU-RING-GAI AT TURRAMURRA MEMORIAL PARK, TURRAMURRA  ON SUNDAY 4 DECEMBER 2022: REPORT BY FRANK BALIOTIS

La Niña must be on hiatus as we arrived at the picturesque Turramurra Memorial Park under glorious sunshine and a rather warm 33 degrees. Our skipper, Peter Rolls won the toss and decided to bowl on what looked like a dodgy wicket with large pieces of turf missing from both popping creases. 

 The Burwood Ku-ring-gai openers were pretty well tied down by some exceptional bowling from Stuart Ridge and Sittampalam Rafavan (“Raga”). Stuart was a little unlucky, but still managed figures 1-19 off 7 overs and Raga 2-26 of his 7 overs. (Both were amazingly accurate when coming on for last 2 overs each at the death considering they played National Over 60s in Geelong in the previous week). Joe Scarcella was next up but only lasted 4 balls before succumbing to a groin injury sustained in the Nationals the week before. More about Joey’s batting heroics to follow. Gerry O’Shea took over admirably and only conceded 16 runs from his 6.2 overs. He also ran for miles in the outfield and took an exceptional running catch on the boundary. Greg Brooks was also unlucky not to get a wicket and only conceded 25 runs from his 7 overs. It’s amazing what Brooksie can do, given his new hip. Mel Lucas also ran for miles and his bowling continually troubled the batters and combined well with John Finucane for a classy stumping. John also took a catch and kept well given the tricky pitch and heat. Garry James was at his bamboozling best; he’s clearly been doing this for a long time, and took two well-deserved wickets. 

 Even though three Burwood Ku-ring-gai batters scored 30* , we still bowled and fielded very well to contain them to 6-155  runs after 40 overs. 

 Gerry O’Shea and I opened the batting, and unlike me, out for 1, Gerry,went on to make a well played 30*. Mel Lucas was unlucky being given out lbw for 2. Peter Rolls was up next and scored two quick fours then played smart patient cricket until getting caught for 25 trying to smack one over long on. Brooks came in after Gerry O’Shea retired and as only he can, smacked a quick fire 23 before being caught in the deep. We were now 4-100 off 30 overs and plenty of work still required to reach 156. Garry James and John Finucane were now in bat. Garry opens his account with a four and then proceeds to play a controlled innings scoring ones and twos before retiring at 31*. I think Garry continually asking the umpire for centre was a ploy used to catch his breath. Very clever ploy Garry! By this time, John has scored a couple of fours and a bunch of singles when the man of the hour arrives in the name of Joe Scarcella.

Let me set the scene. Before the game Joe arrives in the dressing room and confides to his teammates that his undergarment is entwined in his heavily strapped groin resulting in an inability to perform on the Royal Dalton. With this in mind and having broken down after bowling 4 balls, he was determined to make a contribution and limped out to bat with the able assistance of Gerry O’Shea as the runner. After a few minutes working out the rules and who would stand where the first ball was bowled and people started running everywhere. Gerry, John and Joe were in no man’s land while the fielders had at least three attempts at removing the bails but inexplicably failed every attempt. It was like watching inebriated Keystone Cops. This happened twice!!

The boys settled as 6 an over was still required from the last 5 overs. But Joe nonchalantly hit two signature consecutive boundaries  behind square leg,  providing the impetus to go on and win the game with John hitting the winning runs (the first time he’s ever done that) with an over to spare. 

A few laughs, a great game of cricket followed by a few drinks. The world is a beautiful place.

The Team was: –  Gerard O’Shea 30*; Frank Baliotis 1, Mel Lucas 2, Peter Rolls (c) 25, Greg Brooks 23, Garry James 31*, John Finucane (w) 19*, Joe Scarcella 12*, Sittampalam Ragavan dnb, Stuart Ridge dnb

The Result was: –

Burwood/Ku-ring-gai: – 6-155 (40 overs) 

Lost to

C.C.N.S.W.: – 4-156 (39 overs) (G. James 31*; G. O’Shea 30*)

By 6 wickets

FoW: – 1-9 (F. Baliotis); 2-17 (M. Lucas); 3-92 (G. Brooks); 4-100 (P. Rolls)

The Bowling was: – S. Ridge 7-2-19-1; S. Ragavan 7-1-26-2; J. Scarcella 0.4-0-0-0; G. O’Shea 6.2-0-16.0; G. Brooks 7-0-25-0; M. Lucas 5-0-25-1; G. James 7-0-38-2

The Fielding was: –

Stumpings: – One to J. Finucane

Catches: – J. Finucane (w), G. O’Shea, G. Brooks

Run outs: –  Nil

Player points (awarded by umpire): – 3 points to G. James; 2 points to G. O’Shea; one point to S. Ragavan

See:  https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/org/sydney-masters-cricket-association/vintage-summer-202223/vintage/game-centre/0694425a