News

The Burnside West Presidents Foxes wrapped up the 1st silverware of the Summer, in the form of the Joe’s Garage Grade Championship – backing up from the same result last season.

Going in to the last game of the double round-robin competition they were 1^st equal with St Albans and needed to beat the Merivale Papanui side they were drawn against to at least share the championship.

They did so and then the news came in that Saints had lost their match across town – so the Trophy is returning to Avonhead Road for the winter.

Read the match report further down the page.

PREMIERSHIP:

Over at Burwood Park our Premiers resumed their 1^st innings equal with the Easts’ total of 257 – but with 7 wickets in hand. With some 17 overs still available to them the Prems were determined to build something of a lead and get into the task of bowling Easts out on a tremendous batting surface.

Did I say “something of a lead”? I’m not sure what Coach Paul O’Brien gave them for breakfast but the lads absolutely smashed it – adding 154 in those 17 overs to allow them to declare at 411/8. JJ Naude (40 from 33 balls) and Matt Hay (40 from 22 balls) did the initial damage before Carl Huyser (58 from 41) and Mitch Hay (29 from 26) maintained the momentum.

Declaring with a 1st innings lead of 154 the lads were further buoyed when Inglis & Farrant grabbed an early wicket each and Easts were reeling at 6/2. When Matt Hay bowled the dangerous Ken McClure they were 28/3 – then 56/4 when Scotty took his 2^nd.

Easts slumped further when they were reduced to 86/6 and in danger of losing outright by an innings. While most of the Easts’ batsmen tried to dig in (for example opener Duncan faced 74 balls for his 15) a young man named Tom MacRury decided counter-attack was the best option.

Fresh from his elegant but brutal 55 in the 1^st dig the tall left-hander belted 13 fours & 8 sixes in his 124 off 100 balls – adding 112 for the 7^th wicket with Connor Arnold (55 not out).

When MacRury was finally dismissed Burnside quickly seized back the initiative with 2 further wickets to have Easts seemingly dead & buried at 213/9. But Arnold wasn’t giving it away – facing 135 balls for his half-century – and he found able support in number 11 Josh Milne (10 not out from 82 balls) as they denied our lads the outright victory.

Jackson Latham took 3 wickets while the Singles and Faz show took 2 each.

Heart-breaking stuff for our lads as Easts ended 267/9 at the close of play – but some remarkable cricket played and our men gathered enough points from the game to maintain a slender lead over Lancaster Park in the 2-day competition.  

CHAMPIONSHIP:

Over at St Leonards Square our 2^nd’s trailed Sumner by around 30 1^st innings runs with wickets in hand from last week and – like the Prems – looked to build a small lead in quick time. They did so, reaching 266 all out with Hugo Howard & Alex Tait each scoring 30’s to build on the earlier work of the top 6.

They went into the field with a 25 run buffer and, despite a strong start from Sumner (who were at one stage 93/2), the introduction of Mr Howard’s left arm orthodox literally “turned” the game in Burnside’s favour. Hugo took 5 of the remaining 8 wickets to fall – ending with figures of 14-4-45-5.

McDuff & Peake each grabbed 2 wickets as well – as Sumner were humbled on their home turf being bowled out for 149 inside 45 overs.

In to bat and Tom Dunlop lead the charge initially with 54 not out off just 51 balls (5 fours and a six). But fellow opener Alex Heenan wasn’t having the young fella up-stage him and he put the foot down – smashing 7 fours & 5 sixes in his violent 71 not out – the Burnside men romping home for the outright by 10 wickets.

Heen’s is having quite a season with the bat – scoring 704 runs across all forms of the game (between Premier & Championship) and averaging 44.3 for 2nds.

Like our Premiers – the Championship side lead the 2-day competition going in to the penultimate round next week.

DIVISION 1:

The 3^rd’s resumed at 70/1 in their 2^nd innings against Lancaster Park on Burnside 1 – needing another 60 or so to clear the 1^st innings deficit.

Jason McKenzie was 20 odd not out and seemed intent on wiping the LP lead promptly as he slammed the 1^st ball of the day through wide mid-wicket for 4. He top-scored with 46 in quick time as the 3^rd’s got through to 158 all out.

That left Park with 33 runs for the victory which they achieved without losing a wicket.

DIVISION 3 – CANNONS:

El Capitan Peters was on hand to watch his charges battle the Marist Harewood Chargers on Burnside 2, but wasn’t involved in the action – a week long fit of gastro weakening the body but certainly not the mind.

The lads did him proud – humbling the Chargers to 88 all out inside 30 overs. Knowlesy Knowles (3/21) & Viking Gillespie (2/22) both bowled 8 straight, opening up, to inflict significant damage.

But it was Tom “Big Red” Grimshaw who starred thereafter – taking the remaining wickets himself to end with 5/29 off 7.4 overs. In reply the normally reliable openers in Terror Foote & Thorpey were both dismissed fairly cheaply as the Cannons briefly slumped to 13/2.

But Tom Batty (43*) and Chris Bradley (36*) didn’t show any signs of panic as they cruised home in the 19^th over for an 8-wicket win.

DIVISION 4 – BOOMERS:

Unfortunately the Cric HQ scorecard is incomplete for the Boomers match on number 3 against the Heathcote Pests – so I can’t provide you with any specifics on the Boomers bowling efforts 1^st up.

What I can say is that I saw some tight bowling backed up by committed fielding as Heathcote were held to 171/3 from their 40 overs.

In reply Opener Deon Cremer slammed 13 fours and 3 sixes in his 87 – despite wickets tumbling around him – before Tony Edlin (at 6) and an un-named Spare player (at 7) each struck 25 not out to see our men home with 5 wickets in hand in the 28^th over.

DIVISION 5 – STRIKERS:

No card in for the Strikers game against the Riccarton Mahja Cannons at Yaldhurst domain.

PRESIDENTS:

As mentioned earlier the Presidents Foxes took on MP Pickle at Burnside 4 – in the final round of the primary competition (dual round-robin format).

Sitting in 1^st equal place through 17 matches they needed to get the W to at least share the title – their hopes of winning it outright resting with the other Merivale Papanui side (Identity Signs) being able to roll St Albans over at Edgar Mac.

The Foxes have only lost 3 games this season but one of those was to MP Pickle when they comfortably effected a 70-run win back in December.

The toss won the Foxes took the field and Kember took an early wicket before Hume & their skipper added 63 for the 2^nd wicket. At 73/2 at drinks things were slightly in MP’s favour – so skipper Robertson removed all semblance of pace from the attack by bowling his sleep-inducing right arm out-swing off 4.2 paces.

It worked to a degree as the run rate slowed for a while (0/24 off 8) and Kember switched between seam up & left-arm orthodox (depending on who was facing) at the other end. When he had the dangerous Browne well caught by Dickson they sat at 119/3, and the Foxes sensed a chance to run through them when Wheeler returned to trap Skipper Van Grunsven (Pickle) at 122.

But the remaining batsmen showed enough nous to tick the score over and, despite a spectacular one-handed screamer (above his head) by Chris Kennedy, they posted a potentially challenging 176/6 off their allotted. Twaddell, Kember & Wheeler each claimed 2 wickets.

After a briefly positive start Kennedy & Conway both departed at 25 – and Robertson strode to the wicket to join Allan. Both opening bowlers for MP bowled 8 straight and kept things fairly tight as the batsmen recognised the need to balance caution with positivity. When Allan fell at 69, for a well-compiled 34, drinks were taken in the 19^th over and the game hung in the balance.

Jordan Buchanan joined the skipper and the Foxes collectively held their breath – waiting to see what type of innings their maverick talent would attempt. Many times this season Buchanan has played with a reckless brutality that either comes off or doesn’t – regardless of the team need or position.

When dismissed cheaply he’ll shrug his shoulders as he wanders off – stating in a loud but high pitched & whiney voice “that’s how I play” – before disappearing to Mexicali fresh for a vegetarian lunch.

But this day his team needed him – and he wouldn’t be letting them down. He and Robertson played cautiously at 1^st before the 4^th & 5^th bowlers came into action. The skipper brought up his 3^rd consecutive half-century and the pair had added 74 for the 4^th wicket when he was dismissed. Robertson struck 9 fours & a six in his 64

From there Dickson & Buchanan added 23 to see the Foxes through to 166/5 before Buchanan finished things off fairly quickly with a flurry of boundaries. 8 fours & a six in his match-winning 50 not out.

The Foxes had gathered side-line to share a cold one or 3 when a text came through from Edgar Mac advising that the other MP side had, in fact, tipped up Saints – and the Foxes had won back to back championships. They celebrated in style and now move into the top 4 competition which includes a Grade Day at Hagley & the possibility of a match on Hagley Oval.

Well done Men!

T20 ROUND-UP:

A couple of byes and some poor Cric HQ work means minimal to report from our Men in Cavalier’s action over the weekend – though I can tell you the GhettoHustlers posted 134/8 in their match against the Riccarton Hoggs – but got run down in a thriller with the Hoggs making 135/7 & winning with 2 balls (and 1 wicket) to spare…

JUNIOR SNAPSHOT:

A motivational speech from Coach Rob Lamont (aka ‘Blindy’) wasn’t enough to inspire the BWU 5 side to a win against the Sydenham Booth Kings at Westburn School.

Our young men were 107 /11 at the end of their 20 overs, Cooper Oakley top-scoring with 24, and the Sydenham boys ran that down with 134.4.

Alex Guillemont starred with 2 wickets (both bowled) and a sharp catch.

No W in the column for BWU 3 either over at Burnside Primary. Our guys reached 93/6 from their 30 overs but were run down by a fast-finishing Merivale Pap side who reached 100/2.

Yours in cricket…

Fresh off his 122 in Nelson’s Hawke Cup victory over Southland – new Club recruit Thomas Zohrab was straight into the action for our Premier team against East Shirley, at Burwood Park, in the weekend.

The 1^st-year University of Canterbury student took an early wicket at 1^st-change, but it would be with the bat that he would really make an impact on debut. Easts batted fairly well through the morning and past lunch – declaring at 257/9. Inglis & Latham each claimed 3 wickets.

In reply Zohrab struck 98 off 126 balls (including 13 fours and 1 six) – providing the perfect foil to Tinus Huyser (62 from 49 balls) as the pair added 108 for the 1^st wicket from just 16.2 overs.  He then paired with Liam Winn (50) to add a further 109 for the 2^nd wicket, and he himself wasn’t dismissed until the 41^st over with the score at 257/3.

The Premiers will resume next week with a decision required around their approach with the 1^st innings scores tied on a very good batting wicket.

CHAMPIONSHIP:

Our 2^nd’s travelled to picturesque St Leonards Square in Sumner to take on the home side in day 1 action. Some big names (& frames) rolled out, in the absence of younger ones preferring to attend Electric Avenue, with Mark Shackleton, Brett Thomson & Dan O’Keefe all putting their hands up to assist in a crisis.

Sumner batted 1^st and struggled through to 160/5 off 40 and battling but it appears this correspondent has somehow upset all 2nd Grade members as they are refusing to give me further deets – other than they were going good in reply Alex Heenan pumped it again with (at least) 60 not out (at tea) and Tom Dunlop not out in the 20’s.

Millennials replying to texts or social media requests is problematic it appears at times…

DIVISION 1:

Fresh off their stunning outright victory last week, but also hampered by unavailable players, our 3^rd’s batted 1^st against Lancaster park 3^rd’s on Burnside 1. Park rolled out an interesting looking mixture in their line-up – I’m pretty sure it was a combination of travelling gypsies and junior accountants.

Their opening bowler was a shortish, barrel chested man with a bushy beard whose action looked like a grasshopper climbing a tree branch – and I’m certain that Tom Petty was fielding at cover for most of the day.

But it was our lads who were free-falling initially as we were all out for 89 – only Aiden Mikaera (21) & Henk Huyser (38) offering significant resistance.

In reply Park mustered 214/8 declared with no: 3 Amos scoring a well compiled century. Dan Vedder the pick of the bowlers with a 3 for. But our lads dug in in the 2^nd … um … dig … to be 55/1 – Mikaera & McKenzie both unbeaten on 20 odd to offer some optimism for next week.

DIVISION 3 CANNONS:

The missing person’s report which was filed with the Police in respect of El Capitan Peters has been withdrawn – as he returned to the line-up to take Riccarton at Yaldhurst Domain.   

Batting 1^st Terror Foote (35) & Knowles (23) added 50 for the 1^st wicket before Footie Foote scored 58 of his 71 in boundaries to lift the rate. Taser Bradley (20) and Kasun (25) also chipped in as the boys cruised through to 224/6 of their 40 overs.

Riccarton struggled in reply with only opener Rathore (37 off 24 balls) offering resistance – eventually all out for 89 in the 28^th over. Kasun cleaned up the tail with 3, after Knowles & Lenny Otte had taken 2 each. Lurking at 3^rd change El Capitan had a quiet day by his standards with 1/10 off 5.

DIVISION 4 BOOMERS:

A similar story at Tullett Park as only opener Thomas (41) offered much with the bat for Marist Harewood as they were bowled out for 105 in the 34^th over.  Wickets shared about with Tony Edlin’s 3 the best – Regan Wilson, Rana & D’Obbly O’Brien each snared 2. Deon Cremer was absent – allowing others a decent crack at things with the ball.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing in reply with 6 Boomers batsmen being dismissed in single figures. Luckily O’Brien wasn’t having any of this “difficult run chase” nonsense – striking 6 fours in his 49 not out. Campbell Rose, at number 9, hung with D’Obbly to get the lads over the line – 7 down in the 37^th over.

DIVISION 5 STRIKERS:

Electric Avenue also impacted the Strikers this week – getting the win courtesy of a default by their Marist Harewood opponents.

PRESIDENT’S FOXES:

Still 1^st equal with 2 matches to play in the round-robin competition the Foxes travelled to Burwood Park to take on the dangerous East Gold team.

Having won the toss and asked East to bat they were under pressure initially as Craig Gibb & former Otago Batsman Peter Dobbs starting to find the short boundaries straight to their liking.

At 48/0 off 11 the introduction of Wheeler was required and he slowed the rate nicely taking 1/16 off his 1^st 5 overs.

The introduction of Josh Vernall further hampered the East effort – bowling 8 straight he claimed 4/33 as Easts lost regular wickets before finally succumbing to 160 all out in the 38^th over. Wheeler & Kember 2 wickets each and Shane Young, in his 1^st appearance for a couple of seasons, was cat-like in the field.

In reply Tim Grocott trapped both openers in front to have the Foxes reply, and season, hanging in the balance. Marty Conway (35) played positively and, despite his loss, Burnside reached 86/3 at the half way (20 over) mark – the same position as Easts had earlier been.

But Everest & Robertson wanted to put the matter to bed and did so in fine style – Matt playing beautifully (55 not out) and Skipper Robertson (50 not out) sharing a 93 run partnership to finish things off rather quickly inside 33 overs.

The Foxes play Merivale Papanui next week and a win in that game guarantees them at least a share of the primary Grade competition.

20 ACTION:

Well there wasn’t all that much off it as the Believer’s had a bye and the Holstein’s Boys defaulted.

This left the GhettoHustlers and the DDT’s as the only 2 teams actually getting some cricket in. 

Hot off the messenger APP from the Hustler boys is this:

“Played the in form St Albans Fozzies who the boys know quite well now after tussling for a few years.

A Mexican stand off ensued during the week as each team tried to feel out whether a default would be made with a festival on. Neither team budged.

Turning up with 5 regulars away and to St Albans warming up 30 minutes before the game there was doubt creeping into the minds of a few. Particuarly with David Hills out injured with a broken heart.

The opposition had done well in terms of ring ins, enough to declare “we have a good team this week” Bat first and put on 162 with Callum getting a hard earned 53* on a spicy Nunweek wicket.

Some good cameos all round given the pitch would have to be the most dangerous in the South Island.

We put the new ball to good use and got the ball to swing and rear up, nullifying any footwork of every batsmen who all wore them to the body, and unfortunately one player (helmet-less) wearing one on the jaw.

The lads all bowled well and skittled them for 50″

Meanwhile the DDTs chased Halswell’s 125/5 after Moore (2/15) and Vieceli (2/35) did most of the damage. The Diamond Trader’s replied positively with McCauley retired (46) & bionic knee Knowles (28*) getting the lads home easy-times…

JUNIOR FOCUS:

“After the rain affected match last week the team were excited to be play their first game as the holders of the John Grocott Trophy.

Playing against Halswell in Aidenfield the Burnside boys won the toss and decided to bat first. All contributed well with all seven batsmen scoring double figures. Josh R (33), Callum E (31) and Luke M (53).

In previous games the bowling line’s were fairly wayward but the planets were aligned and the boys were on target today. Callum E (2 for 5), Ryan R (2 for 14), Luke M (3 for 12), Josh R (3 for 31) and Will Mc (4 for 20). The teams fielding was the best they’d shown all year which helped keep the runs down. 

In the end we were too strong for Halswell with BWU 7 winning with 217 runs against 149″.

And this in from Alix Scobie of BWU 9:

“What a game at the Oval. What a stunning evening. I had sunblock on, but thank you Jillian for the top up, I was cooking while I was scoring! Back to the game:- It was like the boys saw the field and went “I belong” and off they went!

Starting with the most involved fielding I have seen from Tom yet, moving around, getting behind the ball and backing up his buddies. Caleb was all over it, moving his buddies around the field to prevent the 4s by Medbury. The blocking of the ball with their bodies saw Troy stop a 4 within a metre of the boundary – NICE, and Matthew was on fire around the wickets today, and backing up his fielding mates.

Everyone was standing further back from the wickets, meaning there were very few over throws that were boundaries this week – wahoo, exactly what we practiced for on Thursday night!

The bowling was to the Hansen’s this week. Troy had a mega 6/3! Stunning stuff. Caleb not far behind with 8/1. And Will, where did that bowling come from? 10/2 – superb bowling this week. Henry was very close to a maiden over – fantastic work! And there were less wides and no balls than we have had for a while.

Then it was our turn to bat. Troy, what a way to lead your team into batting – you found the sweet spot on the boundary and stuck with it for a massive 6 4s and 2 6s, a total of 37 runs, supported well by Thomas who was making great calls to back you up! Just when we all thought that was the most runs we would see, in came Matthew and Caleb. Matthew hit runs of EVERY BALL he faced tonight, and 9 of them were 4s, with a total of 39 runs!

A run or more of every ball faced is a first for the team. Josh and will casually followed and bought the team up to a century, Josh hitting (and not quite believing it) a 6 over the farthest boundary; and four 4s. Will and Josh did great calling, and were perhaps more conservative in their running efforts. Tom and Henry came in and took the team to over 150 runs at the end. Super cool to see a 4 Henry!

Overall the batting was the best it has been, not because of the runs, but because we had the least number of run outs (and wickets) that we have had for a very long time. This is because of good and clear calling between the batsmen about runs. I was stoked to hear Caleb chatting to Matthew before they went in to bat to make a plan. Go you two! It clearly worked – your partnership was 63 not out”.

Trophy defended at BWU 7 level and plenty to be positive across all grades for the weekend ahead,

Yours in cricket. 

An excellent week for our Club with the top 3 grades all registering Outright wins in 2-day action over the weekend – none more deserved than our Div 1 (3rd’s) guys who had an action packed couple of Sundays…

But 1st up in Junior space the BWU 6 team have had a couple of exciting weeks! Last week’s action saw an outstanding performance by Jacob Robertson – grabbing 4/7 off just 3 overs (including a hatrick) as they rolled OBC. He also snared a run out and notched up 22 runs as they cruised home…

Things remained dominant for this young team this week as they wrapped up another W – Matthew Graham starring, in his hardball debut, with 5/30 including 3 wickets in 4 balls – Dylan Roan swallowing all 3 catches at mid off!

Other Junior cricket was a “how much rain is at your park” type gig as a number of games were called off on the spot under patchy drizzle across the city. I personally visited the venues of 6 scheduled games in our “patch”, along with Junior Convenor Shane Young, only finding the Year 4’s at Bishopdale Park willing to brave the conditions…

PRESIDENTS FOXES:

The Skipper lost the toss and fielded against Lancaster Park at home on Burnside 4 this week. The 1st 30 overs went pretty well with Gibbo taking a couple of early ones, to dismiss their danger men, and Kember & Robertson keeping it tight as they were 90/3 ish at the 30 over mark.

Former LP Premiers bully John Quinn (55) switched things up a gear however and skipper Richard Derham struck a hard hit 37, complimented by a patient 40 no from LP legend Brian Butler, as they ended 173/5 and probably 30 more then they should have got.

Skipper Robertson spoke strategy with passion (fearing we were brittle batting wise) and M Shack and Josh Allan added 42 for the 1st wicket at 4’s. But with 2 quick wickets seeing them both dismissed that same Captain had to step up – and did – with a fluent 71, before running himself out in comical fashion when we needed just 4 for the win.

But he’d earlier added 53 with Roy (17) and 34 with Turner (15) to get the job mostly done before Kember mopped things up with 20 no.

Both Roy & Kember were presented 100 match caps for the Presidents by Club (and President’s) legend Robbie Chisholm as the Foxes maintained 1st equal spot in the grade.

DIV 3 – WHANGAPAROA PONY CLUB CANNONS:

Still without El Capitan Peters (have you seen him??) it was batsmen 6, 7 & 8 who did the bizzo for our Cannons – Dilla Smith (with 45), Footie Foote (59*) & Kasun (46) – as the lads posted a handy 222/6 against Easts Kings Punjab XI at Burwood.

It wasn’t to be however as the King’s XI snuck home 7 down with just 3 balls to spare – despite Footie’s 3/48 & Knowlesy’s 2/38.

DIV 4 – BOOMERS

Over on Burnside 2 the Boomers restricted Sumner Blues to just 89 all out inside 39 overs to appear to have the upper hand at the change of innings – Deon Cremer continuing his excellent bowling form with 4/12 off 8 overs while Mike Reed backed that up with 3/8.

Deon also top-scored in reply – but unfortunately that was with just 8 – as the Boomers capitulated to be all out for 35 in the 24th over. The Groundsman will appear before the Executive Committee later today as an explanation is urgently sought…!

DIV 5 – STRIKERS:

At Nunweek Park our men decimated the visiting Heathcote Red Wolves – rolling them for 73 at the 30 over mark. Chief destroyer was Arun Bhardwaj (who no longer has the wicketkeeper symbol by his name – suggesting at least one person reads these write ups) with 4/13, while both Sharma & skipper Pandya claimed 2.

In reply the home side cruised to victory just 4 down in the 24th – opener Rahul Joshi top-scoring with 23.

T20 ROUND UP:

No result in from the GhettoHustlers as yet – possibly skipper Reid’s week spent on a bus inspecting yearlings around Invercargill was a factor. The Believers likewise are yet to get their result in.

The Holstein’s Boys have all left the city to return to university elsewhere – but have been replaced by a local group of students led by Alex McKay. It’s been a few years since some of them played cricket and they needed a detailed briefing on rules, gear & playing conditions before the travelled to Centennial Park to take on the Heathcote Hustlers on Saturday.

Alex reports a loss (their 119/4 from the 20 easily run down by Heathcote’s 122/2 inside 16 overs) but that much fun was had.

The Dubai Diamond Traders faired better against their own Heathcote opposition in the Cavaliers at Barnett Park. The big names of DDT’s cricket, in Luke Moore & Brooke Skates, each claimed 2 cheap wickets as they restricted the opposition to 108/6.

In reply Greg Knowles (40 retired) and Oscar McCauley (19) did most of the damage in their opening stand – leaving enough ham on the bone for Ranui Luke to get 20. The Skates & Moore show completed matters inside 13 overs with 8* & 16* respectively. These lads are on a bit of a roll lately…

PREMIERS:

As previously mentioned a successful 2-Day round for our top 3 teams this week – Premiers doing the job on Burnside 1 with an outright victory over an OBC side featuring Canterbury paceman Ed Nuttall.

OBC resumed still around 100 behind on the 1st dig and – despite Jeff Case moving through to 80 – a flurry of wickets, which saw both Matt Hay & Sam Carlaw threatening hatricks, reduced them to 190/9 & a resulting declaration 55 behind.

Ed Nuttall backed up his reputation with 5/38 to pressure the home side – who at one stage were 22/4. Luckily Canterbury opener Steve Murdoch was also in a mood to flex some cricketing muscle – his 68 off 77 balls supported by Matt Hay’s 36 as Burnside set OBC 188 for the win.

Cometh the hour cometh the Man – and Jackson Latham did the “big angry fast bowler” thing to claim 5/38 and cut the heart out of the OBC top order. Steve Murdoch snared 3 catches at slip and the “spin twins” of Hay & Carlaw took the remaining 5 wickets between them as OBC were rolled for 116 with some overs still left available.

Cut & paste the following link into your browser to see the last wicket to fall.

https://d1bfkfz0itn259.cloudfront.net/cb645c51f-c773-44b8-b746-18c4ce7b4755.480p.mp4

The Premiers sit atop the table in the 2-Day competition as a result – just ahead of St Albans and Lancaster Park who drew with each other in the weekend.

CHAMPIONSHIP:

Resuming at 230/7 against Lancaster Park at Garrick Park – 2nd’s skipper Alex McDuff chose to push on briefly to add another 30 runs and establish an 87-run 1st innings lead over the home side.

That same skipper (and Club Captain) himself scored 28 to round off last week’s heroics from Tait (103) and Angus (46). Not content with that he claimed a wicket in each of his 1st 3 overs to immediately put Park on the back foot – before he decided to (briefly) let Alex Tait in on the fun as Park were quickly reduced to 34/7.

The dual Alex’s returned useful figures – McDuff 4/24 & Tait 3/19 – before Hugo Howard chipped in with 2/14. The very strong Park side humbled to 77 all out and a victory by an innings and 10 runs sees our lads also top the 2-Day Championship table.

DIVISION 1:

And last, but very much far from least, our Div 1 Men continued their contest with the Sydenham 3rd’s over on Burnside 3.

Faced with a momentum shift, courtesy of some late hitting last week from the Sydenham top-order, Jason and the lads toiled for some 57 overs in the field as the opposition overturned a 1st innings deficit via posting 230/7 declared.

Wickets shared but Burny Martin (3/32 – including a stunning caught & bowled) and Jason himself (2/47) the best. This left our lads requiring a slightly daunting 189 for the outright and – a stiff challenge.

Opener Clark & No: 3 McKenzie each scored 18 to get the ball rolling but the loss of others cheaply saw the Burnside men reduced to 50/5 and really up against it…

Enter Henk Huyser – who posted 58 no, finding support in Tim Scott (40) at No: 7 & Burny Martin (29) at No: 8. Their partnerships with Henk of 72 & 40 respectively turned the game back Burnside’s way. Henk struck 9 fours and 1 six in a crucial match-winning innings to get the boys home at 192/7 inside 36 overs.

A fantastic win for this side who – despite the regular challenges this grade throws at them – are really playing for each other, and for the club, with genuine passion. Great stuff Jason & the lads…!

Yours in Cricket…

Cricket continued in hot weather on Saturday and, for our 3 morning grade teams, Sunday as well.

Each of them completed a 2-Day match on Saturday and started another one somewhere else the next day…

Our Prem’s faced some stiffer opposition from Riccarton on day 2 of their match at the latter’s domain. Declaring overnight with a lead of 119 on the 1^st innings our bowlers toiled for nearly 90 overs as Riccarton posted 264 all out in their 2^nd dig. Scott Inglis had a quiet day at the office, taking just 2 wickets after his marvellous 9 last week, as Matt Hay sent down 26 overs of his off-spin to claim 3/63. Peake & Carlaw also claimed 2 each.

Riccarton’s effort to salvage a draw was in vain however as the Premier batsmen all scored at a run a ball or better – chasing down the 138 required in under 19 overs. Alex Heenan’s quickfire 26 kicked things off before last week’s century maker Winn (27), Naude (38*) & Matt Hay (35) all chipped in. An outright victory for the loss of just four 2nd innings wickets just the tonic leading into the 1^st day of their next match, against OBC, the next day.

And Sunday saw them back on Burnside 1 and, asked to bat on a green tinged belter, they posted a useful 245/9 declared. Tinus Huyser struck 69 & Liam Winn continued his solid form with 49. The middle order of Matt Hay (26), Joel Williams (33) and Mitch Hay (42 off 34 balls) countered the regular loss of wickets.   

In reply Latham struck early as OBC struggled initially. A 3^rd wicket partnership of 44 brought some stability before 2 quick wickets saw them delicately poised at 76/4. Jeff Case at 4 for OBC wrestled some momentum back their way with a patient 59 not out – and he appears the key wicket for the lads next week as they look to set up a shot at outright victory.

The Championship side also had what Skipper Alex McDuff described as “a hard day in the field” in pursuit of victory over the Merivale Papanui 1^st team. Quickly wrapping up the last wicket to take a 117 run lead on 1^st innings Burnside were made to toil significantly harder in the summer heat as MP, following on, managed to post 227 all out at just over 3 an over. Alex Tait grabbed 4 wickets but was, of course, slightly outdone by Hugo Howard’s 5/70 off 24 overs.

Requiring 110 for the W they coasted home all rather comfortably though as Tom Dunlop struck 49 from as many balls & Scott Finlayson ended 28 not out.

Backing up on Sunday they travelled to Garrick to take on the strong Lancaster Park 2^nd’s. Skipper McDuff took 4 wickets, Alex Tait 3 & Hugo 2 as they restricted Park to 173 all out inside 50 overs. T20 player Kane McRoberts took 2 good catches filling in with so many players unavailable across the 3 top grades.

In reply Alex Tait, at 3, decided to enjoy himself – striking a magnificent 103 (18 fours & a six) to get the lads past the park total. Quinn Angus played the support role with a patient 46 and skipper McDuff was 22 no at the close of play – 230/7 providing our men a 57 run 1^st innings lead for now.

The Division 1 lads met at Burnside 2 on Saturday to continue their uphill battle against the Sydenham 2^nd team. Facing a 138-run deficit on the 1^st innings they weren’t able to stretch the bus driver’s – only Henk Huyser (46) and Felix Mendoca (25) offering significant resistance as they tumbled to 104 all out and an innings loss.

But Sunday’s a new day and boys went into day 1 of their match, this time on the No: 3 block, against the other Sydenham team in the division, in good spirits. No scorecard in Cric HQ just yet but I watched a fair bit of this and, bowling 1^st, our lads dismissed ‘Suddenly Sydenham’ for just 97 in 37 overs – despite the “brown road’ nature of the pitch. Skipper McKenzie took 3/13 and Connelly 2/14.

In reply Liam Clarke belted 48 in good time – including a cover drive he moosed on the up that rolled all the way over to the artificial nets by the pavilion. Others chipped in to build a lead of 40+ and Jason chose to have a 2^nd crack at the Sydenham batsmen later in the day. 

There appears to be some pending changes in their personnel for next week as, despite Burnside claiming 2 early wickets, a bury left-hander played like it was his last innings for a while and struck a few boundaries to almost wipe the deficit. Sydenham 40 odd for 2 in reply….

Interesting 2^nd day ahead as our 3^rd’s look to build on their recent T20 results with an outright victory. 

Presidents grade Day was held at Warren Park Saturday with all games on artificial pitches there or nearby. We played a Sydenham Hospital side who were weakened by the absence of 2-3 of their better players.

Batting 1^st we put them to the sword reaching 280/3 in our 40 overs – with Josh Allan scoring a vigorous 102 (his 1^st century in any form of cricket) and former Premier skipper Matt Everest stroking a classy 100 no (his 1^st in this grade but one of many).

Sydenham didn’t have the technical ability to worry that score and finished 147 all out, after some creative bowling options and long periods of boredom in the field. Mark Harding grabbed 3/15 in a rare appearance and Gibson & Kember claimed 2 each.

I don’t know what happened to El Capitan Peters on Saturday (there’s a rumour he got married – but he wouldn’t schedule that for the cricket season surely!) but he was absent from the Whangaparoa Pony Club Cannons line up which took on Richmond on Burnside 4 in the weekend.

No cause for concern though as the Cannons rolled their opposition for 128 in the 35^th over – wickets shared around with all 6 bowlers claiming at least 1. Keeper Bradley chipped in with 2 catches.

In reply openers ‘Terror’ Foote (not the same person as ‘Footie’ Foote), with 43, & Shifty Finlay, with 53, did most of the damage before Tom Batty tidied up the crumbs with 28 no. A win by 8 wickets achieved in the 20^th over.

The Boomers similarly made light work of the LP Chestfield Warriors over on No: 3. Ajay Rana dominated with the ball for the home side – taking 5/21 and, with support in Tony Edlin’s 3/20, ensured Park were dismissed for just 89 in the 21 overs.

In reply Sunnie Gogia top-scored with 28 no while McCracken (13) & D’Obbly (15) trailed Extras (19) in supplying the bulk of the remaining required runs. All over inside 22 overs & pitches on both 3 & 4 won’t require too much attention from Grounds Staff this week.

The Strikers match isn’t in just as yet but hopefully they got the win over the Sunrisers (LP – not Hyderabad version) at Woolston Park…

In T20 action the Holsteins boys (who largely attend university in other part of the country) defaulted to the Believers – giving the latter a day off. The good news is an influx of students into our city will see a new entity take their place in the grade from next week – welcome newcomers….!

Luke Moore has sent through an overview of the DDT’s game against OBC Fine Legs at Nunweek Park – and it reads like a bit of a Greg Knowles highlights reel.

The former Marlborough & more recently Buller Hawke Cup all-rounder has had most of his major joints replaced with bionic ones in recent years, and now bowls with a walking frame. But he still generates good pace off 2 shuffles forward and claimed 6/2 to lead the decimation of OBC – who were all out for just 20 in the 10^th over. Luke himself tidied up the rest with 2/2. 

Greg further advanced the game to its conclusion with 20 not out – leaving his opening partner Fisher with just 1 run available for consumption. Best result ever for the DDT lads who no doubt celebrated appropriately…

Taylor Reid struck a 25-ball 50 for the Ghettohustlers as they batted 1^st against the Richmond New York Porkers at Centennial Park. With no Hills or Neutze in the line-up this week others took the opportunity on offer – Reddiford (31) & Eathorne (24) most readily as the Ghetto-men posted 174/8 in their 20 overs.

Both openers appear to have opted to retire for Richmond, with 40 & 58 respectively, and it was left  to Eathorne to drag things back (3/18 off 4) against the rest of the batting list – Richmond ending 163/5 and coming up short in the run chase.

I thought T20 grades were 8-aside but both teams fielded 9 batsmen, so something suitably amicable appears to have occurred there…

Yours in cricket…

It’s been a busy week for BWCUCC players and teams – with some quite remarkable results and individual performances to report on.

1st up saw T20 Semi final action on Wednesday night for both our Premiers and Division 1 (3rd’s) men.

At Hagley 5 a small but enthusiastic bunch of supporters watched on as the premiers took on St Albans for a spot in the final. After being asked to bat Saints started positively to be 32/0 in the 5th over before Burnside grabbed the 1st wicket, via Matt Hay.

Some sharp bowling and fielding pulled them back considerably as Sam Carlaw, fresh from his drive up from Timaru, took 3/19 off his 4 – Saints hobbling through to post 111/6 from their allotted on a not so user-friendly track.

At 40/1 in reply things were ticking along swimmingly until Ben Langrope injected himself – taking 2 catches, snaring 4 wickets and effecting a run out to destroy the Burnside response. We ended 94 all out in the last over.

Over at Elmwood 1 OBC 2nd’s looked to be dominating our Division 1 side as they posted an imposing 164/9 from their 20 overs.

But they weren’t counting on our man Scott Finlayson – who would provide a quite stunning response. Displaying excellent timing & an ability to consistently find the gaps – Scott, well supported by the other top order batsmen, amassed 113no to see the lads home all rather comfortably.

A remarkable innings from the young man which was greeted by rapturous applause by his team mates and club supporters. Well done Scotty!

The 3rd’s will play Merivale Papanui in the Div 1 T20 final at Hagley (HC 2) on Wednesday (Waitangi day).

Saturday saw our top 3 teams swap out the maroons for the whites as 2-Day cricket resumed across morning grades – with some more outstanding collective and individual performances.

PREMIER:

Our 1sts took on Rinkerton down at their domain – bright sunshine reflecting off the shiny new Fox & Associate’s sponsored uniforms as the lads fielded first.

Jackson Latham tasted immediate success – enticing a nick through to keeper Mitch Hay in the 2nd over. But from then on, some sharp fielding aside, it was very much the Scott Inglis show – and what a show he put on!

Scott took all the remaining Riccarton wickets – as in all 9 of them – as he delivered a performance for the record books. Initially reducing Riccarton to 36/4 he was practically unplayable – returning in a series of spells, and tasting success each time, as the home side were dismissed for 145 in the 53rd over.

Scott’s final figures read; 19.4 overs, 6 maidens, 9 for 49 – a fantastic achievement from the 47-year old veteran speedster.    

No doubt riding high on a wave of elation at Singles’ efforts the batsman found it much easier going against an opposition attack that didn’t have any Scott’s in it.

Having lost both Huyser brothers and Gus Harman inside the 1st 13 overs, JJ Naude joined Liam Winn at 64/3.

The pair would no be separated for another 24 overs, and in that time they added 158 runs – at a leisurely 6.5 per over – before JJ received an absolute jaffa from Trevor Garrett which clipped the top of off-stump and denied him a century. JJ’s 99 came off 86 balls and featured 12 fours and 2 sixes.

At the other end Liam Winn wasn’t to be denied though – bringing up his hundred off 133 balls and ending the day 103no as Burnside ended 275/6.  Winny’s 1st century for the club was an exhibition in elegant stroke play – perfectly matching JJ’s brutal bullying of the bowling attack.

So the Prems take a 130 run lead into next week where they will press on for the outright victory.

CHAMPIONSHIP:

Back at Burnside the 2nd’s were indulging in a bit of bowler bullying themselves. Despite being inserted on a wicket that looked a little lively (but played very well) our men really took the game to their Merivale Papanui opponents – opener Alex Heenan striking a tremendous 132 off 116 balls (15 fours & 3 sixes) as the home side rattled past 200 in just the 37th over.

Scott Finlayson, promoted from Div 1 after his mid-week heroics, showed enough class in his patient 42 to suggest he will do well at this level as well and, despite a run of low scores through the middle & lower order the 2nd’s posted 264 all out.

Alex Tait bowled genuinely rapidly to claim 2 wickets and Club Captain McDuff got 1 but it was that man again – yes, Hugo Howard – who dominated proceedings with a 6-wicket bag. His quality left arm orthodox was a little to good for most in the MP line up as they hobbled through to 138/9 at close of play.

Alex had his lovely Auckland based Girlfriend, Sarah, down for the weekend and was set to impress – taking her for a nice drive to Rinkerton Domain in his flash car (to drop off the Premier whites) and adding an extra touch of product to his, TinTin inspired, do…

Like our premiers – the 2nd’s are well placed to press for the outright next weekend.

DIVISION 1:

Having surrendered their star batsmen to 2nd’s the 3rd’s took on Sydenham on Burnside 2. Nothing in Cric HQ but I understand our men were dismissed for a little over 100 and Sydenham have a smallish 1st innings lead going into next week.

No doubt the Burnside men will have been slightly distracted by their pending T20 final on Waitangi Day.

PRESIDENTS:

Over on No: 4 the groundsman appeared to have constructed a new extension to Memorial Ave – such was the road-like appearance of the strip for the top of the table clash between the Foxes and their St Albans opposition.

 Asked to bat our Foxes, complete with a returning Skipper and his taped up elbow (courtesy of Matt Everest again), thought 210-220 would be required on an excellent batting surface.

Despite losing his opening partner, Josh Allan, early Chris “The Great Arkle” Kennedy unleashed lofted drives and undentist-like aggression in his 47 – and along with Jeff Roy (30) ensured we were well placed to launch in the last 20 overs at 80 odd /3.

Buchanan (17) came & went after a couple of boundaries, as is his habit, and Everest ceased massaging Paul Shackleton’s crook back to post a busy 43 before he was run out after slipping over on the tarseal.

But from 163/5 things fell away slightly and the tail was left to noodle us through to 187/9.

Stenchy Twaddell dismissed Alabaster for a duck and we got the dangerous Read not long after but Bazz Cox (43) was riding his luck. Mather came in, nicked one down the leg side off Gibson & forgot to walk – then he suffered a health issue and retired briefly, but he returned to score freely as did RJ at the other end.

Lacking some regular firepower and with Wheeler & Roy not quite on form the Skipper had turned to himself for answers but found none – as Saints cantered home in the end 4 down in the 37th. Gibbo the best of us with 2/19 off his 8.

That 210 would have shaped thing differently but we remain top equal with 4 rounds to go in this competition.

Our moods were slightly improved over a beer and hearing the news that Matt Loose’s 179no (as part of Sydenham Cardinal’s 258/1 in our grade) was not enough to deny Hornby a win – as Darren Ingram’s 191 trumped that & Hornby cantered home with overs to spare.

179* in a losing side – someone tweet The Grade Cricketer…!

DIV 3 – CANNONS:

Our Pony Club men were up against it early on a belter at Barnett Park – Sumner losing their 1st wicket at 116 as both openers flourished (Regan Cantwell with 107 in particular). Things got no easier as Sumner ended with an imposing 261/7.

After PIES Peters (not the El Capitan) went for 37 off 3 Footie Foote’s (that’s his name in Cric HQ) spell smells of ‘last resort’ at 4th change – and his 4/64 off 8 likely only hampered the run rate occasionally.

In reply the top 3 of Thorpey (54), Shifty Finlay (41) and Tom Batty (62) all played their part to set up the chase – but when key man Dilla Smith was bowled for 10 (at 170/4) the lower order was left with too much pizza to chew runs wise.

El Capitan Peters managed only 9 before being dismissed by the suspicious sounding ‘Jimmy Spud’ and the tail fell away thereafter as the Cannon’s were all out 230 with an over to spare.

DIV 4 – BOOMERS:

The Boomers took on New Brighton at nearby Nunweek and were happy to restrict them to 137 all out off 33 overs. One of the panel beater’s Opener’s got a 50 and someone else 20 – but the rest of the card looks like a local phone number with all the single digits.

Wickets shared around but a, Cannons-like, 4th change bowler in the form of Mike Reed got 4/31 – Deon Cremer the next best with a 2 for.

In reply the Boomtown rats lost 4 wickets fairly cheaply and the hopes quickly came to rest on the shoulders of Andrew Mackway-Jones at 5. That’s a mouthful so let’s say MJ struck 10 boundaries in his 62 but it all came crashing down as Stewart from the lupin snoopers took 4 wickets through the middle & lower order.

Once again, as they did a few short weeks ago, the Boomers fell short of the target – running out of overs with wickets in hand to end 134/9 off their allotted.

DIV 5 – STRIKERS:

The Strikers tasted victory at Waltham Park over Southern Districts – but it wasn’t pretty. They posted 119 but were all out with 7 overs remaining – Harish Sharma (at 9) with 35 edging the duel 26’s of Ramadeep Patel & Ashit Patel.

But in the end they wouldn’t have given one as the dismissed the Southenders for 108 with 9 balls to spare – Skipper Pandya’s 3/16 opening up perfectly complimented by Bhardwaj (who still has the wicket-keeper sign beside his name in Cric HQ but clearly isn’t) at the other end with 4/15.

Sharma also helped himself to 2 wickets for a good day out in the sun.

T20 CAVALIERS ROUND-UP:

The GhettoHustlers love these write-ups and they have even entered a full scorecard this week for us to salivate over!

Also playing Southern Districts at Waltham Park (it’s not that big of a park is it?) the restricted the home side to 115 all out inside the 20 overs – Mitch Neutze’s twin brother Dave Hills grabbing 2 wickets but was elbowed out of the limelight by Chris Reddiford’s 3/13.

In reply they threatened to become the GhettoShufflers as they were quickly reduced to 3 for not many. Brad Reid joined his tangerine companion “Hills” and the pair set about corrected the slide.

Hills fell for 28 and despite Reddiford’s brisk 13 the match was in the balance and required calm heads. Reid generally lacks patience though and he took it upon himself to get the lads home – his 53no coming off just 19 balls with 10 fours and a six.

Victory achieved albeit with the last pair at the wicket and with 4 overs to spare.

The DDT’s took on the OBC Super Colds out on the rubber ducky on “the other” Burnside Park and she was uphill from there as the visitors posted a fairly daunting 175/3 1st up. Luke and the lads struggled in reply and were all out for spot on 100 in the last over.

Nothing in from The Believers and not from Holsteins Boys either although it’s rumoured the latter had a win.

CHAIRMAN’S CUP FINAL:

Sunday saw a freshly remarked & rock hard pitch on number 1 polished up as we hosted Heathcote CC in the final of this competition.

The teams are formed from players across all grades in each club – with some restrictions (no Premier players / no more than 4 morning grade players) and is a great way of getting to know your fellow club members.

Having dispatched Southern Districts in the last game some personnel changes were made to “spread the love” wider and have more people involved.

Having lost the toss we were inserted and our Chairman & Captain – Robertson – asked El Capitan Peters (Cannons) to partner Scotty “Too Hottie” Finlayson (Division 1) at the top of the order.

Unfortunately Scotty & fellow key batsman, Alex Tait (Championship) – at 3 – both found out the hard way just how much a new 2-piece ball can swing and we were quickly in trouble at 8/2.

Dave Hill’s twin brother – Mitchell Neutze (GhettoHustlers) – joined Chris and the pair set about building a defendable total.

The Chairman / Skipper had been talking up the wicket earlier but was now muttering about 130 being useful as he considered the range of cricketing abilities.

When Peters was dismissed (I watched the game but can’t find it in Cric HQ to get the stats right so I’m gunna go with 26) that same Chairman didn’t bother the scorers, and nor did Dilla Smith (Cannons), as the pace & movement of Pommie Import Tom Payne for Heathcote was proving to be a little too much for the afternoon graders.

With Neutze also dismissed (Ummm…. 37?) it was left to Buchanan (Presidents), who had literally just ordered pizzas, to assist Jason McKenzie (Div 1) in ensuring we had something to bowl at.

Both fired off a couple of lusty blows but were dismissed in the teens and Brad Reid (GhettoHustlers) couldn’t repeat his heroics of the previous day.

So we teetered at 93/9 with too many overs left as Gibson (Presidents) joined Hugo Howard (Championship). The pair ground out valuable runs, including an exquisite backward cut from Gibbo (who was sufficiently emboldened by his own timing that he attempted a one-kneed lofted drive over cover next ball – and missed it completely).

When Gibson later drove up-ishly to cover, who accepted, the pair had seen us to the dizzy heights of 121. “Something to bowl at” the Chairman muttered.

In reply we tried to bully them with the guile of Gibson and the pace of Tait – who runs in from 30 yards at Usain Bolt-like speed – and the latter had an immediate impact with an out-swinging yorker to claim an early one.

We gathered mid-pitch and cautiously watched the next batsman wander out. This competition is like that and we regularly found ourselves watching each batsman walk out – trying to gauge his likely grade-level and therefore playing ability based on a mixture of his gait and whether he had matching kit…

The other opener, their keeper, was all GM so clearly a morning grade man – and he played some nice back foot drives and square cuts without really worrying us too much.

The No: 3 was quickly dispatched when he played Gibbo on, who celebrated with a un-Gibbo-ly way with a mighty fist pump, and we smelt blood. Tait bowled 5 overs and then Hugo Howard was introduced down wind – our thinking being that many would lack the technical expertise to deal with genuine quality spin.

Next in was a 4th-grade looking chap (Puma gloves & Slazenger pads) and we tightened the screws as Gibbo bowled his 8 consecutively. His last leaked 12 runs, including 4 wides that the Chairman waved past at 1st slip. but overall he bowled a fine spell (1/23?). McKenzie replaced him upwind and promptly dismissed non-matching gear man to see them 40 odd for 3.

Unfortunately that brought Tom Payne to the crease and he appears to be sponsored. After a cautious start he began striking cleanly and long – sufficient to necessitate changes at both ends as Reid was introduced post drinks and Tait returned.

Some Heathcote supporters had arrived and were discussing the merits of Reid bowling with his Burnside baggy cap (100 games for the Hustlers earned) on backwards.

But they were quickly silenced when he grabbed a wicket and even more so when Payne finally mis-timed one and he took a catch diving forward at cover off Tait. Suddenly we were back in the game – Heathcote 89/5 and Burnside spirits were highly elevated as the field squeezed closer.

Next in was a T20 team member no doubt recruited at late notice. His stance saw him standing square outside leg with both feet pointing straight at the Umpire, while his bat rested on the ground 60cm away outside off-stump.

He looked like a cross between Shivnarine Chanderpaul and a small child nervously peeking around his bedroom doorway to see if Mum was coming down the hall. Our hopes soared.

He consistently played the same shot to each ball – a wide, arcing, cross bat swoop from which the direction was dictated solely by how far through the shot he got when the ball hit the bat. We giggled excitedly when he somehow cut a Tait yorker, off middle stump, along the ground to 1st slip and groaned in agony when he mistimed a pull shot just short of cover.

It was game on – but Heathcote were squeaking french cuts for 1’s and splicing good length balls into gaps.

Buchanan noodled one out and then Heathcote slumped further through the farcical run out of a Divison 5 (afternoon grade) player (he had a thigh pad on each side and the back leg one faced the keeper).

Next in was a 17-year-old car groomer from Woolston who probably fills in for his mate’s Div 6 side occasionally – even his pads didn’t match.

But somehow he hung around long enough that Heathcote were able to sneak the last 3 or 4 runs needed and take the victory. Our lads remained in good spirits after a genuinely entertaining days cricket – in which every one got a fair crack at things.

All tongue in cheek humour aside Heathcote were worthy & gracious winners and their Skipper, Dave, spoke briefly but well as he received the Chairman’s Cup. We both felt the competition has great merit and hope that more teams enter next year – so we can have more games and more opportunities to mix with our wider club.

Hopefully Heathcote achieve Premier status for next year and Tom Payne will be ineligible to play….

Yours in cricket…

BWCUCC in association with Holland Clarke & Beatson will be taking a tour party to the 2019 Boxing Day test at the MCG.

The test between Australia and New Zealand will be the first time that the Black Caps have been invited to the MCG for the Boxing Day test in over 30 years.

The tour group will depart Christchurch on the afternoon of 25th December 2019, and includes 6 nights accommodation, flights, and tickets for the first four days of the test (entry on the 5th day is by gold coin donation).

Flight schedule:

	Wed, Dec 25, 2019		Virgin AU Intl VA96
	3:50 PM	Depart	Christchurch	ECONOMY
	5:45 PM	Arrive	Tullamarine, Melbourne	Journey Time: 3:55

	Tues, Dec 31, 2019		Virgin AU Intl VA99
	6:35 PM	Depart	Tullamarine, Melbourne	ECONOMY
	11:55 PM	Arrive	Christchurch New Zealand	Journey Time: 3:20

Price $725.00 return per person including taxes

HCB require a non refundable deposit of $100.00 per person to guarantee this as spaces are already limited.

Match tickets & Accommodation options

All options include Category B tickets for Days 1 through 4 of the test. Entry on Day 5 is by gold coin donation (General Admission only). We have requested B-reserve seating in either the Great Southern Stand or the Olympic Stand, which will provide excellent viewing in the middle tier from behind the bowler’s arm (left arm over), and through the slips/gully region for the right-hand batters.

• Option A:
  Cat B tickets for days 1-4 of the Boxing Day Test
  6 nights accommodation at The Crowne Plaza Melbourne
  Share twin/double (2 persons sharing) $1,650.00 pp
  Single room (1 person) $2,510.00 pp
• Option B:
  Cat B tickets for days 1-4 of the Boxing Day Test
  6 nights accommodation at The Mercure Welcome
  Share twin/double (2 persons sharing) $1,500 pp
  Single room (1 person) $2,230.00 pp

Need a Custom Itinerary

If you won’t be travelling from Christchurch, or require any customizations to your own travel, HCB are more than happy to accommodate you, just give Jacquie a call

Tour Swag

As we get close to the time, we will also arrange some branded tour gear (e.g. shirts/hats etc.). There will be an additional cost associated with this, depending on sponsorship. Details TBD.

Payment Terms

HCB require a non refundable deposit of 30% ASAP to guarantee flights (if required), and preferred accommodation and reserved seating at the cricket, with final balance due mid August.

As you are paying 30% non refundable deposits, we recommend you taking out travel insurance at this time, which will cover you for your travel period, as well as prior with cancellation costs should you need to pull out for any unforeseen circumstance. Please come through to us with your date of birth if you would like us to obtain a quote for you. Also at this time if there are any pre existing medical conditions these would also need to be disclosed.

Prices for coach transfers to and from Melbourne airport will be worked out later and cost advised once we know how many travellers, who will be staying at which property etc.

What next?

If you are interested in attending, confirm your spot by paying a 30% deposit to Holland Clarke & Beatson as soon as possible. Final payments are due mid-August.

For more details, contact Jacquie Holland at Holland Clarke & Beatson via email or call 963 7000

A little slow out of the blocks with the weekly round-up last weekend’s games – blame it heat stroke from the fantastic Summer weather or fatigue from setting up for the current CJCA Tournament.

The last few rounds of T20 action are being played out across town this coming weekend – with the top 3 BWCUCC teams fairing differently in their pursuit of semi-final spots.

PREMIER

The Premiers played East Shirley in T20 action last Thursday and suffered a heavy loss away.

2 further away games were played on Saturday as they looked to ‘right the ship’ and get their campaign back on track. 1st up Lancaster Park at Garrick and the home side posted a handy 165/5 on a good wicket. All of their top 6 bar 1 scored well as 5 individual Burnside bowlers each grabbed a single wicket.

In reply Canterbury Opener Steve Murdoch struck a stylish & powerful 59 off 37 balls, in a rare club appearance. while No: 3 JJ Naude hit a run a ball 37.

When both were dismissed along with fill-in skipper Matt Hay we sat delicately poised at 116/4 off 15 overs. Usual Captain Carl Huyser batted in the specialist jet-lagged position of 5, after his return from visiting Family in Europe, and shook off the symptoms to post a quickfire 24 off 12 but despite a big 6 from Sam Carlaw we fell an agonising 2 runs short in a great game.

Better result next up against OBC on a challenging Elmwood 1 surface – Burnside posting 120/9 after losing early, then regular, wickets. JJ again shone with 33, Matt Farrant got 20 and “Junior” (Mitch Hay) iced the cake with 30 off 32.

The surface dictated that 120 was a score that gave the side some confidence and it proved so as OBC faltered to 106 all out – Farrant got 3 wickets and Matt Hay 2.

Prem’s will need 2 from 2 in their final games this weekend to have a chance to sneak into the semis.

CHAMPIONSHIP:

2nd’s face Sumner & Saints this week and a win from either might be enough to book their spot but 2 would definitely be better.

Last Thursday saw them take on Grade high-flyers Heathcote on Burnside 1. Batting 1st the visitors lost regular wickets and always seemed under pressure but still managed 138/8 – bowling wise Kennedy, McKenzie and Landon Neal shared the wickets with 2 each.

In reply No: 3 Alex Tait batted superbly with 77no off 60 balls (with 11 fours) to anchor one end. Heenan (22) & Neal (13) offered the most support but when the penultimate ball saw the latter bowled Jason McKenzie strode to the crease with Burnside needing 2 to win and 1 for the draw off the last ball.

Jase calmly clipped the ball off his leg and past the despairing dive of short fine leg for 4 – to bring up a memorable win!

Saturday’s action saw them play Merivale Pap Premiers 1st up who batted first and posted a usefull 154/9. Hugo Howard won’t leave me alone reporting wise and his 3/21 requires a mention. Skipper Matt Janett bowled “leg spin” pies but MP weren’t hungry and he stole 2 wickets as well.

In reply Tait couldn’t repeat his heroics from Thursday and we were quickly reduced to 24/3. Skipper Janett struck a breezy 42 off 26 and Will Kennedy a quick 30 but a narrow loss in what shaped as a last over cliffhanger saw the lads come up 7 short.

Afternoon action moved to Burwood with East Shirley probably pretty happy with their total of 148/4 against some tight bowling – including Club Captain Alex McDuff’s 2/23 off 4.

They shouldn’t have been as Burnside coasted home 3 down in the 17th over – Heenan 29 & Tait, shaking off the morning failure, 41 doing the bulk of the damage before Tom Dunlop 27 no and Matt Janett 39 no cleaned up the crumbs in style.

DIVISION 1:

A win & a loss for the 3rd’s in the weekend. Lanc Park were restricted to 143.9 – mainly by the efforts of opening bowler Nick Peoples who snared 4/15. Only 2 Park batsman made double figures – with Hick’s 64 a country mile the best – against an impressive Burnside bowling effort.

In reply Scotty “too hottie” Finlayson continued to literally run too hot again with 62. Only he and skipper McKenzie (22) were dismissed as Finn Ross 41 no & Henk Huyser 12no carried us home inside 18 overs

Earlier in the day they had hosted MP at Burnside 2 and lost in a tight one. MP restricted to 108/6 on a better wicket Martin & Ross claimed 2 wickets each. In reply Burnside took it to the last over with the top 4 all making double figures – Ross’s 25 & McKenzie 17 the best – but the middle order and tail fell away we fell just 3 runs short after a tense final over which MP played out better…

DIVISION 3 – WHANGAPAROA PONY CLUB CANNONS:

Our Cannons faced the grade-leading East Shirley Tridents on No: 3 and the opposition line-up included the notorious Brijesh Patel.

Brijesh has been terrorising batsman in the grade with his left arm quicks for some seasons now. He can hold a bat too! A quick glance at his stats in Cric HQ – 10 matches: 327 runs at 36.33 / 43 wickets at 2.4 (with a strike rate of a wicket every 9.33 balls) – suggests he may be better employed elsewhere but El Capitan Peters loves a challenge and the lads entered the contest in a positive frame of mind.

Patel starred with the bat initially – scoring 69 as his team posted 205/8 off their 40. This was all part of El Capitan’s plan apparently as he sought to tire Patel in the heat with a long innings so he would be weary through the bowling crease.

It worked in part as Patel only took 2/24 off 8 in the Cannon’s innings. But with 3 other Patel’s in the lineup Easts tightened the screws to see Burnside 56/4 & then 85/5 in reply. Peters at 7 joined the reliable Dilla Smith and set about the push forward.

But he was dismissed just 20 runs later and despite a bright 21 off 18 balls from Kasun the pressure told on Smith who was bowled by the aforementioned B Patel when lashing out to increase the run rate.

Dilla’s 49 came off 48 balls and included 3 fours and a six – but with his dismissal the mountain became too steep, despite the “Viking” Gillespie’s 20 no, and the innings ended with the Cannons just 23 runs short and 8 down.

PRESIDENTS:

Over on No: 4 a slightly greenish tinge to the rock hard surface promised something for everyone as the Foxes took on Hornby.

The latter won the toss and asked Burnside to bat as Hamish Kember arrived and muttered quietly about a sore neck.

The top 6 really haven’t fired significantly for the Foxes this season – despite them continuing to sit atop the Grade table. That all changed as firstly Chris Kennedy (32) and Josh Allan (47) shared a bright and breezy 60 run opening partnership. Everest finished massaging Kember back to health and entered at 3 – where he assisted Allan in progressing matters satisfactorily as the Fox & Associates sponsored side reached 94/1 at drinks.

Grant Dickson joined Everest soon after and the pair faced some stiff resistance from Hornby initially – as Criag Beecroft find a tight line in his 8-overs straight to restrict things.

But that turned out to be the calm before the storm as Dickson (55) broke the shackles and Everest (41) chimed in as the pair took 20 off a Palermo over.

Everest’s demise at 179/3 saw Graeme Turner set about polishing the innings with a quickfire 33 no (reverse & slog sweeps to the fore) and despite Dickson finally perishing the Foxes posted an imposing 217/4.

Into the field and Kember, brow now unfurrowed and neck unknotted, looked to pick up where he left off with the ball after his 5/6 off 7 overs last week.

Cricket’s a funny game though and while he did take 1 wicket in the innings (for 44 & off 8 overs) it was Joel Lieschke (2/36) who grabbed the early headlines dismissing both openers fairly cheaply to see Hornby 28/2.

Stand in Skipper Sergeant Major Roy controversially bowled Dickson at 1st change ahead of the usual Wheeler – but it paid off as Dicko firstly bowled Haslam for 18 then had Warner caught for 1.

Wheels isn’t one to be denied though and he would end with the best figures of 4/44 off his 8.

In between times Mr Beecroft joined the innings at 7 for Hornby and set about trying to hit his team out of trouble. He punished anything too short or too full with clean striking in a tremendous innings of 101. His bullish knock included 11 fours and 6 sixes – meaning the Foxes were both relieved and grateful when Dickson took a sharp catch off Wheeler to dismiss him 1st ball of the 40th over – with Hornby needing 28 to win.

The tail-enders noodled 7 runs off the remaining balls and the Foxes wandered to the chilli-bin with a 20-run win.

CAVALIERS T20 – THE GHETTOHUSTLERS:

Brad Reid and his GhettoHustlers side have been with the Club for 10+ years now – but I’m not sure they have ever played on the hallowed ground of Burnside 1.

So when the Club Chairman text him on Friday to advise that, with the 2nd’s playing an early T20 then vacating the block, some strings had been pulled to move Brad’s game onto 1 – he was naturally delighted.

The lads gathered particularly early and chatted excitedly as OBC batted first on a good paced wicket.

They promptly entered their scorecard this week but only a short one so I don’t have individual stats to report. But I saw a bit of it and can describe as follows:

OBC posted 133/8 in the face of some energised “hustle” in the field. Every wicket was celebrated with the tribal call of the ghetto – the “char whooo” – and hi-5’s were slapped firmly & repeatedly. Young children were briefly distracted sideline – flying tiny kites and smiling at butterflies – but everyone’s attention was often drawn to the action on the field, if not but the standard of cricket (which was entirely reasonable), but by the enthusiastic banter and fits of laughter.

Into bat and wickets were mixed with regular bat flourishes as the Hustlers played positively, if not occasionally recklessly. Mitch Neutze, a handy cricketer, was in and set about the target earnestly.

He was soon joined by skipper Reid and, while I didn’t see all of his innings, I saw him strike 3 booming sixes in 4 balls at one stage as the lads threatened to take the game right away from OBC.

With his dismissal, and that of Neutze, the Burnside lads looked to have let the game slip away though – as the last pair met in the middle with still 40 required for the win.

Hush you doubters though – both men played positively and ran hard between the wickets to bring home the victory in a quite stunning final 15 minutes of action. 134/7 got the job done in style and the lads celebrated fervently with their group of supporters.

Upstairs to the club for some chilled cruisers to repay the Club the favour for putting them on 1 – a great day out for the basketball singleted ones – well done lads!!!!

OTHER RESULTS:

A quick wrap up from other results across the Senior Club:

Div 4: Boomers 79 all out lost to Sydenham Goats 219/8 (Rama, Cremner & Edlin 2 wickets each)

Div 5: Strikers 102 all out (Desai 28 / Bhardwaj 24) lost to St Albans Buccaneers 103/7 (Pandya 3/12)

Cavaliers T20:

Dubai Diamond Traders 139/7 beat Riccarton Hoggs 79/7 (no stats entered)

The Believers 32 all out lost to Marist Harewood Avesec 33/0

Holsteins Boys 128/4 lost to Heathcote Has Beens 129/2 (no stats entered)

See you all this weekend….

2019 Cricket action commenced across all Adult Grades on Saturday with fine but coolish conditions for post-Xmas action.

With a number of regular Premier Players unavailable for the 1st round of T20 games Selectors Lieschke & McDuff has a busy week trying to fill the top 3 teams.

Player numbers were assisted slightly with the availability of a number of school leavers moving into the Senior Club ranks. None more welcome than some former Burnside Juniors returning to the Club.

There’s a great back story to young Tom Dunlop’s debut. I’m reliably informed that in 2008 Tom’s Father Mike Dunlop hosted a work function at the family homer for his staff from Ballantynes.

Amongst the attendees was a young lady named Amy – and she brought along her then 17-year-old boyfriend (and now Husband) Matt Farrant. As the older workmates gathered around the BBQ and chatted – young Matt made his way out onto the back lawn and spent the afternoon playing cricket with, a then 7-year-old, Tom Dunlop.

So there was a certain amount of symmetry in Matt being the one who told Tom, at training last Thursday, that he would make his Premier debut alongside Matt in the opening T20 round against St Albans on Burnside 1 on Saturday.

PREMIERS;

Both Burnside and St Albans have a fair swag of regular players away for the clash – with Burnside stand-in Skipper (and older Brother of Mitchell) Matt Hay winning the toss and asking Saints to bat.

St Albans Club Chairman Pierre Flavell was also on hand to watch his own Son – Sam – make his Premier debut in the opener’s role, and he paced the Clubrooms lounge nervously as he suggested 130 would be a par score.

Sam (33 from 39 balls) & Dylan Budge (42 off 47) started cautiously against a tidy opening from O’Brien (1 for 9 off 3) but their 69 run opening partnership allowed others to play more freely as Saints posted 133/4 from their 20 overs. Hugo Howard again demanded a mention (and a photo this time) with 2/15.

In reply Burnside never quite got going and despite a brief but promising partnership from Heenan & Farrant we faltered to 106 all out in the last over. 4 run outs certainly aided the Saint’s cause.

In the afternoon game Hay again won the toss and offered Riccarton 1st use of the dryer surface. The top 4 Riccarton batsman only managed 19 runs collectively as the teetered at 22/4 against an improved bowling effort from the home side – with Farrant claiming 2/8 of 3.

Matt Laffey recovered things slightly for the visitors with 31 but once he and Ben Rapson (15) were separated they stumbled to 84 all out in the 19th over. Skipper Hay’s 2/10 almost matched by the performance of another young club recruit in Alex Tait with 2/16. Mitch Hay again looked accomplished behind the stumps with 2 catches and a sharp stumping off the older Bro.

In reply Tinus Huyser (17) & Alex Heenan (26) posted 35 for the 1st wicket before the loss of O’Brien & Hay Senior cheaply. But Mitchell Hay’s brisk 27no (off 18 balls and featuring 3 boundaries) saw Burnside take a 1 loss / 1 win record into next week. Mitchell Hay the day’s MVP for Premiers.

CHAMPIONSHIP:

The 2nd’s, featuring multiple non-regulars and late recruits, took on Lancaster Park and then Riccarton in their 2 games across on Burnside 2.

Skipper Janett won the toss and inserted Park 1st up and was probably fairly happy with the bowling performance – in particular of North West Youth player Hunter Rowe (3/19 off 3) – as Park were held to 120/9 from their allotted.

In reply Will Kennedy (21), Janett (15) and Theo McIntosh (19) seemed to have the job almost done at 95/3 but a rush of late wickets, including 2 run outs, saw them snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as they collapsed to 108 all out and gifted LP the win.

Next up Riccarton chose to bat and perhaps instantly regretted that as Kennedy knocked over the castle 1st ball. From there Riccarton added 56 for the 2nd wicket however as Blake Doherty struck 33 from 31 balls.

Kennedy was the best of the bowlers with 2 wickets and the 2nd’s also claimed 3 run outs as Riccarton posted a competitive 128/9.

Into bat and Kennedy (30), Jaco Huyser (27) and Captain Janett (18) seemed to have the job largely done again at 88/3. Landon Neal’s 19 off 22 balls seemed to be icing the cake nicely as they reached 110/4 – only to see another spectacular collapse as they fell 7 runs short in the final over.

Will Kennedy showing the way as the day’s MVP.

DIVISION 1:

A rag tag fugitive crew of collected souls gathered on Burnside 4 to represent the Div 1 side 1st up against OBC in the morning’s T20 action.

With the 3A Cannons defaulted to both El Capitan Peters & 2017/18 Club MVP Caleb (Dilla) Smith rolled out for the 3rd’s – as did Club Secretary Gareth Gibson & Mark Shackleton from the President’s squad.

Despite Gibbo claiming 2 wickets all the Old Boy’s top 5 scored positively as they were able to post a very positive 165/8 on one of the most consistent club pitches in the city.

In reply Finlayson & Eathorne were dismissed promptly before Mark Shackleton (19) ended his long ‘picket fence’ with a boundary and Henk Huyser (18) arrested the slide briefly. But the introduction of Premier bowler Adam Hastilow quickly turned things back OBC’s way and we were all out 75 in a comprehensive loss.

The crew gathered their kit and traveled to Sydenham Park for another daunting challenge in the Sydenham 2nd’s team – who lurk in Div 1.

A few personnel changes aside the team remained positive though and took the field keen on an improved performance.

The scorecard hasn’t quite made it into Cric HQ as I write but I can tell you this – the strong Sydenham side were held to 133 but a vastly improved bowling and fielding effort from out lads.

And then Scott Finlayson did his thing…

Opening the batting Scott single handedley won the game for the Burnside team with a absolutely brutal 98no. He was only denied what would have a quite magnificent 100 by the lack of more runs in the Sydenham total of 133.

He was joined by a tailender when he was on 97 and the side needed just 1 to win – and so keen he was to get to the deserved century that the two of them actually ran 3 when the winning shot didn’t reach the boundary.

PRESIDENTS:

The BWCUCC President’s Foxes, minus their injured Skipper, traveled to Barnet Park in Redcliffs to take on a strong Sumner side which often features some great Canterbury cricketing names like Nuttall. Nathu & Yock.

The normally reliable Foxes have not yet managed to get the result into Cric HQ (in the absence of both Robertson & Gibson) but the results are widely monitored on other Social media outlets so some details have been gleaned.

Fill in Skipper – Sergeant Major Roy – won the toss and inserted Sumner on a damp & green one. Hamish Kember starred immediately with the ball taking 5/6 off 7 overs as Sumner capitulated to 78 all out just after drinks.

Jordan Buchanan (the former owner of the Shrey) battled his emotions to claim 3/28.

In reply Graeme Turner (19) played positively in his season debut as wickets fell steadily around him. But at 7 for 47 things were delicately balanced when Martin Conway (in the unusual 9 spot) joined skipper Roy.

Marty doesn’t muck around and struck the following 4 scoring shots – 6 6 1 4. When he departed Kember watched from the other end as Roy (18 no) completed the narrow win.

Kember gets the MVP once again and launches himself back up the Al Brown leaderboard.

DIVISION 3 – Marist Harewood defaulted to the BWU CANNONS:

DIVISION 4 – BOOMERS:

The Boomers also traveled towards the hills to take on the Heathcote ‘Pests’.

The Burnside lads were asked to bat 1st and despite a patient 16 from opener Vishal the struggled in difficult conditions. D’Obby O’Brien ignored the battles of others – top scoring with 39 – but with 3 ducks and 4 other batsman scoring 3 or less a total of 79 all out was all they could muster.

In reply the Pests faired little better initially as they quickly found themselves 53/5. But opener Harris (38 not out off 100+ balls) dug in and played the key hand for his side to see them reached the target in the 33rd over.

Bowler friendly conditions assisted the tight lines of Regan Wilson (8-2-12-1), and Campbell Rose (8-3-9-1) and of course D’Obbly (1/7 off 5) chimed in to challenge the opposition.

MVP has to go to David O’Brien (that’s his real name!) with another sound all round performance.

DIVISION 5 – STRIKERS: NO RESULT ENTERED

T20 ROUND-UP:

I saw enough of the Dubai Diamond Traders game over on No: 3 to work out that they went down to a New Brighton team of assorted sized players (mainly XXXL’s) and she was all over bar the shouting by 4pm.

In the local derby the BWU Believers took on the new kids on the block, in the form of literally the newest BWU team the Holstein’s Boys, over at Nunweek Park.

There is no result in Cric HQ but I am getting sparodic reports of an upset going the way of the youngest BWU Brothers (Holstein’s Boys).

Kane McRoberts reported he was the overall MVP for both sides when he was drinking Steingrenades out of my beer fridge later in the day….

No result in from the Ghettohustlers either sadly….

Junior Cricket doesn’t recommence for another few weeks as they enjoy their extended school holiday break.

Watch out for T20 action on the park this coming Thursday though as our Championship side play Heathcote’s top team from 5:30pm on No: 1.

The bar will be open and the BBQ may well be firing….

Yours in cricket