2004/05 Finals Match Reports
16Bs Vs Miranda at The Ridge North
Due to the poor condition together with no facilities the south ridge oval was ruled unfit to play our final on and after requesting the Associations competition Secretary Tom Croucher to transfer our match to the North Ridge oval, inspections were made and to their credit the request was granted. The Associations secretary Michael Mooney painted the batting creases on the Friday before the final.
Winning the toss skipper Chris decided to bat first to prove once again the old saying "we got em" "You gotta get em" putting the pressure on the team batting second.
Our openers James and Josh were instructed to take no risks but Josh was bowled with the score only 11. He was told by the Coach he had to take 3 wickets when bowling to make up for his dismissal. Chris was next to go with the score 3 for 30 off 16 overs. Ryan then began to score freely putting on 59 runs for the 3rd wicket with James before being dismissed for a well-compiled 30 runs. Brennan scored 10 runs and then James, who was the backbone of the innings with a patient 41 runs in 145 minutes, and Dale were dismissed with the score 6 for 123 off 45 overs. Greg batted sensibly scoring 37 runs in 53 minutes to boost our run rate to 3 runs per over. Peter game him good support. Our total of 181 was a formidable total for Miranda to chase.
Our 2 opening bowlers James and Paul bowled a good line but wickets were hard to get until one of their best bats was controversially dismissed in the 9th over and then not until the 15th over a brilliant piece of fielding that made our fielding drill coach James Bills pleased when Macca fielding at square leg swooped on the ball a quick return to keeper Ryan who then threw the ball to Dale at the bowlers end for a runout. Not satisfied Macca figured in 2 more run outs and a great diving catch.
Our bowlers all bowled well backed by enthusiastic fielding. Josh got his 3 wickets as did Chris. Catches were held by Ryan (2) only allowing 2 byes, Brennan, Paul and Colin one each. Drew fielded well and his contribution to the team was one that we certainly appreciated. Their victory in the 37th over was a complete reversal from our previous encounter with Miranda and they fully deserved their Premiership.
The player of the final was shared by Macca and Greg.
Harry
16Cs Vs Illawong at Heathcote Oval
Going into the final, and having lost only 1 game all year (Illawong in round 10), we had decided the flip of the coin was vital. Winning the toss would give us a better chance to dictate how the game was played. Throughout the season we seemed more comfortable when we batted first rather than having to chase a score. It was up to our captain Rowan to start us off on the right foot. Rowan obliged so we decided to bat first on what was a very slow ground and covered with dew for about the first dozen overs. The coach (Gordo) reminded everyone that all we needed to do was bat out the 60 overs, bowl and field well, hold our catches, and we would be Premiers for 2004-05.
After a fantastic performance from all the players, we were finally dismissed in the 57th over for 144. Our batting statistics were: Comments By Gordo.
Andrew Stuart Lbw Richardson 32 (Fine knock - truly deserved - unlucky outs all year) Kirby-Ann Marsh Cwkt Fairbairn (Waters) 1 (Great work all year facing the new ball) Rowan Scott Lbw Richardson 24 (True Captain's knock - led by example) Glenn Caukill C Carroll (Waters) 50 (Fantastic stroke play, power & concentration) Ryan Woodley C Padayachee (Darby) 12 (Great effort - miscued shot - deserved more) Cale Hubbard C&B Jackson 7 (Provided great support - deserved more) Trent Robinson C Padayachee(Jackson) 3 (Unlucky, maybe nerves - miscued shot) Dean Fenner C Waters(Richardson) 1 (Bad luck - went looking for runs and miscued) Brendan Townsend B Darby 2 (Good work all year - just played and missed) Peter Kingsley Not Out 0 ( Did not face a ball but kept not outs intact) Kristian White Cwkt Fairbairn(Darby) 1 (Unlucky - tried hard all year) Sundries 11 FOW: 5, 62, 69, 111, 132, 137, 139, 142, 144 Total 144
"Defending 144 was to be our finest hour". As Gordo said, if we bowl and field well and hold our catches, it was always going to be difficult for Illawong to match 144. All the players were truly committed. What more can a coach say…Ground Fielding: Brilliant/Sensational. Catching: Took Em All. Bowling: Magnificent/Committed
Bowler Overs Maidens Runs Wickets Glenn Caukill 10 4 14 2 Rowan Scott 10 4 12 4 Cale Hubbard 6 2 8 1 Trent Robinson 6 3 5 0 Dean Fenner 1 - 4 0 Andrew Stuart 1 - 8 0 Illawong Innings T Jackson C Scott (Robinson) 12 (Magnificent 1st slip take from an excellent ball) P Feggans Cwkt Woodley (Hubbard) 7 (Great line and snapped up by keeper) M Richardson Cwkt Woodley (Caukill) 2 (Ball just too good for batsman and well gloved) B Waters C Scott (Robinson) 0 (Another brilliant 1st slip catch by Rowan) M Darby Lbw Scott 11 (Too much pace and great line) G Nour B Scott 3 (Another beauty, too good for batsman) M Fairbairn C White (Scott) 4 (Great take Kristian while we all held our breath) D Padayachee C Scott (Caukill) 1 (Usual unplayable ball, another catch to Rowan) M Hely B Scott 1 (Bowled by great line and shear pace, a beauty) M Carroll Ro Scott 0 (Bowler Rowan touched ball hit back past him, D Lochens Not Out 0 (fitting finish to day) Sundries 12 FOW: 25, 25, 30, 38, 42, 48, 51, 53, 53 Total 53
"Player of the Final" - Rowan Scott: 24 runs, 3 catches, run out and 4 for 12.
Congratulations. I knew and have told you all many times…you deserve to be premiers. Now you are. This was truly a great and committed effort by a team who wanted the premiership. Everything a coach tries to pass on during the season all came together in the game that mattered most. A well deserved win and congratulations again to every member of the team.
Gordon
14A's Vs Caringbah Sports at Jannali Oval
A brilliant day, worthy opponents, two top umps and our boys hopefully peaked after eight training sessions in the past fortnight. Engadine's tri coloured streamers were attached to anything than couldn't move and even some that could, Tigger Ward (our mascot dog) wasn't fast enough to escape Mrs Pendo's craft work. The scene was well set! Skipper Ward normally not noted for his two-up skills calls correct, as he did in our victorious 10A and 12 A grade finals, was this an omen?
Bryce Daenell and Sammy Newman confidently enter the arena to do battle, both appeared set until Bryce's departure for 4. Cameron Heard elevated to 3 to see off the opening quicks scores a few before giving the opposition an easy one in slips. Cammy's time was to come later. Ben "Rocky" Marciante looked set until getting wood on leg glance, unluckily caught behind for 22. Skipper Ward bludgeoned a short one to leg, even Tigger ducked, was that the first smile seen on the coach's face? Exactly on drinks our skipper holes out. The coach's former smile turns to a grimace or perhaps wind! The in form Andrew Herne arrives joining Sam who is in the process of making his highest score. Herney overbalances and his stumping for 7 is quickly followed by Mike Dumbrell's demise, caught and bowled for 3 and an even quicker departure from Mark "Bubbles" Rice for a "globe". Sam's gutsy controlled innings comes to a close for a well-fought and priceless 37 runs. Ben Latham at 10 joined Andrew Jones batting at 7, with both having the orders to see us through to our 60 overs. It is to be noted that both these boys opened our batting in our winning finals in the 10's and 12's. With Sports spinners now taken off, the stage was set with their mediums to bowl through with Jones'y and Benny to consolidate, this they did and every run was cheered and savoured before Andrew's departure for a hard fought 12. Nathan Loder, our baby of the team saw us through the final few overs scoring a single and trying to turn over the strike. Ben finished with an invaluable 20 n/o (10 precious runs in the last over) in an innings that gave us some hope, even though our 9 for 126 was about 30 short for a finals first innings wish.
With Daniel Ward unable to bowl for the entire season, Herney accepted the role as our feared opening quick His pace and accuracy this year has been astounding, today would be no different! Opening with Cammy Heard bowling into the wind with his banana benders our opening barrage was superb with each claiming a wicket in their first spell. If the sight of a Herney thunderbolt cart wheeling a stump in the keepers direction was breathtaking how good was Matthew Hoff's full diving catch a square leg to dismiss their other opener, just brilliant Hoffy. Two wickets for not many!
THE TURNING POINT: Alec Judd their skipper and stand out batsman (380 odd runs this year) turns a ball to square leg taking on Bubbles Rice and calls for the second run. Bubbles along with Michael Dumbrell are specialist flat throwers both having magnificent arms, with one stump in view and about 30 metres out in the deep it hits with Alec well short of his ground amid uproar from our camp that follows. What a return, what a final. Matthew Ritchie consolidated somewhat but with his departure the end was near. In the wash our 126 to Sports' 93 was clear-cut. We always new our bowling and fielding was second to none, and what a time to prove it.
Bowling Figures. Andrew Herne 4-17 off 10. Cameron Heard 2-4 off 6. Ben Marciante 0-12 off 5. Matthew Hoff 0-8 off 5. Mark Rice 2-22 off 11. Michael Dumbrell 0-7 off 2. Andrew Jones 1-11 off 5. Sam Newman 0-7 off 1.
Bryce Daenell our keeper only allowed 1 bye and took 1 catch.
Catches: Bryce Daenell (w.k), Daniel Ward and Matthew Hoff, one each.
Skipper Daniel Ward lead from the front with his field placements and his bowling changes were perfect. Perhaps he has learnt a lot in the three times captaining a A-Grade final with all three finals culminating in the same result, victory.
All enjoyed the afternoon barbecue back at the clubhouse, where two very deserving man of the match awards were made. The first went to Andrew Herne, and the second to Sam Newman.
Whilst all the boys showed tremendous ticker on the field, their off field back flip to a pre rehearsed team song was ordinary! With the coach's tone far from Pavarotti class an encore may never be repeated.
Pendo
14B's Vs De La Salle Seagulls at Gwawley North
Its not too hard to sit here and write a few words about the best moment in the history of sport…..a bit over the top you say? No, name any sporting moment ever and this achievement will beat it.
The Engadine Dragons 14B's effort to make the Grand Final was one that can't go unnoticed. After 3 rounds the boys sat close to last, which didn't affect them. 1 from 3 and they were just keen to get out and have a bit of a go. 5 wins, 1 tie and 1 loss later and the mighty Engadine Dragons 14B team were heading to the Grand Final.
After being beaten….no….smashed in Round 10 by the Minor Premiers, De La, the boys knew that it was going to take a superhuman effort to earn this Premiership. We rocked up to Gwawley North, Taren Point keen to give it a real go. A few nervous boys and few more nervous parents….but the coach, on the other hand, was calm, cool and collected….as per usual.
For the history books…This is the story of the greatest moment in the history of sport:-
The first issue of the day was the toss. Captain Ryan (Freak) Marlow and Vice Captain Jordan (The G-Train) Duncan won the toss and decided to bat. Dean (Deano Marino) McMillan and G-Train got things under way. A solid 16 run opening partnership ended when Deano went caught and bowled. The G-Train was next to fall for a well compiled 11. Michael (Steady Beddy) Bedford put on a valuable 7 before being run out in a bit of a mix-up. Adam (Noodles) Smith was LBW after a nice little partnership with the freak and we sat on 4/53 in the 29th over. John (Johnny Trotson, Johnny Drops'em) Watson was unlucky to be run out cheaply before we lost a few quick ones in the 70's. The Freak went for 14, Jeremy (Jez) Forshaw got a beauty early on and Alex (Slugger) Sambuco top scored with 15. Christian (Des, Christiano Ronaldo) Haynes added some quick runs before an 8 run last wicket partnership between Ben (Brittney) Ryan and James (Avril) Hindle put us through to All out for 88.
Many teams at this stage would run it through the motions without thinking that they had a serious chance…but this wouldn't be the best sporting moment ever if the boys gave up half way. The Freak and the G-Train kicked things off and the De La Salle batsmen got off to a flier. After 10 overs they were 1-31, needing 58 with 9 wickets and 40 overs. The next bowlers were Steady Beddy and Johnny Drops'em. In the 14th over, De La were 1-43…requiring 45 with 9 wickets and 35 overs, then Drops'em hit. Steddy Beddy took one soon after followed by 5 maidens by the boys to see the opposition struggle a little…3-43 with 30 to go. Steddy took his second and Des bowled well to see De La Salle on 4-59 at drinks. The boys came off at drinks to find out the bad news….The opposition only needed 30 runs…..with 6 wickets in hand…..and 24 overs to go.
Surely, it's pack up and go home time now, even the 2nd best effort in the history of sport couldn't bring them back from this….But no no, the boys still had grins from ear to ear knowing, that whatever happens happens.
5 quick runs and 25 runs needed with 6 wickets in hand, the parents were smiling, knowing of the huge effort the boys put in and anyway, 2nd place aint so bad…The Freak was next to strike, knocking off the Seagulls best bat before Steady Beddy got his third wicket to a great catch by Johnny Drops'em……wait a minute…..can't call him that anymore…..Johnny Trotson.
6-69. 20 runs required, 20 overs remaining. Then there was the Run Out, and a coach wouldn't want to sound up himself, but, YOU DA' MAN!!!!!!!!!! The Trotter got another wicket and things were looking close. De La 8-70 with 16 overs to spare. 6 overs later and they were 8-72 with 10 overs to spare……Time for a change… Noodles, our keeper who has only bowled 6 overs this year was ordered to the bowling crease by our trusty captain. He got smacked for 6 off his first over but never let the pressure get to him.1 run off the next few overs and 9 was needed from the last 6. That's when the noodle man struck, a cracking catch from Evan 'Twinkles' Baker. Then, in the 47th over with 9 runs to win…the Noodle took his second….completing the greatest sporting achievement ever.
Freak 1/16 off 10, G-Train 1/18 off 10, Steady Beddy 3/14 off 10, Johnny Trotson 2/17 off 10, Ronaldo 0/7 off 3 and Noodles 2/7 off 3.2. Cracking catches to Freak, Steady, G-Train, Brittney, Trotson and Twinkles.
Congratulations to the Mighty Engadine Dragons 14B!!!!
Good on ya boys!
Robbie
12Bs Vs Gymea Bay at Woolooware Oval
The team thoroughly deserved their place in the final. Their form had been on the up since Christmas and they capped it off with a nail-biting victory in round 10 against Como, thus securing a place in the final.
We were presented with a super day for playing cricket, the kids were well prepared and looking reasonably relaxed. A few words of encouragement at the beginning and then on to the toss. Having taken good advice we were prepared to bat first, but to our horror the call went against us. To our utter amazement Gymea sent us in, what a relief! The innings started briskly with Will L and Matt C reaping maximum results from the bad balls. A nice little opening partnership was broken all too early again. Partnerships were building but as is the way in cricket sometimes, wickets fell steadily. Robbie batted well for 30 minutes, again falling a little unluckily as did Will earlier. Liam and Blake started another promising partnership only to see Blake fall to an injudicious shot. Kelly chipped in with a well-compiled 19 and looked set for a big score only to be run out. Liam followed with another run out after a game high 27. Matt L caught the disease and yet another run out eventuated bringing the opposition back into the game. Oh dear, oh dear! Mitch started well, hooking a nice ball to the boundary, but alas not long after saw the sticks rattled. Will H and Jay supported well whilst trying to complete the 50 overs; Mark did his job well and remained not out at the closure. They had 150 in them, 130 would have closed Gymea out of the game; instead Engadine posted 114, still a very competitive total in a final.
By lunch time the heat and humidity were rising; it was becoming rather stifling out in the centre. How would Engadine react to the conditions and defend their score? Gymea's innings began in similar style, the runs flowing too easily and a few too many sundries. Worrying signs were evident until Will bowled probably his best delivery all year, starting the ball outside off stump, swinging in and taking out the opener's leg stump. Sensational stuff! Had the black and white at the bowler's end mightily impressed. Engadine's spirits were lifted and so the procession started. Their fielding lifted, their enthusiasm lifted, their encouragement lifted. Yes, there was some ordinary bowling at times, but each bowler was encouraged, made adjustments and reaped rewards. Matt C and Blake kept wickets superbly, best display all season. The catching was a sight to behold. Particular mention has to go to Dion, taking two extremely difficult catches, the ones that come off the bat spinning at a million miles an hour. Can't leave Liam out of that one too, taking 2 very difficult catches with the sun in his eyes on both occasions. He also bowled superbly taking 2 key wickets. Mitch, Jay and Matt L also chipped in with vital wickets at crucial times. And so to what I see as a superb piece of captaincy. Gymea were 7 for 60 odd and Robbie brought on to bowl. He was too tight in his action, resulting in quick runs. What to do? Will continued with him but after over 2 it was getting worse. But Rob had bowled 2 worrying deliveries at the end of over 2 to the key batsmen. Will had a huge decision to make, full of risk that might have led to defeat. He opted for one more over, the pressure was really on and the wicket came. What a relief! That is the beauty of cricket and to Will's credit he kept the entire team focussed throughout Gymea's innings. Even at wicket number 9 he urged the kids to keep their heads, that the game was far from over. So, to the last wicket and Kelly was brought back into the attack. A wise decision, she has a knack of knocking off the last batsman in the first over of a new spell. And that is how it panned out again. Gymea all out for 86. Why did Engadine win: simple, they played as a team. What a joy watching these kids celebrate! Gymea were gracious in defeat, and to tell the truth there wasn't much between these sides all season. It was a worthy final! And player of the match went to Liam for his superb all round contribution.
Once again many thanks to Braiden for his dedication to coaching the kids, not an easy task keeping this bunch focussed, but the effort paid off. Special thanks to all the parents for being there for the kids at training, game days and of course the final. Thanks to the scorers, the field markers, the report writers, kit handlers and drinks waiters. And a huge thank you to Donna for her organisation during the season, all successful teams not only need a good coach but a well-organised manager makes a world of difference as well.
It's a pity this team will be split up next season. I could see towards the end of the season how well they were starting to gel as a unit. Each individual supported the other no matter what happened, they showed excellent sportsmanship (ably demonstrated by Blake in signalling a close-call four in the final), it didn't matter if someone's form dropped, if the opposition seemed to be getting on top, playing as a team overcame these challenges.
Thanks to the committee for their organisation and support this season. And a big congratulations to the club for their outstanding achievements this year.
All the best guys and girls in your cricketing pursuits. It's a great game that can teach you a lot about life.
Peter
B4s Vs Gymea Bay at Gwawley North
Engadine Dragons 98 (S Slack 43 B Martin 36* M Chaplin 7-33) def Gymea Bay 94 (K Barden 31 D Barden 20 B Martin 4-27 S Slack 2-7 A Logan 2-21)