Pink Stump Day

Feb 18/19 proved a busy Cammeray weekend, replenished in pink.

Cammeray C’s up against fellow semi final aspirants North Shore chose to bowl first and restricted the score to 193 from the 40 overs. Szabo again bowling tightly restricting North Shore to 9 runs from his 8, whilst picking up 2 wickets. Bretty Baker a tad expensive at a notch over 6 an over, but did pick up 3 wickets. Skipper Brown the only other bowler to pick up a wicket, returning figures of 1 for 41 off 7. Losing Jason to a dislocated finger didn’t help matters in terms of restricting the runs, but a good effort in the field none the less. So the target was set 194 off 40 overs. 4.85 an over. Achieveable on Primrose 1.

Bunt go proceedings underway scoring 4 runs, before being caught. Unfortantely wickets kept falling regularly. Only Brett Baker top scoring with 38 not out, and Paul “Tubs” Johnson (16) reaching double figures (not to mention Sundaries contributing 12). In the end, all out for 92 off 28 overs. An early finish. The C’s this year are too good a team not to bounce back from this as attention turn to the match against North Sydney Leagues at Primula over the next 2 weeks.

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B’s also went down, but not without a fight. A few early wickets saw Cammers well into the middle order, and but for the middle order/tail wagging courtesy of Ron, Brad and Evs, we may have finished on less than triple figures. In the end, 116 from 36 overs when time was called. The lush Gore Hill oval restricting boundaries. So with not very much runs to play with, we need to bowl the opposition out, simple as that. A great keeper’s catch by Fitzy got things under way and suddenly NSL were 1 for 1. A top edge flew straight up, with Fitzy underneath it. Unfortunately the ball swirled around, and missed Fitzy’s glove, but not his face. Suffice to say, we then ended up a man down. Cammers recovered from this setback to pick up a few more wickets, 3 for 13, before Yardley, Banning and Eyles sought to hit over the top, giving up on trying to get 4′s on the lush and slow carpet. A brave and impartial LBW decision meant the equation became 2 runs to get with 2 wickets in hand. Then another wicket saw the equation become 2 runs with no further wickets in hand. Could the team achieve the impossible? Well they don’t call it impossible for nothing. NSL scoring the winning runs with a slash through gully. Still a good effort with the ball, and with a few more runs things may well have been different.

That evening, despite the 0 from 2 result, Cammeray backed up for a Trivia Night at the Willoughby Hotel. Junior was at his laconic best, firing off questions to get the grey matter flowing. In the end, the A grade table, after a series of drawn matches, recorded a victory, pipping the other teams including the hotly favoured Tom Selleck’s Mo. The partying continuing long after the last questions were asked. An early night in preparation for Sunday’s A grade game cast aside for yet another Schooner. Besides it’d be washed out anyway right?

Strangely, the sun was out and continued being out over Willoughby ensuring the game was held. Costain skippering the side, won the toss and elected to bat. Peirty batted well and walked off at the 20 over mark for a well earned drinks break, but unfortunately didn’t kick on too much further, caught for 41. A good knock. Phil began well and looked dangerous until a Bromley leg cutter took out Cook’s leg stump. At 7 for 86, pundits were staking a minimun of 120 runs to be competitive. But a stocic innings from Kano 38 not out, and Evanss 36 ensured the total reached 167 from the 40 overs. Oh nearly forgot Walt’s 1 not out. Make that 168. A great comeback.

Things looked ominous when the openers began steadily and could have got the runs without losing a wicket except for a good C&B from Evans. A good bowling effort from the boys with Kano proving difficult to score against (2 for 12 off 8), Evan bowling tightly (2 for 31 off 8), Phil instrumental with 3 for 38 off 8, and Walters bowling well, including the crucial last over (2 for 25 off 8). In the end, the total proved too much, despite a good effort by the NS skipper who nearly steered NS to victory. A great victory for Cammeray, ensuring that the race for the semi’s remains alive.

So a busy weekend, runs, wickets, beers, pink stumps, trivia night and SUNSHINE. Bring on the next weekend.

Pink Stumps 2012

Cammeray Cricket Club will be one of hundreds of community cricket clubs across Australia participating in Pink Stumps Day on February 18th 2012, helping the McGrath Foundation raise money for Breast Cancer. The inaugural Pink Stumps Day in 2011 rose over $550,000 and all involved are hoping 2012 will be even bigger and pinker. The Pink Test in Sydney has been a huge success since inception and McGrath foundation and CA are looking to spread the magic and goodwill onto the pitches of the Northern Suburbs.

All 3 grades will have touches of Pink to go with the classic Green and Gold of Cammeray this weekend thanks to the kits sent out by the McGrath Foundation. And we have decided to spread even more joy and include Sunday 19th in the celebrations, with A Grade playing on this day.

Cammeray has our own online fundraising page to help encourage donation: http://pinkstumpsday.gofundraise.com.au/page/NickSmall . No donations are too small, every $1 will help.

Cammeray is inviting friends and family to wear pink on the day, and we will have refreshments at the ground- not to mention scintillating cricket.

Who You Gonna Call?

When all else fails, who do you turn to? With the match in balance at drinks, Comenarra chasing 240 were looking to continue pegging back the runs. Comenarra skipper McCormick now with his eye in, began lifting the run rate. Cammeray down a few bowlers, with kiwi Jim out with a broken finger courtesy of a tennis ball injury (yes really), Tyron out with the man flu and Raj also out, skipper DMac resorted to desperate measures in these desperate time. So after dispensing with the wicket keeper gloves and pads at the drinks break, the unfamiliar call went out to the scorers – “Bowler’s name is Post”. Which was rapidly met with a response of “Who?”.

It didn’t take long for the Smiling Sicilian to strike, taking the prize wicket of McCormick early in his spell. This spurred Reno on to greater heights. His run up became longer, his follow through increased to end up inches before the batter – quiet a distance with those small legs, and he began telling the keeper to take a few more paces back. His snarl resembled DK Lillee’s (not quiet the same without DK’s flowing mane). What he was doing worked though as he continued getting wickets, 2, then 3, a loud LBW appeal was rewarded, clean bowling another batter – what was going on. There’s beginner’s luck but this far exceeds it. Would we hear the end of this at the pub that night? At the end of the day, 6 wickets for Reno off what must have been 4 or 5 overs, and unlucky not to have another crack at the number 11 batter who got dismissed before Reno could have a crack at him.

A good win for the B grader, with decent knocks from Wade and Ron setting a big target, and of course Reno for cleaning up the opposition to ensure B’s get back on the winner’s circle and ensure their race for the semi-finals remains alive.

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C Grade notched up another win against the Pigs. Overcoming a strong opening partnership by the Pigs which yielded 48 runs and set the opposition with a platform to build a big score, Cammers bounced back to restrain the piggies to 138 runs thanks to a couple of valuable runouts from Phil Szabo and 4 wickets by Peter Walsh. After a tough start with the bat, Cammers were 4 for 25 at one stage, Cammers managed to overtake the score thanks to another fine knock from Phil (60*) and Dave Scotter (32*).

Sadly, and quiet regularly it would appear, another no game for the A grade side. Playing another Sunday game, where rain reared its ugly head again, saw the match abandoned and points shared between Cammeray and the Pigs. Let’s hope you get on this week guys.

So with 5 games to go, all 3 teams are in the top 4, but must continue winning to ensure their place in the semis. Here’s to further appearances in the winning circle, and less of the rain.

Now Don’t Be Sad

Now don’t be sad, cause two out of three ain’t bad.

New year, and almost three wins. A’s and C’s notched up a great start to the year whilst the B’s went down in a close one.

The A’s recorded a strong victory over West Pymble in their encounter at Tunks Turf on Sunday. Things looked ominous when Few lost the toss. Thing looked even worse being 2 down for 12, but a handy 60 runs, 3rd wicket partnership saw Cammers steady things till Few got bowled for 29. Some lusty hitting in the tail end by Sinc (47) and Kano (29) saw Cammers finishing strong with a score of 218 from 40, with el Presidente top scoring with a great 72. With the ball, Cammers hit a purple patch with TJ picking up 4, Kano, Sinc and Evansss picking up one each and Scottie a cheeky 3 from his 1.5 overs to make it an early finish dismissing West Pymble for 74. Good win.

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The C’s also recorded a victory to kick off 2012 in the best possible way. In true form, the C’s let things slip away with Centrals posting a 139 run 2nd partnership, along the way in a big 236 from 40. As per previous form, the chase is valiant, but wickets kept tumbling at crucial times. How ever a brilliant last wicket partnership featuring Vikas saw Cammers squeak in scoring 243 in 38.1 overs with no further wickets in hand. A tense finish but a great victory.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the trifecta of victory, the B’s allowing Old Iggies to core the winning runs in the 38th over. Despite good batting by Big Bad Ron and T Gyde and lots of effort in the field, Old Iggies finished too strong to see the B’s fall short.

So not a bad start to he year, and in the words of old MeatLoaf, two out of three ain’t bad…. Nevertheless let’s aim for the trifecta next weekend boys, it’d help our semi final aspirations.

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 3,700 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 3 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Send in Liz for the Toss

Perhaps we should send in Liz Hurley to do our toss next time. Losing the toss, bowling first, and then chasing runs just didn’t work for the local derby against Kirribilli Crusaders. I’m sure some of the fellas may also lined up for the type of kiss Liz gave Shane after the toss as well.

In C grade, Cammers chasing a mammoth 349, gave it a good hot go. Skipper Scotter ensured the run rate was there or there abouts as he notched up 86 runs in quick time. Unlucky to get out when he did, had he remained he may have notched up a century on the way to leading the C’s to what would have been an unbelievable win. In the end though, no early Christmas pressie here, all out for 266. Good effort by Phil Szabo and Brett Baker who also scored in the 40′s.

In the B’s, Cammeers just couldn’t do it. All the batters regualry being dismissed in single figures without a significant partnership saw DMac stranded till the last wicket. A solid 30 odd by Dan, but without any other batter offering much, Cammeray dismissed for 108, unable to peg back the 136 runs needed for victory.

A nail biter in the A’s, with a similar disappointing outcome. In the clash againt the top of the table Kirribilli Cruasaders who were 0/50 after 15 overs from the rain effected week 1, Cammeray toiled hard to have them 8/ 167 after the 43 over maximum. Costain taking 4/33 of 8, Stavens 3/47off 13 odd and Hunter 3/38. Good solid bowling performance. Batting let us down. Lost Smythe in over two for 1, Costain for 9 several over’s later and wickets kept falling till Cook and Sinclair put on what looked to be a match winning partnership, before Cook was caught on the boundary for 63 and Sinc dismissed the next over. Wickets kept falling and despite Kinsey scoring 16 not out, eventually all out 15 runs short. One that got away

So as the 1st half of season 2011/12 comes to an end, let’s hope the fat man in red brings along plenty of wickets for the Cammeray bowlers, and definately tons of runs for the Cammeray batters for 2012. With all 3 teams in the middle of the table, a strong finish will ensure action for all 3 teams come semi final time. Just got to get Liz over for the toss.

Hockey Field or Cricket Oval?

On a pitch perhaps more suited to the Kookaburra’s, the Australian Men’s field Hockey team, Cammeray B Grade stepped onto Northbridge Oval. This is a new era, an all artificial grass ground, with a synthetic pitch in the middle. Carpet burn much? Well strangely, not so. Thanks to lots of little rubber pellets which cushions any possible friction, diving and sliding on the oval is “OK”. Takes a bit of getting used to mind, but seems OK. The overall verdict, thumbs up. Certainly the bowlers appreciate the level run up. The keepers can expect a consistent bounce for any ball which bounces just before them, and the fielders are able to avoid twisting ankles from potholes and divots on the outfield.

And thus the scene was set. Cammeray vs Kirribill Crusaders – local derby in all 3 grades. For the B’s, a good bowling effort headed by Duncan Struthers saw KB all out for 136. DMac either damn assy or physic, bringing himself from square leg to 2nd gully in the middle of Jimmy’s over and getting a catch the very next ball. In reply, Cammers 4 for 44, needing another 93 runs. Match in the balance.

In the C’s, a marathon bowling spell from P Szabo, some good positive fielding saw a few early wickets saw KB Reds, on the back foot. But some dropped catches and a shift in momentum saw KB grab their chance and batted out their 72 overs to post a hefty 349 runs. The C’s will be hoping for a lightning outfield next week as the run chase will be on.

A’s well what can we say. For what ever reason, they’ve been allocated to play 4 Sundays in a row. And 4 Sundays in a row it’s been rain affected where as most of the Saturday’s there has been playable. Rain and Turf Wicket don’t go together. Hopefully they’ll get on, in what will be a 1 dayer now at Koola next Sunday.

Stay tuned for word from the club regarding Xmas celebration, in what will be the last weekend of cricket for 2011. Good luck to all 3 teams. here’s to plenty of runs (at least for the B’s and C’s) and wickets and runs to the A’s (if they ever get on).

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