Playing Teams
The Auckland Cricket Society and Supporters' Club has three regular playing teams each summer. Two teams play on a Saturday - one in the ACA One Day 2A competition and the other plays in the ACA Presidents grade. The third team plays on a Sunday around the upper North Island.
While the other two teams have a regular playing side the Sunday team has a schedule set at the beginning of the season and is open to all members who want a friendly game without having to be tied to playing every week.
One Day 2A
The 2A team went into the season missing a couple of stalwart players who have moved across the ditch to base themselves in Australia for work. The season started well with two wins from the first three games, including one against a Papatoetoe side which contained a number of their premier team from the previous season. Unavailability’s, injuries and a revolving door of players coming in to replace those departed from last season meant the team could not maintain the run, the consistency of selection required for success absent. The team went into the Christmas break still only having the two wins and having suffered four consecutive losses, the worst a 259 thrashing by Cornwall OTP’s, Iain “Bruiser” Taylor smashing an unbeaten double century against us. The one bright spot being Lee Gornall striking a century against Mount Wellington, unfortunately this game still ending in a loss.
An invigorated team came back after the Christmas break with the addition of Alex Chapman to the team, still at secondary school he added some real enthusiasm to the side. After dealing a 162 run hiding to Birkenhead the side reversed the result from the first round against Cornwall with a hard fought win, unfortunately then dropping the next two fixtures. In the last round before semi-finals an 8 player ACSSC team beat Papatoetoe by six wickets, Philip and Lawrence Stephens hitting an unbeaten 90 from 7.5 overs to win with seven balls to spare after Rod Turner, Cam McKenzie and Mike Ewart had all struck half centuries.
Ending in the lower half of the competition the weather got the better of the team in the first semi-final game, the game being abandoned. With the batsmen not firing in the next two games the whole bowling attack stepped up, supported by an enthusiastic fielding effort. 162 was defended against Mount Wellington in the second semi-final to win by seven runs and `194 defended in the last semi-final to win by 32 runs. Lawrence Stephens leading from the front with the ball in these two games with 3/35 and 5/29. A confident ACSSC team went into the final as the top qualifier only to wake to heavy rain which didn’t let up, the game being abandoned and the team winning by being higher on the ladder.
The team gathered at the Mission Bay Mexican Cantina for the end of season wrap up and awards. Rod Turner won the batsmen of the season title with 415 runs at an average of 32, beating Philip Stephens with 406 runs, Lee Gornall with 364 and Cam McKenzie with 301. Lawrence Stephens won bowler of the season with 26 wickets at an average of 21.6 ahead of Dave Freeman, Rob Sadler and Lee Gornall who all took 13 wickets. Rob Sadler took out the new team award, most ducks in the season with three ahead of a number of players with two. There was a complaint that his zero not out without facing a ball shouldn’t count, his concerns were roundly ignored. Mike Clegg won the dick of the year award for his painfully pedestrian innings against East Coast Bays beating out some stiff competition from Rahul Suchdev for his visa issues and Philip Stephens for playing his entire innings against Parnell with his pants on backwards. On a brighter note for Philip Stephens he won the player of the season award with 406 runs at an average of 45, 6 wickets at an average of 18 and`15 catches in the outfield.
The team looks forward to a winter on the golf course and then getting back onto the field next season.
Lawrence Stephens
Presidents Grade
The 2010-2011 season turned out to be a disjointed affair with only 11 games being played due to a couple of defaults (1win,1 loss) ; 2 byes and at least 3 washouts!
It nearly didn’t get underway at all after the perennial problem of finding a team meaning 2 non-players filled in for the first (and their only) game against regular foe, Grafton.
Nigel Rackham made his debut opening the bowling smartly and topping the runscorers with 43 in our batting practice reply to Grafton’s 243. He is a welcome addition as the lastest "English Pro" to the Society Presidents! Mark Bosomworth starred with 75 in the next match V. Sri Lanka; while Rackham took 3 catches in a thrilling 3 run win to us! This was 1 of our best team efforts of the season with all 6 bowlers getting wickets and 4 of the top 5 getting more than 20 runs!
Unfortunately we defaulted the next game before a great win chasing Ellerslie's 249, reaching 251 for 5 in the 36th over. This was set up by a rollicking partnership for the 3rd wicket of 96 off only 14 overs between Simon Coleman (49) and new captain Bosomworth who retired on 103 !
The next few games resulted in some big losses including our nadir; losing to the bottom Parnell team in the last over; this was their first victory for 2 years! John Davidson couldnt repeat last years trophy winning form with the bat this season but did get 72 in this match.......Tony Burt also bowled as quick as he had all year and took 3 for 27 off his 7 overs, but all to no avail.
The second round saw us in better form with an 8 wicket thrashing of Ellerslie ( Bosomworth 78 not out and Rackham, 3 X 6's in his season high of 57) Next game we got our revenge on Parnell with a brilliant 272 for 5 off 35 overs. Mark B. on 1 leg scored a quick 65 and Simon along with debutant Harford, racked up 88 in 8 overs. This was Simon's only 50 in a quiet season and Harford scored 57 off about 35 balls incl 3 huge sixes! He would be a welcome addition next season if we can sign him up? (Tim B?) Dave Gordon in a rare appearance this game had the amazing figures of 7 overs, 4 maidens, 4 wickets for 5 runs as we rolled a weakened Parnell for only 106 and a 166 run win! After a few weeks off with unseasonal rains, we played our last game V. Sri Lanka for 7th place on long boundaries with thick grass and came up short with only 135 all out, chasing 161 to win. Roger Carroll made a welcome debut for our presidents, top scoring with 26 and he would also be a welcome addition to our squad next season?
Mark Bosomworth easily won the batting trophy with 426 runs at an average of 53.25. One century and 3 fifties. Nigel Rackham with 205 runs, at an average of 34 and Simon Coleman with 195 runs were the next best batsmen.
The bowling prize was decided in the last game with wily old John Steer snaring 3 for 26 to finish with 10 wickets at an outstanding average of only 15! This was from only 6 games and 36 overs...Ian Wolfgram became the workhorse along with Tim Beck; both bowling 43 overs in a truncated season. Wolfie took 8 wickets followed by Tony Burt 7 and Glenn Poultney along with all rounder Rackham both getting 6 wickets. Simon took 10 catches and 1 stumping behind the stumps.
If we are to still have a Presidents’ team after 14 seasons in this grade, some recruitment of a few more regulars will need to take place. We need at least 20 to 24 part-time/regulars to enable us to front for 2011-2012?
Simon Coleman
Social Season
The 2010-11 season started late due to the poor weather that affected the northern region in late November and early December. Of the scheduled three matches pre Christmas only one could be played. The rest of the season was less affected and went quite well with mixed results. We were able to play a total of eleven out of fourteen matches including our annual Chairman XI v President XI fixture, with unfortunately losses outweighing victories by eight to three. We welcomed to list Pumice Plodders from Reporoa and look forward to further matches against them.
We are becoming more accustomed to the new temporary home venue for the ASCSC social side Waikaraka Park that we have played on for many years. The facilities there do make it easier for those that work behind the scenes to provide an enjoyable day, not only for the players but for those that come and support. Many thanks must go to those from the Onehunga Sports Association for having staff available to both open up the building for us, including showers and changing sheds, and also managing the bar for our after match functions. These matches cannot run without those people that assist behind the scenes both in the kitchen and in arranging the dates for fixtures and selecting teams, Cynthia Bates and Kevin Broderick. It is also acknowledged that several other members helped to make the season run as smoothly as is possible, John Steer cooks a good BBQ while Noel Plumer ensures that the match gear arrives. Those that have been selected for the day now know that they are supplying food for both teams and guests for the day. A special mention goes to Ian Wolfgram for organizing the team for the over 60’s week during March. Finally these games would not be the same if we were not able to see our evergreen umpire Charles Hooke.
The 2011-12 season is fast approaching and our schedule is quickly filling up with eleven matches already arranged and several others waiting to be confirmed. Amongst the fixtures we have an old foe returning to the fold, Rosetown Rouges, and also a special fixture that I hope will become an annual event against “Taranaki Prehistorics”, potentially to be played at the picturesque Pukekura Park. There are two other up coming events that should attract interest and therefore must be mentioned: The Golden Oldies Cricket Festival in Adelaide during November and December 2012, contact Rowley Potter for details, and the Vintage Cricket Festival in Wellington during March 2012, contact Kevin Broderick for details. Just a quick note most of our matches are away from home this season due to the problems from last years weather.
Looking forward to an enjoyable and busy season and receiving plenty of interest for our fixtures.
Kevin Broderick
Previous Match Reports for the 2A Team:
Game One: Mt Wellington 31 October
Game Two: East Coast Bays 7 November
Game Three: Eden Roskill White 14 November
Game Four: Cornwall 21 November
Game Five: Papatoetoe 28 November
Game Nine: East Coast Bays 16 January
Game Ten: Eden Roskill White 23 January
Game Eleven: Cornwall 30 January
Game Twelve: Papatoetoe 6 February
Game Thirteen: Birkenhead City 13 February
Game Fourteen: Eden Roskill Punjab 20 February
Championship Round 1: Eden Roskill Punjab 27 February
If any member is interested in finding out more about any of our three teams contact the ACSSC Secretary for more information.
To find out how last season went click here.