Karori 2C Senior Review 2008-2009
2C perhaps summed up their season best when it achieved its biggest win in the final fixture; One that showed it could achieve, but at the same time displaying its hot and cold tendencies of not being able to go through and pick off its big opponents when the offering was there to be achieved.
In the finish, 2C finished fourth in its grade of six teams, which given injuries and unavailability’s for vital games, was probably a fair reflection. A case in point was opening bowler Shadley Van Wyk who in just his two appearances took 12 wickets, which included two five wicket bags. His raw pace and bounce would have been a great compliment to fellow new bowler and team player of the year, Sanit Klamchanuan.
While on the subject of Sanit, there is just one word that summed up his season; Magnificent. After been recruited from the 2A side in just the third week of competition, Sanit showed great application whether it was with the new ball, bat (in a season that saw him score two 50’s and a hundred in the last match of the season) or in the field. A batsman with a terrific eye that strikes the ball with great gusto, Sanit gained the highest batting aggregate out of the team as well as showing a philosophical side many times during the season when chances went begging off his bowling. Slip fielding practice in particular is something that will need to be addressed next season.
The first change bowler and team captain Steve Minchington, deservedly came away as the highest wicket taker with 28 scalps at a fine average of 16. Given his height, it was only natural that during the course of the season, Steve was able to find a little bit of extra bounce that often caught opponents unaware. He also showed an ability to occasionally seam the ball and together with a good accuracy, got some fine players out. During the season, he took three five wickets and could have had four, but for some generous captaincy in the last game of the season when he gave the ball to a player who had not bowled in a game in five years! Steve also worked hard on his batting game and at times looked as good as any top order player, only to have a lapse in concentration after settling in so while at the crease when he could easily have made a fifty.
Another invaluable all-rounder to the player was the enthusiastic, diminutive ambidextrous all-rounder Graeme Rooney. As a patient middle order left-handed batsman, Graeme often restored the innings with some determined play. His right-arm slow-mediums were also not to be laughed at either with 16 wickets at 16, often was the result of being able to break a partnership just as it was starting to assume real nuisance value.
After scoring two centuries the previous season, Jono Lyall, had by his standards a disappointing season. Jono came away with the second best aggregate of the season despite not making a half century. At times, he looked as good as anyone with some fine shots, but was often let down either by his team’s umpiring decisions or by his own impatience early in the innings. His running and calls between the wickets also kept his partners on their toes.
After being in the middle order for the first half of the season, the team wicketkeeper Aaron Mansell joined Jono in the all important opening batsman role. While Jono blazed away at one end, Aaron was content to steady the ship at the other end with some patient defence. His wicketkeeping improved with each game and is now an invaluable member of the side. He was also the only player to play in all 14 games of the season.
Another player to fall short of expectations was first drop Carey Clements. Although he achieved scores of 20’s relatively easily, he often gave his wicket unnecessarily just when he was starting to look so comfortable. The highlight of his season came in the last game when he captured his first wicket in 25 years! By doing so, he also came away with the best individual bowling average of a mere three. Thanks Steve for being so perceptive!
One of the team’s great characters was the tireless Alan Williams who despite giving an ultra all too casual appearance was the side’s perhaps most underrated bowler through being able to swing or seam the ball. His finest moment came in the second season by taking a cheap four for against Easts, who went on to win the grade.
On the subject of bowling, another player that the side saw too little of was Ryan Crawford, who took seven wickets from four appearances at a very fine average of 16.14 (the same as Graeme Rooney). Like Steve, Ryan extracted some fine bounce off the pitch which gave opposing players little chance to sway out of. The other player 2C saw not enough of was the vastly experienced former senior player Channa Jayasinha. His graceful left-handed stroke play and expert slip catching were always a treat to watch.
During the course of the season, Karori 2C also had the fortune to have the services of stalwart players Jono Crehan, Jack Haddow, Paul Houliston, Harry and James Peters and Jono West which helped to add to the character and established balance of the side. All had their moments in the sun as well, with one of the major highlights being a fine running catch at fine leg from James Peters along with his running commentary that duly ensued afterwards!
Overall a goodish season, but one that could have been better. Fielding, especially ground fielding such as trying to stop shots are throwing accurate returns back to the wickets are still issues that need to be ironed out. This along with bowlers needing to have the skill to quickly readjust their line and top order batsmen having the patience of digging in to ensure the innings goes the full 40 overs, will be required if the side is to be competitive enough to finish in the top three of the grade.
Carey Clements
1 A (B) THE BAKERY: 2008-2009
In the words of David Templeton, convenor of senior selectors, "K-town, it's our time". Inability to interpret this statement revealed something of the contrarian nature of members of Karori 1A, 2 (aka "The Bakery"). For The Bakery, the 2008-2009 season was a tale of two towns. It was the worst of times, it was the best of times.
Before Christmas the batsmen could hardly take guard without falling over their stumps or giving the opposition catching practice. The Bakery's pace quartet of skipper Paul Dorrans, Daniel Croft, Sam Ferrick and David Abricossow did its best to defend a succession of paltry totals, but to no avail as the team finished 2008 winless.
There were few individual performances of note in the first half of the season: Blair Martin's 5 for 26 and Abricossow's innings of 58 against Karori 1, in a close opening day loss and Gareth Jones's 31, at a Gilchristian strike rate of 182.35 versus University. Perhaps most notable, with the benefit of hindsight, was Ferrick's batting against Wellington Sikhs. Playing straight yet with brio, Ferrick's innings of 44 accounted for 61.97 per cent. of The Bakery's runs that day. This was not only a New Zealand record, easily eclipsing JDP Oram's 50.00 per cent contribution versus Australia in Perth in 2007, but also a World record, smashing the 57.07 per cent. mark set by CH Gayle for the West Indies versus South Africa at Johannesburg in 2007. (All Twenty20 references)
With the new year came new application. The release of team manager Lukas Davidson from Bangkok airport brought greater intensity to net sessions and much needed critical focus. The introduction of Oliver Gascoigne (52 vs North City Trojans, 76 vs Onslow 2, 69no vs J'ville Cripples, 93 vs Collegians Axemen) and the elevation of Ferrick (110 vs Indians, 59 vs Trojans, 77 vs Easts Cobras) to the top of the order created a platform from which sprang Croft (65 vs Karori 1, 51 vs Cobras, 54no vs Axemen), Chuck Ryan (81 vs Cripples), Dylan Ewing (50 vs Axemen, 55 vs Cobras), Piers Ovenden (81no vs Indians, 93 vs Cobras) and Abricossow (62 vs Brooklyn Beggars, 44no vs Indians).
The bowlers, now with runs to defend, ran in with renewed verve and enthusiasm. Dorrans cleaned out Indians' top order with a hat trick, while Paul Smith dispatched the flower of Cobras' batting with a triple wicket maiden. Mainly the bowlers hunted as a pack: Croft (4 for 49 vs Cobras, 3 for 48 vs Easts Originals), Abricossow (3 for 20 vs Karori 1), Martin (3 for 35 vs Cripples), Dorrans (3 for 34 vs Indians, 2 for 22 vs Trojans), Smith (3 for 13 vs Cobras, 2 for 17 vs Trojans, 2 for 17 vs Karori 1), Ferrick (2 for 28 vs Sikhs, 2 for 20 vs Onslow), Jesse Fairley (2 for 17 vs Karori 1), Greg Stanton (2 for 29 vs Trojans), Davidson (2 for 9 vs Cobras). Ewing's out-swingers were a parsimonious foil to the mayhem at the other end (8-1-17-1 vs Cripples, 6-2-19-2 vs Cobras).
The fielding, however, remained inconsistent. There were good moments: Martin with five catches in an innings and Croft, Fairley, Ferrick and Ovenden clinging on to screamers, but also many disconcertingly bad moments. Of the bowlers, Dorrans seemed to suffer disproportionately from the team's malaise: five catches being shelled from his bowling in one match alone. The Bakery called on no fewer than four different wicket keepers during the season, all with contrasting styles: Gascoigne, dapper and correct; Jones, garrulous; Ovenden, timorous; and Robert Sanson, gallic.
The Bakery won seven of their last nine matches, with one rained out, and exacted revenge in the derby fixture with a 6 wicket victory over Karori 1, to finish 8th out of 16 teams in the 1A grade. Worst of the best or best of the worst? Uncertainty remained. But with momentum now firmly behind The Bakery and all the players committed to returning next season, summer 2009-2010 looks promising.
With thanks to all the WAGs for their understanding and unconditional support.
Most Improved Player: Dan K Croft
Most Valuable Player: Samuel "Hollywood" Ferrick