2nd Grade Annual Report

2^nd Grade entered the 2006/2007 season full of optimism and expectation with the Club’s strength in the top grades meaning most of 2^nd Grade had a great deal of 1^st Grade experience under their belts. Those players knew opportunities would arise should they perform in 2^nd Grade and there were many brilliant individual and team performances. Unfortunately these performances were littered with some ordinary performances – the inability to defend 430 springs to mind. It was these games that 2^nd Grade would look back on at the end of the season as preventing them from achieving a semi final spot. A great team on paper but games are not won on paper as we found out the hard way on a few occasions.

Ed 'Hoppa' Howitt  in fine "flight"

A critique of each player is provided below, for those who played a significant part in 2^nd Grade during the season:

Damon Livermore (Reg)

Reg was one of a number who started in 2nds having spent much of the last few seasons in 1^st Grade. Unfortunately, he was unable to force his way back into the top grade but his experience was a valuable asset in 2^nd Grade. Whilst not scoring as prolifically as expected, he still managed nearly 500 runs. He found a niche at first slip this season and showed promising leadership attributes when he captained the side on two occasions.

Jeremy Cashman  (Cashy)

Started the season in 1^st Grade, dropped to 2nds and struggled for a while with confidence and not getting a regular hit. This quickly changed with back-to-back centuries. Cashy is good enough for 1sts and will find his feet in the top grade next season. An extremely hard worker, still very young (although it seems he has been around for many years) and I am sure will have learnt from this season and become an integral part of 1^st Grade in the near future.

Cashy - great fantasy league value

Matt Michael  (Cupcake)

Cuppy joined us from his initial start in 1sts and proved a valuable asset with both bat and ball. Although not dominating as one would have expected, his powerful century against Blacktown was the Cake of old.  Probably not backing up next season (due to travel commitments), but we hope when he gets back from his travels he returns to the Stags. His competitiveness and commitment are attributes that will ensure he will succeed on his return .

John O’Neill-Fuller  (JOF)

JOF was another who began the season in 1sts, but found himself in 2nds before Xmas and consistent runs didn’t allow a return to the top grade. Polished innings versus Wests and Bankstown underlined his class, but unfortunately consistency, like many of the top order, was lacking. Having settled into a new abode recently, a much-relaxed JOF will no doubt be a major factor in the top grades next season.

Nick Medcalf  (Medders)

Really came on this season with bat and ball. Picked up a yard of pace and was always asking questions of the batsmen. A super competitor, as evidenced by gutsy innings against Penrith and Mosman, Medders visited 1^st Grade throughout the season and was not overawed by the standard. Medders will be an even more accomplished all-rounder next season given the experience he has gained this season.

Ian Higgins  (Missy)

Missy joined us after Brad Rasool was placed in 1sts and performed more than adequately behind the stumps. Lower order batting saw potential and with continued hard work and greater consistency with the gloves should see this excellent club man consolidate his place in the top grades and push for higher selection.

Rod Hokin  (Rocket)

Rocket really reaped the rewards of a superb work ethic by entrenching himself in 1^st Grade for the last half of the season. A perfect of example of a person who has discovered his game and after strong performances with bat and ball he consolidated a spot in 1^st Grade. A great fielder with the ability to throw with both arms (left arm still much work though) and, as his bowling continues to improve, he will become a valuable all-rounder in 1^st Grade.

Neil Longhurst  (Longy)

Our resident Pom who loves a chat!! Longy was a welcome addition to our club who contributed with bat and ball in his sporadic visits to 2^nd Grade. His late season performances, especially in the final game against Northern Districts, saw much improvement and hopefully his club back home will benefit from his experience with the Stags.

We all hope Longers is doing well in rainy England

Brad Rasool  (Dazzler)

Wow!! The Dazzler outdid Sherman and J. Packman (1 double hundred each) by scoring 2 double hundreds in the space of 3 games. Included in these two massive scores was a 236* which is now the all-time highest score for GDCC. Incredible knocks by a very talented cricketer. Also donned the gloves and was superb at times, especially up to the stumps. Will make his mark in 1^st Grade next season and with some hard work on his keeping, will develop into a superb all-rounder.

Nick Dowsley ( Digger)

Digger started the season late after a billycart joy ride went wrong. Never quite managed to get his season going, except for a superb 78 against Sutherland, which demonstrated obvious class. With a bit of work on his bowling action and continued development with the willow, he has the definite potential to feature with bat and ball in the top grade.

Reece Bombas ( Bomber)

Reece is a young, classy top-order bat, and this season really consolidated his spot in 2^nd Grade but more importantly he had the opportunity of 1^st Grade experience. Played some  excellent innings against the top sides in 2^nd Grade and no doubt will convert the half centuries into big tons. Only young, still gaining experience and discovering his game. Reece is a most committed player and continued improvement with the bat and in the field will ensure he is an integral part of 1^st Grade for many years.

Throughout the above critiques, the common theme is that of consistency and learning from experience. It really doesn’t matter how long you have played the game - the ability to learn from different pressure situations is crucial to one’s cricketing development and gaining of experience. If we are able to better adapt to these situations then I have no doubt the consistency problem will improve. Batting in partnerships (at all times), singles to break up a bowler’s line, being patient as a bowler and simple concentration in the field will place each of us in good stead in our quest for success.

2nd Grade is a stepping stone to 1^st Grade and many of us have experienced the jump and know it is a much harder leap than any other throughout the grades. Playing hard, consistent cricket in 2^nd Grade will groom each of us for this step and make it that little easier.

Bombas playing fine through gully

2^nd Grade, although not achieving the success we should have or would have liked, have many people to thank for making our playing that much more enjoyable. Thank you to Ed Howitt Snr, who performed the role of manager/scorer with great prowess. At times I know he struggled when were under achieving, but the “big fella’s” positive attitude and uncanny one-liners when he entered the dressing room helped create an enjoyable atmosphere.

Thanks to Marea and Michael Michael for their commitment to provide food and drink at both Killara and Chatswood. The new rolls were a major hit, as was their ability to put up with certain individuals who kept them on their toes at all times. A big thank you to Andy Falk for his unwavering commitment and support to the club. He continues to go beyond the call of duty and as a captain I shudder to think of life in cricket without  him.

Thank you to all the coaching staff, in particular Mick Falk and Steve Smith. We are starting to benefit from all your expertise, guidance and tuition and hopeful a few more trophies are headed our way shortly.

Finally, a massive congratulations to Dave Millar and his back-to-back premiership winning team. To win it in consecutive seasons is a great achievement, but to win the crown undefeated with an ever-changing side is an incredible result. Commiserations and congratulations to Matt Kelly and the 3^rd Grade losing grand finalists. A superb season, minor premiers who unfortunately fell at the final hurdle. Both sides provided the club with great enjoyment over the finals period and provided the players with an insight into the thrill of playing the ‘big’ games at the end of the season.

Ed Howitt Jnr

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