Below is a record of the matches I have umpired this season so far, as well as some of the experiences I have had during these matches.
Firstly, I think I shall begin with just a brief summary of the pre-season matches. These began with two Twenty20's between
Unfortunately, I don't remember the scores, but I do remember that Manly-Warringah defeated
The second pre-season game was a trial between Terrigal-Matcham and Kincumber-Avoca a week later, again at
As for the match, once again, I don't remember the scores, but Kincumber-Avoca batted first, and never really got going. A slow outfield didn't help matters, but only Shaun Robertson and Danny Rowe looked comfortable. However, because of the slow outfield, my colleague (Ian James) and I thought Kincumber-Avoca were a chance of defending it at lunch.
It looked like this was going to be the case too, as Kincumber-Avoca started well with the ball by taking early wickets, despite the outfield having quickened up. However, the match turned towards Terrigal-Matcham after that with Ryan James hitting the ball to all parts, before it turned back towards Kincumber-Avoca, and then finally back to Terrigal-Matcham. We had an early finish, but it was only a victory by four wickets. A victory is a victory though, and both sides looked reasonably strong for the season at that point in time.
Now, on to the grade matches.
Round 1: 1st Grade: Kincumber-Avoca Vs Umina, Erina Oval, 2nd of October:
What an interesting game this was. Umina won the toss and elected to bat, which wasn't surprising on what is a beautiful pitch. The move backfired early though, as Umina continually lost wickets. At one stage, it looked as though Umina would be all out well inside the 45 overs allotted to them. However, they fought back and posted a very competitive 9-179 with Matthew Gorely scoring an impressive 51, and Mitchell Smith chipping in with 30. Dylan Robertson was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-22 from nine overs. Brett Hanson (2-28 from seven overs) and Shaun Robertson (2-30 from seven overs) also chipped in. This sent us to the Tea Break, where everybody thought the total was a competitive one.
A brief shower during the Tea Break culminated in us starting eight minutes late. Not that this was a problem, as we can make up half an hour during the match. Thus, my colleague (Brian Baudinette) and I were not at all worried about the situation.
When play did resume, Kincumber-Avoca took the bowling on, and were scoring quickly on a lightning quick outfield. It had been this way all day, which was very impressive. Some glorious cover drives were played, and they were well in front of the run-rate after 17 overs. However, the curse of the rain on the first weekend of the season struck, and we were forced to leave the field. It wasn't until an hour and a bit later that we were able to resume. Unfortunately, there was a lot of angst from the Umina team, who tried to tell me that you can't start in the rain, and that the ball being slippery is an issue. They were wrong on both accounts, but I had to explain this to them three or four times. By this stage, I had completely forgotten to write a reduced total required to win in the book, which I thought was a non-issue at the time.
When we got back on, the two batsmen at the crease continued on their merry way. However, they were not trying to score faster than was required. This is when I noticed the scoreboard had not been updated. So, I had a discussion with Shaun Robertson, who was the vice, or "assisting captain" and this is when all hell began to break loose. It was revealed to me that they believed we were playing 35 overs and their target was 140. We were instead playing 33 overs, which meant their target was 132. Again, I thought this was a non-issue. However, with light fading fast, as we were not in daylight savings time, Brian and I decided to call the match off due to bad light at around 5:30PM. Kincumber-Avoca were just six (seven according to them) runs short of victory (3-126 after 24 overs). Damien Way (46 not out) and Steve McCabe (33) were the pick of the batsman. None of the bowlers really threatened. Matt Gorley was the best of those who bowled a full spell (1-23 from six overs).
Of course, as is always the case when something like this happens, one side is thirlled, and one is really disappointed. Not much we umpires can do about it though.
Matters did not end here though, as during the week, there was a comment made in the local newspaper that we had not given them a total to chase, and that if they had have known earlier, they would've got the runs earlier. Of course, this cannot be said, as circumstances always change. It was a very disappointing comment, and although I have let it go, I am still disappointed that that was said.
Round 2: 1st Grade: Narara-Wyoming Vs Wyong, Gavenlock Oval, 9th October:
Thankfully, this was an easy match to umpire, except for the fact that rain from the previous night had somehow managed to get under the covers, leaving a wet patch on the pitch, and a wet outfield. However, in the end, it really wasn't an issue, as both teams wanted to play, and work was undertaken to make sure this occurred. We started late as a result, which made it a 35 over a side match. Wyong won the toss and elected to bowl.
Narara-Wyoming was never really in this match as it turned out. They lost wickets at regular intervals and ended up posting 9-134 on a low bouncing pitch. Andy Murray and Mark Smith top scored with 26, while Mark McLachlan (21) and Michael Shelly (19 not out), also helped. Mark Leard was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-37 from seven overs. Jordan Freeman (2-20 from seven overs), Sam Trapolino (2-20 from seven overs) and Matthew Day (2-21 from seven overs), also made life tough for the batsmen.
My colleague (Phill Hoolahan) and I thought this would be competitive at the Tea Break, but we ended up being wrong, as the Wyong opening batsmen (Jake Scicluna, 66) and Colby Gallagher, (55 not out) looked in complete control, putting on 119 for the first wicket. Wyong eventually cruised to victory by eight wickets with 10 balls to spare. Only Mark McLachlan (1-5 from five overs) and Jason Buckley (1-31 from seven overs) managed to take wickets.
Round 3: 2nd Grade: Woy Woy Vs Toukley, Rogers Park No. 1, 16th/23rd of October:
This was my first second grade game for the season, and it was a shocking day. There was a gale blowing, and it was absolutely freezing. However, there was no rain, and we got through the day easily. The bails hardly fell off. Of course, I was being blown off my feet continuously, but that really wasn't an issue.
Toukley won the toss and batted first, and overall, they batted superbly on a good batting pitch. They had a slight wobble after the Tea break, but they managed to get themselves back together to post 293 off 85 overs with James Fitzgerald top scoring with a very composed 61. The other main batsmen to contribute were Paul McCombie with 41 and Mark Daniel with 38. Kane Anderson also compiled a handy 26 at number 10. Adam Kelly was the pick of the bowlers, picking up 4-56 from 18 overs, while Ronnie More (4-59 from 19 overs), also bowled well.
With Toukley being bowled out within five overs of the close of play, Woy Woy elected not to bat, so it was a slightly early day.
Day two began under sunny skies, with the temperature rising. However, this did not last for long, as the clouds began to roll in. Amazingly, they continually missed us. As a result, Toukley ripped Woy Woy to shreds, bowling them out for 129 in 42.3 overs. Only Matthew Savelberg looked in complete control, compiling a well made 46. Leigh Taylor (24) and Lachlan Hook (20) got starts but were unable to continue. Kane Anderson was the standout bowler, bowling with a lot of agression and maintaining good line and length to really trouble the Woy Woy batsmen. Not only could they not score off him, but they had absolutely no idea how to play him, as the ball swung and cut in both directions. He finished with outstanding figures of 6-46 from 15 overs. Rohan Hutchinson also bowled well, troubling the Woy Woy batsmen with his accurate line and length (not overly quick, but quick enough) taking 3-32 from 13 overs.
Not surprisingly, Toukley elected to enforce the follow-on and go for the ouright. It looked like a fate-accompli early, as the first wicket fell with just 11 on the board. However, from this moment on, the Woy Woy batsmen looked right at home. Their momentum was stalled when the rain finally hit us. It was around faround an hour later (I forgot to write down the exaxt time we came off, as we had to rush off the ground), which meant that seven overs were lost. Only two of the Toukley players wanted to continue, but because of this, I had to stay there.
Upon the resumption, the two batsmen once again looked in complete control. Darkness was beginning to become an issue, but with one batsmen near a hundred, I could not stop. It was only when he was dismissed that I decided to call the match off due to bad light. By this stage, Woy Woy were 2-171 after 36.3 overs with David Stitt scoring a very impressive 89 and Tom White supporting him superbly with 68 not out. Brad Molan (1-48 from 14 overs) and Nathan Marks (1-6 from 0.3 overs) managed to take wickets. An enjoyble match in the end, in which I was told that I had a great first day, and that I should be in 1st Grade (on the second day).
Round 4: 1st Grade: Warnervale Vs The Entrance, Woongarrah Oval, 30th of October/6th November:
After a 40 minute drive, I arrived at the home ground of the newest affiliated club on the
The Entrance batsmen then came out with plenty of intent, and soon, the ball was flying to all parts of the ground. Warnervale's bowlers had no answer to the onslaught, continually bowling fast, full, wide and short. This made it incredibly easy for The Entrance batsmen to score freely on the inconsistent batting pitch and reasonably quick outfield. As a result, they were easily able to pass Warnervale's total, and then build a healthy lead in a short space of time. They eventually declared at 5-199 after 30 overs, a lead of 127. Steve Davis did the majority of the damage, scoring a quick fire 92. The ball flew to all parts of the boundary off his bat, and to make the feat more impressive, he battled with hamstring tightness throughout his innings. Ashely Hardy also chimed with 53 not out. It was only through the pursuit of scoring quick runs that wickets fell. Matthew King was the pick of the bowlers, with 2-34 from seven overs, while Daniel Drew picked up 2-9 from two overs.
The Entrance thus had 20 overs left until stumps to virtually ensure an outright victory.
At one stage, it looked as though Warnervale would only be one down at stumps. However, two quick wickets had them reeling, and they eventually finished at 3-27 after 20 overs. Luke Disrens, a leg spinner (the best form of bowling there is), really troubled the Warnevale batsmen in the second innings, picking up 2-8 from six overs, which included something that I had never seen before; a catch that deflected off one of the close in-fieldsmen's head.
By stumps, my colleague (Joe Dowden) and I knew the outright was going to occur, and as such, it was going to be a short second day.
Rain washed out day two, and thus saved Warnervale though, which was a shame, as The Entrance deserved to win outright.
Round 5: Day 1, 1st Grade: Terrigal-Matcham Vs Gosford, Duffy's Road, Day One, 13th November.
After originally being appointed to a second grade fixture, I was elevated to this fixture after another of our umpires resigned.
A hot day greeted us, but thankfully, there was a breeze, which cooled things down nicely. That's one of the best things about umpiring at Duffy's Road on a hot day. It always feels cooler than it really is.
Gosford won the toss and elected to bat, and things were looking good for them early, but as soon as the first wicket fell, they fell apart. All out for 100 after 50.1 overs. Adam Skinner top scored with 28, while Luke Beaven (23) and Alec Herridge (19) also looked great while at the crease. Luke and Alec especially looked right at home on a low bouncing pitch, and should be moved higher up the order. Daryl Bateup, bowling inswingers off a short run-up was the pick of the bowlers, maintaining good line and length, and also rushing through his overs. As a result, he finished with the figures of 3-22 from 12 overs, while Justin Frost (2-8 from 5.1 overs), Craig Fittler, 2-13 from eight overs) and Alex Patterson (2-24 from12 overs) were also a handful.
Terrigal-Matcham came out after the innings break and batted very sensibly. They finished the day at 3-144 after 39 overs, with Kristian Mitchell scoring 51, and Mitchell Smith scoring 43 not out. Luke Beaven, looked very impressive (a spinner of course), taking 2-24 from 12 overs).
It will be very interesting to see whether or not they elect to continue batting for a short period next week, or put Gosford straight back in. Either way, an outright is definitely on the cards.
The one unfortunate thing to occur was I copped abuse (or dissent) from one of the players. This began when I gave him out LBW and continued well into the afternoon. It was a battle that really did not need to be fought. Thankfully, he calmed down later in the day, and the issue is now dead and buried.
Well, that's the first part of the cricket season so far. I know this is a very long entry, but there has been a lot to cover. Part two will comprise of the representative matches I have so far umpired.
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