Here are all of the representative matches I have so far umpired in order
Round 1: Country Plate: Warnervale Vs Dungog, Woongarrah Oval, 24th of October:
Well, this turned out to be a very disappointing day. It continually poured down with rain, meaning play was not possible. My colleague (Mick Sherwood) and I eventually called the match off at 12PM. As the away side, Dungog progressed to the second round. I have a feeling they would have anyway, as Warnervale are off the pace at the moment.
Round 2: SCG Country Cup: Kincumber-Avoca Vs Belmont, Erina Oval, 31st of October:
Finally, I was back umpiring in the SCG Country Cup, and to make matters even better, I was at Erina Oval. It doesn't get much better than that for me, as Erina Oval holds a special place in my heart. This is because I trained there briefly during my playing days, and it's also where I made my first grade umpiring debut.
Not to get too far off track, it was a beautiful day for cricket. However, with rain predicted, I was sure we weren't going to get a full match in. I was wrong, as the clouds continually swept around us, which is always great, as rain interrupted matches are horrible.
Belmont won the toss and elected to bowl. It seemed like a very good decision early, as Kincumber-Avoca continually lost wickets, and had my colleague (Mick Sherwood) and I thinking we were going to have an early day. A masterful innings from Adam Danckert (65), well supported by Mark Robertson, (23) and Christoher Clement (21), changed this thought, and after 50 overs they posted 8-176. Jace Lawson terrorised the Kincumber-Avoca batsmen, taking 3-39 from 10 overs. Daniel Bailey also bowled well, taking 2-28 from six overs. Graheme Cameron also deserves a special mention. He finished with the incredible figures of 1-15 from 10 overs, which helped in restricting Kincumber-Avoca's total.
Mick and I thought this was a very competitive total during the Lunch break, and as a result, we gave Kincumber-Avoca a chance of winning.
Neither side was on top during the early stages of Belmont's innings. This was because wickets weren't falling and runs weren't being scored. However, one run-out, triggered something of a collapse, and Kincumber-Avoca were on top. Being a former player for the club in the lower grades, I was beginning to believe they could pull it off. However, the match changed again, and like the Kincumber-Avoca players, I was feeling the pressure. I so desperately wanted them to win, mostly because they're a Central Coast club. I wasn't being biased towards them though.
As a result of the change of fortune, Belmont won the match by five wickets with 11 balls to spare. Ryan Mannix was the reason for the turn-around, scoring 51 not out. He was well supported by Daniel Bailey, who scored 30 to complete an outstanding match. Dylan Robertson was outstanding with the ball finishing with 2-38 from nine overs. Shaun Robertson also bowled well, finishing with 2-43 from 10 overs.
It is my firm belief that another 10 runs would have seen Kincumber-Avoca win the match. This is because they had the bowlers to contain, and they are a side that fights until the very end.
Round 3: DCA: Under 14's Harrold Moore Shield: Central Coast Vs Blacktown City and District , McEvoy Oval, 7th of November:
This was a day that I was going to have off, as I was supposed to be at Woongarrah Oval the day before. However, as a result of a washout, and this match desperately needing an umpire, I took it on.
The match was orginally supposed to be at EDSAAC South, but due to heavy rain, it was under water, so it was moved to Kariong Oval. Overnight rain left the ground wet, and it was only after arrival that the match was shifted once again to McEvoy Oval. A great way to start this match.
A late start was unavoidable, as a result of the change of venue, and the ground already being in use. However, after that, the only problem we had related to the stumps not staying straight. This was due to frayed bottoms. This was fixed during the Morning Tea Break, and there were no problems after that.
As for the match itself, Blacktown City and District won the toss and elected to bat. They never really got going though. Wickets were hard to come by early as well, but as soon as two spinners (James Herron, 3-17 from 10 overs and Lachlan Gale (2-13 from eight overs) came into the attack, this changed dramatically. They bamboozled the Blacktown City and District batsmen, and eventually they were all out for 95 after 47.3 overs. Only three batsmen, Mitchell Farquharson (17 not out), Brinthen Prabakharen, (17) and Harmon Sandhu (13) reached double figures. Calib Vinn also deserves special mention for his bowling efforts, taking 2-14 from five overs.
It was an absolute pleasure to watch them bowl, and this bodes well for the future of Central Coast cricket, as spin plays such a pivotal role.
The Central Coast team always had the target under control, even after losing two early wickets. They eventually finished at 4-99 after 34 overs with Lachlan Gale adding 52 to his two wickets to complete a fine all-round match. Brady Pennington (18 not out) was at the crease when the winning runs were scored. Only Harmon Sandhu troubled the batsmen, finishing with figures of 2-21 from nine overs.
The Central Coast team were by far the better side, and being from the Central Coast, it was an absolute pleasure to watch them win so easily.
Round 3: SCG Country Cup: Narara-Wyoming Vs Muswellbrook, Gavenlock Oval, 14th of November:
A very hot day greeted us at Gavenlock Oval, and with just a slight breeze, and very little cloud cover, it was not pleasent to be out in.
Muswellbrook won the toss and elected to bat, but it was a decision that was not looking like a good one early, as Narara-Wyoming took three early wickets. The pitch played its part in two of the dismissals, as the ball kept low, which it always does. The match then ebbed and flowed throughout the Muswellbrook innings, with Narara-Wyoming being their own worst enemy in dropping numerous catches. Eventually though, they bowled Muswellbrook out for 164 after 40.1 overs.
As a result of this, we had a 10 minute change over and 45 minutes before lunch. Again, the ball kept low and/or cut, but some sensible batting had Narara-Wyoming 2-38 after 11 overs at Lunch. By this stage, I thought the match would be over by half past three. How wrong I was though.
At times, Narara-Wyoming looked comfortable at the crease, but a mini collapse, which saw two wickets in two balls, changed everything, and left the match on a knife-edge; at the last drinks break, Narara-Wyoming were 6-112, requiring 52 runs from 13 overs.
The two batsmen out in the middle looked comfortable, and victory was in sight. However, a wicket with around 20 runs to go and then another with 10 runs to go, had my colleague (Ian James) and I thinking this could really go either way.
In the end, it went Narara's way, as they won by two wickets with 11 balls to spare. By this stage, we were glad it was over, as we were sweating tremendously, and my feet were killing me.
Despite these factors, along with a shocking pitch, it was a very enjoyable match, and I feel honoured to be officiating such important matches now.
Well, that is all for now. Next week will see just the two matches mentioned.
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