A Special day

Every A1 debut is a special occasion but Josh Banner’s debut on Saturday is that little bit more special. The photo shows Josh as an 10 year-old with our great A1 side on 2010/11 – far right, front row kneeling.

Josh has been with us since Kanga days and is now playing A2’s with distinction to earn his call-up. What makes this special is Josh’s connection with the A1 boys that goes back to 2010/11 when he was just 10 years old.

Josh was an integral part of the A Grade Team when they won their now famous 1^st of 4 consecutive Premierships at Mark Taylor Oval in March 2012. He was also there with the Team in every other Premiership. So this day is a special one for both Josh and every A1 Grade player going back to to his first appearance 6 years ago.

The picture is a classic with so many of our great players. For info the players are: Back row l to r: Alex Robertson, Matt Spalding, Leigh van Den Broeke, Matt Jobson, Simon Smyth, Scott Henderson, Michael Banner, Tim Rae. Front row: Peter Stott, James and Jack Makin, Nick Bennett & Josh Banner, Daniel Anderson.

History repeating itself

Tony Mandile was umpiring in the B2 game last week when Brent Larkham (200*) and Eric Junkkari (57*) put on their new Association 6^th wicket record partnership of 248* runs.

What makes this amazing is that Tony (left in photo with Eric) was umpiring a C1 game in 1991/92 when Rob Gailey scored 205 along with Eric Junkkari who was also playing in that game. In Tony’s case it was Umpiring both matches. In Eric’s case it was being a key partner in the record that was set last week.

To think that only 6 players have scored double tons in our 87 year History and that 2 current-day players who were involved in that game 26 years ago were actively involved again is amazing.

“What if…..?”

A final word on the B2 record partnership last week. It was a wet and cold day, a lot of games were called off due to the conditions and after 41 overs we had just passed the Opposition score and were 5/200 with Brent Larkham on 100*. Sounds like a good time to call stumps and head to the Club but our B2 Skipper, Robbie Knapman (pictured, centre with Matt Digby, left and Brent), along with some encouragement from Andrew Morris and Ray Khamis, decided to bat on and try for an Outright.

9.1 overs later, the Innings was declared with Brent scoring an extra 100 runs to reach 200* and along with Eric Junkkari (57*), broke a long standing 6^th wicket Association B2 record. The Opposition finished at 4/41 with not much batting left.

Inaugural traditional race

Way back in 1986, our A1 side started an end of season race over 100 metres or thereabouts – ‘The West Penno Gift’ – with a Tote Board and the occasional bet on the result.

Fast forward to 2017 and Phil Wurth rekindled the race and kicked it off with a race between Andrew Meikle, Jackson Preedy and ofcourse Phil. The photo shows Jackson, left, Phil, centre and Andy, right.

Phil claims he won the race but photographic evidence proves that the big fella was nowhere near the pace.

Time will tell, but maybe we might have seen the reincarnation of the ‘West Penno Gift’.

A big day out

How about the performance of Dylan Bish (U16 Blue & D1 – pictured right) on Saturday. In the morning, Dylan took 5/9 off 9.5 overs for the U16 Blues. He then backed up for D1 in the morning and scored his first ton – a massive 149. Great stuff Dylan.

5,000 runs times 3

Only 8 players have scored 5,000 career runs or more in our long history. This season we have had 3 players reach this Milestone with James Makin (A1 and pictured right with Scott Henderson and Josh Banner) bringing up his 5,000 runs on the weekend. Our other high achievers were:

• Michael Banner (A2)
• Eric Junkkari (B2)

Well done boys on this great achievement.