Background to a record

Last weekend, Michael Banner (B1 Blue) scored 103*, our 529^th ton and the 9^th scored this season. Significantly, it was also Volc’s 7^th career ton which is the equal highest number of tons scored in our history! Michael started playing for us in 1997/98; played 300 innings and scored over 6,000 runs. His last ton (131) was scored in A2 back in 2017/18.

Michael shares this record with the great Laurie Tuckerman (A1) who in 1951/52 scored 7 tons in the one season! His scores in this amazing season were: 161, 141*, 139*, 122, 109, 103 & 111 – a total of 1,361 runs at an average of 85.1 for the season! By the way, Laurie also took 59 A1 wickets in the same season!

Of our current day players, the next in line to challenge this longstanding record are:

• Daniel Heidegger (A1) with 5 tons (all Juniors)
• Rick Turner (B1 Blue) with 5
• Michael Gunn (A1) also with 5
• Brent Larkham (A2) with 3

Photo: Michael Banner (right) with his 6,000 runs plaque along with James Makin at the  Seniors Presentation Night – 5 May 2023

Space Cadet

First up – our theme music – The Final Countdown

Got to hand it to Nick Starr – star A1 & A2 player. With circumstances now allowing Nick to play again after a time away from playing he needed to register. So far so good. Problem is that Nick initially registered in the All Girls Cricket Blast program – a soft ball comp for Girls aged between 4 and 9 years. What makes this an even more noteworthy achievement is that Nick managed to complete the Rego – including details of parents / Guardians and ordering of a Blast Starters pack with a selection of plastic bats and BBL playing gear.

Family Affair

We have a great history of fathers & sons playing together and now mothers and daughters playing in the Women’s Social Comp. A great insight from Peter Lees (C3 Red) who played in successive games of Cousin Vs Cousin:

Round 3 Sheep Station Trophy – the Blues Vs the Reds

Jack Marsden for the Blues was up against his cousin Bronson in the Reds … Jack opened the batting for the Blues and after a reasonable stay at the crease was dismissed caught by Bronson! …

Reds turn to bat and enter Bronson and after a few balls Jack was able to return serve by catching Bronson!

Round 4 and the Blues took on St Ives

Mickey West for the Blues was up against his cousin Dan West in the St Ives side.

The Blues batted first and Mickey when it came to time to bat had to face Dan … it wasn’t pretty Dan bowled Mickey.

St Ives turn to bat and Mickey wasn’t required to bowl as we cleaned them up in 15 overs.

However, in St Ives second innings Mickey had the opportunity to extract revenge … and nearly claimed Dan’s wicket, oh so close. Mickey had the last laugh over his cousin as the Blues won outright.

Photo: The Marsden Clan (Bronson & Mat; Ron & Jack). C3 Blue Vs Castle Hill @ Caterson 4 – 16 October 2022

Opportunity calls

Last week we reported on the 8 players our A1 side was short due mainly to Gunny’s wedding and injuries. The boys got a draw in a tremendous effort with a weakened side. The flip side is that it gave 2 of our emerging young stars their opportunity to debut in the top Grade – Ben Burrows & Dylan Bish – both from B1 Blue.

How did they go? Ben got 2/35 (11 overs) and Bishy did the wicket keeping despite not being the number 1 keeper in his B1 side. Dylan also score a useful 8 runs and Ben batted out the last over with us 9 down to seal a draw.

How did the B1 boys go with key players out – they had an easy win passing ARL’s score of 178 just 1 wicket down.

Photo: Ben Burrows & Dylan Bish making their A1 debuts Vs Hornsby @ Parklands Oval.