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2005/2006 Report - C Grade
It was an absolute pleasure to be associated with this team. Around a year ago - a few of the fathers of the boys in the then Under 14/1 thought it would be fun to play a season of cricket with their sons - and this ended up being the year. We had 4 father-son combinations in the team and then made up the numbers with some very other capable cricketers from family members and junior teams. The result was an extremely enjoyable and successful year of cricket. It would be true to say that each son outshone their respective father in overall performances during the season.
We had seven boys from the Under 15/1 and one boy from the Under 16/1 in the side. They started their first year in senior cricket a little tentatively as we lost 2 of our first 3 games. However, confidence quickly grew and for the rest of the season we dominated all the sides we played, not losing another game in the preliminary rounds. We won the minor premiership by around 20 points and secured no less than 4 outright wins. There were some tremendous performances with Tom Gurka scoring 601 runs at 66.8 and Luke McNaught taking 27 wickets at 7.8. Evan Platt took 28 wickets and snared a hat-trick along the way. Brett McNaught also claimed 25 wickets. Tom and Joe Gurka both hit centuries. Troy Higginbotham and Martin Ams both clinched 5 wicket hauls. Behind the stumps, Chris Slaviero made 17 dismissals.
Semi-final: This was played against Wenty Waratahs. They only managed 98 due to lethal bowling from both Troy Higginbotham (4/18) and Owen Butler (4/20). A solid opening partnership from Troy and Chris Slaviero saw us get to 40 and then Tom Gurka sealed it with a well made 40. We reached their target only 4 wickets down.
Final: A disappointing end to a great year as we went down to Kings Langley by 34 runs. Although we kept them to 132, at 6/58 they should never have got to 100. Even so, at 2/60 we should have reached the required total. Only Tom, 32, managed to put any pressure on. The way we played and the result was not a true reflection of the season as we had beaten Kings Langley outright once and just missed an outright the other time. Anyway - that's finals cricket and they outplayed us on the day.
Without doubt, though, the highlight of the season was the tremendous fun we had every Saturday afternoon both on and off the field. The comradery between boys, fathers and other players was fantastic. We attracted a lot of support from the families of the players who never let us down with their attendance and loyalty. Because we had 14 players, I regularly had to make players available for other grades and rotate the team selections around. The players were always cooperative with this and I was proud of the way they supported the club and each other - it made my job so much easier. A big thank you to Jill Mihalyka and Sue Higginbotham for their expertise in scoring and to Brett McNaught for his support of me during the year and filling in as captain during times when I was unable to be present.
Brett McNaught: Tireless bowler who often bowled with a broken back and shoulder (as he would have us believe). Took a great catch and dropped some sitters. Amazingly finished 3rd in batting average after successfully playing for the red ink in most innings.
Luke McNaught: Spent most of the season either hitting the stumps with his pace deliveries or apologising for his dad's eyesight. Took a bag of wickets at a miserly average. Hit his first ever 50 in cricket and I was thrilled to be at the other end when he did it.
Troy Higginbotham: Did he play for us? Oh yeah - when he wasn't playing A-Grade getting smashed. It was always good to come back to C-grade, take wickets and win, eh, Troy? Our most fearsome bowler who also had a couple of very useful knocks with the bat towards the end of the season.
Evan Platt: He really is happy about his hat-trick - I think? Highest wicket taker during the season but not sure if this is up to Evan's expectations of himself!! Talented all round cricketer who proved to be a very useful top-middle order batsman.
Alex Mihalyka: One of our most complimentary and encouraging players - just ask Chris Slaviero. Two gully fieldsmen for the price of one. Proved to be a great partnership breaker with the ball and scored some quick runs when needed.
Chris Slaviero: Subject of a lot of sledging - by his own players!! This young man is either a top guy or he's deaf! Took a heap of catches behind the stumps and played some stubborn knocks in the lower order. Played a great innings as opener in the semi-final
Tim Littlejohns: How'd you go this morning, Tim? Playing senior cricket had nothing to do with Tim wanting to be with his mates - it had everything to do with getting over his morning cricket. In C-Grade he took wickets and won games. Very useful change bowler who liked taking wickets in his first over.
Tom Gurka: Scored a duck in his first ever senior game! Managed to improve on this to score over 600 runs for the season. Enjoyed the comradery of opposition players, especially Mr. Mo. Useful first change bowler who didn't always bowl with luck.
Owen Butler: There's only one thing quicker than Owen's bowling - his walk back to his bowling mark. Gets through an over as quick as a spinner. Lethal on his day and crushed Waratahs in the semi. Coach and mentor for his father, Peter.
Peter Butler: The Buffer. We'll never forget the unique ball shining technique on his shirt - this man could turn a worn, lustreless 50 overs old ball into a shiny apple that swung through the air. Toiled tirelessly in the field and took some very good catches with safe hands.
Martin Ams: It's not soccer, Martin - you don't head the ball in this game!! His confusion between these 2 sports cost him a game in the final as he nursed a fractured orbit. Prior to this, made important contributions with bat and ball and took some blinding slip catches.
Luke Dempsey: Responsible for Martin's cracked noggin but then he was only getting revenge for the cracked thumb inflicted on him by Martin earlier in the season. Great second string keeper, enterprising batsman and on-field entertainer.
Mark Dempsey: Spent a lot of his time at first slip or looking for lost car keys. Eventually finds the keys where he left them in the esky but not before the rest of the team are 2 hours late for Saturday night dinner appointments!! Actually took some very handy slips catches. Hard hitting lower order batsman
Joe Gurka: What can I say? Experienced leader, gazelle in the field, majestic at the crease and poetry in motion when bowling. Is this man really 64?
Individual Awards
Tom Gurka - 148 no vs Kings Langley - February 4, 2006
Joe Gurka - 140 vs Pendle Hill - November 19, 2005
Evan Platt - Hat-trick vs Hills Barbarians - December 3, 2005
Batting Award - Tom Gurka
Bowling Award - Luke McNaught
Fielding Award - Peter Butler
| C GRADE - STATISTICS 2005/2006 | ||||||
| BATTING | ||||||
| Player | Innings | N.O. | H.S. | Runs | Average | Catches |
| Tom Gurka | 13 | 4 | 148* | 601 | 66.78 | 4 |
| Joe Gurka | 10 | 0 | 140 | 407 | 40.70 | 8 |
| Brett McNaught | 10 | 6 | 39* | 128 | 32.00 | 4 |
| Luke McNaught | 8 | 1 | 50 | 118 | 16.86 | 3 |
| Luke Dempsey | 8 | 1 | 37 | 107 | 15.29 | 11 |
| Troy Higginbotham | 11 | 2 | 63* | 126 | 14.00 | 1 |
| Alex Mihalyka | 11 | 2 | 37* | 112 | 12.44 | 4 |
| Evan Platt | 12 | 2 | 32 | 104 | 10.40 | 5 |
| Owen Butler | 10 | 0 | 23 | 99 | 9.90 | 5 |
| Martin Ams | 10 | 1 | 34 | 88 | 9.78 | 10 |
| Tim Littlejohns | 11 | 2 | 23* | 62 | 6.89 | 1 |
| Chris Slaviero | 9 | 1 | 16 | 53 | 6.63 | 17 |
| Mark Dempsey | 7 | 0 | 17 | 41 | 5.86 | 4 |
| Peter Butler | 6 | 2 | 6 | 18 | 4.50 | 6 |
| BOWLING | |||||
| Player | Overs | Maidens | Wickets | Runs | Average |
| Luke McNaught | 84 | 14 | 27 | 211 | 7.81 |
| Troy Higginbotham | 84 | 24 | 18 | 162 | 9.00 |
| Evan Platt | 82 | 15 | 28 | 265 | 9.46 |
| Joe Gurka | 76 | 30 | 13 | 144 | 11.08 |
| Alex Mihalyka | 51 | 12 | 14 | 163 | 11.64 |
| Tim Littlejohns | 35 | 5 | 11 | 129 | 11.73 |
| Tom Gurka | 93 | 21 | 17 | 219 | 12.88 |
| Brett McNaught | 139 | 34 | 25 | 323 | 12.92 |
| Owen Butler | 53 | 11 | 13 | 170 | 13.08 |
| Martin Ams | 36 | 5 | 10 | 140 | 14.00 |
| Luke Dempsey | 9 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 24.00 |
| Peter Butler | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | - |
| Mark Dempsey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | - |