It was a year of unprecedented success and auspiciosity for the gladiators from the sunshine suburb. Recording the best result by a Breaker’s team in a Summer competition , the season was punctuated with wins, witticisms and wrangling (with officials). Manly-Warringah cricket was redefined by the Breaker’s B3s, literally, and fun abounded on the field as well as off it. However the real story of this club lies in its individuals, so join with me now, won’t you, as we take a trip down short-term memory lane to 2004/2005, the season that was:

Justin Barbaroux: Another year of sheer consistency for Justin “Larry Potter” Barbaroux. The ever reliable rock of the B3s top order, he got us off to many a solid start with a carefully conjured innings. The highlight was undoubtedly his lusty hitting that threatened the locals wandering up the ninth at Balgowlah Golf Club. He also made a number of handy contributions when handed the ball and provided much wise counsel and illuminating insight on the field.
Tony Brown: “The Brown Spot”, “Tone”, “Anthony of Team Telstra”, “Oi, Nutter”, “Andrew Turnip”, call him what you will, there is no one quite like the Breakers’ favourite son, Tony Brown. Whilst parental commitments ensured he chased more children than leather this year, Tony still made his presence felt throughout the season. With “the Lovely” Ros cheering him on, he gave his all and contributed with bat, ball and warm embraces in another fun-filled season.
Roger Christie: “Doughnut Boy” made a successful debut this year for the tricolours from Sydney’s lower North East in all facets of the game. Whilst his agility in the field was surely an unfair advantage, he proved a fine addition with both bat and ball and even threw in a little glove-work for good measure.
Dave Elliott: “id” was a revelation for the B3s this year. Topping the batting stats and bowling with some genuine fire at times, he certainly was instrumental in helping the team make the finals for the first time in club history. Heroically he battled through some serious hangovers to take the reigns at the top of the order and came dangerously close to joining the century club against arguably the best team in the competition.
Matt Fisher: It was another trailblazing season of leadership from “the Big Ship” as he ensured it was plain sailing for the Breaker’s sloop as it pulled into the harbour of success. Aside from providing plentiful metaphors, he showed once again his explosive nature with the bat, belting Harbord into submission with a barrage of sixes in the opening round. Throw in five fors, catching records and a refreshingly honest appraisal of the C1s local competition moron, it was another season to remember for one of the club’s founding members.
Mike Gibbs: Mike scored another pile of runs for the Breakers this year. Sir Edmund Hillary recorded the first credible sighting of the elusive “yeti” while scaling the peak of the world in 1932. Both of the above statements are false, for starters both yetis and snow are white which would make the location of the supposed sighting particularly unlikely, however “Maurice” did come through for the B3s when he was needed. Taking a vital catch in the last round outright over Belrose, the future looks rosy for the Breakers with players like Mike in the fold.
Wayne Gormley: One of a group of talented youngsters to join the B3s team this season, “Gommers” had a season of highlights, happiness and hilarity. Leaning quickly how to adapt his indoor talents to the wide green spaces of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, “The Gorm-meister” proved one of the aces up the occasionally laundered sleeve of the B3s juggernaut. I think I speak for the entire club when I say, “has anyone seen my badger?”
Tim Green: Dedication, dedication, dedication…. dedication. Tim “the Green Machine” Green was identified as being particularly dedicated by a number of people this season. Whether it be with flashing blade in hand or putting his body on the line in the field, Tim was statistically proven of never being guilty of giving less than 103.8%. Another new addition to the club, this year will hopefully prove to be the first of many.
Mark Hill: “Secretary” Hill once again had a year of consistent good performance, leading the way with both ball and inspirational emails. Despite his obvious exploits on the field (highlighted by a pair of seven fors), Mark continues to put in the hard yards behind the scenes to keep the club going. No one is more enthusiastic when it comes to playing either and it occasionally required the use of chloroform and needle nosed pliers to extract the ball from his skilled hand.
James Johnston: You would think there is nothing that I could write about James “…” Johnston that hasn’t already gone into a match report. Well that’s very narrow minded of you and I demand you take it back. Actually, James must be complimented for what can only be described as a stellar season with the bat. It truly was the year of the Pelican for the team from the seaside suburb as “Rimmy” smote attack after attack with devastating strokeplay. Don’t tell anyone, but he also took two wickets in the semi final as well.
David Lang: “21 Again” had a year of highlights which turned back the clock for the tri-colours seasoned President. Wielding the vast majority of a tree, he slammed boundaries like a man possessed as well as chipping in with some handy catches and wickets. Another behind the scenes contributor, I don’t believe anyone can claim to love the game like “Langy”. Rumour has it that it’s best to keep him away from the fridge if you like your beers intact though.
Robert Lavery: “Legoman” had a reasonably quiet year, compared to previous years, though was solid whether it be in captaincy, with the bat, with the ball, or in the field. A disastrous start to Rob’s captaincy at the Breakers with Round 1 vs Harbord Bowling with an outright loss was quickly forgotten with wins over other teams later in the season and Rob proved to be a worthy leader, and vice-captain throughout. “Alpaca Boy” also managed to provide some of the strangest sledges through out the season including “you are the ugliest man I have ever set eyes upon.”
Ian North: “DK”. Despite some colourful suggestions from Col “Sexy” Henderson as to the origin of that nickname, we all found out the true resemblance of Ian to an Aussie legend. Steaming in with his headband blowing in the wind, “Northy” stared, swung and cut through the top order of many a side. Add this to another good year with the bat and you have a very handy cricketer. We can only hope Ian doesn’t get picked up by a county while touring England in the off-season and returns for another crack next year.
Nathan Peterson: “Nath” had a slow start to the season by his lofty standards but came home with a particularly damp sail. Scything through the two competition finalists, Wakehurst and St Peters, Nathan bowled possibly the two most lethal spells for the B3s this year. Throw in some handy runs and the most distinctive laugh ever to grace the boundary of a Sydney cricket ground and the result is an all round team contributor.
Matt Phillips: Ever the improviser, “Digger” unleashed the beast this season with a couple of personal best scores. Never one to bow to convention, runs and wickets flowed freely again for young Matthew despite, or possibly because of, his unorthodox methods. He also broke a record, and some teeth, by becoming the first Breaker to be injured by ‘friendly fire’ before entering the field of play. An official enquiry is pending.
Richard Smith: Your friend and mine, “Moron” had a memorable season however not always for reasons he would like to recall. Let it be said he played some wonderful hands this year (a top score at Terrey Hills springs to mind) and was involved in some truly amusing incidents. Richo is one of many unique characters that makes our club a great place to play and his contribution to the team cannot always be measured in runs (at least not those that take the entire length of the pitch).

Well done to one and all on a season of unmitigated success. Even out mightiest foes were mitigated by our strong team spirit and I hope we can continue with this mitigation for many years to come. Giddy Up!

Matt Fisher & Rob Lavery
B3 Co-captains