When I sat down to write this report I thought, “how do I to start this!” Did we actually start a cricket season in 2005/06?

One could be forgiven for thinking we had the longest preseason in history of Australian cricket and the season has not arrived… yet. But when I look back on the summer stats it is clear the boys of C1’s got to play some pretty good cricket over the summer.

The Manly Breakers had some new recruits join both squads this year and the lads that came along to C1’s contributed to the teams depth, fitted in straight away and are well on track with building solid foundations as Breakers club men.

To the old dogs of the team… well we all learnt some new tricks this year and grew as cricketers, a team and may be even as people… (SNAG), there were some great performances with bat, ball and effort in the field and some guys turned the clock back to that magical era when the hair was flowing, still one color and we basked in the sun of being 20 something.. Okay may be 30 something for Langy but still.. there were some good and unexpected moments that are now our memories of 2005/06.

We had a start, stop, start season that was interrupted with byes, washouts, and forfeits but we did manage to get on the park enough to have some good wins and great days in the summer sun, playing one of the greatest games ever.

The C1’s this year did very well, and at one stage were right on track for a semi-final spot. However this fell on hard ground with the withdrawal of Harbord Bowling from the competition which saw us stripped of 17 points and fighting an uphill battle against a quotient rule that did not favour us. But alas, we showed Breakers spirit and continued to fight hard in each game remaining and were competitive to the final day’s play.

The new recruits of Manly Breakers C1’s:
Bill (Billy the Kid) Serong
Stuart (Hilly Jnr) Hill
Peter (Shotgun) Schuetze
Kristian (Styles) Wares
Matt (Cowboy) Gale
Dwayne (Thomo/Gun) Thomson
You guys each had an awesome season for differing reasons and contributions. I look forward to seeing the success you achieve and bring to the club with your abilities on the paddock and you are a great bunch of guys we are proud to have as mates.

Justin Barbaroux – JB (Hi-Fi) has been one cricketer who has been promising big things for a few years now and in 2005/06 everything for Justin was delivered. Justin is an exceptional batsman and great all-round cricketer. He has amazing patience with the bat and this combined with his natural skill harvested some 424 runs for him this season. JB’s ability with the ball added significant depth to our bowling ranks and produced some very handy wickets at crucial points in the game. Justin was my Vice-Captain this season and he provided the team and me great support in the role and I hope his contributions towards captaincy continue.
    PLAYER HIGHLIGHT: Maiden Club Century 119 runs - Round 2 vs Harbord Bowling Club.
Bill Serong – Billy, is a man of few words, but each one has five meanings and is delivered to leave you pondering for a moment. Bill had a good debut season with the club, a very talented cricket player, an accomplished batsman and he will push records in the club over the coming seasons. I had the privilege of batting with Billy in a couple of innings and he has a natural game that encourages you to play at your best just so you can stick with him through an innings. The Kid has a fair ability bowling some medium pace and I recall the passion in his appeals when it is his bowling, the man morphs into a bear and I would hate to be the umpire turning down such an emphatic appeal! Bill does call a spade a spade when you ask him for his opinion and his timing and means of delivery of such advice saw him aptly nick named SAO. He can be funny. His ability in the field must be noted; he grasped some fantastic catches this season. PLAYER HIGHLIGHT: Maiden Club Half Century 62 runs -Round 4 vs Cromer.
Matt Gale – Matt made his debut for the Breakers this season and he is a veteran of the game, having played Grade cricket with Gordon, A’ Grade with Manly Leagues CC and now continues his summers with the Manly Breakers. Matthew’s experience is invaluable to the team. Matt played a few pivotal support innings during the season and work hard in the field. Matt supported the team on a number of occasions as 12th man, turning up to field, and joining the team at the last minute as an inclusion to the on-field team.
Dave Richardson – Dave could never be accused of not trying… whether he is wicket keeping, in the field or has a bat in his hands. Dave really came on as a cricketer this year putting his hand up at every opportunity and answering the call when needed. Dave opened the batting in a few games and put plenty of pressure on Dave Lang to retain the spot. He was positive and aggressive and provided his partner all the support needed at the start of our team’s innings. Richo will continue to grow into a handy player with the same effort he has shown this season.
Wayne Gormley – Gommerz/Scoop/Wayno/Gomez however you know him, Wayne is a unique individual…. Every team needs a Wayno, to lift the spirits with his trademark one liners or his deeds on the field or in the middle. Wayne had another good season and picked up runs for us at the lower order and turned his hand with the ball in a couple of games to ruffle a few of the opposition’s feathers. I really enjoy playing cricket with Wayne and he has continued to grow as a player. Expect more good things from Gommerz over the coming seasons.
Rob Spit – Rob (Hammer) hurt his hand badly last year in a freak bathroom incident that could have robbed him of a lifetime of personal joy, but he bounced back bigger and stronger. He is a quiet character who can be slightly intimidating when he takes up his trademark stance at the crease. His has done well in the slips after being discovered by Phil Sweet and he has a big throw on him that puts a bit of pressure on runs. Hammer got a chance with the ball in the last game and I and his buddies will never hear the end of it… he took 2/6 off 1.5 overs.. Well done big fella and yes you will get another bowl.
Mark Mullineaux – Skid had a quiet year.. Mark again gave us some very good keeping and often under very difficult circumstances. Usually handy with the bat, Mark seemed to struggle a little this year and had a share of bad luck too! Mark is a Breakers icon and he always gives the best of him and finds a bit extra when you have to dig deep. Mark managed a handy 29 in a solid innings with the bat against Wakehurst Redbacks, but his weekly efforts with the gloves and leadership should never be underrated.
Peter Schuetze – Peter (Shotgun) had a good debut season. This guy has plenty of athletic ability and his keen attitude towards development as a player will see him achieve good things as a cricketer. Peter never stopped studying his own game and improving on it throughout the season. Bowling his off spin picked him up a couple of wickets for the club and his batting improved greatly by the season’s end. Peter has plenty of wickets to take over the coming seasons. His contribution in the field was great to witness, never giving an easy run and always chasing hard.
Stuart Hill – Finally Stuart (Hilly Jnr) came to the Breakers to play, after hounding him for a few seasons. It was great to play cricket alongside my brother. Stuart the talented sportsman of the Hill brothers, gave the C1’s inspiration with his fielding, at times the ball and showed us his has the technique and ability to score some runs. Now... he was pretty unlucky with all of the above too! Unlucky dismissals including a run out by his older sibling, a broken finger trying to claim a catch and some misfortune with the ball all represent stats for Stuart. I have known Stu all his life and know he does nothing by half measure. His debut season will serve him well for an awesome year with us next season. No other tried harder in the field than Stuart and along with Peter, set a benchmark for the rest of us to work to.
Dave Hore – Dave (Dave) is a very good cricket player and I am glad he came back this season to bolster our stock. His all-round cricket is invaluable to the team and he out the sword to many of our opposition in every aspect of the game. Dave scored a blistering 66 runs against Wakehurst Redbacks after being called back from an LBW on 3 runs... which I later paid for in the last round on a similar dud call. Dave also has handy stats with the ball picking up 13 wickets at an average of 18.38 runs. Not sure if Dave will be back next season but hope we see him again.
Dwayne Thomson – Thommo is one of the finds of the year… Not a spring chicken but definitely not past his prime either! Dwayne came to the Breakers through the twists and turns of a Mark Mullineaux social network which to explain is like trying to map a terrorist cell. Thommo is a gun bowler who has pace, skill and foxing in his game that netted him a handy 18 wickets in just 7 games at an average of 14.94. Dwayne is a gifted bowler and cricketer whose character lifts a team and I hope for many more seasons with the Breakers.
    PLAYER HIGHLIGHT: Took 8/9 off 13 overs - Round 5 vs Dee Why Cricket Club.
David Lang – Dave/Langy/2+2 had a pretty good year! Why wouldn’t he... he retired from ANZ, took a cricket tour of England, played every game available to him or worked his way into a game if he got a sniff and then rushed back to Australia to play with his beloved Breakers! Sheesh! As Ian North said to me “How can one man want to play so much cricket!” That probably sums Dave up best! Langy has showed some big improvements with the bat the last couple of seasons, though he may argue it is a return to form! Either way it has been good! He had some stellar cameos with the ball this season and bagged 7 wickets in 5 appearances at a neat average of 13.43 runs. Dave’s two best efforts came in one game! He took 3/15 off 2 overs and scored a flashy 36 runs (2nd innings) against Terrey Hills in Round 6. Look out. He may have turned the clock back enough to finally shake the duck award and earn him some other trophies!
Chris Kettlewell – Crispy/Coach/ is a very talented cricket player who sometimes comes undone by his own excitement, but none the less is devastating when on song. Chris has troubled a lot of batsman over the years with his unorthodox style of quick bowling. This season was no different he is fast and moves the ball so much that he will leave a batsman in 3 minds on how to play him. With the bat, Chris can get big runs, fast runs and demoralize a bowler! Patience may be the only thing lacking in Chris’s game but I think he will find that in the coming years. On the coaching side, he just never shuts up, but we all have a good chuckle and it is good to see his passion for the game! Nice One Coach!
    PLAYER HIGHLIGHT 1: 5/12 off 3.2 Overs - Round 2 Against Harbord Bowling
    PLAYER HIGHLIGHT 2: 77 Runs - Round 2 Against Harbord Bowling
Mark Hill (By D. Lang) – Hilly led from the front and managed to orchestrate a hotch-potch, but dedicated group of cricketers of varying ability and agility (age shall not weary them) around the field each week and string together five wins from ten matches over the season. With the exception of the 758 dropped team catches, Hilly too had a somewhat frustrating season with the ball. Whilst the figures don’t always reflect the full story, Mark’s performance with the bat this season lifted considerably as he played (unleashed) with a range of more aggressive strokes against the bowling attacks of our opponents (not to mention unsuspecting teammates in the nets!). Mark will be one to watch with the bat next season as a lot more runs may well just be around the corner and see him at the right end of the averages ladder!
Kristian Wares – Kristian joined the club through our Apple network (Stuart Hill/Peter Schuetze). He was only with us for a few games but Kristian if he had remained at the club, would have posed a major threat to Ian North’s title of the Player With The Most Gear! This was previously held by me until Ian’s arrival! Christian and Northy have similar styles, Kristian looked a stylish batsman, and after striking the ball he would stalk down the pitch slowly with his bat raised above his head in true warrior fashion. A nice guy, very eager and a shame he was not with us longer. Kristian moved to Queensland with Apple, but still remains a Breaker.

I have been with this club since day one and have never had a disappointing season and this year was no exception.

We started the club as a bunch of mates looking to play cricket together, encourage each other, and enjoy a game in which we each shared a great love and desire for. Since 2000 we have grown pretty significantly and there have now been some 76 players who have played in our ranks and become our friends. Today the same values we started with are still present, stronger and still growing from strength to strength, we still work and share together the same passion and desire for the club and cricket. I look forward to the future of the Manly Breakers with great excitement and anticipation that we have started something that we will not finish but be continued on by future generations of Breakers.

When you look around on the field and back at the pub at your fellow teammates, take a moment to reflect on the pride we share. The history we make and know that our continued efforts and contributions will have a far greater meaning beyond each summer’s sunset and will be reborn with each new summer. Well done to all the lads in the club for your commitment and efforts this season.

All the best in your off season, look forward to seeing you all again come August ready for another season!

C1 Season Highlights Best Performances Best Batting Average Justin Barbaroux (42.40) Highest Score Justin Barbaroux (119) Highest Run Aggregate Justin Barbaroux (424) Best Bowling Average Chris Kettlewell (11.76) Best Bowling Figures Dwayne Thomson (8-9) Most Wickets Chris Kettlewell (25) Most Catches Bill Serong (6) Captain's Award - Most Improved Peter Schuetze Players' Player Award Justin Barbaroux Team Performances Highest Score 316/7 v Harbord Bowling Club C.C. Rd 2 01/10/2005 at Millers No. 2, Manly Vale Catches 39 Best Partnership 153 Chris Kettlewell & Justin Barbaroux v Harbord Bowling Club C.C. Rd 2, 01/10/2005 Final Points for Players' Player 2005-06 : C1 Grade Justin Barbaroux 17 Mark Hill 13 Chris Kettlewell 13 David Hore 12 Bill Serong 10 Dwayne Thomson 10 Mark Mullineaux 6 David Lang 5 Peter Schuetze 5 David Richardson 4 Rob Spit 2 Wayne Gormley 1 Matt Gale 1

Mark Hill
C1 Captain 2005/06