2007/08 saw the B1 side play some really good cricket at a consistent level all year. The season ended as the most successful on record for the B1 side with the team wrapping up both the minor and major premiership titles. This was made possible by every player contributing with a match winning performance at some point throughout the season. To only lose 2 games was an excellent result for the team and our performances in the finals proved that we were the best team in the competition by a long way.

As every player contributed so much throughout 2007/08, I have included a brief description of everyone’s season below.
Matt Fisher - Season 2007/08 saw Fish return to the top of the batting order, and from his very first innings Fish proved that this is his favourite position scoring 54 against Collaroy. This form continued throughout the season and was outstanding – which I put down to the quality bowling he faces from his Captain at training each week. He also consistently showed his all round talent by bowling some excellent spells. Many have commented throughout the season on his likeness to James Hopes and how he can bowl at Adam Dale pace.
Rob Lavery – Is the quickest 3rd change bowler going around. He managed to scare many middle order batsmen with his lethal short bowling on most occasions. His figures of 3 for 2 against Narrabeen helped to secure an outright victory, and the minor premiership, and were a perfect example of his bowling abilities. Rob also contributed plenty with the bat knocking up a quick fire 71 against the Leaguies and an even faster 60 against Narrabeen.
Lloyd Walker – Apart from having the ability to resight the entire script from the movie Predator, Mittens can also play some great cricket. Some of his highlights this year included a hat trick against Harbord Bowling Club, a 76 against the Leaguies in a must win game late in the year and “That Catch” in the Grand Final - just to name a few. The catch in the GF was the turning point in the game, and by far the best catch I have ever seen.
Ollie Thomas – An outstanding season from the Gimlet. Like his nickname suggests, the Gimlet causes many problems for opposing sides. He is a genuine all rounder who contributed heavily with the bat, ball, gloves and in the field. He has scores of 85, 76 and 70 to his name this year that prove his abilities with the bat. The club has also agreed to subsidise his anger management training following an incident with his helmet at Nolans.
Roger Christie - 2007/08 saw Mistie join the Breakers as a full time player for the first time. Although his season was interrupted with a dirty tour of Vietnam, he still managed to contribute greatly with the bat, returning scores of 34, 35 and 65. He also cemented his position as the teams wicket keeper with some outstanding performances behind the stumps (the semi final against Balgowlah Golf will never be spoken about again though).
Dylan Calder – Has managed to redefine the meaning of sledging this year with some amazing performances with the gab. His funnier efforts involve keeping a “Play & Miss Count” on the opening batsman in the Grand Final and his “Must have been going under call” to the umpire in the semi. Seriously though, this season saw Shoulders return to the form we all saw in his first season with some very important knocks with the bat. His 44 n.o against Narrabeen, his highest score for the club, helped secure an outright victory and his effort in batting for 53 overs in the semi assured our progression to the GF.
Roger Moore – Again committed 110% to the club this season with some excellent work both on and off the field. Always the first to put his hand up to help with off field projects, Mr Bond has contributed greatly to the club once again. His efforts on the field were just as special. He never leaves anything out on the ground and often collapses from exhaustion after leaving the field. His quickfire knock of 18 against Balgowlah almost snatched victory for the team and he also got 2 for 11 against the Leaguies with the ball. Way to Sniper Up Rog!!
Richard Smith – Boof once again had a great season for the Breakers playing some important innings and taking some great catches in the slip cordon. His 18 in the third round against Collaroy was a great knock against some quality bowling. Of more importance this season has been his advice and life coaching to the younger players in the side. His concerns on South Americans at high altitude and the burdens of being born with red hair are just two examples of his wisdom that I know personally helped me get through this year.
Al Lemarchand – Proved that having major brain surgery should be no excuse when it comes to playing great cricket. Again gave it 110% this year and was probably under bowled by his Captain. His form with the bat increased significantly once he started using the size 5 Duncan Fearnley he has had since he was a young lad. Should look forward to another great season in 2008/09 where hopefully the Captain lets him have the ball every now and again.
Robert Herne – 2007/08 was a painful year for Cutters. He always seemed to be covered in the largest bruises I have ever seen. This only proved to me how courageous Cutters is with bat in hand – taking many on the body as he opened the innings after being forced to field all day. Cutters was once again rock solid at the top of the order always getting us off to a great start. His highlight came with a quickfire 20 against Narrabeen mid season.
Ian North – 2007/08 was another great year for Northy. After missing a few rounds early in the season due to a quick trip to Vegas to tie the knot, Northy quickly found his rhythm with the ball and was devastating as ever. Norhty consistently took wickets opening the bowling and at the death. He was only slowed by his Captain hooking him way too early, or swapping ends with him mid spell to make himself look good. Northy also shone with the bat this season. His effort in the GF assured victory for the Breakers and was an outstanding knock. Ya Filthy!!!
Chris Sweet – Only played half the season as he moved to Singapore to recruit for a possible off shore franchise of the Breakers. Foppa was in great form before leaving Australia with returns of 5/67, 4/28 and 4/29 with the ball. Fop also managed to do some damage with the bat having scores of 31 and 24 as highlights. Foppa’s greatest legacy however was his skills as a back seat driver in the Cremorne Car Pool service. His colourful language skills combined with outbursts of Left Lane!! Left Lane!! Fang it!! Fang it!! made most trips to cricket quite enjoyable.
Dave Budd – The Rookie of the club this year. Somehow managed to rack up a lot of nicknames in his debut season. Whits, Steve Bucknor, Poley. Curtley and Token are just a few examples. Whits bowled some damaging spells this year with some lethal short pitched deliveries that saw many batsmen ducking for cover. He also made claims to be promoted up the batting order with some great performances with the bat. One in particular was his effort against the Leaguies in the last round. However, after running the Captain out during this innings his place at #10 has been assured for a while yet.
Doug Alley – Aaaargh Douglas, the Vasman, the Captain, and a player that models his game on test "bowlers" such as Ryan Sidebottom, Andre Nel, and batsmen like the greatest Gingas of them all, Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood. Doug's love affair with the English goes a long way back, even to the time he first entered a cafe and ordered a fruit salad, yoghurt with mueslie and a decaf soy mocha to go.... yes it is true, this is the breakfast that our elected captain has on a regular basis, maybe you should ask him the cup size of his bra? However Doug's captaincy has not been modelled on the English, for a start we won something under his guidance, if you were unaware the B1's won the 2007/08 premiership and a very important part of that was Doug's captaincy. Who could forget his speeches on during the finals series, as well his inspriational fielding, and of course the most important facet of his game the bowling, which really came to a forefront in the final rounds and into the final series? Doug bagged some of the most important wickets in these matches, and given the number of players player awards and votes in the last rounds and final series, it is testament to Doug's imporvement as a bowler, of course being captain enables one to bowl as much as they like, but credit where it is due, well done. Thanks Doug.... hopefully you'll go around again with a (c) after your name next year, I don't think there would be any objections to that.
David Bilson – Bilso had a great year for the club achieving his best figures of 2-16 against Harbord. A very competitive cricketer, he was often too good for batsmen, leaving them behind with his genuine pace with the ball. It was also noticed that he loves to get the shirt off at every possible opportunity – but still manage to stay a lovely shade of white. He has also done himself no favours by consistently bowling the Captain out at training.
Stephen McCooe – The Dribbler got his first game for the club this year with a commanding performance against Narrabeen. It was his fielding in the covers that proved the difference in the end. Hopefully next season we get a few new starters so that the Dribbler can finally get the 69 cap and play full time. Once this happens however, we may need to discuss fashion with Dribbles. His dress sense in his first game left a little to be desired – What up Homie?

I would personally like to thank every player for contributing to such a great year. I look forward to seeing you all next season where we will defend our title as the best team in the competition. Sniper Up!!

Semi-final : Manly Breakers C.C. 2 / 96 (Dylan Calder 38, Roger Christie 35*) drew with Balgowlah Golf 189 (S. Lynch 91, Doug Alley 5-47, Rob Lavery 2-31, Ian North 2-45) at Nolans 4.* * Manly Breakers C.C. proceeded through to Final due to finishing as minor premiers.
Final : Manly Breakers C.C. 182 (Oli Thomas 35, Douglas Alley 29*, Matthew Fisher 27, G. Hooker 3-43) defeated Long Reef CC 122 (G. Hooker 37, Rob Lavery 4-32, Douglas Alley 3-21, Matt Fisher 2-40) at Nolans 4.

Doug Alley
B1 Captain