Chewie Cup 2007/08

by Rog "Kiwi" Moore

On Sunday a "Representative" Manly Breakers Cricket Club team took part in the annual "Brookvale Hotel Challenge" against Collaroy Plateau Cricket Club to do battle for the aptly named "Chewy Cup".

This is the third year this match has been played, and on previous occasions the match was won by Collaroy Plateau, not this time however, the Breakers managed to steal a victory by one wicket with 4 balls remaining in the match.

The second of four trophies the mighty Manly Breakers were chasing in the business part of 2007/08 was finally reclaimed in the Battle of Brookvale part 3. The prize was the Chewbucca Cup,a.k.a. Castrated Kanga Cup - quite possibly the world's most revolting sporting trophy.

After three years, the Chewie Cup returned home to the Breakers, with honours shared: the B3s taking the spoils with the ball, and the B1s warming up for the finals with the bat. Hurricane Lavery struck to turn a calculator-melt down into a relative stroll by "Laves" and "Misty" Christie with four balls and several hours of hangovers remaining.

The Breakers fielded a near full strength side, diluted by the usual working engagements, hangovers and the presence of a Kiwi. Skipper David Lang was naturally delighted, although starting the match proved difficult. No grass pitches were available due to the alleged summer (from global warming), giving mere club cricketers first choice. Ditto, the choice of Nolans, which proved to be submerged.

Finally, to Harbord and a ground we could actually use. The Breakers captain promtly loss the coin toss, and unleashed his tired players and best bowlers. "Snake Charmer" Thommo, escaping from South Australia, and Dougl-a-las Alley bowled well, sadly to the Collaroy king-pin Rob Minnet. So wickets proved a little bit hard to come by. It did make the game more exciting.

Perhaps too exciting, as Collaroy advanced to 86/0, with Minnet resting his feet and taking bets on hitting the ball through the goal posts (he lost, as gamblers tend to do). Langy decided to try some spin, and Breakers veteran rookie Gary Hanson promptly removed Graham for 24. This triggered a collapse of England at Adelaide/New Zealand in General proportions, as the B3 bowlers took revenge on Collaroy for missing their finals. Classy Captain Lang-gy was on a hat-trick, following a ball that turned a mile from leg, and clipped off. (That's a minor exaggeration from word one. His victim Peacock, it must be said, wouldn't have been any happier, although at least he didn't have to wear a bikini).

Gary (3/8), Langy (2/1) had the figures, and Doug-al-ass crucially removed Minnet for a well struck 43 before his return to the crease could do anymore damage. Gommers and Chris Kettlewell lead a fine effort in the field. It was a stirring comeback, as the Breakers cut Collaroy from 86 for zip to 128 for 9. Marvellous effort, Gimlets all round. And some of the best takeaway lunches on the Northern Beaches.





If the B3s players had fun in the field, the chase was led by looming Minor Premiers the B1s. After a stodgy start from the mercurial Chris Ketttlewell and a nameless kiwi, a "whoops" position of 37/4 was restored by Doug-al-as and Misty Christie, the later playing his first near-proper game since November '07 and batting his way back into form. The loss of Doug and Bally (to the habitually quicker-second-spell Pocock) caused a becalming, although the tranquil batting of Roger (aka B.L.L.L./Misty/Girkin) Christie dug the Breakers out of a hole.

Enter Rob Hurricane Lavery. How apt that a man nicked "Wookie" should turn the chase for the Chewie Cup. Rob's battering of 20 runs off an over had a minor effect on the required run rate. Rob has decided to "just Hit It If It's There", and it came off handsomely. Rog Christie, hitting the ball fluently at last, followed by his batting partner into temporary retirement.

With Misty and Laves in hand, the Breakers took some chances in the chase, although completing a team hat-trick probably wasn't in our plans. Artie Smith's crucial sacrifice brought back Rob to join Roger, and the winning runs were secured with a comfortable 4 deliveries remaining and to the applause of our supporters (Skid and Gil, thanks for showing up).

The prize to the victors: $200 bar tab (generously shared between the teams), spent mostly on Gimlets. As player of the match, Rob Lavery won a glass of beer. The later reward seemed skewed, however the spirit(s) between the teams made up for it. And credit to Collaroy for finally finding the Chewie Cup for Kangeroo's (AFL) supporter Langy to hoist. In the outback, the cup's former owner is still trying to do the same.

Match Summary:
Collaroy Plateau 129/9 (30 overs) (Minnet 44, Faulkner 26*, Graham 24, Dwayne Thomson 0-24, Doug Alley 1-11, Rob Lavery 1-14, Matthew Fisher 0-24, Chris Kettelewell 0-22, Arthur Smith 0-14, Wayne Gormley 1-13, Gary Hanson 3-8, David Lang 2-1) lost to Manly Breakers 133/10 (29.2 overs) (Chris Kettlewell 11, Rog Moore 8, David Lang {c} 1, Matthew Fisher 8, Doug-a-las Alley 16, Roger Christie {wk} 26*, Tony Ball 10, Rob Lavery 27*, Wayne Gormley 5, Gary Hanson 9, Dwayne Thomson 0, Arthur Smith 0)



Return to Summer 2007/08 Results