A3 Captains Report 2008/09 - Doug's Digest
| by Doug-a-las Alley |
Season 2008/09 saw another great year for the Manly Breakers squad. We once again left many sides well behind us and secured some truly impressive victories throughout the season which saw us narrowly miss out on another minor premiership. After finishing the regular season in 2nd place, we went down fighting against a very good Long Reef side in the semi final – who then went on to win the whole thing. Once again this year everyone contributed and so each deserves a special mention.
Rob Lavery - Once again this season Rob proved to me a point I realised long ago - I am really glad he is on my team and I only have to face him in the nets. In particular, his spell of bowling to one middle order batsman from Collaroy was quite frightening to watch (but one which I enjoyed immensely – particularly when he was hit in the ribs and had to spend a few minutes recovering from the vicious blow.) His Nickname of Harmy is well deserved. Rob has also done a great job of running the club this season. His efforts mostly go on unnoticed by everyone and so I would like to personally thank him for all his support and organising throughout 2008/09. Thanks Rob.
Matt Fisher - Once again Hodgey benefited from the top quality bowling he received from his captain at training sessions on a Tuesday afternoon. He consistently scored 20-30 opening the batting and more often than not he got the innings off to a great start. He also had a great year with the ball and unfortunately for him his fellow team mates struggled to take any catches off his bowling. It was probably the Adam Dale pace of his bowling that made the ball hard to take, but none the less, he should have had another 12-13 wickets to his name.
Richard Smith – Boof, or Victor Trumper as we now like to call him, had another great year for the breakers. He played a number of very important innings with the bat and once again proved to be an outstanding purchase at 1st slip. Not only can he take the odd slips catch but his “One Liners” to opposing batsmen are pure gold and have led to many a great batsmen’s downfall. Unfortunately, Boof has confirmed to me that he will never again play a team that has anyone under the age of 15 in it. Once again Boof, Pure Gold. I actually think that Boof has had such a good year in 08/09 that we should all walk over to him right now and give him a big hug……..
Ollie Thomas – The Gimlet had another great year in 2008/09. Not only did he contribute to the two 10 wicket victories the club achieved this year but he also took a great hat trick early in the season. This rare achievement is testament to how good a cricketer Gimlet is. Unfortunately the anger management classes the Manly Breakers club have provided for Gimlet have not been working as was proven by Gimlets “Outbursts” after being dismissed on several occasions throughout the year.
Roger Christie – It is only fitting that I talk about Misty and the Gimlet together. Their performances this season in securing the club two 10 wicket victories were truly awesome performances. Misty proved so difficult to dismiss early in the year that Rob Lavery took pity on other sides and decided to save them any heartache by just running Misty out on numerous occasions. Misty also has another very successful year with the gloves on and made his bowlers look much better than they were by saving many leg side byes – Thanks Misty. (He also has the best legs in the side – Yes Misty I had noticed)
Dave Budd – Poley / Witts / Curtley / Bucknor – whatever you like to call him, Poley has had another Stella year for the breakers. Probably the quietest guy in the breakers squad, Poley chooses to do most of his talking on the field through a barrage of short pitch bowling that most batsmen find too hot to handle. Just like his twin Mike Whitney used to do. Whits has also come on leaps and bounds with the bat. Often hanging around and making a nuisance of himself late in the innings and helping the breakers get those extra runs required to put on a quality total. Another face I hope to see around the club next season. Who dares wins Poley!
Dylan Calder – Shoulders is still the best sledger in the side and is a great ally to have standing in the covers telling batsmen what he thinks of them. I am sure there are batsmen who played us this year that are still getting over some of Dylan’s “Batting Tips”. I know I am still getting over the “How long will it be before you get to a score like 91 again Doug?” comment. Shoulders once again proved how good an opening bat he is with a number of great innings at the top of the order. It is a shame he pulled a “Ricko” early in the season otherwise he would have bowled a lot of overs as well. He certainly did prove very handy in the nets (knocking over his captain on numerous occasions – Yes shoulders, it did not go unnoticed – Too good mate).
Ben Crossing – Wulffy / Wiffy / WPH / Marto made an impression on the club straight away. I am not sure whether it was his ultra quick bowling, his karaoke skills, his I-Phone Light Saber, or his witty personality but he certainly proved to be a very popular inclusion to the Breakers side. A very successful first season with the ball was only matched by his consistency with the bat. His ability to consistently score 1 or below was truly inspirational. Seriously though, Wulffy really made huge improvements with both bat and ball throughout the year and I hope he chooses to stay on in 2009/10.
Lloyd Walker - Mittens had another blockbuster year – both on and off the field. I am sure by now we have all received one his “what would you rather” texts which are truly inspirational. The fashion sense is second to none also. The Harry High Pants impersonations are absolutely gold. In all seriousness though, his efforts on the field were at another level. His batting this year was absolutely dominant. Easily topping the averages list and seemingly doing it with ease. I am now sure that the bat he uses is a form of cheating. Well Done Lloydy. Hopefully we get to watch you play again next year.
David Elliott – Easily uses the biggest bat I have ever seen. And uses it well. Some of his boundaries this year were as big as I have ever seen – and bowling to him in the nets is never fun. Erriott had a great season in 2008/09 – although it was made quite clear that he does not enjoy opening the batting whatsoever. He bowled some really amazing spells of swing bowling, played some vital innings with the bat and took some amazing catches in the field. He certainly left a very good impression on the comp in 2008/09.
Al Lemarchand - The G-Dock. A source of frustration to most sides - G-Dock has made a great habit of coming in to bat late in the order and proving difficult to dislodge. I think his technique of stepping away to the leg side and smashing bowlers over the top of the covers for four is the major cause of this frustration. I know for a fact from bowling to Al at training that this would be the cause of it. Al also supports the club 100%, turning up on days where he is not playing, always heading back to the pub after games and always attending the social activities put on by the club. Another great season Al, well done mate.
Roger Moore - What do you say about a guy like Mr Bond. The best clubman I have ever had the pleasure of playing sport with. Is willing (and able) to do anything and everything asked of him and always does it with pleasure. This is proved perfectly by the example of the time during the season that someone (Northy!) left the team esky behind after a game down at Narrabeen. Instead of just buying a new esky, Rog Moore drove all the way back down to the ground the following day to see if the esky was still there. Unfortunately it wasn’t but Rog still made the effort to go and look. Well done Rog. Top Stuff Rog!!
Rob Herne – Cutters is one of the longest serving members of the breakers side and someone I hope hangs around long enough to crack the ton. Cutters just fell short this season of playing 100 games for the breakers, a great achievement in anyone’s eyes. On and off the field, cutters is a very loyal and enthusiastic member of the breakers out fit and one that enjoys the odd banter with Boof on the sidelines whilst we are batting. Some of his one liners are absolutely gold and have certainly helped me get through a few long afternoons at the cricket. I hope to see Rob next year and hope I am there the day he gets to the 100 mark.
Ian North – YA FILTHY!! Once again this year Northy terrorised opening batsmen with his guile and pace (or was it just the crèmes?). He has certainly not lost anything in the way of his bowling. Unfortunately for Northy, there was an ugly incident in the last game of the year whereby Northy was hit plumb in front of the stumps and given out lbw (quite rightly too). Northy was unimpressed by this and tried to show everyone how he had a mark from the ball on his hip (which we all knew was left over from fielding earlier in the day) – Nice try Northy…….. Seriously though, another great year Northy. See you in 2009/10.
IA big thank you also needs to be given to The Captain (Cupcake), David Bilson and Brad Flinn. We would not have been so successful this season without their on going support. Thanks for all your efforts boys. The Captain (Cupcake) in particular, I do not think he missed a game this year and was always very keen to run the water etc so thanks very much Dribbles.
Finally boys, I would like to say a very big thank you to the Fishman. Fish has been a great support to me throughout this season and is someone I have bounced many ideas off. Fish does a lot of work behind the scenes and I would have really struggled without his help. Thanks for everything you have done this year Fisha. It has been greatly appreciated.
Boys – once again a great year. I have enjoyed playing cricket with you all. I hope to see you all back next year.
Cheers Boys.
Doug Alley (Vasman)
A3 Captain
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Return to Summer 2008/09 Results