As always, our season wouldn’t occur without the generous support of our sponsors. Rod & Cathy Pascoe from D&B Auto Electrics and Michael Adams at Golden West Holden have yet again helped to keep our fees low and enable us to provide equipment to minimise costs to families. Please think about returning the support next time you need automotive repairs or are in the market for a vehicle. In addition to our major sponsors, we have had generous assistance from a number of other businesses. If you require any of the services they provide, please ensure you consider supporting them as a show of thanks from our club. Presidents Report 2016 I would like to thank the Dubbo Rugby Cricket Club for the opportunity to be President of such a successful organisation. The previous president Steven Wheeler left me with a solid foundation and great executive to continue his great work - thanks Steve. Once again Rugby Junior Cricket has been a successful and strong club with multiple teams in each grade. Our junior development is going from strength to strength with Milo and U9’s producing many new players for the future. This development would not have been possible without Warren Saunders. Warren left us during the season to further his career in Sydney; he will be greatly missed as an organiser, great clubman and friend. The challenge for us as the ongoing executive committee is to continue Warren’s great work and keep the grass roots level strong. The current committee of Glenn Shepherd, Andrew Rose, Colin Harper, Donna Ambler, Dave Coote and Rachel Daly have done an outstanding job this year. It was Rachel’s first year in an official capacity and as registrar she has to be commended for doing a great job. Glenn and Rachel organised and implemented online player registrations, which was highly successful. To all coaches who attend meetings and support the committee - a big thanks. Once again the season would not be possible without our sponsors. A special mention to the continuing support from Golden West Holden, principle Michael Adams has been a valued supporter of the Club. A big thanks also to DB Auto Electrics and Air Conditioning for their continued support as a major sponsor. To all the other sponsors, thanks for helping make this year a great experience for the kids. In particular, the Amaroo Bistro, Geolyse, the Verb Garden and Andrew McDonald Commercial. During the representative season some very talented girls and boys proudly represented Rugby. When we had the rep photo taken it was amazing to have all the players from across the grades together. We certainly have some exciting talent coming through. I would like to wish all the teams in the final all the best of luck, stay focused and enjoy your cricket. To the teams that didn’t make it hope you had a great year and look forward to seeing you in the 2016/2017 season. Peter Hennessy (Please note: Despite appearances, to the best of our knowledge, our esteemed President has no links to outlaw bikie gangs or organised crime. Background checks are ongoing) U9 White Coaches: Tam Shepherd & Warren Saunders Another fantastic year of T20 Blast cricket. The format certainly seems to be working well. This year we had a lovely bunch of children who thoroughly enjoyed their cricket and were a pleasure to coach. We said goodbye to Warren and Oscar Saunders at Christmas and gained two new players in the New Year. Fortunately Liam and Ned were just as enthusiastic about cricket as Oscar had been and it was a pleasure to welcome them into the team. Austin Hunt - loves his cricket, being one of the big hitters for the team and always wanting longer boundaries. Austin managed 6 fours in one innings, his top score was 30 and best bowling figures of 1 for 9. Brydie Pascoe - very consistent performer who worked hard at her bowling and saw it improved over the season. Brydie hit 2 sixes in 1 over and had best effort with the bat of 20 and bowling figures of 1 for 20. Cam Lyon - quiet performer who was always ready to captain. He loved to throw the stumps down for a runout. He had a top score of 24 and best bowling figures of 2 for 13. Fergus Attenborough - started the season strongly but was MIA for second half of the season, hopefully not because of the new coach! His top score was 16 and his best figures of 3 for 15. George Murphy - passionate about his cricket and wanted to play over the holiday break. He was one of our most consistent bowlers. He had a great top score of 38 and best figures 2 for 19. Jasmine Shepherd - very enthusiastic cricketer each week, possibly louder than the coach. She was the top wicket taker with 4 wickets. Jas’ best effort with the bat was 19 and best bowling figures of 3 for 11. Liam Antaw - new comer to the team who worked extremely hard in the field. He was always read to back up at the stumps. His best batting knock was 31 and his best bowling was 2 for 26. Oscar Saunders - ‘Mr Cricket’ who has cricket running through his veins. Before heading to the big smoke Oscar’s top score was 44 and his best bowling was 2 for 9. Ned Connors- the new ‘Mr Cricket’ who replaced Oscar after Christmas. He loves a chat in the field and kept us on our toes, particularly with his knowledge about what should happen. His top score was 19 and best bowling was 0 for 18. Shea Pascoe - the quiet achiever of the team. Like her sister Brydie she worked hard with her bowling and her action improved considerably. Her highest score was 28 and she had best bowling of 1 for 16. Thank you to all the parents for coming and supporting us each week, particularly during the last couple of hot weeks. We hope that the children enjoyed their season and look forward to seeing them again next year. U9 Blues and Whites Coaches: Bill Williamson & Warren Saunders Back Row: Jack Arndell, Cameron Lyon, Shea Pascoe, Brydie Pascoe Middle Row: Gus Johnson, Jasmine Shepherd, Oscar Saunders, Austin Hunt Front Row: Hugh Mitchell, Max Hawkins, Tom Williamson Rugby T20 Blast stars with “Thunderman” U9 Blue Coach: Bill Williamson Rugby Blue U9s this summer consisted of Hugh Mitchell, Max Hawkins, Jack Taylor, Tom Williamson, Jack Arndell, Tom Arndell, Luke Furney and Angus Johnson. Together these players worked hard in every game to field and bat, with strong efforts against a range of competition Some notable achievements: 16 wickets taken in one game, 15 in another superb catching from junior players with 3 catches in one game one player who managed two run-outs in one game and another run-out the following week a partnership of 39 runs with the next pair getting 37 the Blues managed 166 runs in one game and 147 in another Despite the warm evenings, a lot fun had by all and some substantial improvements in skills, aided by the professional support from the club. U10 Coaches: Ryan O’Connor & Dave Coote What a terrific first season of “real cricket”! Throughout, the team played with great discipline and enthusiasm, and demonstrated a pleasing willingness to listen – no mean feat from 11 spirited (lippy?) nine-year olds. Excellent commitment from the boys too, with all but two playing each and every game. Rugby maintained an admirable record, ending with seven wins, two losses and two rain-affected draws. Most of Rugby’s seven wins were close, but also included two big ones: in Round 2 against RSL Colts (averaging 105 to 6.4) and again in Round 7 against Newton (142 to 6). Mind you, this Rugby cohort will have their work cut-out in years to come against Macquarie with the John Fuller coached team handing out both losses. There’s plenty of stars in the Rugby stables. Every player showed improvements in all areas of the game, none more so than Joe “The Boy” O’Brien. His Irish name belies an obvious natural talent for the English game, and considering his initial unfamiliarity with it, he quickly proved his ability with ball, bat and particularly behind the wickets. It’s a brave keeper who keeps in shorts, but he willingly shinned many a ball and saved plenty of byes. The pinch-hitting pair of Isaac Burchall and Jonty Schulz clocked 26 boundaries between them, every one of them over and through mid-wicket. Their preference for brute force with the bat stands in stark contrast with their lithe finesse around the field. Each took a catch, affected run-outs and remained vigilant for opportunities. Lincoln “the Gentleman” Boyle hearkens back to a bygone era of polite applause and watercress sandwiches, but the stat’s aren’t fooled. On four occasions Lincoln collected best bowling figures for the match, more than any other player, and on average took a wicket every 11 balls. With a kitbag the envy of any self-respecting cricketer, Aydan Hunt’s brim-full kitbag of shots gives away his unfair cricket pedigree. Aydan’s bowling also found some nice rhythm in the second half of the season, as he accurately bowled his wristy spinners on a nagging length. Special mention too for some outstanding zinc application. Enter the players on big contracts, Ty Sissian and Mason Olney - and didn’t they live up to their hype. A devastating partnership with the bat, Mason edged out Ty for runs scored, while Ty did the same with the ball.