Parnell Cricket Club Incorporated - Established 1858 Update No.137 - 9 to 13 Dec. Black Caps Win Series On the Big Stage – Parnell Players in the Limelight: Our Mark Chapman - Photo – ACA website a sensational 125* for Auckland Aces vs Wellington firebirds Despite Chappie’s innings, and some very good bowling from Lockie Ferguson, Wellington still won the game. BUT the BLACK CAPS won their series vs West Indies - superb effort. Now for the ODIs and T20 Internationals. Men’s Premier Grade Hedley Howarth Trophy - Two Day Championship, Round 5. Day 2 2 & 9 Dec. 2017 . PARNELL vs. GRAFTON UNITED at Shore Road Reserve 1. James Russell Trophy - successfully defended by Parnell PARNELL 339/10 Brad Rodden 134, Andy Lane 47, James Bevin 43, M Snedden 3/31, J Parsons 4/70 GRAFTON UNITED 308/10 S Variath 49, N Hendrie 32, A Parikh 39, D Taylor 68, N Stobart 47 Mike Ravlic 28 8 63 3 Dan van Deventer 4 1 10 0 Dave Goddard 2 1 1 0 Josh Fisher 27 3 97 5 Brad Rodden 14 1 52 1 Mitch McCann 17 3 69 1 James Bevin 4 1 10 0 RESULT: MATCH DRAWN 1st Innings points to Parnell DAY 2. – Saturday, 9 December: Grafton United resumed at 29/1. Mike Ravlic and Josh Fisher (1 & 2 above), opened our attack. Josh had captured the one wicket with his last ball the previous Saturday and much rested on him and Rav as Dean van Deventer had a strained side and was unable to bowl. Variath had been joined by GU’s professional, Nick Hendrie, from KwaZulu Natal Inland with 28 1st Class games under his belt for 1651 runs at 33.88 and currently in top form. They had taken the total to 81 when Rav had Hendrie caught behind by Fossie and jubilation.(1 above) One ball later, even greater scenes of rapture – Rav snared GU’s second pro, Ian Cockbain lbw first ball – photo 2 says it all - until, in the ensuing congratulatory melee, our Skipper sprained his ankle (1.) and Dr Bevin immediately had to render professional advice (2.). Advice taken, Skipper limped from the field, ice applied and his services lost for the day & several weeks to come. The value of removing Cockbain cannot be underestimated – a 30 year old who has 7 seasons (50 1st Class games – 2352 runs at 30.15, 4 x 100s, highest 151*) for Gloucestershire. A breakthrough not to be sneezed at – 81/3 BUT now 2 bowlers short. Brad (1. above) struck bowling Variath – 111/4 but Parikh and Parsons stuck.Elliot tried, unsuccessfully, to stump off Mitch’s offies Josh returned to break the partnership – another catch to Fossie, to dismiss Parikh 143/5 and, so, into the tail. No - 17 old Dylan Taylor from Rangitoto College batted most maturely. He lost Parsons, skittled by Rav – 172/6 – but with another youngster, Stobart, worries mounted. 200 up, 225 – both batsmen looking more & more confident. 230 -Taylor smacked Mitch over long on for 6 – Mitch flighted one, Taylor went to sweep, missed & the Umpire answered the pleas. Lbw for 68 (as above), A very crucial moment - Taylor’s was a fine knock – 238/7. This now had to be the tail but Stobart continued to stick. James Bevin had a few overs (1,) but Josh (2.) had to come back & it was he who removed Snedden at 273 (Fossie’s 3rd catch) and Hassan, lbw, at 289. The end – still no – number 11 stuck, 300 up, only 39 needed! Then Josh struck for the 5th time and was all over – Stobart, after 145 balls and 47 runs, was clean bowled, First innings points to Parnell, the James Russell Trophy retained, and Josh Fisher’s second 5 for this season – 5/97 James Russell Trophy & Luncheon James Russell (in later life & who played with distinction for both Clubs not in cricketing attire!) and the James Russell Trophy As mentioned above, Parnell managed to retain the James Russell Trophy - a challenge trophy between the two oldest cricket clubs in New Zealand. James Russell was one of the founders of Parnell CC in 1858 and, due to the exodus of men from Auckland in 1861 (Otago gold rush and Maori Wars), was instrumental in the founding of the United CC. Russell, Parnell’s Secretary, became Secretary of United which, in time, became Grafton United CC. Parnell CC continued to play games through the 1860s and 70s and reformed in greater strength in the mid 1880s. Russell was a good cricketer. Parnell’s opening bat in all it’s earliest games then, in the very first interprovincial game, Auckland vs Wellington, March 1861, he took 10 wickets. In the return game Russell took 6 wickets in the match. He kept wickets in later years and continued to play until about 1873. A remarkable man, a lawyer by profession, Russell was a founding member of many of Auckland’s most notable clubs and institutions including Auckland Law Society, Auckland Racing Club, the Northern Club, Auckland Golf Club and the Remuera Bowling Club. Cricket, obviously, continued to be of prime interest to him being President of Auckland Cricket Association for the decade to 1901/02 Most fitting that Parnell and Grafton United Cricket Clubs compete for the James Russell Trophy. THE LUNCHEON In Parnell President Rod Smith’s absence overseas, Past Presiden, Bryan Haggitt, hosted a Luncheon for Parnell and Grafton United dignitaries and stalwarts to mark this meeting of the oldest cricket clubs. Some Thirty odd attended including Mark Burgess who played with distinction for both Clubs. Mark grew up at Parnell, joining at a very young age, made his 1st Class debut for NZ U23s but shortly after moved to Grafton United to further his bowling prospects. Mark’s batting prospered, his bowling didn’t but he hit 5 Test centuries and captained NZ to it’s first Test win over England, a side lead by Geoff Boycott. Mark addressed us and reminisced over his experiences playing for both Clubs. John Sparling, Patron of Auckland Cricket attended and other former Test cricketers present were Ross Morgan (Parnell) and Phil Horne (Grafton United and now Parnell’s Director of Cricket). A particular welcome was given Israel Vaeliki, a partner in James Russell’s old Law firm of Jackson Russell. Israel is a keen cricketer and a member of Auckland University CC. Representing Grafton United were President Stu Wilson and also Nick Albrecht, a Past President and current member of Auckland Cricket’s Board.and a number of other past players and administrators. AT THE LUNCHEON 1. Welcome from Bryan Haggitt who extolled Richard Irving’s “United We Stand – 150 Years of Grafton United Cricket Club 2. Mark Burgess describing his experiences at both Clubs 3. Israel Vaealiki representing the Law Firm, Jackson Russell 1. John Sparling, Patron of Auckland Cricket, and legends of both Grafton United and Parnell Cricket Clubs 2. And in the kitchen – Jenny Haggitt and Donna Trott Men’s Premier Grade Points at End of Round 5. TEAM P W L T D PTS BONUS PTS TOTAL POINTS 1 Auckland University CC 5 3 1 0 1 41 16 57 2 Papatoetoe CC 5 3 1 0 1 35 20 55 3 Parnell CC 5 3 1 0 1 35 18 53 4 Cornwall CC 5 2 2 0 1 25 21 46 5 Howick Pakuranga CC 5 2 0 0 3 31 14 45 6 East Coast Bays CC 5 2 3 0 0 26 17 43 7 Takapuna CC 5 2 2 0 1 25 14 39 8 Grafton United CC 5 0 5 0 0 0 12 12 Men’s Premier Grade - T20 Championship, Pool 2. Wednesday, 13 December PARNELL vs. TAKAPUNA Onewa Domain 1. TAKAPUNA 152/9 (20) W O’Donnell 22 (13), E Herd 47 (22), Mike Ravlic 2/39 (4) Josh Fisher 1/23 (4), Jesse Simpson 2/21 (4), Mitch McCann 0/14 (2) Hamish Robertson 3/26 (4), James Bevin 1/28 (2). PARNELL 153/3 (16.4) Ben Rae 79* (53), Brad Rodden 43* (19), RESULT: PARNELL WON BY 7 WICKETS A gloriously fine evening but with a stiffish wind over on the Shore. Onewa Domain – the pitch green with grass, unlike on our Prems previous visit at the end of last season. Takapuna, usually a very capable batting side, never really got started. ‘Keeper Elliot Foster picked up catches from 3 of the first 4 batsmen to fall and the other was a mighty catch on the boundary by Andy Lane to remove Will O’Donnell. Only Elliot Herd’s clean hitting near the end took advantage of the extremely short boundaries – he hit 5 sixes in his 47. Josh Fisher’s one handed take on the boundary was a major talking point as it not only saved what looked like a certain 6 but got rid of Herd as well. 153 to win but James and ter Braak were sharp – Ben Rainger was lbw, Mitch McCann caught and, Andy Lane was picked up when spin came on. But Ben Rae was still there – returning after 3 seasons away and a recent back operation – he seemed totally at home and, with Brad Rodden, stroked us to victory. Ben hit 8 fours and 4 sixes, Brad, only 1 four but 5 sixes – a display of marvellously mature batting. At 56/3, the loss of a further wicket could have been disasterous but there was no panic, singles came, balls played on merits and, when opportunities arose, the ball was hit with great power and timing – a superb display earning a very dominant 7 wicket win.