Will Covid Be the New Norm Opposed to Either Water Or a Poorly Mixed Cordial
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Edition 124 (Presentation Edition) Editor Email – [email protected] VTCA WET WEATHER TELEPHONE INFORMATION SERVICE Saturday Competition : 0422 052 504 Sunday Competition : 0422 052 451 VICTORIAN TURF CRICKET ASSOCIATION (VTCA) - OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER preference is, be that water, sports drink or cordial as Will Covid be The New Norm opposed to either water or a poorly mixed cordial. Wow we got through that… just. In what was the most Let us hope the spectre of social distancing is a non- uncertain cricket season in memory, having the start event next season. Clubs will be thrilled to provide date pushed back until mid-November, reduced their members with “normal” social events to both games, exclusive one day fixtures heaven forbid no ensure cohesion amongst the playing group and to collective afternoon teas or even refreshments, not to naturally raise some much-needed revenue. mention sanitisation - how did the average Joe the cricketer navigate the season? I for one am looking forward to the return of two-day cricket. I enjoy the great bowlers of the association Before I go on, can I firstly say a huge thank you to our who can work to a plan and think batsman out. clubs, players and especially officials who have gone Bowlers of the calibre of Glenroy’s Steven Goodwin out of their way to ensure most, if not all mandated can be so effective for their teams bowling long spells, protocols that were set were delivered upon. even if not taking wickets as the clever batsman will Hopefully moving forward to next season and beyond sit off him and try and see him out. that the shadow cast by sanitising stations and sign in/ In one dayers, eight overs might be ok to sit off him. out protocols are a distant but likely unforgettable In a two dayer he might bowl twenty overs – a far memory. more difficult task to hide from. Participants within the game being more punctual to Anyway, I am sure each of us have our own items ensure starting on time will be something that which we are looking forward to returning to normal continues post the pandemic. next summer, but some things introduced this season From a club perspective, many are saying they have may be worth considering for the future. really enjoyed players bringing their own afternoon As the Fab Four famously sang, “we will work it out”. teas to the ground, thus reducing pressure on club volunteers. Players on the other hand have missed the Enjoy the remainder of your “off” season and we look club provided arvo tea, particularly the delicious roast forward to getting things underway in time for beef rolls of Yarraville Club. October. I am certain this will be an interesting topic of Stay Safe all. conversation for pre planning next season. The drinks Steve McNamara situation has been less of a concern as it seems both VTCA President players and clubs are on the same page with drinks. Players can bring / consume whatever their VICTORIAN TURF CRICKET ASSOCIATION (VTCA) - OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER entirety of the day, which enacted Sunday 28 March Tiger’s United After Come as a Reserve Day, if required. from Behind Win With rain pouring throughout the intervening week, the mathematicians were out in force trying to decipher what would happen if the inclement weather Sunshine United have forged a miraculous comeback continued into the final weekend. to take out the Kookaburra Sports / Frank Turner This washout meant day two moved to the scheduled Shield in the VTCA Senior Division this season. Day three on Saturday 27. With the weather gods Considering the Covid interrupted season with all giving us some respite, we were able to get games games this season reverting to one day encounters, underway. first and second XI finals were changed to best of Sunshine United won the toss and sent Doutta Stars three one day grand final series. into bat however the heroes of week one in Willach Sunshine United looked for the majority of the and Moore could replicate the previous week’s feats. summer to be the team most adaptable to the one- Willach (4) was the first to go and when Moore (28) day format boasting several all-rounders and a very returned to the changerooms, the Stars were in big good fielding side. trouble at 5/48. Doutta Stars also boast an array of quality all- Things did not improve much from there for Doutta rounders and it was no surprise to see them push past Stars, who were dismissed for a paltry 87 in the minor Premier St. Albans in the Semi Final. thirtieth over with Nalin Amarthunga (4/18) and Thomas O’Brien (3/27) inflicting the damage. Most predicted Sunshine United to probably start flag favourites in the best of three series, but nobody The Tigers started their run chase disastrously losing convinced Patrick Willach or Hamish Moore. both openers Chouhan and star recruit Kaushal Lokuarachchi, both without scoring. A controversial In Game One the Tigers posted a competitive target caught behind decision on Thomas Duxson would total of 6/204 which had Thomas Duxson top scoring have seen the home side 3/0 and staring down the with 62 and skipper Neeten Chouhan 52, the pair barrel of grand final defeat. Fortunately for them the compiling a 74-run partnership along the way. decision was given not out and the prolific number In Doutta Stars run chase openers Willach and Moore three remained. were in devasting touch, especially young gun Willach Duxson (43) with support from brother Adam (16) and who amassed a match winning 116 off only 104 balls, Roshan Laksiri (16), were able to get the Tigers home striking at 111.54. Young Patrick was well supported with five wickets down and ensuring the series went by his captain and opening partner Hamish Moore to a game three decider. Veteran tweaker Robert who didn’t have the scorers putting their pens down Rutley was the best of the Stars attack with 3/27. either, amassing 82 off 99 balls. When Moore fell with the score at 173, it was left to Willach and former Game 3 was a nail biter with both teams determined skipper Brenton Parchment to steer the ship home, to take out this compromised season flag. th passing United’s total one wicket down in the 36 This time around Moore won the toss and invited the over. hosts to bat first. Doutta got the start they wanted, Game two scheduled for Sunday 21 March was picking up opener David Khera for four with the score abandoned due to consistent rain throughout the 1/5. VICTORIAN TURF CRICKET ASSOCIATION (VTCA) - OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER Thomas Duxson again was the thorn in the side for Moore’s merry men, top scoring again with 56, with help from Chouhan (37) Nalin Amarthunga (23) getting United to a mid-table score of 163. Joel Whitehead was the best of the Stars bowlers with 4/40 off his eight overs. Doutta Stars batting for the final time in this premiership stoush were looking steady with Moore and Parchment going well after losing Willach again cheaply. They put together a 69 run partnership for the second wicket until Moore (37) was dismissed and shortly after Parchment (35) both at the hands of Amarthunga, things then started to unravel for the *The Stars discuss tactics. visitors. The remainder of the batsman toiled away without anyone taking the bull by the reigns and putting together a match winning knock. With one over to be bowled, the scenario read, 14 runs to get, nine wickets down but renowned big hitter Rutley still at the crease with Connor Thompson. With two balls remaining Thompson was run out after Lokuarachchi threw one to Laksuri to complete a come from behind win in the best of three Grand Final trilogy. *Has Parchy played his last innings for Doutta Stars. We *Sunshine United claim their first Senior Division Flag. hope not…. VICTORIAN TURF CRICKET ASSOCIATION (VTCA) - OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER Grand Final 1 Saturday 20 March At - Selwyn Park, Albion 2020/21 Senior Division Ladder Umpires – Gary Houston & Darren Trewin St Albans 66 1.30 Sunshine United 6/204cc Strathmore 63 1.46 T. Duxson 62, N. Chouhan 52 Sunshine United 63 1.41 R. Laksiri 35, H. Moore 4/26 Doutta Stars 48 1.27 Def by Haig Fawkner 39 0.85 Westmeadows 36 1.01 Doutta Stars 1/207 Yarraville Club 36 0.88 P. Willach 116*, H. Moore 82 Keilor 24 0.81 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Druids 24 0.63 Aberfeldie 21 0.73 Grand Final 2 Saturday 27 March - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - At - Selwyn Park, Albion Medal Found in Hay’s Run Umpires – Gary Houston & Darren Trewin Sunshine United 5/88 Stack T. Duxson 43, R. Rutley 3/27 Def Doutta Stars 87 H. Moore 28, N. Amarathunga 4/18 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Grand Final 3 Sunday 28 March At - Selwyn Park, Albion Umpires – Gary Houston & Darren Trewin *Druids Roy Paxino Medallist, Michael Hay rolling the arm over. Sunshine United 163 Druids gun player Michael Hay has capped off a T. Duxson 56, N. Chouhan 37 brilliant season by claiming his first Roy Paxino Medal. JJ. Whitehead 4/40 Hay’s decorated summer includes the pre finals Def number one leading aggregate scorer with 506 runs at an average of 57.33, which included a top score of Doutta Stars 87 103* and four half centuries. H. Moore 37, B. Parchment 35 Hay topped that off with a dozen wickets at just over Sunshine United win the Grand Final Series 2-1 26 per wicket, which has had him take out the award Man of the Series - with 26 votes, two votes ahead of Strathmore’s Chris Williams with 24 votes and Sunshine United’s Thomas Thomas Duxson – Sunshine United Duxson and St.