1 Cardiff Boolaroo District Cricket Club Inc. The Black Rose 1999/2000 President’s Report If you were to ask anyone interested in cricket in Newcastle, at the start of the season, to list the clubs they thought would fight out the semi-finals in the top four grades I doubt that we would have rated a mention on very many lists. However we managed to come up with the best result this club has ever had by making the play-offs in all four of those top grades and we were runners up in the club championship for the first time ever. It is history now that rain robbed us of springing even more upsets but we should all be really proud of what we have achieved since last October. I am very proud that I can say that I was President of the club when this achievement was attained and also delighted to have achieved it with such a great group of people. I took on the position of President four years ago with the intention of trying to run the club how the players wanted it run and I can honestly say that every decision that has been made during that time was made with the players interests uppermost in our thoughts. I find it very satisfying that we have had the most successful season in the club’s history, after being told by former committee people that the club could never be successful if it were run like that. This season saw the club celebrate the 50th anniversary and the reunion dinner was an outstanding success. Thank you to Lisa Peterson, Gordon Goffet and John Hobson for their efforts in organizing the night. Seeing all the old faces again, reliving the good, the bad, and the ugly times was fantastic and something the club should capitalize on with further events in the seasons ahead. We had the pleasure of Richard Hindley’s company this season and he was a true gentleman, on and off the field. I really enjoyed having him around the place and hope to see him again in the not too distant future. Congratulations to Gordon Pratten for his excellent season with the ball, to James Lorang and Anthony Postol for their outstanding seasons with the bat and to Anthony Bellamy for his fantastic 8/39. Congratulations also to Scott Montgomery on a fine first season with CB’s and to my old mate Zoe for finally making it to, and holding his place, in first grade. Also congratulations to Richard, Daniel and Craig on their hat tricks. Thank you to Col Wilson for stocking the canteen, running training, cleaning sheds and picking teams (and you all thought he was just Gav’s dad). Thanks to Lisa Peterson for giving her time as “Assistant” Secretary. My biggest thanks go my wife Megan (and the kids) for putting up with me at the computer or at meetings or on the phone most nights of the week. Thanks Anthony, Jason and James for giving their time all season. I have enjoyed my time as President however the drop off rate of people from committee positions over the last couple of seasons has been disappointing and has meant that I have had to fill more roles than I believe is fair for one person. This situation must change or the club is going to find itself struggling to find volunteers. I’m not ready to take up lawn bowls and will enjoy trying to continue my latest incarnation as a first grader next season. I’ll see you all at the AGM and then at training in September. Meekers 2 Cardiff Boolaroo District Cricket Club Inc. The Black Rose 1999/2000 1st Grade Captain’s Report The First XI finished the season in 4th position, which was a commendable performance having finished 7th last season. It is our best result since we reached the semi-finals in 1996-97. At the beginning of the season we had to overcome several setbacks. Five players from last season's squad were missing, Brett Kneller (illness), Jason Rumianek, Stuart Chadban, Gavin Wilson and Simon Moore (all unavailable). This put a great strain on our depth, in particular Gavin and Simon being our leading wicket taker and run scorer respectively. On the positive side, to bolster our ranks, Craig Tselembis returned from a season of hammering the C & S A-Grade attacks and Richard Hindley of Havant C.C. (Southern League - Hampshire) was looking to make his mark "Down Under". Simon joined us again having missed the first month of the season. Fortunately, he gradually regained his zest for playing and it wasn't long before this extremely talented cricketer was making valuable runs for his team. Simon again was our top batsman, combined with his wicket-keeping skills, reconfirmed his status as one of Newcastle's elite cricketers. Jason Vero put together another solid season of batting, the highlight being his century v. Stockton. Paul Coleman shaped well during the first half of the season in the opener's role but unfortunately he succumbed to a knee injury and was absent for the remainder of the season. For the latter part of the season Matthew Maher and the skipper formed a reliable opening pairing which saw consistent starts to set up the innings for the team. In the bowling attack, Richard made a great impact with his off-spinners and was a valuable replacement for Gavin Wilson. His hat-trick in the opening round v. Waratah was no fluke as he consistently troubled batsmen and snared important wickets. By his own admission, his batting didn't reach his own expectations apart from his very entertaining display in the 2nd innings of the Merewether match. I must say that he was a great asset to the side, a team player and I appreciated his thoughtful outlook on the game. He will be very welcome at the club if he has the opportunity to visit Australia again. Wayne Peterson led the pace attack well, often without luck but enjoyed a full season when he was injury free. He received excellent support from Anthony Walshe, who also didn't always get the rewards that he deserved. James Kneller had another full season in the first XI, his medium pacers were very consistent and he was often asked to do the tough work, on occasions such as the Ham-Wicks and Stockton matches he was outstanding. His batting deserted him early season but he fought back and with renewed confidence made an impact with the bat. Jason Fenwick, having made his debut in the last game of last season, established himself in the side with some creditable bowling until injury in February finished his season . a little more experience and self -confidence will see Jason develop into a fine all-rounder. Brad McLennan replaced him and did very well with a couple of whole -hearted, enthusiastic showings. Even our president, Brett Meek, rejuvenated his career with some inspirational batting in the middle-order toward the end of the season. The highlight of the season was our outright victory at home to Stockton.(spell check, please). This win really put us on track for the semi-finals , our first outright win in nine seasons, where we totally outplayed our opposition. Declaring late on Day 1 with our total over 300 we claimed four wickets before stumps. On Day 2, their first innings was wrapped up quickly and then their second attempt was again in tatters until their tail prolonged the issue somewhat - a tremendous effort from all our bowlers as it was a seriously flat pitch. Rain proved to be our nemesis with our semi-final appearance a non-event. A disappointing end to the season for us all as finals cricket is a great opportunity that provides players an added incentive as well as valuable experience. On behalf of the team sincere thanks must go to Col Wilson and Rhelma Willis for their help and commitment throughout the season. My thanks also go to all the players that represented our club in its 50th year, for their efforts and the spirit in which our matches were played. I enjoyed this season immensely, the hard work, the humour and seeing the players achieving - and so, next October can't come quickly enough as I'm sure that we will build on this season and improve our place on the "ladder" (refer Zoe). David Willis 3 Cardiff Boolaroo District Cricket Club Inc. The Black Rose 1999/2000 1st Grade Batting Player Inn N/O Runs Average Catches Simon Moore 12 1 467 42.45 19/3st Bret Kneller 2 1 41 41 Brett Meek 5 1 153 38.25 2 Jason Vero 14 3 369 33.54 15 Paul Coleman 9 209 23.22 2 David Willis 14 322 23 6 Wayne Peterson 12 7 105 21 4 Corey Loveday 3 54 18 1 Richard Hindley 15 1 231 16.5 8 Craig Tselembis 12 194 16.17 5 Matthew Maher 6 95 15.83 1 James Kneller 13 2 167 15.18 5 Anthony Walshe 12 1 151 13.73 7 Brad McLennan 2 16 8 1 Daniel Moran 5 38 7.6 Jason Fenwick 10 3 22 3.14 5 Adam Logan-Pye 2 6 3 1 Mark Smee 2 2 1 2 Partnerships Wicket Batsmen Runs Opponent 1st P Coleman & R Hindley 142 Merewether 2nd R Hindley & S Moore 79* Merewether 3rd S Moore & J Vero 71 University 4th S Moore & J Vero 78 Southern Lakes 5th C Tselembis & J Vero 77 Charlestown 6th B Meek & J Vero 107 Stockton 7th J Kneller & S Moore 96 Belmont 8th B Meek & A Walshe 48 Newcastle City 9th W Peterson & A Walshe 42 Wallsend 10th W Peterson & C Loveday 42 Waratah Mayfield Centuries 120no-Jason Vero vs Stockton, 117- David Willis vs City, 102- Simon Moore vs Belmont, 101no- Richard Hindley vs Merewether 4 Cardiff Boolaroo District Cricket Club Inc.