UK Cricket Tour – game results

Monday 9th August
Knaresborough CC 3/234 (D.Thompson 1/21) drew Primary Club Aust 7/147 (M.Falk 29, J.Cameron 22, D.Thompson 21) at Knaresborough Yorkshire.

Wednesday 11th August
Walton CC 6/177 (P.Scott 2/16, D.Thompson 1/8) lost to Primary Club Aust 6/181 (D.Thompson 36, M.Falk 35, R.Thompson 35, G.Verco 20) at Walton Yorkshire.

Monday 2nd August
Primary Club Aust 5/160 (P.Lanham 51, D.Thompson 35*, R.Thompson 18, M.Falk 17) lost to Saffron Walden CC 5/164 (C.Hambleton 2/18, M.Falk 2/33) at Saffron Walden Essex.

Friday 30th July
Primary Club Aust 10/179 (R.Thompson 34, J.Dedman 29, D.Thompson 28, M.Fulcher 25) lost to Primary Club (UK) 4/182 (J.Dedman 3/30) at Beckenham Kent.  PCUK retain the “Primary Ashes”.

Thursday 29th July
Primary Club Aust 6/154 (M.Holmes 34, J.Dedman 26, M.Falk 23) beat Richmond CC 10/137 (A. Luff 3/32, J.Baird 2/18) at Old Deer Park Richmond. 

Wednesday 28th July
Primary Club Aust 10/147 (A.Luff 40, M.Falk 30*, P.Lanham 29, J.Dedman 25) drew Wembley CC 9/134 (M.Falk 4/25) at Vale Farm Sudbury.

Blind Cricket NSW vs Primary Club of Australia

One of the great joys of playing cricket for the Primary Club of Australia is the opportunity to play Blind Cricket against the Blind Cricket NSW team.

For those who don’t know what Blind Cricket is – this link will explain the rules: http://www.blindcricket.com/GENERAL/about_the_game.htm

This game was played on the 21 March 2010.

Primary Club UK Cricket Tour, July/August 2010

Members who are visiting the UK in July, possibly to witness the Australia/Pakistan Tests, may be interested in playing a couple of games with the Club’s touring side.  We start in London on 27th July, with 3 games in and around London, before moving on for another 4 games in Cambridge, Leicester and Sheffield.  The tour culminates with our participation in the 14th World Golden Oldies Festival in the Yorkshire Dales (Harrogate) during the week of 8th August.  For more details, please contact the office on (02) 9980 2525 or primaryclub@optusnet.com.au.

PCA v I Zingari at Camden – 28th March 2010

This was the PCA’s last game of the season. I Zingari hosted us at their picturesque home ground.

The PCA captain Joe Scarcella struggled to field a team due to a number of last-minute withdrawals. This is not an uncommon occurrence at the end of a long season, as our experience tells us. With the help of several I Zingari players who didn’t make the host team, we did however manage put a much-weakened side on the paddock.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first. Our young opening bowlers Joe Scarcella Jnr and Sam Cox were at best steady, but not penetrative, against a solid opening pair, in what was a very strong batting line-up. Our change bowlers, Jock Baird and Joe Scarcella, came on after 12 overs with the score at 0-53, and had some success in taking some wickets and keeping the scoring rate down to a respectable rate. However, the captain had very few bowlers to call upon from there, so we had to rely on part-timers to complete the overs. Our opponents took full toll on the attack in the latter overs, scoring at a very heavy rate.

The top scorer for I Z’s, PCA member Marcus Braid, batted very well and eventually made 85 n.o. However, he offered a simple catch early in his innings which was inexplicably dropped. He also was given the benefit of the doubt for a close caught and bowled chance off the captain’s bowling. He definitely made the most of his chances, while we were left to rue what might have been…

I Zingari lost only 3 wickets in its innings, finishing their 40 overs with an imposing total of 3-231.

It was a target that was always going to be hard to beat; and so it proved. The opening batsmen Scarcella Jnr and Story started steadily enough against some good bowling but the run chase against the strong I Zingari attack was proving too difficult to chase.  Mark Clarebrough, coming in at first drop, batted strongly and along with the captain, made a useful contribution. From that point on the wickets fell on a regular basis, without threatening the total at any time.

For I Zingari, Sandy Tubbs starred with the ball, taking 5-30 off his 8 overs.

Despite the lop-sided match, the teams did enjoy a lovely lunch and post-match drinks day in the fine autumn sunshine. 

Bowling:
J. Scarcella 2-32 (11 overs); J. Baird 1-27 (7 overs); 

Batting:
J. Scarcella – 25;  M. Clarebrough – 14; P. Scott – 16 n.o. ; R. Bowden – 13; M. Story – 13 
Joe Scarcella

29 March 2010

PCA v SCG XI at King’s – 7 March 2010

After several days of heavy rain, it was an unexpected and pleasant surprise that nice weather greeted us on the weekend, which allowed us to play the inaugural match between the PCA and the SCG XI at the beautiful J.S. White Oval at King’s. The match had originally been scheduled to be played at the SCG XI’s home ground Drummoyne Oval in November, but had to be postponed due to the unavailability of the ground.

The PCA Captain Joe Scarcella won the toss. With a couple of late withdrawals, and the late arrival of the 2 replacement players (including an opening batsman), we decided to send the SCG XI in to bat. It was a risky call, given that our opponents were fielding a strong young team with several grade players – including one first grader, and their captain Andy Balbirnie who was an Ireland U19 cricket rep.

Our opening bowlers Chris Lloyd and Joe Scarcella (Jnr) bowled with good hostility. Chris trapped the opener in front in his first over and finished with good figures of 1-25 from his 6 overs. At the other end, Joe Jnr continued with his excellent bowling form for the PCA in this, his first season with the PCA, bowling an excellent line and length and getting enough outswing movement through the air to cause the batsmen some headaches. His accurate pace bowling was well rewarded, clean bowling the other opener with a swinging yorker and claiming the No. 4 batsman LBW. He finished with excellent figures of 2-15 from his 7 overs.

Change bowlers Laughlan Davies and Joe Scarcella (Snr) took over the attack and continued to ask questions of the batsmen with some very good, persistent and accurate bowling. Laughlan bowled very well, his 9 overs of accurate medium pacers completed without success in terms of wickets but troubling the batsmen regularly. At the other end, Joe also bowled well, tying the batsmen down with accurate swing bowling and frustrating the batsmen who were showing clear intent that they wanted to take control of the match with aggressive batting. With excellent support from his fieldsmen, Joe took 3-29 from his 9 over spell. Marcus Braid came into the attack to bowl his off spin. He, too, bowled very well against the batsmen who were clearly out to accelerate the run rate and accumulate a score our opponents could defend. Marcus finished with the excellent figures of 2-12 off 4 overs. The other bowlers – Bob Stephens, and late replacements James Loughhead and young Sam Cox – performed creditably too, Sam picking up a wicket in his first over in his debut match for the PCA.

The SCG XI finished with a total of 9-168 from their 45 overs. From the PCA bowlers and fielders, against a very strong young team, it was a truly excellent performance in the field to restrict them to a target that was very ‘gettable’.

Our run chase started well. Openers Chris Lloyd and Marcus Braid batted steadily against a good bowling attack, pacing the scoring well and keeping us on target all the way. When Marcus fell for 10, Mark Clarebrough came in and, with Chris, continued the run chase at a steady rate. Chris stepped up his scoring rate, playing some lovely shots and finding the boundary a few time, including a glorious cover drive. He looked set for big score but nicked one behind and departed for 28. Joe Jnr came in and got out a few overs later, caught on the deep mid wicket boundary trying to punish a loose delivery but failing to clear the outfield.

That brought Damian Cullen to the crease. Damian, not a batsmen who likes to prod and hang around or to let bowlers get on top of the batsmen, started solidly and looked to consolidate in a partnership with Mark. The runs were coming steadily and both batsmen looked solid against some very good bowling. After getting his eye in, Damian set about to attack the bowlers in his usual manner. He played some excellent aggressive shots, accelerating the scoring rate as he hit several boundaries to all parts of the field including a massive six over the longest part of the VERY BIG JS White Oval. He batted superbly, bringing up his half century before retiring. At the other end, Mark was batting steadily, mixing caution against the tight bowling with aggression to the loose delivery. His knock of 39 (retired) kept the innings together. When he retired we only required about 16 runs to notch up the win. However there was a late order collapse -  that is, until Laughlan Davies and James Loughhead steadied the ship, their last wicket stand of 15 finally taking us to victory.

The victory capped off a wonderful day. The boys from the SCG XI provided very stern competition, but most importantly all the PCA players were unanimous in the view that they played the game in a fantastic spirit. Over a few post-match drinks and the mandatory post mortem, both teams agreed it was a great day. Both captains hope and expect to see this become an annual fixture.

Result:  PCA 7 – 171 (43.2 overs) def SCG XI 168 (45 overs)

Batting:  D. Cullen 50 n.o. (retired); M. Clarebrough 39 n.o. (retired); Chris Lloyd 28; M. Braid 10; L. Davies 10 n.o. ; J. Loughhead 6 n.o.

Bowling: J Scarcella (snr) 3-29 (9 overs);  J Scarcella (jnr) 2-15 (7 overs); M.Braid 2-12 (4 overs); C. Lloyd 1-25 (6 overs); S. Cox 1-23 (3 overs)

Joe Scarcella
8 March 2010

Victoria’s Primary Club Cricket team takes on the Vic Blind Cricket Assoc in the annual cricket match

On Sunday 14th February 2010 the PCOA Victoria cricket team took on the VBCA’s national championship winning team in the annual cricket match at Kooyong Reserve. This year we decided on the very popular 20/20 format. The PCOA’s Captain “Big Kev” won the toss and sent the VBCA into bat. With many of the team playing for the first time & wearing vision impaired glasses, we took to the field with an air of confidence, having won the trophy for the past 2 years.

The VBCA made 9 for 101 off their 20 overs with the PA Robinson retiring after making 20 runs (18 balls) and SA Peucker made 19 (10 balls). Best of the PCOA bowlers was Leon Doyle 1/13 off 3 overs, Russ Masterton 1/7 off 2 overs and Big Kev wrapped up the innings with 1/8 off 2 overs.

After a short break, the PCOA Vic team went out to bat. Father and son, Carl & Patrick Nunan respectively, got us off to a great start with a partnership of 14 before Carl was bowled trying to smack the metal rattles out of the ball. Patrick was the best of our bats with 18 not out, followed by Andrew Sutherland with 11 and Patrick Mulcahy with 10.

We finished with 8/87 off our 20 overs. Best of the VBCA bowling was S. Peucker 2/2 off his 2 overs.

So for the first time in the 3 year history, the VBCA won the Blind Ducks Perpetual Trophy. Well deserved Man of the Match was Scotty Peucker with his 20 runs, 2 wickets and great fielding.

We look forward to the challenge again in the 2010/11 season and have accepted the over by the Ferntree Gully Cricket Club to host the game.

For photos of the game visit the Photo Gallery on the VBCA website at www.vbca.org.au

Yours in Cricket

Captain Big Kev

Richie Benaud signed Marathon Cricket shirts

The Club has a limited quantity of Marathon Cricket shirts signed by Twelfth Man and Patron, Richie Benaud OBE, during the Marathon Cricket Event at the SCG on 19th January 2010.  The shirts are white KoolDri weave shirts with Club logo and Richie’s signature, and come in all sizes.  Cost is $50, incl GST.  Call Anja on (02) 9980 2525 or email her at primaryclub@optusnet.com.au to place an order. 

Sorry, no stock of XL size remains.  However we do have all other sizes, XXL, L, M or S.

Primary Club of Australia vs St. George Vets CC

A PCA side blending youth and experience comfortably accounted for the St. George Veterans team led by PCA member Peter Lanham at Kings on Sunday 24 January 2010.

The Vets batted first but could only managed 139 in their allotted 35 overs after rain delayed the start of play.

Generally tight bowling kept the Vets at bay and only another PCA member Ben Connell really troubled the scorers. Perhaps the pick of the PCA attack were debutante Matthew Fisher and Steve Pryde although both Steve Ryan and Rob Lavery also bowled particularly well without much luck. Matt Pryde, Phil Scott, Leigh Meakin, Shawn Dwyer and surprisingly Peter Mullane all chipped in with a wicket or two whilst Steve Ryan and Doug Alley both took topclass catches and Ray Thompson behind the stumps demonstrated skills belying his years..

A solid opening stand by Steve Pryde (50 ret.) and Peter Mullane (a somewhat laboured 28) provided the platform for the PCA to cruise home (6 for 142) with some big hitting down the order by Rob Lavery (39 ret.) putting the icing on the cake.

A big thank you to Trigger Verco for umpiring in his usual unflappable way and to Shaan Verco, Lyn Toomey, and Pam Glover for their culinary performance.

Footnote: The PCA victory provided some solace for beleaguered captain Rick Glover whose security of tenure at the helm remains decidedly shaky.

PCA v Cricketers’ Club of NSW – Barker College No.1, 18 October 2009.

Despite some rain just hours before the scheduled start at this beautiful cricket ground, the match started on time. The PCA invited CCNSW to bat first. Some steady bowling early on by the PCA seamers kept the scoring rate tight for a while. However, an outstanding innings for CCNSW by Hawksworth (51 n.o.) saw CCNSW progress well in putting together a respectable total. He was ably supported by Dadswell (37), with good a contribution, too, by Brandon (20).

The PCA welcomed the 3 Pryde brothers (Steve, James and Matthew), who played together for the first time with the PCA. James and Matthew were on debut, while Steve had made an impressive debut just 3 days earlier playing against the Vic Barracks Irregulars, scoring runs and taking wickets. It soon became apparent in this match that James and Matthew also had plenty of cricket skills to offer. James bowled 8 overs of very tight left arm orthodox spin, confounding the batsmen regularly, and was rewarded with 2 well deserved wickets. Matthew’s leg spin was troublesome for the batsmen too, and he finished up with 3 wickets off his 8 overs. Steve also made an impact with his left arm quicks, taking a couple of wickets. Chris Lloyd, opening the bowling, also bowled well for his 6 overs, taking an early wicket. He also took what is now becoming his customary spectacular catch, a great effort square of the wicket at full stretch off a full-blooded square cut.

Chasing the CCNSW total of 185 from their 40 overs, the PCA lost opener Scarcella early with the total on 10. Then followed a very good partnership of 68 between Chris Lloyd (run out for 31) and Steve Pryde (ret 50 n.o.), both batsmen scoring freely. Stuart Waugh, batting at 4, also played very well before he too had to retire after scoring his half century. CCNSW bowlers fought back to restrict the scoring rate in the latter overs, which made for an exciting finish. Then James Pryde came in late in the order and took to the bowling in a very aggressive manner to change the momentum of the match, hitting a boundary of his first delivery and following up with a couple more. He reached 17 runs in very quick time, and together with Bob Stephens (12), saw PCA home to a close victory.

This was a very good match, played in great spirit, at a lovely venue. And it will be remembered for the very significant contributions made by the new members, the 3 Pryde brothers.

Batting:
S. Pryde – 50 n.o (retired); S. Waugh – 50 n.o.(retired); C Lloyd – 31; J. Pryde – 17 n.o.; R. Stephens – 12 n.o.

Bowling:
M. Pryde 3-44 (8 overs); J. Pryde 2-25 (8 overs), S.Pryde 1-20 (6 overs); C. Lloyd 1-22 (6 overs)

Joe Scarcella

PCA v Lane Cove Cricket Club – Lindfield Oval, 27 September 2009

The troops gathered at Lindfield Oval, Tryon Rd, A blustery gale greeted the PCA boys and with ten minutes before the scheduled start it was noticeable that no Lane Cove players had arrived, a quick phone call to Ed sorted out the problem, the Lane Cove boys had been blown off course and were at Acron Oval, the scene of the battle two years prior! Mullo’s thinking quickly invoked the bowl first bat and VB second coin toss and sent Lane Cove in.

Joe Scarcella and Joe Scarcella Jnr opened for the LC and played cautiously for a while finding the short southern boundary a couple of times both retiring with Joe senior outpacing his son scoring 35 no and Jnr Joe on 30 no. Ryan 0-11 off 4 including 2 maidens and Stephens 0-33 off 6 opened the bowling for PCA.

Humphries 0-24 off 4 improved as the over’s went on after bruising his own toe with the first couple of deliveries. Casey 1-38 from the western end took our first wicket Holmes caught and bowled 15. In the mean time Webb had hit a quick fire 28 and retired. At the 20 over mark LC were 1 for 109! With 15 over’s to go. Dwyer took over at the eastern end and put the breaks on somewhat getting 1-40 off 7 taking the valuable wicket of John Pym for18. Lomax 1-15 off 4 bowled tight picking up Cooper for 8. Mullo’s decided to have a bowl, now the first two deliveries and a few more after then bounced several times before reaching the batsman, however the over ended 1-7 with a Jacko stumping still being discussed but having Jard in the pavilion for 12. Richard Pym LC’s captain tried the reverse sweep resulting in a first slip catch to Ryan, gone for a duck Mullo’s 2-13. Le- Moy 0-5 had a go from the west for one. Mullo’s on the last gets another Jacko stumping sending Corby 25 back finishing with 3-17, what a joke! Bill Sundries 20. LC all done for 199 Was it enough?

After some snags and sandwiches PCA sent out Le-Moy 18 and Jackson 21 who found the boundary regularly and set up the run chase. Abbot came in and scratched around a bit till finding some form compiling 18. Humphries battered well and was our first retiree 35 no. Unfortunately Cooney 0 did not trouble the scorers. 97 off 20 With the run rate climbing enter Casey, smashing a quick fire 35 no getting the run rate in check and the total a lot more achievable, Stephen’s played a great support role as Casey did the scoring until it was time to win the game taking 14 off one Snr Scarcella over and hitting the winning runs next over finishing on 35 no. Lomax 0 enjoyed his time in the centre and Mullo’s 3 no was there to watch the win with an over to spare and Ryan not required but padded up anyway! 6 for 202. Bill Sundries 34 including 5 boundaries. Great start to the season for the primary club and despite the weather all attending enjoyed themselves. Casey was voted man of the match.

Regards,

Mullo’s

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