If you’ve been thinking about getting back into cricket – you can consider playing for us in the 2012-13 season, or join us on the Master’s Tour to the Barossa and Adelaide in November 2012. 

The all reports can be read here  or viewed individually below:

PCA v Bradman Foundation XI at Barker College – 26 February 2012

PCA v Barker Invitation XI at Barker College No. 1 – 19 February 2012

PCA v Sydney Uni Vets at King’s School (JS White Oval) – 5 February 2012

PCA v Old Sydneyians at Wiegall No. 1 – 19 January 2012

The Primary Club won the toss and elected to bat.

The PCA lost Chris Lloyd very early for a duck, LBW in what appeared to be an unlucky decision. The other opener Marcus Braid was joined at the crease by Joe Scarcella (Jr), who was also quickly dismissed for duck. Mark Clarebrough came in, and he and Braid set about to steady the ship. Braid compiled 33 runs before he was dismissed. What followed was a steady stream of batsmen making starts but not capitalising and getting out. Clarebrough was steady if slow, but his innings was probably what was required as his partners came and left without managing to build any decent partnership. Clarebrough eventually retired on 41 not out. Of the others, Cassimatis (13), Scarcella Sr (9) Davies (16), Bell (11), Buscall (7) and Crooks (5) all made starts but didn’t go on with it.

The total score of the PCA’s innings was 150 runs from the 40 overs. Given the big and relatively slow outfield, I was confident we would defend the score if we bowled well.

Joe Scarcella Jr and Dean Bell opened the bowling. Bell, making his debut for the Primary Club, started with a maiden and generally bowled well but without success, while at the other end Joe Jr picked up one of the openers, clean bowling him just as he was beginning to settle in. Chris Lloyd came on as first change and bowled very well, doing enough with the ball to regularly beat the bat. However, the Sydney Uni Vets middle order batsmen McCormick and Le Couteur – at first surviving some near misses (the latter given not out when caught behind off the skipper’s bowling) – then started to bat aggressively to chase down the runs. The 2 batsmen put together a substantial partnership that appeared to put them on course for a win, until Lloyd had McCormick caught when he was 40, then a few overs later took Le Couteur’s wicket in the same fashion. Lloyd was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3 wickets from his quota of 9 overs. Laughlan Davies also bowled well on the placid pitch, and picked up a wicket. With the game on a knife’s edge, and the other bowlers having bowled their quotas or unable to come back for second spells, Davies and Scarcella (Sr ) managed to contain the batting sufficiently to grab a very close 2-run win.

Result:
PCA – 150 runs (40 overs) defeated Sydney Uni Vets – 148 runs (40 overs)

The team:
Joe Scarcella (Sr) (c), Marcus Braid, Chris Lloyd, Mark Clarebrough, Joe Scarcella (Jr), Nick Cassimatis, Laughlan Davies, Craig Hawkins, Dean Bell, Peter Buscall, Peter Crooks.

Batting:
M. Clarebrough (41 n.o.), M. Braid (33)

Bowling:
C. Lloyd 3 /21 (9 overs), J. Scarcella Jr 2/26 (9 overs), L Davies 1/31 (9 overs)

Joff Johnson, making his debut for the PCA, opened the innings with Ray Thompson. The openers made solid if slow start to the innings in the face of some very good bowling from the Old Sydneyians. After Ray’s dismissal, wickets fell at regular intervals and our innings never really had any momentum. It was a rear-guard, swashbuckling innings from Damien Bray, batting at No. 9, that was the feature of the PCA innings. Damien scored 37 runs in very quick time to give the total some semblance of respectability, eventually getting well caught on the longest boundary of the field. Others to contribute with the bat were Joff Johnson (23), Ron Bowden (13) and Peter Mullane (12). However, with an innings total of 117 runs, it was going to be very hard to defend.

The captain Joe Scarcella and David Cush opened the bowling. The batsmen went on the attack from the outset. David bowled well but without luck. Joe managed to take the wickets of both openers with successive deliveries. However the number 3 and 4 batsmen continued in the same attacking vein before finally reaching the target in the 19^th over.

The result:
PCA – 8/117 (35 overs) lost to Old Sydenyians – 2/118 (19 overs)

The team:
Joe Scarcella (c), Ray Thompson, Joff Johnson, Mark Clarebrough, Nick Cassimatis, Ron Bowden, Peter Mullane, Ted Harvey, Damien Bray, David Cush, Rick Glover.

Batting:
D. Bray (37), J Johnson (23)

Bowling:
J. Scarcella 2 /21 (6 overs)

Ticket price includes Course and Members Stand entry, race book, fully catered buffet lunch including beer and wine, celebrity commentator selections, plus optional coach transfers from Sydney.  $100 for PC Members or $130 for non-Members, plus $40 for return coach transfers.

This has always been an exceptionally popular event so make a diary note now,  organise your friends and watch out for booking details (coming via email soon).

Race Sponsorship Package …..

Why not sponsor a race and gain valuable exposure for your business at the race course, on SKY Channel and in over 2000 TAB outlets?  Plus enjoy the thrill of naming the race, being photographed in the winners’ circle and entertaining a group of ten.  Only $2,750 for a group of ten – what a great way to entertain clients and staff!

Join us for a great day and help those with a disability live their dreams!

Contact Anja on (02) 9980 2525 or via member@primaryclub.com for booking information.

For the latter, players need to be older than 40 years.  To register your interest and request an information newsletter, please contact Anja at member@primaryclub.com.

Over 100 guests joined the Presentation Dinner that followed, and $16,000 was raised to support the purchase of playground equipment at the North Rocks Special School.  President Jim Maxwell greeted the players and supporters.  Past President Rodney Tubbs entertained the room with his exciting live auction.

The main event was a Mixed Irish 4 Ball and only mixed teams can qualify for this trophy.  There was also a Men’s and Women’s 2Ball Best Ball event, Individual Men’s/Women’s stableford trophies, Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin Trophies as well as a Novelty event.

Team captains Brett Papworth (SCG XI) and Joe Scarcella (PCA) at the toss of the coin.

Match Report – PCA v SCG XI – SCG, Sunday 20 November 2011

“The legend that is the SCG”

The anticipation, excitement and atmosphere certainly was evident the moment we all arrived at the SCG gates. This was to be a day when life long dreams would come true.

I still cannot believe that I entered this sacred ground steeped in history, walked along the walk of honour towards the members stand and into the home dressing room where the legend of Bradman stood tall. The SCG dressing rooms still have original features from its beginnings that deserves nothing less than to be heritage listed. Photographs of plenty were taken with one notable snap of Richard Priestley with what appeared to be a halo over his head due to the early morning sun over his dressing room locker. It gave him a “god-like” look. Little wonder with a name like Priestley.

There was a threat of rain in the forecast but after a chat with curator Tom Parker, it appeared we were assured of a relative full day’s play. Tom prepared a green top for us on pitch number 1 and we were looking at an eventful first session.

The game was between the SCG XI and the Primary Club XI. With SCG XI captained by none other than wallaby legend Brett Papworth. The Primary Club was led by Joe Scarcella Snr.

We were playing for the inaugural “Canard Cup”. Apparently Canard is French for duck. Something our batsmen were not aspiring to get as runs.

The SCG XI had three debutants. Andrew “Rent a crowd” Williams, Terry McGrath and Mark “Fuzo” Fuzes. They were all given their SCG XI ties by SCC Chairman Bob Adby.

Brett won the toss for the SCG XI and decided to bat. Our side would bat for 25 overs followed by the Primary Club batting 25 and would finish with both batting a further 20 overs each.

This made sure we all got exposure to the experience and became an advantage for the SCG XI.

Openers Norman Kochannek and Mark Fuzes made their way to the middle with heads held high. The opening bowlers from the Primary Club Rob Lavery and Richard Dixon were accurate and got some assistance from the bowler friendly pitch with a fair bit of moisture present. The openers held their own until Mark Fuzes pulled unsuccessfully to be caught and bowled by Lavery for 5. The score was 16. John “Movember” McCormack then strode to the wicket. His newly grown moustache gave him a look befitting of the 1800′s or a more recent Ian Chappell.

Norman Kochannek showed promise with some solid drives off the opening bowlers. Although, in the 11th over of the day, the slow – medium pace of Laughlan Davies got the better of Norman as he feathered a ball to the keeper for 13. The score was 2 for 27. That brought out the captain Papworth. Brett had conviction in his eyes and began to take on the attack with a flurry of boundaries. The Primary Club then brought on both Joe Scarcella Senior and Junior to bowl. Scarcella Junior bowled with pace and was rewarded with the wicket of Papworth caught for a quick fire 20. The score was 3 for 47. Bowling all-rounder Matt Boorer came to the wicket and looked the goods hitting a four before falling to Scarcella Senior.  The home side were in a little bit of trouble losing their 4th wicket. Paul “Vandy” Vanderwert came in with a glint in his eye not unlike the captain. Paul and John McCormack began playing some sweetly timed shots and compiled a score of 4 for 91at the break.

The Primary Club XI certainly had some talent in their side with Michael Lloyd and Damian Cullen opening the bat. The pair began solidly and soon got the better of the opening SCG XI attack of left arm speedster Matt Boorer and Paul “Vandy” Vanderwert. The pair put on a opening partnership of 55 before the left arm spin of Mark “Fuzo” Fuzes deceived Damian Cullen bowling him for 24. Incoming batsman Joe Scarcella Jnr joined the in-form Michael Lloyd at the crease. Joe supported Michael Lloyd as he continued to attack the bowling hitting one six into the Victor Trumper stand that required the SCG XI players to jump the fence go up two sets of stairs and down another to the lower bar area. Unfortunately, there was no bar open to have a quiet beer or two before making the long journey back to the field. The Primary Club XI could have had a lot more on the board if the star attraction of the day Andrew Williams was not fielding so spectacularly at mid wicket. Andrew must have been very well known because his fan club was there in force. Every time Andrew fielded there was a resounding cheer or sigh from the M A Noble stand. There must have been thousands of them by the roar that reverberated around the ground when Andrew swooped on the ball.

Michael Lloyd retired on a magnificent 51 not out having hit a number of 4′s and 6′s in his knock. Joe Scarcella Jnr and Mark Clarebrough continued scoring runs off a steady bowling effort from Mark Fuzes and John Dunk.

John Dunk is a clever bowler that brings his years of experience from bowling on dusty ovals around Bourke NSW. John told how he played cricket in 45 degree heat and stood on mats as the ground was too hot to be on. John said he would stand on the mat and chase the ball down and then quickly return to the mat.

They lost Joe Scarcella Jnr bowled by a very good ball from the well travelled leg spinner Terry McGrath. The Primary Club XI were 2 for 117 at the 25 over break.

The SCG XI returned to bat their next 20 overs after lunch. Vandy and John McCormack took up where they left off and hit good shots around the ground. Peter Mullane then took the wickets of John McCormack (24) and Philip Booth (4). The score was 6 for 105 and it looked a little shaky. In came Richard “God” Priestley to save the day. He joined the well set Vandy and put on 30 before he was caught off Lloyd for 6. The SCG XI lost two more wickets John Dunk for a duck and the impressive Vandy for a well made and defiant 50. The score 9 for 140. Andrew “Rent a crowd” Williams brought the crowd alive with a dramatic 7 not out before his partner Terry McGrath fell LBW off Davies for a duck.

The SCG XI finished on 151 after 41 overs.

The afternoon became very gloomy as the SCG XI entered the field to defend their total. Matt Boorer loved the overcast conditions bowling from his favoured Randwick end struck early getting the wicket of Richard Dixon caught for one. The SCG XI were in with a chance. The Primary Club XI appeared to struggled under the barrage of pace bowling. Luckily for them curator Tom Parker started to mobilise his troops at the Paddington end with the covers as rain began to fall. We were somewhat concerned as Tom and his men couldn’t move the mechanical sidescreen to enter the field.

So the match in summary was a closely fought draw.

Awards:
Player of the match: Michael Lloyd with his 51 not out
SCG XI best player:  Paul Vanderwert with 50
Sportsman award: Andrew Williams (my opinion) for bringing his fan club along

Sunday, 20 November 2011 will go down in history as a day that I fulfilled a boyhood dream of playing on the legend that is the SCG.
(Match report is courtesy of Norman Kochannek of the SCG XI)

   The Primary Club of Australia – Audited Accounts – 2010 -2011

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PRIMARY CLUB OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED

We have audited the accompanying financial report of The Primary Club of Australia Incorporated, which comprises the statement of financial position as at 30 June 2011, the statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in members funds and statement of cash flows for the year then ended, notes comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information, and the governing committee’s declaration.