Primary Club v I-Zingari at Camden – 17 March 2013
May 6, 2013 by The Primary Club of Australia
(Match report by Nick Houseman)
The Primary Club’s annual fixture against I-Zingari at their picturesque home ground at Camden is a highlight of the calendar and this year was no exception. We played on a perfect late summer Sunday with warm blue skies, cooling breeze with a rural waft of cows and fertiliser floating across the lush green outfield.
I-Zingari batted first and did well to survive a tight and testing opening spell of bowling by Scarcella and Pearce. The breakthrough came in the 7th over with a wicket to Pearce. Scarcella bowled 24 deliveries before have a run against his figures demonstrating how tight the opening spell was.
I-Zingari started to settle in before disaster struck with Lovell retiring hurt with an injured leg. With the score at less than 25 after 10 overs runs were difficult to get. An inspiring spell of bowling from the skipper together with discipline in the field ensured that the batting team could not really get any momentum. Wickets fell at regular intervals and the I-Zingari team was eventually rolled for 72 in 33 overs. Scarcella’s 3 for 18 was the pick of the bowling with plenty of support from other bowlers. In fact, all six bowlers used took wickets. From the I-Zingari team most batters struggled to get a start apart from opener Gerber (15) and Borean (17).
The lunch break was taken early and both sides enjoyed a fantastic spread put on by the I-Z side and started to dissect and ponder the mornings surprising play.
After lunch Primary Club opened the batting with Holmes (4) and Mullane (7) both playing shots from the opening overs. The entertainment then continued with Favell (18) and exciting new addition Ayoub (39 not out) playing shots to all parts of the park. The total was run down in 14 overs for a comprehensive victory for Primary Club. Astonishing given it has been some years since the Primary Club has won at Camden and given the closeness historically of those fixtures.
Special thanks to the I-Zingari team for once again showing great hospitality and to all for a fantastic day played in the right spirit. We look forward to next year.
The PCA team on the day was:
Joe Scarcella (c); Nick Houseman (vc), Graham Buck; Garth Pearce; D Bell; Dale Arnull; Murray Holmes; Peter Mullane; Brett Favell; Milad Ayoub; Will McDougall; Peter Lanham; Ron Bowden.
Batting: – M. Ayoub 39 n.o. (2x6s, 4 4s); B Favell 18 (2 x 4s)
Bowling: - J. Scarcella 3-18 (10 overs); G. Pearce 2-22 (8 Overs); G. Buck 2-8 (3.1 overs); N. Houseman 1-8 (5 overs); D Bell 1-10 (5 overs); D Arnul 1-4 (1 over)
15 Overs-a-Side Match
With the early finish to the main match, the day was too good to cut short so both sides readily agreed to a 15 over game for the remainder of the day. This time PCA batted first and put together a competitive 6 -74 from its allotted overs. Runs were shared across a number of batters, with Lanham top scoring with 19, ably supported by Houseman (13) and Pearce (13)
I-Z challenged hard throughout with impressive batting performances from some of the young lads from the I-Z team. Hodge scored 22, J Steward 17 and D.Lovell was not out with a disciplined 12. It came down to the last over, but tight bowling from Buck (2-3 off 2 overs) ensured that PCA took the day, with I-Z falling short at 7 -68.
Primary Club T20 Cricket Challenge 4-way Tournament
March 11, 2013 by The Primary Club of Australia
Between teams from:
Primary Club of Australia
Lord’s Taverners Australia
Old Xaverians CC
Young Gentlemen’s Touring XI
Sunday 24 March 2013
Games start 10.30am
Percy Treyvaud Oval, Quentin Road, Malvern East
2 grounds, 1 turf pitch, 1 synthetic pitch – bring footwear for both
Lunch provided
Contact: Roland Burt – 0414 538 499 or roland.burt@mk.com.au
Primary Club T20 Cricket Challenge 4-way Tournament – PDF FLYER
Report from Blind Ducks trophy match between Primary Club and Victorian Blind Cricket on 17 February 2013:
March 8, 2013 by The Primary Club of Australia
The Primary Club ventured to the lush surrounds of Kooyong for the 4th annual Blind Ducks trophy on a very hot Sunday in late February. Primaries skipper Roland Burt won the toss and seeing a hard and fast wicket elected to bat. Boonie Hollingsworth and Eddie Burt got off to a slow start against some accurate bowling bowling especially from Montesanti and Pritchard, and Boonie was retired after 5 overs for a slow run rate. Henry Boileau lasted only 2 balls before being bowled around his legs for a duck by a quick one from Pritchard. Lachie Ross top scored with 16 not out and had good support from Neilson (10) and George Burney (7), then Ross Burney managed a quick 9 at the end with the Primaries closing on 89 – probably a little below par in the conditions.
Pritchard with 23 (retired) held the VBCA top order together but at 6-45 off 10.2 overs the blind guys had a mountain to climb. But Tzourtzoukils (17 not out) and Spencer (11) put on 24 for the 7th wicket to put them back in the match before Eddie Burt whipped the bails off after 2 relay throws (G. Burney to R. Burney to E. Burt) to run out Spencer, and they were still 20 runs short with 5 overs remaining with 3 wickets in hand. Causon lasted only a couple of balls before being bowled, to make it 8-73 off 16, and things were again looking grim for VBCA. But totally blind Close (6 off 8) combined with Tzourtzoukils for an exciting unbeaten 9th wicket partnership (17 from 23) to bring VBCA home off the 2nd last ball of the day, Close hitting the winning runs. The Blind Ducks Trophy returns to Kooyong!
Man of the match was Close for his heroics in the last few overs as well as some economical bowling early on.
Scorebook on VBCA website:
A tremendous day for all. Thanks to VBCA for hosting.
Primary Club of Australia vs the Blind Cricket New South Wales team
November 14, 2012 by The Primary Club of Australia
On the 4th November 2012, the brave souls of the Primary Club of Australia faced up again against the Blind Cricket New South Wales at the grounds at Shore, Northbridge.
The important message of the day is not who won or lost but how the game was played. (The Primary Club lost again).
Unfortunately the original plan of scoring using a iPad didn’t work so Graham from the Blind Cricket NSW kept score and kept it brilliantly. It was a close game.
Alas even after 30 overs a side .. the game came down the final ball, as long as the Primary Club ran 15 runs on it. They fell 12 runs short.
Below are photos from the day.
PCA v Barker Invitation XI at Barker College No. 1 – 19 February 2012
July 24, 2012 by The Primary Club of Australia
This annual match against our hosts Barker College on the beautiful Barker No. 1 ground is one of the highlights of our season. It is also one of the toughest matches. Barker rarely puts a weak team on the paddock for this fixture, and this match was no different.
Joe Scarcella’s recent luck with the toss continued and the Primary Club batted first.
Chris Lloyd and Bob Stephens opened the batting. The opening partnership was a good one, Stephens playing the steadying hand as Lloyd played some lovely attacking strokes. The pair put on 49 runs before Stephens fell for 15. Michael Cant came in to join Lloyd at the crease, quickly followed by Mark Clarebrough, and then Stewart Roberts. Lloyd played beautifully and aggressively before having to retire on 50 n.o. The unfortunately familiar habit of our batsmen making starts but not building partnerships was again apparent. While Roberts managed to stay in long enough to compile 28, the other batsmen around him were again making starts but failing to go on and put together substantial scores. Cassimatis (10), Dixon (6), Calitz (9) Scarcella (13), and Hunter (12) all made starts, while Mullane finished with 17 n.o.
The PCA scored 175 runs from the allotted 40 overs. On this good batting pitch and fast outfield, was it enough?
Paul Hunter and Dean Bell opened the bowling. The Barker openers put together a solid partnership of 41 before Dean struck. The next man in was former Sri Lankan international all-rounder Russell Arnold, who was the cricket coach at Barker. Paul was next to strike… literally. Russell top edged an attempted pull shot off Hunter and was struck on the cheek. As he was forced to retire hurt, Russell’s young son, who was a spectator at the game, added insult to injury when he was heard to admonish his illustrious father as he came from the field, with words to the effect that he should have taken his son’s advice and worn a helmet!
Change bowlers Chris Lloyd and Richard Dixon each bowled tidily during their 7 over spells, but wickets were hard to come by. Dixon eventually took 1 wicket, while the skipper Joe Scarcella grabbed 2 middle order wickets in quick succession to give the PCA a glimmer of hope. In the end, The PCA did not have enough runs on the board to thwart the Barker lads. Their lower middle order consolidated and carried their team through to pass our total with a couple of overs to spare.
It was a most enjoyable day for all concerned. As always, our generous hosts Barker College provided a wonderful afternoon tea and we all shared post-match drinks to top off the great match, played in the usual excellent spirit.
Result:
PCA – 175 runs (40 overs) lost to Barker XI – 177 runs (37 overs)
The team:
Joe Scarcella (c), Bob Stephens, Chris Lloyd, Michael Cant, Mark Clarebrough, Stewart Roberts, Nick Cassimatis, Richard Dixon, Kevin Calitz, Peter Mullane, Paul Hunter, Dean Bell.
Batting:
C. Lloyd (50 n.o.), S Roberts (28)
Bowling:
J Scarcella – 2/19 (3 overs), D. Bell – 1/21 (7 overs) R Dixon – 1/35 (7 overs)
PCA v Bradman Foundation XI at Barker College – 26 February 2012
July 24, 2012 by The Primary Club of Australia
It was the PCA’s turn to host the Bradman boys, and the beautiful Barker No.1 ground was the venue. The pitch inspection brought a surprise; although the weather was fine (and had been relatively fine the previous day when a school match was played on it), the pitch definitely had some moisture and grass on it. The team batting first would have a difficult task on a pitch which would clearly suit the seamers early on.
The BF XI won the toss and sent the Primary Club into bat.
The openers Chris Lloyd and Murray Holmes batted solidly for an opening partnership of 37. Again, Chris Lloyd played the aggressor, showing a repertoire of attacking strokes to reach 27 in good time before he was the first to fall. Murray Holmes was more circumspect and, with the next batsman Bob Stephens, added another 17 runs before Holmes fell. Stephens (11), Stew Roberts (6) and Ian Camejo (0) came and went without establishing any decent partnership. Middle order batsmen Nick Cassimatis and Stephen Liggins managed to put together an excellent partnership of 89. Stephen scored a fine half century, including several 4’s and a couple of big 6’s interspersed with plenty of singles as the 2 batsmen consolidated. Liggins’ innings finally came to an end on 56, quickly followed by Cassimatis. The skipper Joe Scarcella came at the crease and, with the assistance of wagging tail, took the score to 179 before the last wicket fell.
The PCA’s score of 179 was not great, but given the early difficult batting conditions, it was respectable.
When it was BFXI’s turn to bat, the pitch had flattened out a little. Ben Crossing and Chris Lloyd opened the bowling. Ben in particular bowled with good pace and was unlucky not to take a couple of wickets. The BF XI captain Stuart Macpherson, opening the innings, was in fine form and in an aggressive mood, scoring runs at a good clip. With his (unusually) more subdued opening partner Peter Jensen, the pair put on 60 runs in 12 overs. The skipper came on as first change bowler, and struck in his second over to remove Jensen with a ball that leapt off a good length. When Liggins came on as second change seamer, Macpherson looked to take the long handle to both bowlers. After a couple more lusty blows, Scarcella drew him into a delivery that moved away and the dangerous batsman was caught behind just short of his half century on 48. The next 2 batsmen Burke and Haigh continued to bat with aggression. Haigh in particular played beautifully, hitting boundaries and a couple of big sixes including a massive 6 over long on that resulted in a lost cricket ball. Liggins eventually got his man Haigh, bowling him for 43. However, Burke continued to pile on the runs, finishing 53 not out, and the BF XI had no trouble passing our total in the 35th over.
The highlight of the bowling innings for the PCA was the spell of young Will Stephens, son of Bob. Will answered the skipper’s late call when one of our players failed to turn up. When he came on as third change bowler, Will bowled with good control. Not only that, he managed to swing the ball both ways! In the face of some aggressive batting, Will’s display was excellent, and he was rewarded with a wicket and could quite easily have picked up another couple with a bit of luck.
Result:
PCA – 179 runs (38 overs) lost to BF XI – 5/222 (40 overs)
The team:
Joe Scarcella (c), Murray Holmes, Chris Lloyd, Bob Stephens, Stewart Roberts, Ian Camejo, Nick Cassimatis, Stephen Liggins, John Talbot, Will Stephens, Ben Crossing.
Batting:
S. Liggins (56), N. Cassimatis (27), C. Lloyd (27 J Scarcella (19 n.o.)
Bowling:
J Scarcella – 2/32 (7 overs), W. Stephens 1/23 (6 overs), S. Liggins – 1/45 (8 overs),
J Talbot 1/38 (4 overs)
Primary Club of Australia Cricket Team Match Reports
April 4, 2012 by The Primary Club of Australia
It’s been a busy start to 2012 for the Primary Club of Australia’s Cricket Team. We have a series of cricket reports for members to view.
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
PCA v Sydney Uni Vets at King’s School (JS White Oval) – 5 February 2012
April 1, 2012 by The Primary Club of Australia
After much rain in the couple of weeks before this match – including during Marathon Cricket on 2/ 3 February – it was a pleasant surprise that we were able to get on the pitch for this match. The fact that we even managed to play was due to the excellent drainage on the JS White Oval.
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)
PCA v Old Sydneyians at Wiegall No. 1 – 19 January 2012
April 1, 2012 by The Primary Club of Australia
The Primary Club won the toss and elected to bat.
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 19th 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)
PCA v SCG XI – SCG, Sunday 20 November 2011
October 24, 2011 by The Primary Club of Australia
The Primary Club of Australia and the SCG XI met in their first match on the hallowed SCG on 20 November 2011 to contest the ‘Canard Cup’. A match report will follow soon.
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)
