Saturday, October 18, 2008

VECC Team gold go down but not out "thats gold"

Valentine B5’s
That’s Gold


Today was our first initiation day of playing the 2008 season of cricket as the new 5th Team. Given that the opposition forfeited round 1, we always knew we might be a bit rusty. Downtown Pelican was the venue after we kindly allowed the Greens the opportunity to play at Holmesville on a belter I believe. (Sea breeze at Pelican was great) We won the toss and tried our hand at batting. A few of us got starts but proceeded to throw our wickets away (putting no value on them) Nic Babic looked classy for 36, G Schrader got a sighter 4 first ball (17) followed by one of the clubs new recruits Rowan Carpenter (16) totalling 128 all out. Wallsend RSL responded with some lusty hitting, 5 down to get the runs. Resistance came from G Schrader 2 for 29, C Bonner 1 for 8 and new boys Rowan Carpenter 1 for 7 and Daniel Franey 1 for 5.
To see the faces of both Daniel and Rowan to get their first wickets in senior cricket – priceless, the smile told it all.

C Bonner
Captain.

VECC under 12's finish first ever 2 day game with competition in the balance







The Valentine Eleebana under 12's playing their first season in first division left the field yesterday with their first two day game against Charlestown in the balance. Batting first the boys struggled finishing all out for 72 of only 38 overs. As mentioned this is the first two day game the boys have ever played and will no doubt take some getting use to. A solid batting performance by Daniel Bonner (pictured above in the middle) with 18 runs steered the way for this score. Charlestown were tight only allowing 9 extras in a very solid bowling attack. Coaches Peter Davies (pictured at the top of the page) & Troy Potts remain a constant support to the boys as they tackle their first season in division one. Charlestwon continue the run chase next weekend closing at 3/29

A record 200 run partnership gives VECC greens second win in a row


VECC team captain and vice captain Peter Davies and David Prisk scored a club record 205 partnership yesterday to assist in Valentine Eleebana crushing the Belmont DCC in the Newcastle C&S competition. Peter Davies finished 122 not out and David Prisk scored a solid 95 leaving the Belmont team little chance of chasing the total. Well done boys nice to see so many runs coming from the bat this early in the season.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

under 16/17 great win to start the season

Sunday, October 12, 2008
VECC U16/17 Great win to start the season
Western Suburbs verse VECC U16/17The U16/17 turned up to Lewis Park with only 8 players but unbeknown to them at the time Western Suburbs also only had 8 players. This obviously evened things out and both teams expected a close match. Well it couldn't have been further from the truth. Jake Lukas and Ethan Morris opened the bowling and the wickets started to fall. With the bowlers bowling a good line and length the catches came from Brett Walsh and Alex Read. Ethan and Jake bowled well to keep the run rate down and finished with Jake taking 2/4 off 2 overs and Ethan taking 1/4 of 2 overs. Caleb Hartwig in his first match for the club bowled well including a ball the batsman thought was going down leg side but was actually on middle stump and caught him on his left leg as he stepped across his wicket and was given out LBW.Joel Wagner another newcomer to the club also got in on the action with the ever reliable Brendan Binks behind the wicket taking a great catch for Joels first wicket. As usual Brendan was in on the action several times taking catches and a brilliant stumping catching the batsman with his heel in the air. Not one to be left out Sam McCurdy took a superb caught and bowled. Every player in the team was involved in a dismissal.Western Suburbs finished their innings at 7/36 off 11.1 overs, a great start for VECC. Alex Read and Brett Walsh opened the batting for us and immediately got into the runs punishing the bowlers at will. They showed excellent batting skills pushing the ball through the gaps in the field to get us off to a good start. When Alex lost his wicket Caleb came to the crease and the runs just kept coming. Brett and Caleb chased down the runs and we finished at 1/37 off 10 overs.It was a great start to the season with hopefully many more wins to come.
Posted by Carl Morris at 10:39 PM

Monday, October 13, 2008

VECC Presidents Report Week One

Presidents Report Week One

Dear Players & Parents

What a great start to the season last Saturday 11th October

Juniors

Our Super 8’s took the field with the under 9’s battling each other at the VECC aka the grass pitch at the training facility. By all reports the boys had fun on their first introduction to cricket. Well done boys.

The mighty 11’s playing well above themselves gained some reward from last years grand final loss by beating the Belmont side in their first game in division one. Well done boys.

The under 12’s went down to last years division one premiers Beresfield but learnt a lot and will continue to grow throughout this season.

The under 13’s undermanned and under strength took on the might of Nelson Bay at their home ground a full team and a home ground should make a difference this week boys.

The under 14’s feel jut 4 runs short chasing a hot Stockton outfit again away. With the quality lineup these boys have got it is only a matter of time before a win is on its way.

The under 15’s playing in second division welcomed back some old players and were beaten on the last ball of the game again by Stockton we will get them next time players.

The 16-17’s outfit undermanned but not outplayed cruised to an easy victory in their opening game of the season well done players.

Overall a great start to the junior season; people have to remember many of our teams are playing well above themselves, especially our division one teams. In saying this excellent coaching and team spirit will see many positive results before the season ends.

This week 15/10 Milo commences 4.30 at the Valentine Public School and 16/10 the Crick Hit program good luck to players just starting at our club.

A word on a few of our juniors

In the 16-17’s Brendon Binks, Alex Roger and Ethan Morris are in their final year with the junior club all three players have been loyal VECC members beginning in the first VEJCC team in the club back in 2001. Brendon is also playing his first full season in seniors as the no 1 wicketkeeper in AR2’s and Alex will play in the new VECC senior team in B5’s we wish them all the best for their final season in juniors.

In the 15’s Lloyd Jarrett and Matthew Clancy start their 7th consecutive year with the club they are the only originals from the VEJCC’s first under 10 team good luck this season boys.

Can I please ask all junior coaches and managers to submit to me a brief team report at the end of each game and email it to me at david@vecc.com.au This report will then be placed on the website for all players to view. You can read some team reports from this week at www.vecc.com.au and go to the blog page. You can also add comments and photos are always welcome. All coaches and managers are also required to submit a 3,2,1 point score for players of the round. These points go towards the junior player of each age group at the junior presentation day.

Seniors News

AR2’s (Team Blue) After having the Wallsend team on the rack the game was washed out leaving the VECC team confident a win in AR2’s is only a short period away.

B5’S (Team Gold) Chris Bonner’s team claimed victory against a Charlestown District team before a ball was bowled, you guessed it Charlestown forfeited the game.

C3’s (Team White) I am not to sure what Captain David Rooke has been feeding this team in the off season but with 2 centuries and over 300 runs watch out the boys are on fire. Yes the boys also won smashing the opposition.

C6’S (Team Green) After having Warners Bay by the throat we went to sleep allowing 121 runs to be scored, old war horse (looking more like a spring chicken) Phil Guest made short work of that smashing 50 runs before the rain cam tumbling down.

D6’s (Team Red) Again a washout with the opposition firmly on the ropes.

Club events coming up

October Seniors Twenty/20 competition starts with all teams in action this will be held on a Sunday more details to follow.

9th of November Club golf Day see the website or the attached flyer that will be emailed to you.

The last 2 weeks in November will by the VECC team photo night this is not only a fundraiser for the club but also a first opportunity this season where all VECC teams will be photographed. More information to follow.

Movember

It is on again and this year it is bigger than ever. There are some fantastic prizes on offer with the Gala Party scheduled for the end of November. Please see the flyer or the website. This year we hope to raise over $2000.00 for this great cause and business donations are tax deductible.

Good luck on the weekend players

David

Saturday, October 11, 2008

VECC v Wallsend game washed out with Wallsend on the rack in season opener

Written by Neil Best VECC Reds player

REDS REPORT
GAME ONE 11/10/08
VS WALLSEND RSL

While the team was fairly confident about continuing their dominance over the Wallsend team, who had also been moved back to D6s for the 2008/09 season, there was some concern when experienced batsmen Paul D’Elboux (17) and Mark Stiller (13) were back in the shade reasonably early. Paul had been scratchy, working out cobwebs from a long off season, but had just let loose with three boundaries in a row; two powerful shots off his pads (one which went for six) and a powerful on drive which left the opposition with their mouths open, and it was a surprise when his stumps were rattle in the next over. Mark’s 15 year set of cobwebs was blown away early with a towering on drive out of the ground, but he yorked himself while trying to look for another juicy half volley and the Reds were two down for 61. This soon became 3 for 61 (2 balls later actually) when Dave Lowry went for his favourite pull shot, but missed, to a ball which hit half way up middle stump.

Meanwhile, the other veteran in the team, Neil Best, was snicking and edging his way to a team top score of 40, aided by some diabolical fielding from the opposition, who put him down three times, all extremely gettable. Scott Gustard (19) showed how it should be played, smacking his first ball over mid wicket for six, and then repeating the shot the following over, but Matt Barker failed to follow his example, losing his stumps to an inglorious swipe. Rohan Kennedy (18) and Matt Keast (19) hit out powerfully, Matt’s 19 being his top score for the Club since moving to the senior division. Elliot Best (3) played one drive over mid-off, and Michael Taylor (5) crunched one four, leaving Matt Hardaker unbeaten on eight, having held his end up while 57 runs were scored at the other end.

With Wallsend facing the target of 170, new captain Rohan Kennedy elected to stack the area behind the stumps, with ‘keeper Neil Best and slips Paul D’Elboux and Mark Stiller possessing a combined total of approximately150 years of wisdom and experience. Rohan didn’t need any of them for his first dismissal, his yorker too quick for the Wallsend opener. But he did need the assistance of the ‘keeper for his second wicket courtesy of a fine snick behind to wider delivery. At the other end, Matt Keast opened with two maidens before collecting a wicket via a well judged catch by Michael Taylor at deep square leg. Matt could have had two more, Matt Barker dropping a sitter at mid-off and Rohan Kennedy sportingly admitting that he was centimetres over the boundary at deep square leg when he too took a difficult one. All this action took place under darkening skies, inevitably leading from a few spots of rain to a steady drizzle.

With the ball becoming a piece of soap, Matt Hardaker and Dave Lowry accepted invitations to the bowling crease, and both overcome the difficulties to record wickets, Matt’s via a slash to Scott Gustard at point and Dave’s via a drive to Matt Barker in the covers, who did his usual trick of hitting the ball in the air before nonchalantly catching it as it returned to earth. By this stage, with Wallsend floundering at 5 for 36 off 11 overs, and the Reds floundering in the steady downpour, the game was abandoned, both sides retiring to the shelter, where other members of the team and supporters were shaking their heads – thanks to Justin Dunne, Tony Farnham and the Steele family for supporting the team despite their inability to play on the day.

Old dogs learn new tricks as VECC Greens win C&S Opener against Warners Bay




Old dogs David Prisk (pictured above) and Phil Guest (pictured left ) were out in force for the Valentine Eleebana Greens yesterday After club stalwart Andrew Cartwright captured 4 wickets yesterday the boys were faced with the task of scoring 121 runs before the rain hit. VECC managed to do this with 2 minutes to spare before the rain came down thanks mainly to a half century from Phil Guest and 40 not out to new team vice captain David Prisk. This was a welcomed victory to the team given they have climbed out of the cellars of D grade to tackle C grade this season.
A great start to the season boys well done.

VECC Under 12-1's go down to Last seasons champions but not without a fight

The VECC under 12's got their first tast of division one cricket yesterday when they took on defending chamions at Beresfield. Playing far above themselves the young team lead by coach Peter Davies were far from disgraced against a representative packed lineup.

Sam Davies (pictured left) was again a standout with the bat, Daniel Bonner also demonstrated there are plenty of runs to come from his bat this season.

Wicketkeeper Jakob Jackson was solid behind the stumps and the bowling was online most of the day with wides and no balls rarely delivered. The boys will go on and learn from here with a two day game against Charlestown next weekend they will no doubt be hungry for a victory. Well done boys your parents and club are proud of you.

VECC Under 14's go down to Stockton in a season opener cliff hanger

Written by Neil Best Coach VECC Under 14's

UNDER 14 DIVISION TWO
GAME ONE 11/10/08
VS STOCKTON

Placing his faith in his strong bowling line up, captain Liam Guest asked Stockton to bat first, and the performance of his two opening bowlers justified this decision. Both were very difficult to get away, Ben Jenkins in particular bowling an excellent line. Ben bowled with sustained pace over his four overs, bending the ball away nicely and picking up one wicket with a delivery which came back the other way. Ben’s four overs cost only two runs. At the other end, Josh Parsons also proved difficult to dispatch, one four coming from a full toss, but only conceding three more runs in his three overs. He also picked up a wicket with a full pitched delivery.

These two were replaced by Matthew Mascord, who bowled tightly, gaining two wickets with well pitched up deliveries, one an excellent caught and bowled. Mackenzie Morrison bowled two more batsmen, and both Tim Rodgers and Nathan Birt gained wickets. Liam Guest had the difficult task of keeping Stockton’s best bat under control at the end of the innings, and his first three overs cost only two runs.

Stockton finished eight down for 109. It was an excellent effort by the bowlers, but one which they could still improve, as Stockton’s runs came almost exclusively from short deliveries. The ground fielding was excellent, with Mackenzie Morrison and Matthew Mascord leading the way. Mitchell Brown’s efforts behind the stumps deserve a special mention. There were only two byes, despite a number of wides and no-balls, Mitchell’s athleticism and soft glovework covering up these mistakes by the bowlers.

In reply, Valentine Eleebana started poorly, Mark Rumford got a good delivery, and Matthew Mascord was unfortunately run out. Nathan Birt (7) and Liam Guest (11) steadied the innings, and Nathan’s four over mid-wicket signalled a counter attack. Liam looked very sound, two pull shots through backward square racing to the boundary. Unfortunately he played around a full delivery and was trapped lbw. The score left at 4 for 34. Mackenzie Morrison (16) played very well, defending resolutely with a straight back and hitting powerfully when the opportunity was offered. He was given great support by Eli Love, who although not scoring himself, held up an end while 24 valuable runs were scored. When Eli went, immediately after Mitchell Brown, the score was 7 for 58, and with only 10 players, 109 looked a long way off.

This didn’t worry Tim Rodgers and Ben Jenkins, who both showed calm temperaments, picking up singles easily and hitting the ball hard when necessary. Tim showed a range of strokes, while Ben punished anything short by pulling powerfully through the leg side. Tim eventually fell lbw for a well complied 20 with the score at 87, which brought last batmen Josh Parsons to the crease – 23 runs to get in 5 overs! And the score mounted steadily, both batsmen continuing to pick the right ball to hit.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, Josh (9) falling to a spectacular caught and bowled in the second last over with only 4 runs left for the victory, Ben left undefeated with a team top score of 22.

A great game!