City United v Wests, 29th January, 2011.

1sts at Riverside 1
City United 9-149 (Ross Steyn 30, Bill North 29, Nathan Whale 25x, Richie O'Halloran 23) lost to Wests 3-151 (Peter Mead 2-25)
Another improving performance by the 1sts and their highest innings tally for the season. Lots of contributors with the bat and another enthusiastic performance in the field. Nathan Whale was outstanding with the ball, his 1-17 from nine overs opening the bowling and Meady re-lit the hope candle with his mid innings wickets. Congratulations 1sts for showing the rest of the club that you are prepared to continue to fight. Sticks and stones to certain columnists in the media. What our first grade is doing against the odds is bigger and better than any of the detractors. Well done boys!
2nds at Riverside 2
City United 9-170 (Michael Bellamy 28, Sean Hancock 25, Anthony Cashman 21, Leo Steyn 20, Paul Fisher 20, Ryan Hansen 17) defeated Wests 115 (Chris Langston 3-33, Leo Steyn 2-20, Steve Ballantine 2-27)
A fabulous win by the seconds with contributions right across the team, including another three catches by Sean Hancock behind the stumps. Chris Langston returned to cricket, taking three of the top six and bowling really well in the conditions. Six of the top seven City batsmen made runs and a steady stream of partnerships gave the side a good total to bowl at. This was an excellent effort against such a good side.
3rds at Riverside 5
City United 96 (Cory Callcott 28, M Johnson 15, Trent Balderston 11, Tim Hunt 10) defeated Wests 92 (Terry Skewes 5-11, Tim Hunt 3-17)
The boys are back in town in a big way after toppling the competition leaders. At 4-90, City was in a strong position with the skipper holding court and only one run from a fifty partnership with Johnson. It went haywire from there with the last six wickets falling for six runs. From there, it should have been easy for Wests but a fabulous opening spell from Tim Hunt and Luke Lawrence had Wests on the back foot at 3-39. From there, Skewes took over with a devastating seven over spell but also of merit was Pat Dwyer (0-4) bowling five overs at the other end which kept the pressure on. Two wins on the Jonathon for the 3rds. Good stuff lads.
4ths at Minor League 2 - 2 day game
City United 8-140 (Mick Cullen 42, Neil Cooke 41, Mark Chew 17, G Schwenke 11 - 40 overs) v Wests 4-176 (Mick Cullen 2-19 - 40 overs)
With both first innings first halves complete, Wests are well in charge but there was a lot more to this game than the figures. City batted well with Cullen and Chew opening with a partnership of 60 and Neil Cooke and Schwenke adding 41 for the 4th wicket. Wests slumped to 2-8 with both wickets to Cullen and even after recovery were 4-112 in the 26th over. The last 14 overs got away City but there was lots of enthusiasm and effort in the field, even though the going got tough. Of particular note was a very encouraging spell of five overs from young leg spinner Lachlan Cooke, who gave the ball flight despite having to face a much older and aggressive batsmen. Some real ticker from everyone this afternoon.

Kookaburra Cup Success

No doubt by now you have heard that the Central North Zone won the Kookaburra Cup of 2011. It certainly was a great week for the boys as a team and a fabulous opportunity for Ryan to play at this level. On a personal note, Ryan didn't exactly have the best of carnivals with the bat. Ryan came in to bat at No. 4 and was not used as a bowler. Here's hoping he can hit some form for City United and his Tamworth rep team. In summary, the results are as follows:
Game 1 v North Coast
Central North 8/192 defeated North Coast 8/190
Ryan hit 13 runs off 36 balls
Game 2 v Illawarra
Central North 1/237 defeated Illawarra 9/181
Ryan did not get to bat but took 1 catch
My parents had travelled all the way from Hay to watch Ryan play cricket for the first time ever and they never got to see him bat nor bowl because the others boys performed so well.
Game 3 v Southern
Central North 7/255 defeated Southern 9/130
Ryan was out for a duck off 9 balls
The Final v Western
Central North 3/337 defeated Western 9/245
Ryan batted at No. 3 and was 10 N/O off 18 balls
In the final, the opening batsmen of Max Houlahan (Moree) and James Psarakis (Tamworth) hit a Kookaburra Cup record opening partnership of 298. The Bradman Foundation is also yet to ratify if this is a ground record for Bradman Oval at any level of cricket. Quite a remarkable feat.

Nikki Hansen

Action For Juniors

Hamish Batley played for Tamworth U/15's in Armidale on 11th January against an Armidale Invitational XI for the Walter Taylor Shield. Wally Taylor was a ledgend of Armidale cricket playing in representative sides for Armidale and the North against international teams. Playing club cricket fro Uralla, Taylor and his brothers scored masses of runs from the middle 50's to the early 70's. Taylor once scored nearly 1000 runs in a season of limited appearance because of commitments on the family farm at an average above 150.

Unfortunately for Hamish, rain ruined the carnival but not before he took 3-0.
Click to see Northern Daily Leader story

On the following weekend, Hamish represented Tamworth in the U/16's at the Stan Austin Shield at Taree. Coming in at 5-40, he made 96 not out and averaged 106 for the carnival. Leo Steyn bowled brilliantly during the carnival but with no luck. The boys lost in the final.
Click to Prime News vision of Hamish batting

Next Meeting

Please note that the next meeting of City United Cricket Club has been postponed by the President until Tuesday 1st February, from 6:30pm at the Tamworth City Bowling Club.