To the Camberwell Magpies Cricket Club Community,
Just a short note for our final newsletter before the Christmas break to briefly reflect on our season to date.
On field, we have had many outstanding individual performances across all grades, and each eleven is well and truly in the mix to launch an assault for finals berths in the new calendar year, with three teams in the 8, and currently sitting 7th overall on the club championship ladder.
Off field, our corporate partners and members have continued to generously support our club. We encourage you to give them consideration where possible.
We now have a 2024/5 starting date for the Watson Park redevelopment, and promisingly, our two ovals were rated by peers in the top 50% of ground ratings at the time of writing in the latest Cricket Victoria survey, well above the tail of the field where the club has languished for the past two seasons.
We continue to lobby hard with our Council to maintain our grounds, and improve facilities to Premier cricket standard, as there is a long way to go and much to do, despite some progress this season.
We also have a number of exciting social events pending in the new year
We sincerely wish you all a safe, enjoyable Festive season and look forward to catching up in the New Year!
Go Pies!
Regards,
Mark and Tim
FIRST XI: Game 1 – The 1s kicked off Saturday’s festival of T20 cricket with a tight win over Footscray, chasing 120 with three balls to spare. Bowling first down at Frankston, early wickets were the order of the day and spearhead Will Walker provided, taking two as Footscray were reduced to 3/41. None of the batsmen got going as our bowlers maintained the pressure, restricting the Bulldogs to 7/120 from their 20 overs. Bill was easily the pick of the bowlers with 4/29, while Kieren Jamieson (1/12) conceded just three runs per over. In reply, the chase got off to a steady start before a few wickets made things interesting. However, Atharv Deshpande (29*) and Ben Shields (17*) stood tall, putting on 35 for the fifth wicket to guide us home with a few balls and six wickets in the bank.
Game 2 – Game 2 of the afternoon against Frankston Peninsula was an absolute classic that will be remembered for many years to come. Our boys batted first and fell into trouble quickly, floundering at 7/88 before bowlers Jack Lyndon and Kieren Jamieson dug in, dragging us to 8/120, a competitive total. The Dogs kept up with the run rate for most of their innings but never managed to pull ahead, setting up a last over showdown between Bill and the Frankston batters. Needing 14 from the final six balls, Frankston went 1, 2, 1, 2 before Jai Elcock launched a full-length delivery straight back down the ground for a maximum, leaving two runs to get off the final ball. Bowling to his field, big Bill forced Elcock to play a wide one out to Tom Nelson at deep cover, who ran around and launched a flat throw to the keepers end – DIRECT HIT! Raucous celebrations ensued, but the Magpies weren’t rejoicing for a draw – as it turns out, Frankston had run one short in the pursuit of a winning double, gifting Camberwell a sensational one-run victory.
Two wins from two matches leaves the First XI sixth on the table heading into the Christmas break, with finals very much on the cards in the new year!
SECOND XI: Game 1 – The 2s batted first against Frankston in Footscray, with skipper Akshay Kodoth (37) and Adit Pawha (36) setting a strong platform. At 1/78, it was time to capitalise and accelerate, but instead wickets began to fall, and none of the remaining batsmen could get going as we stumbled to 8/123 off 20 overs. Frankston made a strong start to the chase and could not be reeled in, our opponents hitting the winning runs with four overs remaining and seven wickets in hand. Coby Fitzsimmons (2/15) spun a web in the middle overs, but unfortunately it was too late to impact the result.
Game 2 – The Pies were back to winning ways in the second game, destroying Footscray by 62 runs thanks to a dominant performance with the bat. Openers Swapnil Challa (46 off 31) and Akshay (70 off 50) got us off to a flying start, combining for 98 before Adit (24 off 17) came in and maintained the rage. Every batsman that walked to the crease was able to contribute, and Coby put an exclamation mark on the innings by belting 24 off just six deliveries including three maximums. Footscray were never in the hunt in their batting innings, losing wickets regularly to finish on 9/138. Will Troy finished with three wickets for the Pies, while Alex Ridley and Mitch Traplin also took two wickets apiece.
Like the 1s, the Second XI are well entrenched in the top eight at the halfway mark of the season, sitting fourth with four wins from six completed matches. Enjoy the break and come back stronger lads!
THIRD XI: Game 1 – Forced to suit up bright and early for the first round of fixtures, the 3s didn’t lack any energy in their batting innings against Footscray, tallying 6/129. Openers Jack Di Stefano (58 off 54) and Charlie Wood (32 off 26) did the bulk of the work, putting on 66 for the first wicket to ensure a strong total. A consistent effort with the ball restricted Footscray to just 7/113, with no batter topping 20. Adam Li starred with 3/15, while fellow young gun Sam Olsen (1/13) was both economical and dangerous throughout his four over spell.
Game 2 – Three hours later the Third XI returned for their second match against Frankston, and the batting innings followed a similar script. Jack anchored the innings once again, accumulating 52 off 49, but the middle order hitters were unable to establish themselves, leaving us with 125 to defend. Adam (1/22) and Sam (2/24) led the way again with the ball, and regular wickets gave the 3s a sniff at a clean sweep, but Frankston held their nerve to win by four wickets.
The loss leaves the Third XI down in 13th on the table, but that does not reflect the performances that the 3s have turned in so far, and a finals berth is still a distinct possibility.
FOURTH XI: Game 1 – An experienced 4s side took the chocolates in Game 1 down at Frankston, comfortably defeating a comparatively young Footscray team by 45 runs. Back from spending the last few months overseas, Tom ‘TD’ Donaldson (23) struck some lusty blows early, setting the tone before new recruit Will Stamper knuckled down and took control of the innings. Will’s 59 off 40 was well supported by Xavier Tapsell (33), the duo guiding us to 7/138. Footscray failed to show intent early in their batting innings and the chase subsequently got away from them. Josh Nevett, supreme leader Bob Capstick and Anton Ponnamperuma were all in the wickets as the Pies restricted the Dogs to 6/93 in a great first up performance.
Game 2 – The 4s made it 6/8 for the club in their final game against Frankston, expertly navigating a tricky chase to win by eight wickets. Frankston battled to 7/108 in their batting innings, unable to gather any momentum due to the tight bowling of Bob (3/29), Anton (2/18) and Lucas Jones (2/15), setting up a seemingly straightforward chase of 109. However, the pitch was well worn by this point, and the runs were harder to come by early for openers Will and TD. Both fell with plenty of work still to do, but Xavier gradually came into his own after a scratchy start, finishing unbeaten on 54 as the 4s got home with one over left to play. Tom Sheehan (27* off 22) was cool under pressure, taking full advantage of the Power Surge to ease the tension on the boundary line.
Two massive wins were enough for the 4s to jump to fifth on the table, joining a log jam for the top few places. We will play two of those teams – Melbourne and Fitzroy Doncaster – in the next round of T20s after the break, which shapes up as a huge day in the context of the season!
Congratulations to Hamish Burrill who played his 150th game for the Camberwell Magpies in Round 10 against Frankston! What a win to be a part of for game 150!
Buzz commenced his time at the Pies way back in 2013-14 in the thirds and since then, has stapled himself as one of the clubs top all rounders! Buzz's greatest playing accolade so far is winning the 1st XI batting in 2020-21, the highlight of that season being scoring 99* against Greenvale.
Along with playing, Buzz is the current apparel manager and has always been a helping hand around the club!
Well done on 150 games Buzz, you should be very proud and we can't wait to watch you flourish more in the years to come!
300.
Congratulations to Will Walker who claimed his 300th 1st grade wicket on the weekend!
Another legendary stat for a legendary player!
Icon.
A massive thankyou to all who joined us at the Auburn Hotel last Sunday for Christmas drinks!
It was a beautiful afternoon and we are so glad you could send out the year with us in style!
And a big thanks to the Auburn Hotel for their hospitality in their newly renovated beer garden!
SAVE THE DATE
Get your social sandals on cause it's back to back fun on Super Social Saturday - 13th January 2024
It kicks off with our Annual Ladies Day and finishes with the return of a CMCC favourite, Around the World Night!
4 flights, 4 countries, 4 fun!
More details to come in the New Year!
Welcome to Jack's Q&A Corner brought to you by Bendigo Bank. This week, I sat down with our hero from the weekend, the man with the golden arm. He looks like "Oz" from American Pie, it's Tom Nelson!
1. Was your runout on Saturday the greatest throw of your life?
Tom: Definitely the best throw of my life, I’m well known for missing the keeper from 10m away or throwing it at their ankles so not sure how that works.
Well there's nothing a bit of titanic music can't fix and boy was your runout special on Saturday. If you haven't seen it, head to our socials and watch it now!
2. When are you flying over to Cape Canaveral to launch the Nelson Rocket?
Tom: At the end of the season I'll head over with Jim, Lyndo and the rest of the space cadets to launch the rocket.
The CMCC Aeronautics Division (aka space academy) is really taking shape but I don't reckon anybody is touching the grease lightning speed of a T. Nelson thunderbolt running down the Simon Hill at McQueen Park!
3. What's the worst part of your dad being president?
Tom: Worst part of dad being the president is definitely the speeches when he tries to crack gags.
C'mon Prez, stay in your lane, let the jokers be jokers. That's why we created the space academy!
4. What have you asked Santa for this year?
Tom: Santa hopefully bringing me some fresh spikes for the end of the season.
Oooo cricket related Christmas presents always bring out the inner badger within us! Nothing like rocking up after Christmas with new kit sticking out like a sore thumb and Jim rolls in at 6:30pm from work with his 2012 Cricket Australia bag with a comment like "new shoes mate?"
5. In your opinion what's better. 4 fa in the 1s or 155 in the 3s? Asking for a Pawhaful friend......?
Tom: Player of the week takes into account many factors and 4fa vs 155 is a tough one, but I will have to go with 155 given I have never made more than 20.
Yes, very diplomatically answered Tom but you are always my player of the week.
6. If I come over for dinner, what are you cooking for me?
Tom: I’ll cook up a nice little chicken paella.
Oooooweeeee Tommy's turning a little bit Espanol like Rafa Nadal but please don't fix your undies when cooking. Paella sounds super yum, a non-pasta European dish has been scarce so far on Q&A corner so this is very exciting!
Thankyou to Tom for playing! Who will be next on Q&A Corner? Find out in the New Year newsletter.......
Not only do our friends at Yarra Valley Hilltop make the best juices in town, check out their range of toppings, condiments and jams over summer!
Available at all Foodlad, IGA and FoodWorks supermarkets!
Planning on cooking up a storm this festive season?
Look no further than Ashburton Meats, your local one stop shop for all your Christmas needs!
Home to the world's number 1 apprentice butcher, you can't go wrong with Ashburton Meats!
Thanks to the team for supporting the Pies!
The Toyota Good For Cricket Raffle is back for another year! Tickets cost $5 each and can be purchased via the link below. The club receive's 100% of the proceeds and you go into the draw to win some amazing prizes, including 3 new Toyota's! Now that's Good for Cricket!
The Camberwell Magpies are proudly supported by:
