FIRST XI: The 1s travelled to Shepley Oval for an important clash with Dandenong, and it was the hosts who made the early running. An opening partnership of 55 runs was followed by significant contributions for the second and third wicket, seeing Dandenong reach 3/283 before Will Walker and Coby Fitzsimmons pegged things back with two wickets apiece. Nevertheless, the Panthers posted an imposing total of 6/320, leaving Camberwell with plenty of work to do on Sunday. The chase started in the worst possible fashion, openers Swapnil Challa and Tom Scott dismissed with the score on 12. Akshay Kodoth (40) and Shorye Chopra (23) did their best to dig in, but poor dismissals meant no batter was able to make a score of substance, and we were dismissed for 130.
The First XI now sit 15th on the table ahead of clashes with Northcote and Essendon.
SECOND XI: The 2s hosted Dandenong in a one-day fixture on Saturday, with the hopes of cementing a spot in the top eight. Shantanu Bhaiya ensured a hot start for the Pies, taking the first four wickets of the match to leave Dandenong reeling at 4/16. The Panthers managed to consolidate during the middle overs, but consistent bowling across the board restricted the total to 174. It was never enough at McQueen Park, and Camberwell’s top order demonstrated how to play the ground, reaching the target with nine wickets and more than 10 overs to spare. Atharv Deshpande (75*) and Griffin McComb (56*) both recorded half-centuries in the victory, setting the pair up to finish the season strongly.
The Second XI are well-placed in fifth with two matches to play. One win will guarantee a finals berth, while two victories could see the Magoo’s push into the top four.
THIRD XI: The 3s made a timely return to the winners list on the weekend, downing Dandenong by 64 runs at Wilson Oval. Batting first, Sam Olsen and Sam Mazza put on 160 for the second wicket in a dominant batting display, propelling us towards a competitive total. Olsen fell for 73, but Mazz continued on to his first century in Premier Cricket, eventually falling for 115 off 132 balls including four maximums. Despite a mini collapse at the end of the innings, we posted an above-par 8/226, and opening bowlers Lucas Harrison and Max Burn put us ahead in the game with two early wickets. The pair also managed to restrict the run scoring, leaving Dandenong’s middle order with plenty of work to do. Enter the Camberwell spinners. Captain Vanderslik, Sam Olsen and James Thewlis who all bowled with control and penetration to take the game away from the Panthers, who stumbled to 8/162 at the completion of their innings.
The Third XI remain 16th despite winning on Saturday, although a strong finish could see them climb out of the bottom four.
FOURTH XI: A trend of close finishes continued for the 4s on Saturday, after we batted first and set Dandenong a target of 180. Each of the top five batters passed 20, but none were able to kick on, resulting in a score that was just par on Watson Park’s flat surface. With the ball, Bob Capstick and Floods were able to make early inroads, but the Panthers fought back in the middle session, keeping the required run rate at less than four per over. Miserly spells from spinners Luke Prior and Anton Ponnamperuma held back Dandenong’s progress, but in the end they passed our total with two wickets and one overs to spare.
The Fourth XI now sit just outside the finals positions in ninth spot. At least one win will be required from the final two rounds to clinch a finals berth, if not two.
CMCC Ball 2024
Join us on Saturday 24th February at the Hawthorn Hotel for our annual ball.
Dress - Jacket & Tie
Tickets:
Single Ticket - $125
Couples Ticket $240
Each ticket includes:
2 course meal
2hrs of selected beer, wine and soft drink
1x CMCC raffle ticket
As part of the night, we will be running a raffle with each ticket including 1x raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are:
First Prize - $1000 cash
Second Prize - $500 cash
If you would like to purchase raffle tickets individually, this can be done via the link below, the cost of a single raffle ticket is $30.
Please direct any queries to Mark Graven (president@camberwellmagpies.com.au), Reuben Jamieson (0490 962 763) or Indy Wickes (indiannarwickes@gmail.com)
To purchase your ticket to the CMCC Ball 2024 click the link below
U16 Dowling Shield:
The Camberwell Magpies Dowling Shield side enjoyed a really successful carnival together, reaching the Semi Final and losing to eventual winners, Richmond. The carnival began on Thursday 11th January with two T20 matches against Carlton and Melbourne Uni. The boys played some fantastic cricket against Carlton, restricting them to a chaseable score of 113. The run chase began well, and with the boys at 2/81 and needing 34 off 24, the game was there to be iced. Unfortunately a flurry of quick wickets meant that the equation was too challenging come the final over, requiring 14 to win and the boys falling 8 runs short to the fellow semi-finalists. Adam Rixon had a great game taking 1/17 off 4 and making 38. The second of the two T20s was a much more one-sided affair, with the Camberwell batsmen piling it on to reach a score of 5/157 (Rekhi 57, Smith 36). The total was easily defended by the boys, much assisted with the efforts of Ollie Schofield with the new ball and at the death (3/19 off 4).
Heading into the second week, finals were only possible if the boys continued their winning form. Fronting up at Windy Hill against the then ladder leaders Essendon therefore had some extra importance attached to the game. Winning the toss to bat first, the Magpies amassed a score of 6/246 after the 50 overs. At 2/10 and 3/85, the innings was in the balance until Lucas Smith's mature and critical knock of 79* in the gruelling heat allowed the boys to defend the game comfortably in the end as Essendon reached 9/205cc. The remaining games for the week against Northcote and Greenvale appeared one-sided on the scorecard, but certainly presented new challenges in different situations for the boys. Chasing a small total of 130 against the Dragons at McQueen Park, the boys won by 5 wickets. Adam Rixon starred with the ball taking 4/13 and Ollie Schofield again damaging with the new ball taking 2/8. It was once again the man in form, Lucas Smith, who steered the boys home as wickets fell around him, ending up on 42 not out. At Watson Park against Greenvale, needing a win to remain top of Pool A and progress to the finals, Greenvale batted very well and set the boys 213 runs to win. Thankfully, some composure from Jobe Fraser (52), Charlie Smith (39), Daiwik Rekhi (48*) and Adam Rixon (38*) meant that we made light work of the intimidating total 2 down in the 39th over. It was an ominous batting display from the boys as finals beckoned.
The boys earned a home Semi-Final against Richmond the following Tuesday and were unfortunately outclassed by a very skilled and dominant team. Chasing the Tigers' score of 343 never really became a possibility, with some tight early overs and slick fielding. Opposition parents, coaches and supporters often commented on the togetherness with which our boys played and to make the final four of an 18 team competition, they certainly did the Club proud. Congratulations to all the boys for their efforts in the carnival.
U18s:
The Camberwell Magpies U18 side played 5 games together throughout October, November, December and January. Some familiar faces from the U17 Dowling Shield side from the year prior returned to the squad, whilst some new faces from country Victoria and other local clubs enjoyed the opportunity to represent the green, gold and black and white of old in the first season of this competition.
The first game was a narrow loss on Duckworth Lewis to StKilda. Requiring 40 to win from the final 5 overs and only one wicket in hand, the maths was against us and the Saints won a very soggy affair in the end. In the end, the biggest challenge for the day was not the run chase of 244, but managing somehow to squeeze in the big cover in the Watson Park groundsman's shed in the pouring rain (which took far too long...).
The second game v Carlton went the way of the Pies, chasing down Carlton's 205 six down. Jimmy Thewlis top scored with a classy 66 at the top of the order and Xavier Wishart was the pick of the bowlers with 4/35 off his 10. Like the game against StKilda, the first of the two T20s was also rain affected and ended up being an 8-over game v Northcote which the boys won chasing a score of 56. Needing to win the second T20 to have any hope of finals, the boys fell 2 runs short against Dandenong. A nice innings of 37 from Adam Li and a spell of 4/22 from Ronit Rehal the highlights. The U18 campaign ended against Melbourne Uni at Watson Park with the boys setting a target of 178 (Thewlis 53, Grummit 48). The Students chased the score 6 down in the end.
It was a pleasure to coach the boys and it is an exciting time for the Club with most of these boys already or expected to integrate with the Senior XIs in the following season.
Welcome to Jack's Q&A Corner brought to you by Bendigo Bank. This week, I sat down with the king of Badger Cricket, legend of the club, proud dad and a man who hits the ball cleaner than anybody I know, it's Chris Thewlis!
1. Is the best part of literally being a Big Daddy that even if you don't make a big daddy hundred you're still a big daddy when you get home?
Chris: Absolutely. I’m sure it would be nicer to get a big daddy hundred, then go home to be a big daddy as well. Haven’t worked out how to do both yet but fingers crossed it happens soon.
Well if Adam Sandler can Big Daddy, you certainly can do both too! Can't wait to see the lowkey thumbs up celebration when you're back out on the park, smashing it everywhere!
2. What is your all time favourite club function moment and why is it pin the durry on the don?
Chris: Oh Jack, it was the vibe, the mood, the atmosphere in the room that night. The roof almost came off at McQueen Park. Pin the durry on the don will be passed down in folklore from generation to generation of young magpies. I don’t think Hilly will even be remembered for his 11,000 runs, he’ll be remembered for that. Shout out to Ben Rowles for some of his finest work with that one.
Yeh bad luck Hilly, not even having a hill named after you will trump this famous game. It is probably my favourite off field moment at the club too, unbelievable scenes, an all time moment for an all time player!
3. Do you have a favourite tattoo and what is its meaning to you?
Chris: My favourite tattoo is undoubtedly my windsock. This is a family friendly show so I can’t share the exact meaning, but if you know, you know. Miss you jack mac x
As Harry Styles says "this is a family show" but the windsock has completely gone over my head anyway like a Tom Nelson beamer (you're still my player of the week T). We all miss you too Jack Mac and hopefully these emails get to you in the UK.
4. What's the best part of having your own cricket brand and was it always a dream?
Chris: Definitely seeing the boys hit dingers and make hundreds with one of my bats. I’ve always been a bat nuffy and my old man took me to Julian Millichamps workshop when I was 14 to get a bat custom made. All my Christmas’s came at once that day and that's where the obsession began. Looking forward to the day you finally jump on board and start whacking dingers with a Badger.
That day might be very soon as my sticks are on their last legs. Similarly, I got a custom bat from the famous Lachlan Fisher around the same age although I'd say my dreams came true in 2008 when I got a Puma Stealth (in red) all in one junior cricket kit from Rebel Sport for $59 because I loved Gilly. I'd had that circled for months, made great toilet reading for a 7 year old.
5. What's better, the media time with Paul Amy after scoring 237 off 72 or being able to use little Charlie as an excuse to get out of stuff you don't wanna do?
Chris: Paul Amy stitched me up. I thought we were having a conversation before doing the actual interview and he quoted me saying why would anyone give a s**t about a twos game at Watson Park. Made me look like a goose…. so we’ll go with using Charlie as an excuse to get out of doing things I don’t want to do. Comes in very handy, go have a have a baby.
Clearly old mate hasn't heard of 'off the record' but boy did media street get a work out after that whopping innings! The Home of Cricket delivered again, it's where dreams come true, just ask Cougs! But yes I can imagine Charlie is much like a get out of jail free card, noone can argue with you! Can't wait to use lil stiff as an excuse one day too!
6. If I come over for dinner, what are you cooking for me?
Chris: I would be really trying to impress you with some Italian style food but I wouldn’t want to offend your lineage by trying to compete with the authentic food nonna would have made for you, so will have a cobs kitchen twist to it. We’d have a starter of gourmet garlic bread, fresh baguette from the bakery lathered with roasted bone marrow and butter, lightly fried pancetta, sprinkled with parmesan and pecorino cheese. Followed by a main of green garlic and pesto pasta with prawn and crispy prosciutto (obviously home made sauce and pasta, no rubbish from a jar/packet). There’s always room for dessert so we’d have to go with a classic tiramisu. Washing all this down with a nice bottle (maybe 2) of Sangiovese…. Then who knows, maybe you’ll stay for breakfast? 😉
Mamma mia! Bon appetito! You win! Noone at the club is beating this! It sounds better than nonna's! Not only have you got 3 courses, but you've used authentic ingredients (I would be happy to provide sauce) and even offered me a place to sleep. This certainly makes up for those small poizza's that we are still waiting on from many moons ago!
Thankyou to Chris for playing! Who will be next on Q&A Corner? Find out in next weeks newsletter.......
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!
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