The Wombat
Edition 1 2011/12
Onwards and Upwards
LOYAL SPONSORS:
Well what a season we had last year! With a new coach and
with 2 of our teams moving into a new grade, it seemed like
we may have been in a period of transition. However with a
strong second half of the season we saw 3 of our teams take
the flag and really stamp our authority in the MCA competition.
377-389 Cardigan Street, Carlton
Such a stellar season makes this year all the more challenging.
We are now regarded as the club to beat and will have a target
on our backs from the opening round. I firmly believe that we
will be able to rise to the challenge and push for more glory.
To do so we need strong leadership and strong direction and
we are delighted to have the services of Ryan “Straussy” Miller
back again as head coach. Ryan did a phenomenal job last year
and we can’t thank him enough. This year we have added two
assistants in the mix to help Ryan out at practice and with
selection. Returning wombat Andrew Green and Shane Devers
will be on board to give guidance where they can. We think the
coaching triumvirate will be a good balance for the upcoming
season
We also need top support off the field and I am happy that we
have another first rate committee. It pleases me greatly that
Otis, Gonz and Tex are all returning as the Treasurer,
Secretary and Vice President respectively. With Shielly and
Shane also returning to the committee and with new blood in
Ewan, Rick and Greg I think we have a great mix that will keep
the club moving forward.
We’ve had the ‘Year of the Wombat’ – its now time for the
‘Wombat Era’ to begin!
Team Captains
A few new captains come into the mix while some old wise
heads stay on
1XI
1XI
2XI
3XI
3XI
4XI
5XI
Captain – Mick Lang
Vice Captain – Ben Bainbridge
Captains – Ben Potaka & Shane Devers
Captain – Greg George
Vice Captain – Toby Warne
Captains – Mac Dalton & Dan Dainton
Captains – Greg Foletta, Chris Chapman & Taffy Flynn
Season So Far
1st XI
The 1s have continued from where they left off last season and so far
have yet to drop a game and sit at the top of the ladder. With Phil Lang
moving to Geelong the gap in the leadership was left to be filled by
2010/11 Conway Medallist Mick Lang. Backed by Banga Mick has done a
great job so far. Some outstanding performances in the 1s so far include
Devo’s gritty 75*, Micks 6/9 and Peachy’s 5/5 in a game where the 1s
bowled out the opposition for 21. A great start lads – lets hope the form
can continue.
2nd XI
After sitting on the sidelines in the finals last season the 2’s have solid
ambitions not to let the same happen again. After a slight hiccup in the
first game the boys have reeled it back and with 5 wins on the trot now sit
in 2nd spot. While no-one has notched up a big score with the bat,
everyone is pitching in and getting starts – the aim will be for a big score
soon. With the ball the boys have been great with Bensey, Malinga and
Cal all taking valuable wickets.
3rd XI
The departure of captain blood from the 3’s see them in a period of
rebuilding. With Greg George in the helm, they are well on their way.
They have been somewhat hamstrung by the weather but have still
managed a good win and were unlucky not to get a second. Franny has
looked great with the bat and has already amassed 180 runs. With the
ball Gonz has once again come out to do some damage. With numbers
hoping to settle shortly allowing the 3s to get a consistent side I think we
will see them climb the ladder soon.
4th XI
The 4s saw themselves move up a grade into the hotly contested C Grade.
With only 1 loss and 3 wins its safe to say it has been a successful move
and they find themselves in 3rd (would have been 2nd if not for an
unfortunate tie). With the bat young Gus has been a revelation at the top
of the order with a lusty swing, while Craig made a classy 59 in a score in
excess of 200. With the ball new recruit Jamal has proved to be a handy
addition taking 12 wickets already at a miserly 5.75
5th XI
The 5’s have been out of luck at the start of this season (save for one
walkover victory) but its not to say they haven’t come close. The bowling
for the 5s has been brilliant – backed by some very handy fielding. New
recruits Kamal, Sammy and Rishi have taken 22 wickets between them
and cause many a headache for opposing batsman. The batting however
has been the downside, though DB has shown that there are runs to be
made – hopefully the boys can put it all together and notch up some well
deserved victories
Cultural Tour
The Cultural Tour took place on Cup Eve this
year and while numbers were a little down the
spirits were definitely not.
Organised and run by this years social butterfly
Ewan Hay, the tour saw 5 teams tour the
delights of Carlton and take in some of the
culture. Some teams were better than others but
all had a great time. There was also a cup sweep
which was won by Bevan (some argued he had
inside knowledge from the jockey fraternity)
Back at the Clyde once all teams were finished
the search was on for the Cult Hero of 2011.
Bingle (Cult Hero 2010) was there to oversee proceedings and the
unanimous decision was to anoint the new recruit Rob Taylor as this years
Cult Hero. Rob was given a hero’s entry into the Clyde for his efforts….he
was also given the same upon exit..
CULT HERO 2011 – ROB TAYLOR
Trivia Night
When:
Where:
Time:
Cost:
10th December
Brens Oval
6.30 pm onwards
TBA
Make sure that you get along to the Trivia Night this year. It will be run in
conjunction with the Christmas function so expect a fantastic night. With 4
teams playing locally on the Saturday there are no excuses for not getting
down. We will also be looking to have a BBQ to kick off proceedings so
rope in your wives and girlfriends, rustle up your friends and get your
thinking caps locked and loaded for a great night out.
Back in Motion (Brunswick) Fantasy League
The Fantasy League is up and running and Tex (perhaps harnessing the
success of the almighty All Blacks) leads the charge with the Backing
Black team. GG and Shane are closely nipping at his heels
Team Name
Team Owner
Team
Points
Backing Black
Ben Potaka
1097
Karma Chameleon
Greg George
1050
Partisan Parkville
Shane Emmanuelle
1025
(This space to let)
Dean Marson
995
Womboks
Colin Bense
960
Around the Club
The usual “Lookalike” section is on temporary hiatus for retooling. (please
send in any you think are worthy) In its place we have a few snapshots,
interviews and bits of information you may find interesting
Spotted – Franny devouring all
oranges in the Parkville vicinity…you
can take the boy out of Mildura….
Spotted – Bev being denied entry at a
local establishment for failure to prove
he is over 18
An Interview with Warneys Kneecap
The ‘Wombat’ took some time out this week to have a chat with Toby
Warne’s kneecap after that fateful incident…
Did you think when entering this
season that you’d be the victim of
such a horrible accident?
I’d have to say no – as a kneecap you
don’t generally hold fears for the
cricket season. Usually when the
threat of an attack is imminent, you’d
find that we are well protected with
wicket keeping or batting pads.
Who do you blame for this incident - Rodey, Devo or Warney
himself?
The incident is still quite fresh in my mind so you must excuse me if I
choke up. I guess there are 3 parties that could be at fault here. I have to
say that Devo is not my favoured coach at the moment – I’m much more
comfortable with high catching drills – they hold little to no threat to
kneecaps like myself. I know that Rodey did throw the ball but it is very
hard to stay mad at a guy like that…especially one with such a spiffing
haircut. As for Warney – well we are close and do have a strong bond but after the incident I do question a few decisions that were made. The
fact there was no ice applied and the 6 beers we had at the Union before
bed make me wonder what might have been.
So where to from here?
Warney has fitted me with quite a snug and sexy jacket. It seems to do
the job though I have questions as to why I am left exposed while my
good friends shin and lower thigh stay wrapped. All that aside - we are on
the road to recovery and you can expect to see me out and about in a few
weeks…..just don’t expect me to go near any fielding drills that Devo
comes up with!
The Duck Pond
Some of you may have noticed the Duck Pond that
sits in Brens Pavvy. You would have also noticed that
its rather empty at the moment – unfortunately that is
not because we are avoiding the dreaded 0 out in the
middle. Ducks are being made as we speak and will be
joining the pond soon. In order to have your duck removed you must pay
your way out (proceeds to go to new scoreboards). The cost is $2 per
duck and $5 per golden. And don’t think you can get away with it – thanks
to ‘mycricket’ its there for the world to see!