Year Book
2010/2011
Senior Team Reports
bowler – everyone played their part and
contributed throughout.
Senior B Grade
Pirates 2
Captain David McGuiness
Team Profile
Undefeated premiers - cricket seasons
just don’t get any better than that !
Congratulations to the boys on a
tremendous achievement. With the
injection of some new talent into the
side and some old stagers backing up for
another season, the Pirates (2) B-Grade
side started the season with a quiet
confidence and determination that they
would be there or thereabouts at the
business end of the season.
As things turned out the boys gelled
from game one and continued that
form throughout the season, producing
some fantastic team performances to go
through the entire season undefeated.
The thing that stands out from the
season was the overall team effort. We
had no super-star 500 or 600 run seasons
from the bats and no hundreds (Stu’s
93 was the highest score), nor were
there any 30 wicket seasons from any
The depth of the side was the key,
particularly the middle and lower order
batting that won us quite a few games
and resulted in us only being bowled
out once all season (against the Rats
at Monash). In addition the depth and
overall consistency of the bowling attack
led by Pete and Phil and supported by
Harro, Gayan, Kern, Micky T and Tim was
the main difference between us and
the rest of the teams. Pete’s 34 maidens
from 92 overs bowled (nearly 40% of all
overs were maidens!) is an amazing stat
and was the cornerstone of our bowling
effort by creating massive pressure on
the opposition.
Another major factor in our success
this season was the impact of Larry and
Gayan, who both came into the squad
after Fugee and Whit (who were both
having great seasons) left the team mid
season – well played lads.
On top of the great cricket played, the
season was also enjoyed by all, with great
banter both on and off the field and
regular team drinks back at the HHH.
A big thanks to all the boys and their
families for their patience in enduring the
final month of the finals after such a long
season. A special mention to Amanda
for scoring for us all year and doing
such a great job and to the McCallum
boys, James and Liam for being there to
support us most games.
Thanks to Roy as always for his passion
and help and to Alison for her time and
effort during the season.
It was a pleasure to captain the side this
season, premierships are rare in cricket so
well done to all. I look forward to seeing
everyone back in the Pirates A Grade side
next season!
Player Profiles
Dave McGuiness.
Skippered with class and aplomb.
Dropped a sitter or two at first slip. One
nearly scalped him. However bounced
back to score runs as opener to often
bring us out of the blocks fast. Out on the
pull more than a kid at boarding school.
Best remembered for his team roast post
match v the Rats at Monash. Best ground
fielder in the squad.
Trent Kuryluk
Picked up the Roy Calves Cup after a
tremendous year at short cover and
beyond. Also picked up players player
award for his all-round efforts during the
season. Grassed a sitter late in the year
but held more catches than Rex Hunt on
safari. Turned to the zinc cream and with
it came a flashing blade. Got dropped
regularly three or four times an innings.
Lost his head in the Final after planting
two into the neighbouring houses. Loves
a contest and sledges like a trooper.
Bowls better off the short run.
Stuart Hickman
Drug tested after a woeful
commencement to the year with the ball.
Dropped two catches in gully that had
the selectors scratching at his name in
red pen. Defied the critics and produced
more sixes than anyone else and more
runs than anyone else. Had a tremendous
year with his dominance at the crease,
a joy to behold from his surprised team
mates – picked up the batting award for
the season (and the Emu Oil award for
the biggest …). North Ryde Oval was renamed as Hickman Oval in tribute to his
performances at the field. By all reports,
well travelled and married during the
season. On-field banter with Harro a
season highlight. A strange sledger, but
always well loved by oppo as mainly
sledged own teammates. Sledge on Phil
during Anti-Social match was one for the
ages and bought Phil a next ball wicket
with batsman unable to see the ball from
tears of laughter. Needs to work on his
suntan.
Craig Abernethy
‘Crackers’ donned the keeper’s pads
most weeks in a lively performance
with a few flicks of the gloves and claps
of the hands. A memorable stumping
in the stinging heat at Morrison and a
couple of memorable drops too. Batted
rarely but ever reliable. Created a storm
by overruling an LBW from square leg
in the semi. Loves his umpiring and
enjoys making sure Amanda keeps a
high standard as team scorer. Assisted
the washout effort in the final - a ‘golden’
moment.
Damien Sligar
‘Slug’ cursed himself after releasing
his solo single debut ‘Eye of The Sligar’,
tripping over his reputation and blowing
a sandshoe. Missed the final, but rarely
missed the ball in the field, regularly
diving with grace and panache at mid
off. At the batting crease however, he
missed a lot of balls. Most careered into
his stumps, but delivered on promise and
won us the game v Gladesville RSL with
a mighty knock. Hit a peak in the pre
season nets where he had the coaching
staff in raptures over his prospects.
Almost jagged a hat trick one week.
Trent’s Mate
Filled in and threw the ball better than
most. Too much Emu Oil prevented him
from playing regularly.
James McCallum
Refused to pay $5 for a dropped catch
at mid off. Spirited in the field creating
more run outs than the whole team
combined. Limited opportunities but hit
more runs than Phil in the season.
Liam McCallum
Aged 8. Bought 400 iceblocks one week
and gave most away. Fielded for two
overs all year but attended regularly.
Bagged players and added considerable
pressure to some in the lower batting
order.
Gayan Ranasinghe
Bowled a doosra like no other. Had more
car trouble than Peter Brock. Quieter than
most, but delivered with ball in hand.
Safe hands and loved to tell dirty jokes.
Most polite. Batted once without success
but was a ready replacement for the top
order bats. Bright start and a good team
man.
Mick Harrison
Dropped a sitter at deep mid wicket
in the stifling heat at Morrison, but
rebounded in the latter part of the
season to jag wickets galore. The slinging
off cutter was a specialty. Batted with
flair mostly and dominated at the crease
v Camperdown. Worst pull shot of the
year (some sort of achievement with rich
competition) to be caught in the early
rounds. Made the gully his own and led
the boys gamely with wit and humour.
His driving in the HHH carpark left a bit
to be desired, but his drinking did not.
Kern Wyman
Almost got barred after the Rats game.
Knows some bad words but uses very
few. Took the catch of the year in the
deep in game one. Bowled a surprise
bouncer and there was no one more
surprised than himself. His power hitting
was a joy to behold in the Final. More
nicks than an Athens niteclub in the semi.
Safe hands, except off the spinners and
a great family man. Does not like Ryde
Council.
Phil Madden
Bowled well early in the year before
resorting to half trackers and sympathy
deliveries to snare ‘most wickets’ for
the year. Picked up the bowling award
jointly with Pete. Could never field after a
bowling spell. Best ankle brace in world
cricket. Needs a new personal trainer.
Wore one on the melon at Hickman Park
and was lucky not to die. Quick feet.
Batting reached no great heights, but if
you bowl as well as Phil does....well...put
the feet up.
Peter Labrie
Quickest bowler in the comp - and
quickest to the fence. Joint winner of
team bowling award. Refused to bowl
a bouncer all year but had more plays
and misses than Tiger Woods. Loved to
bowl a maiden over like Tiger as well.
Smashed the keeper’s toe round one and
his frightful speed with the ball saw him
as the only bloke who broke a stump all
year. Resorted to leg spin in the quest for
an outright, betraying the Fast Bowler’s
Code of Conduct. Reliable hands and
steady with the bat. Sustained a healthy
average throughout the season and that
was added to in the bedroom.
Larry Fanto
Guilty of half a glove punch. Turned the
biff on with a young opponent in the
semi and loved to hit a six. Umpiring
a demonstrated strength when he
overturned his own decision without a
third umpire. Smashed the opposition
in many games - especially the final
and his aggression turned games at
key moments. Trendy dude whose long
sleeves added character and style. Get a
new bat.
Ryan Christoffesen
Tallest bloke in the team. Caught more
dollies than most, but dropped some
sitters in the outfield with monotonous
regularity. Hit the off drive well but
his end of season departure soured
his season. A blog cannot save him.
Proposed to in desperation and grabbed
a ‘management’ ring from the local
barber shop trinket machine. Wife needs
to learn how to use washing machine
– dirtiest whites in world cricket. Bowled
wides which hit third slip and holds the
association record for the longest over on
record.
Mick Turner
Took most catches for the team (outside
keepers) but dropped a few and toiled
gamely in the stinking heat with the
ball all year. A partnership breaker and
Team Player of the year. Loved to bat
but never did. Great turn of phrase and
enjoys the banter. Ground fielding needs
work - like most blokes - but his spirit was
unquestionable.
Sam Cooper
Fielded well. Missed most of the year on
holidays and working holidays and other
commitments, meetings, study issues
and camps. His dad shoots a mean photo.
Tim McCallum
Bowled like a busted most of the year.
Secured more not outs than most by
batting his aging eyesight down the
order. Dropped a clanger after moving to
second slip and dropping the next ball
in the semi. Batted with flair on occasion
and muscled up under pressure in the
semi to deliver the win with 52no. Fell
to a woeful pull shot in the final. Bought
wickets like a Bangladeshi rag trader.
Took a great deep cover catch to put the
Rats to sleep at Monash.
Craig Munns
Rock of Gibraltar. Wider bat than
W.G. Grace and the same level of
concentration. Tidy at slip. Best sledger
in the team and club perhaps. Enjoys
some loud repartee. Man of the Match
in the Final where his composure and
concentration thwarted the attack of
Concord.
Brad Fuge
Better language than most and got
wickets regularly with his dipping
inswing. Batted terribly at times
betraying his talent. Safe hands but
slow to move at backward square. A
memorable display v Rats at Monash
with great affection for the umpires he
snared three wickets when they needed
four runs to win. Almost cited. Good
looking bloke.
Mike Whitney
Bats better than his namesake.
Memorable innings to steer us to victory
v Concord at Bedlam Bay. Averaged 80
for the year. Moved to Melbourne mid
season, but made the trek north for
the Presentation Evening at the HHH.
Commitment. Turned to spin when
things got tough. A brilliant competitor.
Safe hands. Professional.
As such, the team’s performance tends to
be measured more by a desire to turn up
and play in a genuine show of friendship
rather than a win-at-all-costs approach
which seems to sum up the attitude of
some of the other sides that we confront.
That said, though, we like to be
competitive and - not necessarily to our
own surprise - we actually are. While the
statistics tell one story, the other version
is that we only missed the finals by 12
points or, put another way, two wins
which given the nature of some of our
defeats were well within our grasp.
Senior C Grade
Pirates 1
Captain Danny John
Played 13 Won 3, Drew 2, Lost 8, Points 28
Team Profile
To misquote Gilbert & Sullivan, a Pirate’s
lot is sometimes not a happy one,
particularly if you miss the finals and
come second from bottom of the C
Grade competition.
Putting such comparisons with the
Pirates of Penzance to one side, such
unhappiness doesn’t tend to apply to
the Pirates of Ryde Hunters Hill even
if our leanings towards the comical (in
an operatic sense perhaps) sometimes
outweighs our ability to achieve the
straight forward do-able.
For instance, you’ll find no Diva’s within
Pirates 1 nor for that fact lead singers.
Indeed there tends to be a general
reluctance among our numbers to take
a starring role although we as a team are
the first to congratulate with unbridled
enthusiasm those of us who actually do
score runs, take wickets and hold catches.
And if you read between the lines, you’ll
also see that the sum of our parts truly
does make a difference to the parts
themselves.
Competent bowlers become lethal
McGrath/Lee-like leather slingers;
average batters Watson and Haddinstyle strikers of the ball; previously
unremarkable fielders turn into fastmoving panthers (or in our case pandas
judging by the friendly banter that
accompanies a stunning stop or a quite
amazing catch.)
Put all of that together and we become
a threat to anyone we come up against.
The only problem is that we don’t always
put it together in the same game and
that the threat therefore becomes pandalike (i.e. slow-moving and cuddly or just
plain soporific).
Each season brings good examples of
that steadfast fact and this latest one was
no different: witness, for instance, the
unlikely but altogether truly satisfying
victory over Pirates 4. The Minor Premiers
lost just two games on their way to the
Grand Final and one of those was
against us.
(It’s perhaps worth remembering here
why the apparently lowest-ranked
seniors team happens to go under the
banner of the “Number One” side. It’s
because we were the first such side in the
club’s history to be formed from among
the seniors’ ranks and to this day we
proudly continue to carry that banner).
As unlikely as it seems, we had Pirates
4 reeling at 9-52 before a last wicket
partnership put on 55. Chasing 108 to
win, we conspired to get ourselves in all
sorts of trouble, losing six wickets with
less than 50 on the board.
And then, in one of the truly great (dour
perhaps but certainly gritty) partnerships
to have ever been witnessed in our
colours, the unlikely duo of Maneesh
Gupta and Ross Hayden came together
to frustrate the life out of our fellow
Pirates’ bowling attack.
Patience had never been a virtue of that
pair before this match but playing out
20 overs for little more than a handful of
runs not only underlined a Neil Harveylike ability to defend their wickets but a
very Australian determination not to lose
the game.
Having shored up the foundations before
Maneesh got out, flamboyance and hard
hitting then came to the fore as Frank
Guidaci, in typical style, put an end to
Pirates 4’s resistance with a quick-fire
innings that included a six hit high over
the fence at Morrison Bay Park and into
the Parramatta River.
While such highlights were not often
repeated, one of our two other wins
came in what even our opposition
labelled as a “truly most enjoyable” game
- as the very English Gilbert & Sullivan
might have so eloquently put it.
A blistering hot day in February when
temperatures topped 40 degrees literally
saw us on fire with the bat. Having
struggled all season to put a decent total
on the board, we notched up 185 runs for
the loss of 5 wickets in just 20 overs in a
heat-restricted match.
And yet again, it was Frank, with his
highest score of the season, 76, who led
the way, helped along it by Rocco Ranieri,
26, and more characteristically this time,
Ross and Maneesh, with, respectively, a
hard-hitting 28 and 15 not out.
With Bayview needing nine an over from
the outset, we really liked our chances
but, of course, our opponents thought
otherwise and after the loss of a quick
wicket, set about our total with gusto,
getting to 1-97 after just 10 overs.
At that point, it didn’t look good.
However, a couple of great catches and
some excellent bowling from Craig
Sheffield, Maneesh, Conor Rae and
even the skipper himself, gradually tied
the Bayview batters up in knots and
before long we had run out victors by a
comfortable 50 runs.
Talking of which, comfortable is not often
a word associated with our exploits given
that we are known to make hard work of
some of our games. But that is not to say
that we don’t work hard, for which such
effort has its just rewards.
Take, for instance, the compelling
bowling performances from Craig against
Pirates 4 (6-14) and Maneesh against
Silent Warriors (6-23), which earnt them
the joint bowling award for the season.
Or that of our new batting star, 14 yearold Conor Rae whose highest score of 72
saw him notch up 261 runs for the season
to take out the batting trophy.
As for our fielding, well, that tends to
inspire us as much as it baffles – either
as a result of acts of brilliance or efforts
that would not look out of place amongst
the club’s under-fives. In the case of
the former, the recipient of the fielding
award went to Ross who took as many
(good) catches as he dropped (badly).
So to the honours that truly matter most
- from a captain’s point of view at least.
As well as we can play (and on occasions
do to our full potential) we are nothing
without the inspiring people who make
up Pirates 1.
From long-serving stalwarts like John
Rae to recent recruits such as Brendan
Roser, Brent Rodgers, Jol Valentine and
Bill Foundas, we continue to take to the
field in the same spirit that we did when
we started six years ago: in friendship,
with fun, a sense of frivolity and, above
all, fairness and fellowship.
This was best embodied this season
by Iain Barnfield (Captain’s Award) and
Andrew Welsh (Player’s Player) who, by
their efforts and through their words,
helped provide the glue that binds us
together; week in, week out, no matter
whether we win, lose or draw. Such spirit
also ensures that we will come back next
season and do it all again - because we
want to.
My thanks go to: John and Conor Rae,
Andrew and Lachlan Welsh, Maneesh
Gupta, Craig Sheffield, Jol Valentine,
Rocco and Jacob Ranieri, Iain Barnfield,
Brendan Roser, Brent Rodgers, Frank
Guidaci, Bill Foundas, Ross Hayden,
Jacob, Benjamin John and Michael
Roberts.
Danny John
Opening the batting
at the other end,
We had ‘Milney’ on who
we all could depend.
Great with the bat and also
in the field,
When in the team each game
a win was sealed.
Mark Milne
Not Losing A Game and Most Dropped
Catches At Cover Award
Senior C Grade
Pirates 4
Captain Roy Maggio
Team Profile
We finished up with a squad
which totalled 24,
Where the playing list would end up
we were not sure.
With Sandeep, Porus, Jack Horgan
and Chris Strudwick,
We also had one game from Phil,
Jack Biddell & Matt Estwick.
Thanks For Playing Award
To open the batting we have
Mike Jenneke at No. 1,
He opened the season
with a very impressive ton.
As a dead set look alike for Tiger Woods,
We are glad Mike plays cricket
as he came up with the goods.
Mike Jenneke
Tiger Woods Lookalike Award
Darren Brekan our keeper
knows most about cricket,
He even counts the score
whilst at the wicket.
We call him ‘Mr Cricket’
as he doesn’t miss a thing,
And like his namesake Mike Hussey,
Whilst batting in the semi’s he even
pulled a hamstring.
Darren Brekan
Mr Cricket & Best Mascot Award - Spencer
A player as an all-rounder
who did very well,
Was our ‘Chris Rock’ look alike
Ashly Emmanuel.
He batted well and bowled without luck,
Because most catches from his bowling
cost our fielders 5 bucks.
Ashly Emmanuel
Unluckiest Bowler Award
For one player a certain park
was where no runs were found,
It was a curse of his surname
at this particular ground.
To get another duck at this ground
could send him looney,
At least Paul Gannan still looks like
George Clooney.
Paul Gannan
What Colour Is The Sky & Best Gully
Fieldsman Award
Jackson ‘Jacko’ Powell
was our best with the bat,
Most opposition bowlers
he treated like shat.
To finish with an average
before the finals of over 60 plus,
It was a pleasure to watch this lefty
do his stuff.
For an opening bowler
he had as good a season as any,
With a 5 wicket haul
& in other matches he took plenty.
He scored his first ever fifty
& century, with a bit of luck,
But as for his ducks, 6ft 5 Benny in fines
bloody cost his dad 50 bucks.
Jackson Powell
Gilly Batting Award
Jacko & Ash - Can’t Handle The Finals
Batting Pressure Award
Ben Hancock
Most Ducks &
Best Catch Of The Season Award
Another lefty in the team,
the Captains only boy,
Did his best with the ball
in the games without Roy.
This is because other captains
gave him a go,
We all love this Bub’s, Adam Maggio.
He wasn’t given many chances
with the ball,
But when batting in every game
he would give his all.
As the official team photographer with
tripod & cricket kit that had it all,
He’s a great teammate, good old
Ronny Hall.
Adam Maggio
Bubzy Hand Gesture Award
Ron Hall
Best Out-Swinger With A Counter Award
One bloke in the team whilst fielding out
near the boundary marker cone,
Would shout out “C’mon Pirates, C’mon
Benny, C’mon Struddy ” in such a way
opponents thought he had terrets
syndrome.
He’s great to have in the team & each
match he was serious & funny,
He is the one & only Mick Loney.
Two brothers who played and turned up
at the ground a bit toey,
Were keen to play again after the
morning games at Joey’s.
Daniel Johnson played well with a
bowling action like Brett Lee,
While Mitchell J batted with his body on
the line for his teammates to see.
Michael Loney
On-Field Enthusiasm & Lets Smash’em Award
Our main bowling weapon
when from the top of his mark,
Most opposition batsmen
we could hear them say “Fark”.
Then while he was batting
the opposition said bloody hell,
The fast in swinging lefty, “Struddy”
could bat as well.
Luke Strudwick
New Undies For Opposition Award
Daniel & Mitchell Johnson
Johnson & Johnson Award
For one player there was not too much
exercise each match,
He would just hang around at first slip
waiting for a catch.
At the finish of an over, to the other end
he would pace,
Jamie was held together with his reliable
back brace.
Jamie Hancock
BYO Grand Stand And Didn’t Get
To Sit In It Award
To bowl medium pace & bat
anywhere on the list,
When he was out for a game
his talent was missed.
He could play the shots
but if he had to would block,
He played the comp aged just 15,
he is Mitchell Hancock.
Mitchell Hancock
Most 3’s Run In One Over
& Between The Wickets Slug Award
The newest team member
who gave his most,
Was our import from the
Central Coast.
He got the runs, bowled and
only played the last few matches
When Dave Pashley fielded
he took some great catches.
Dave Pashley
Selleys Dave the Cricket & Running Laps
To Beat A Hangover Award
With Ben or Luke’s pace, the batsmen
miss without getting a little tickle,
Wicket Keeper Roy would be hit in the
chest & ended up with a 3rd nipple.
He captained and batted well but his
blood pressure was manic,
Every week our Roy would scream out
‘Don’t Panic’.
Roy Maggio
3 Nipples & Don’t Panic Award
With a team made up
with this rabble of blokes,
We enjoyed the season being a bit
serious but with plenty of jokes.
We finished the season
at the top of the ladder,
Win or lose the finals
would not really matter.
In the semi’s we found out that the
Shanachies we would meet,
And treated them like a door mat on
which we wiped our feet.
With the wet weather in the final
we were not in any rush,
We showed the Leichhardt Wanderers
the ‘S Bend’ and gave them the Royal
Flush.
So here we are Pirates 4
with the comp at its end,
I am honoured to have played
with such a fine group of men.
As for the 2011/12 season
the team may be promoted up,
But at least together in 2010/11
we won The Gus Bowe Cup.
Special mention and thanks to family &
friends for their support throughout the
season.