Season Review 2005-06

In reviewing a season where the top three Grade sides reached the semi-finals, with one of those teams going on to compete in the final, where the Club ran a very credible third in the Club Championship, where individuals won District awards and represented District teams, perception must be taken into account.
In September, if someone had said to our Club that we would have the kind of success that I have mentioned above, I would venture to say that most people would have said that we had had a successful season. As it turns out, I don't think it is unfair to say that come the end of the season, most of the Club would be disappointed at the end result, believing that more should have been made of the opportunities that came our way.

The acquisition of Matt Meurant as Captain/Coach of the Club was a terrific achievement, before a ball had even been bowled. The loss during the off season of a number of very talented players, including Scott Cox, Will Sheridan, Nick Hattersley and Mitch Gowland (who subsequently stayed with the Club until Christmas) meant that Kiama were going to rely rather heavily on their junior base, and the truckload of young players between the ages of 18-22. In order to do this, and be successful, it was imperative that an experienced coach was found to help these players progress and improve, and also find an experienced person to lead the First Grade team. In Matt, the Club was fortunate to find both. It is safe to say that his experience was what allowed First Grade to be such a competitive unit during the season. Though he began the season barely knowing any of the players, their abilities or their quirks, by season end he would have been very familiar with all of those things. Next season will provide new challenges for him. In many respects this season was a trial run

First Grade's season, though culminating in a semi-final appearance against the reigning premiers, ultimately will be seen as disappointing, one that showed so much promise, but was unable to be capitalised upon. Kiama were probably never in the same class as Albion Park and Oak Flats, but they were a better side than latter season results suggested. Kiama as a Club has a very special knack of being able to perform a collapse with either bat or ball that stupefies the critics at least once a season. This season got repeat treatments.
The phrase best suited to First Grade's season is “When they were good, they were very very good... but when they were bad, they were horrid!”
The Club rejoiced early in the season. A termination of The Rail in round one. An unprecedented outright victory over Warilla in round two – the first time since 1990 that Kiama had tasted victory in this derby in First Grade! A further defeat of Jamberoo in round three. Top of the table after three rounds. It was a dream start for the new captain and his young side.
First Grade lost only six of their fourteen regular season matches. However, it was not the fact that they lost these matches that was a cause for concern. It was the way that they lost them.
Why did the wheels fall off against Lake Illawarra, with Kiama bowled out for 48 when chasing only 115? After a wonderful bowling and fielding effort against Albion Park in the one day game, why were the batsmen unable to chase down a relatively gettable target? Following on from this, having again done a magnificent job in restricting Park to a mid-sized total in the two day game, how did the batting again fail to get even close to this score? What happened in the return match against The Rail, where the batting again failed to meet the task asked of it? Where was the spirit of the side as Oak Flats ran roughshod over them in the two day match at Cavalier Park? How, in all honesty, could this side possibly allow themselves to lose to Shellharbour City in the final round of the season, when that side had not won a single match in two seasons???
These are questions to which answers must be found if our First Grade side is going to become a real premiership threat. The fact that Kiama gave Albion Park, the eventual premiers, a run for their money in both matches this season doesn't stack up against the fact both matches were lost. The other losses listed here were dire. The reasons for that must be discovered and put right.

Dale Scifleet's coming-of-age season is to be applauded. He has had to deal with the weight of expectation that his talent has demanded since he was 15 years old. He has always shown glimpses of what he can do, without being able to cut loose. Even this season, he began like a steam train, and finished like a coal train. Carrying a team on your back can have that effect. He became the first player since Ken McDonald in 1969-70 to win both the First Grade batting and bowling awards in the same season. He won the District bowling average (not a bad feat for a part-time bowler), and also claimed the Club's Cricketer Of The Year trophy. He was selected in the Southern Zone representative side for the first time. He made his debut as First Grade captain as well. Not a bad seven months work. The future of our First Grade side lays in his hands.

Second Grade started the season on the back foot, and finished it the same way. Theirs was a season that never really seemed to move out of second gear, and the side struggled as a result. Looking to overcome the disappointment of the past two seasons, the side's momentum never got going, stalled by wet weather, weeks off at inopportune times, some woeful opponents and a revolving door in regards to player availability and selection.
The loss to Shellharbour City in the first round was a grave disappointment, and always a danger for Second Grade at that time of year with so many regular players unavailable. Despite losing first innings points to Albion Park in the two day game at Kiama, Seconds put on a great fightback on both days, and almost stole an outright victory that had Park rattled late on the second afternoon. That was almost reversed in the one day match at Christmas, when what looked as though it was going to be an easy victory for Kiama turned into a nail-biter as quick wickets fell late in the match.
Two easy outright victories against very average outfits after the two week New Year break left the team under prepared. The loss to Oak Flats was by an understrength team, while the inability to defeat The Rail outright left some huge question marks.
Another two week hiatus due to the bye meant that Seconds had had a very ordinary preparation for a semi-final. Combine this with ten dropped catches, some lazy batting and unfortunate selections, and you have a thrashing, which is what Kiama endured. Though it was not the major bearing on the result, the decision to allow Seconds to go into such an important match with only five recognised batsmen was a mistake that should never be repeated. It gave the side very little opportunity to recover once they were 3/5 in their first innings, and meant they were bowler heavy, with three very capable bowlers not even used during the first innings.
What it meant was that Second Grade, with very good teams over each of the past three seasons, had failed to win a premiership in any of them. The opportunity may well have passed them over.

Captain Steve Holz put in a very creditable effort in his first season in the job. If nothing else, he can be extremely proud of the youngsters he has brought on this season. The strides taken by Matt Unicomb, Ben King-Gee, Jason Dowling and Andrew Ross this season can be almost directly attributed to Steve's desire to have the future stars of the Club experiencing top grade cricket now. Their labours this season may be the key to challenging for that elusive premiership next season.

Mick Norris, in his debut season in Second Grade, proved that he should have been there three or four seasons ago. Though not as successful with the bat as he would have hoped, his bowling was a revelation, tying the opposition in knots and weeding out batsmen who were set. In the process he won the district bowling average and aggregate. His aggression and competitive nature make him the ideal team mate, and it was somewhat surprising that he did not play more First Grade cricket this season. One suspects that may change come September this year.

Third Grade spent most of the season as a team telling anyone who would listen that they were sure things to win Kiama's first premiership in that Grade. To those outside of the Club it may have been seen as an arrogant position to take, but it spoke volumes for the way the team approached each match during the season. Though not always the better team in the contest, the fight for Kiama was never over until the final ball was bowled.
Having won the first four games of the season fairly comfortably, the wheels fell off well and truly in the match against Lake Illawarra. With the hosts having posted a good total of 230, Kiama were then dismissed twice in under 50 overs, losing outright by an innings and plenty. Though the side was not at full strength it was a fairly hefty blow to their premiership aspirations. There was another unexpected defeat for the team in the round nine match against Shellharbour City Blue, when Kiama were dismissed for a paltry 36 in reply to 163. The match was salvaged by good runs in the second innings, but it did nothing for their confidence.
Third Grade were suitably fortunate to have the experience of two elder campaigners – Jason Wills for much of the first half of the season, and Joe Murphy for the second half. No doubt their influence played an important part in the teams season. Twice during the season Kiama came back from first innings deficits to record resounding outright victories, against Oak Flats White and Gerringong. It was an unrealised sign of what was to come, and one that experience no doubt played its part in.
Thirds won nine of their eleven matches during the regular season, in the process claiming Kiama's first Minor Premiership in Third Grade, a wonderful achievement. They then crushed Albion Park in their semi-final, despite an initial stutter in their first innings. Rescued from oblivion by Luke Bombaci, who scored 65 not out of the team total of 139, they then bowled Park out for 45, with Russell Park gathering an amazing 5/8 off 8.5 overs. Though the match pushed well into the second day, it had been over from that moment.

The Third Grade Final of 2005-06 was one of the most exciting matches seen in this Club, and all those that saw those two days would agree. Playing at home at Bonaira Street Oval, Kiama looked a nervous team as they won the toss and batted, and they stumbled to just 93. Lake Illawarra, the side that had destroyed them earlier in the season, then batted out the remainder of the first day. The opening partnership of 126 was perfectly played, giving no chances and taking every run available to them. At 2/139 at stumps, Lake celebrated like the match was already over. Many supporters thought it was too.
The fightback on the following day was one of the proudest moments in Kiama Cricket history. Ignoring the odds they were against, Kiama came out and snared 8 wickets for just 26 runs in 90 minutes, to bowl Lake out for 173, and a lead of 80 runs. Bombaci had taken 6/47 from 25 overs in a marathon stint. After a good start Kiama were only three runs to the good with three wickets in hand when Russell Park and Andy Sheehy put on a 44 run partnership that had panic beginning to creep into the Lake team. When they were finally dismissed for 128, they had at least given themselves a chance, with 48 runs to bowl at. The following 75 minutes was fascinating and heart-stopping – and that's just for the spectators. Needing only to draw, or score 49 runs, Lake had a brain explosion, and Kiama found the strength that had already nabbed them two such comeback victories during the season, crashing Lake to 6/23, and pandemonium broke out in all camps. A mini recovery was staged by the visitors, before another two wickets left them at 8/41 – two wickets or eight runs for a famous victory.
It was left to poor young Matt Cook, whose debut season was an absolute sensation, to be punched over the boundary to bring up the winning runs, and the premiership for Lake Illawarra in a sensational game of cricket.
That maiden Third Grade premiership will have to wait at least another twelve months.

It would be remiss not to mention the role of skipper Jeff Lawler in this season. Respected by all who have played with him, he took on more responsibility this season than he has in the past, batting in the top order and scoring a lot of runs. His competitiveness and yet easy going nature is a big reason for Third Grade's recent success. His leadership will be needed again next season.

Luke Bombaci has, for all intents and purposes, played his final game in Third Grade for awhile. In a season which reaped him 426 runs and 54 wickets, there is little for him to prove at this level. Not only does the Club need him to advance, he needs to do it for himself. The opportunity for success in higher Grades awaits him, and the time could not be more perfect. One can only hope that both he and the Club selectors see this as well, and ensure the opportunity is not wasted.

Fourth Grade completed their best season since 2001-02, and in the process appear to have discovered a truckload of young talented cricketers who will hopefully begin to populate Kiama's higher Grades in the coming seasons.
Nine wins from their 18 matches during the season was an excellent effort, especially considering the ages of most of the team, and their relative lack of experience compared to the sides they played against. Albion Park, Lake Illawarra and Oak Flats all have Fourth Grade sides that are populated by older experienced men, and playing against them can be a daunting task. This season, Kiama handled them with aplomb.
Though the team had only one win in their first six games, they commenced a streak of five wins in December and January that had them on the cusp of a place in the top four. A desperately disappointing loss to Shellharbour City White cost them a sixth consecutive victory. The team commendably won their final three matches of the season quite convincingly, thus finishing the season in 6th position. There is little doubt that the experience that each player has received during the course of this season will be of enormous value come next season. The good oil is that a number of these players will be in line for promotion up the Grades as early as 2006-07, which is good news for the Kiama Club.

Ageless captain Bruce McNaught toned down his playing this season, eventually passing on the captaincy role to Josh Grosse. Between the two, the team has been well led, with all players given the opportunity to play and perform in all positions. This is invaluable at the Fourth Grade level, to ensure that the players are not only happy, but improving their skills along the way. Players like Grant Regan, Lindsay King-Gee, Brendon Czulowski, Matt Stewart and Josh Runge are players whose future may lie at a higher level.

Kiama's chances of glory in the Country Cup knockout competition fell victim to the weather, with their second round match against Keira washed out without a ball being bowled. As a result of no spare day being scheduled, Keira progressed through to the next round by having a better rate rate after the first round. Having defeated Nowra in the first round, this was a disappointing end for Kiama. Players and supporters can only dream of the 'road trip' for the final 16 to Dubbo for another 12 months.

Former Cavalier Will Sheridan provided one of the season highlights for the Club, even though he was no longer affiliated with us. Having moved to Canberra to play with A.N.U. Will was selected in the A.C.T. Under 19's team to play in the National Championships in Perth. Batting at three and bowling first change, he did enough to be chosen in the Australian Under 19 team to play in the World Cup in Sri Lanka, a great honour. He made a couple of appearances in Australia's doomed campaign, top scoring in their match against U.S.A at a time when the match hung in the balance.
For a player who averaged under 10 with the bat and over 20 with the ball for Kiama in 2004-05, it was a huge jump. The Cavaliers loved every moment, and look forward to Will continuing to build his career away from home base.

Off the field, the Club continued to be extremely sociable, though not always together, which is something that still needs to be worked on. An extremely successful Mexican Night was held at the Kiama Golf Club in February, and the great atmosphere of the evening should ensure that it becomes a regular event. The Punters Club, run by the tireless Josh Elliott was a fantastic success, its formula of selecting runners every Saturday proving to be a winner. The day held at Randwick on Sydney Cup Day was an unmitigated triumph, with everyone involved having a great time. The Punters Club should be bigger and better next season if everyone gets involved. Further bonding sessions were held with great attendance. With more organisation in the coming season, we could see off-field spirit rising to unheard of levels.

The Club executive, headed by President Ross Wolf and Treasurer Wayne Richardson have again done themselves proud with the administration of the Club as a whole. Their tireless efforts are to be applauded. It is to be hoped that the new administration for the coming season can continue the great work that has been done in the past decade.

The 2005-06 season has concluded, with advancements in most areas. If this can be continued into 2006-07, there is no telling what may be reported on come this time in twelve months. Let's hope it is all positive.

Andy Sheehy's 3rd Grade Final Report - with reprint authority

Match: Kiama vs. Lake Illawarra - Grand Final
Place: Bonaria Street Oval, Kiama
Date: 25/03/06 and 26/03/06


The grand final was here and if we didn't realise it for ourselves, the overwhelming feeling of anticipation would have told you that this was going to be a high pressure game. With the hill already beginning to populate, Lake Illawarra and Kiama set up their respective camps at Bonaria Street Oval readying themselves for the biggest game of the 3rd grade season. With only 3 losses between both team for the whole season, and Kiama looking to exact some revenge for an earlier season loss at the hands of the Lakers, it was pretty much a flip of the coin to who was going into the match as favourites. Kiama were coming in as minor premiers and on the back of comprehensive semi final win against Albion Park. Lake Illawarra however, lost only one game throughout the season, but fewer outright wins, would see them come in third place. They snuck home against Gerringong in the semi final, but in the only meeting of the season, Lake did give Kiama a cricketing lesson, flogging us by an innings and plenty!


So the stage was set for what would be an epic encounter. With both sides at near full strength, Kiama lost the toss, and were sent in by the Lake Illawarra skipper, in a move that surprised many in the Kiama camp, who were of the belief that it is always better to bat first and get the runs on the board in high pressure games like this. Kiama started out with the usual opening pair of electrifying Tommy Mayes and the experience of Joe "Spud" Murphy. Kiama got off to a quick start with Tommy Mayes getting off to his usual quick start but was dismissed in the second over after ballooning a full toss to mid on. Spud was joined at the crease by Simon Pearson and the two began to build a useful partnership, before Spud drove a ball straight to mid off and Kiama were not exactly travelling well at 2/21.


With Simon looking much better than he had in previous weeks, and looking more like the batsmen who began the season with a classy ton, and Jeff beginning to take charge of the young Lake bowling attack. I didn't actually see Simon get bowled because I was in the process of taking a piss when I heard a cheer and had to stop mid stream (that shows commitment) and sprint back to get my gear. Simon was dismissed for 9 and with the Cavs sitting shaky on 3/46. Things got a whole lot worse (no not because I was now at the crease!) when Jeff Lawler top edged an attempted pull shot and held out in the deep and Kiama went to drinks at 4/46.


Soon after drinks and the Cavalier collapse continued as I was dismissed without troubling the scorers and Kiama were in deep trouble at 5/51. Kiama still had hope of a revival with Mr 165, Russell Park, coming to the crease to join Bombaci. But this hope was soon dashed as a pearler of a delivery knocked Russell's off stump out of the ground and Kiama were 6/61. In a near mirror image of our semi final 1st innings, Kiama were crumbling while Luke Bombaci held strong, hitting out and giving hope to another miracle Cavalier recovery. However unlike the semi final, Lake Illawarra obviously knew Bombaci's strengths which is mighty suspicious since in the only game this season he played against Lake, he didn't actually do anything with the bat (conspiracy theory #1).


But unfortunately for Kiama, Bombaci couldn't match his semi final heroics with the bat as he was unlucky in chopping one back onto his stumps with his score on 26 and Kiama slumped to 7/81. With the Cavaliers staring grand final disaster in the face, grand final disaster dead set gave us a swift backhand to the face when Nathan Simpson was bowled for 4, as Kiama shook their head in disbelief as they looked at the scoreboard that read 8/85. After receiving a well deserved promotion to #10, Matt Cook came to the crease and got more respect from the Lake Illawarra team than anyone expected. How? Well you don't normally immediately send a couple of players to the boundary for a #10 batsmen unless you know something (conspiracy theory #2).


Well the respect shown to Cooky must have worked because the semi final batting sensation was dismissed for a duck and Kiama were in the tragic position of 9/86. Whilst some of us on the sidelines were praying for Robbie Wakeham to re-live his 56 not from earlier in the season, and getting off the mark was a great start. However any chance of seeing Robbie blast the Lake attack was cut short when Jason Horley was bowled for 8 and Kiama's innings came to a close on the grand total of 94.


Kiama attempted to regroup in the short break between innings, clinging to the self belief that we had no less than 7 days ago, skittled Albion Park for 45 on this same ground. Once again Kiama were to look to our stellar bowling attack to bail us out of trouble once again. As the 3rd grade Cavs came out to a thunderous reception from the very rowdy hill, including a booming rendition of "Beneath the Southern Cross", Kiama were set for the carnival atmosphere that included the rollercoaster ride that was expected.


As we have become used to, Matt Cook and Luke Bombaci opened the bowling and terrorised the opening partnership. However the gritty Lake openers kicked, scratched and clawed their way through the storm. With runs extremely hard to come by and the hill letting each other batsmen know it, Lake were able to move into tea with no damage and a fair chunk taken out of the target. Kiama's dismal day was beginning to eat away at the self belief that had sent us to the minor premiership. It seemed that nothing was going our way. Edges went wide of desperate, outstretched hands, run out opportunities missed by the smallest of margins and LBW cries were turned down over and over again.


After tea, a double bowling change putting Nathan Simpson and Russell Park into the attack did little to ease the Cavalier frustration. As the scoreboard slowly ticked over, the confidence of both Lake openers grew and grew. Neither Nathan or Russell could break through and the introduction of Robbie Wakeham's off spin was also unable to break the partnership. A tough chance was grassed by Simpson with the score on 85 that could have proved helpful, but it was not the Cavaliers day on Saturday as Lake managed to cruise past Kiama's 1st innings total, with no wickets down. Though one opener could not really dwell too long on passing the total as the very next ball he was struck in the jaw by a vicious Bombaci bouncer (hey it was a highlight for us on day 1!)


With both openers passing their crucial half centuries, captain Lawler was unable to find the right answers to break the partnership. Until he threw the ball to one of the "A-team" crew and with Jason Horley's first ball he clean bowled the Lake opener. After toiling away in the hot sun, the 3rd grade bowling union could only shake their head in disbelief as Horley did what they all couldn't do, and he did it with one ball (The A-Team rules). Soon after Horley the Destroyer took the prize scalp of the remaining opener as he got one to rise up early on the batsmen who could only deflect it straight to Matt Cook at 1st slip. 2 quick wickets, but the damage was already done. Despite a some what comical send off from the hill for both players (we were laughing on the inside), and though it wasn't always "pretty", the Lake openers did their job perfectly. Maybe if some of the Kiama batsmen decided to follow suit and tough it out, instead of playing like our logo, and attempting to look "pretty" we may have been able to add a 1 in front of our dismal 1st innings total of 94. The Lake openers deserve all the credit because even with the barrage and sometimes embarrassing abuse they were copping from the hill, they hung tough, exactly what you need in finals cricket.


The day came to a close with Lake 2 down for 140 odd and in a commanding position. The two camps could not be anymore of a contrast. Kiama were hanging their heads in shame thinking about what could have been. On the other hand, Lake were celebrating their day one victory... But did they celebrate too much too early? Because cricket is indeed a funny game and only a true blue, one eyed Cavalier could have predicted what would happen next!


Day two arrived and it was a bright, sunny day, similar to the day before, and Kiama were looking to restore some pride, though only a miracle would see Kiama pull out a victory. Talk before the start of play was that we need quick wickets and knew with the average age of the Lake Illawarra team being quite young, if momentum began to swing in our favour, we could begin to claw back. With Bombaci and Cook beginning the day, it wasn't long until Bombaci ripped one through the #3 from Lake before clean bowling another Lake youngster. The run of wickets continued with Bombaci capturing another Lake player LBW. And the Lake foundations were further shaken when Matt Cook clean bowled another Lake youngster who was looking dangerous.


This brought to the crease were the father and son combination that destroyed us during the previous match up early in the season. When the Lake skipper skied a ball, everyone wanted to know were Robbie Wakeham was, hoping history would not repeat itself. However instead of going to Robbie, the ball went directly to Simon Pearson and Lake had fallen to 7/172 and it was soon 9/172 when Bombaci put himself on a hat-trick clean bowling one of the Lake tailenders and picking up his 6th wicket for the morning after picking getting a LBW decision the ball before. Kiama ended the Lake innings picking up the 8th wicket in the morning session with Nathan Simpson picking up his first wicket for the innings trapping the Lake #11 in front and Kiama had fought back from Day 1 disaster to roll Lake for 173, with the morning destruction resulting in 8 wickets falling for 30 runs.


All credit has to go to our bowlers, especially Luke Bombaci who rebounded from a bad day on Saturday to capture 6/18 in the morning session in one of the most devastating bowling spells third grade has ever seen. He had excellent back up initially from Matt Cook, followed by Nathan Simpson but the innings, well the Sunday morning part of it belonged to Bombaci. We needed early wickets and we got them all, a feat that we did not think was possible seeing as though we could only manage 2 wickets in double the time less than 24 hours beforehand. But now going into Kiama's 2nd innings, momentum was in our court, only being 79 runs behind and with plenty of time still left in the day.


With about half hour before lunch on day two, Spud and Tommy were sent out with the hope of coming back at lunch still with their pads on. And returned they did and Kiama went into lunch looking much happier than day 1, with Lake now holding a 50 odd run lead, and Kiama still having all 10 2nd innings wicket remaining. However soon after lunch, just as Tommy was looking as though he was going to unleash, he was dismissed for 20 and Kiama were 1/36. Soon after Simon Pearson was dismissed for 1 after a good catch in the covers and Kiama were 2/39. In the quest for quick runs, Nathan Simpson was bumped up the order and he and Spud began ticking the scoreboard over before Nathan was dismissed and Kiama were 3/52 still needing 27 to make Lake Illawarra bat again.


The Cavaliers were hoping that Jeff Lawler and Spud could guide Kiama to the 79 target before unleashing hell, but this was not the case because soon after Nathan's wicket Spud was given out LBW and soon after that Jeff was bowled and Kiama were 5/61. In a continued effort for quick runs, big hitting Robbie Wakeham was promoted from his #11 spot and was joined by bowling hero Bombaci and these two were able to guide Kiama past the 79, but were not able to extend the Cavalier lead much with both men being dismissed soon after passing the total, Robbie for 11 and Bombaci for 15.


At the crease for the Cavaliers was myself and Russell Park. Somehow Lake knew I hadn't scored runs for weeks, a sledge (maybe it was an educated comment) that was riddled with errors, since I hadn't scored runs all year, but scored runs last week (take that wicket keeper!). However knowledge of my lacklustre season means one thing... Conspiracy theory #3! How would they know that considering I am not famous, nor am I usually a threat to opposing teams... Very interesting, and a point I will get to later.


Back to the game and Russell and I decided that with the fall of quick wickets, we should try and hang around to tea and tick the scoreboard over. Quick singles were taken and some singles were made into doubles as Russell and I ran between the wickets like maniacs. One personal highlight was a silent call from Russell that resulted in a second run being taken whilst the Lake skipper had his back turned, which seemed to delight the hill, who had no hesitation in hurling a couple of sledges his way. In between the sneaky singles, Russell and I were able to hit the odd boundary before the game was nearly called off due to hell freezing over.


Now I am not one to usually sledge a young, up and coming bowler, not because its against my nature, but usually I have already been dismissed by them and it is hard to get a good, credible sledge on your way back to the pavilion. However the left arm bowler opening bowler from Lake needs to have a good look at himself in the mirror, not because he did an unsavoury sledge towards me, but because I hit him for six... YES I HIT A SIX! The crowd erupted and children cried in admiration (OK maybe a bit of a stretch) because I finally found out that my bat does have a middle. From all accounts someone was fishing the ball out of the Norris backyard afterwards, but then again I did have a lot to drink on Sunday night, so that may be exaggerated. Unfortunately for the crowd who was still in disbelief, I was dismissed 2 balls later for 28 and Kiama were 8/127, after Russell and I put on 44 valuable runs.


The two remaining wickets were picked up quickly with Jason Horley stumped for a duck and Russell being bowled in an effort for more quick runs with his score on 16, leaving Cooky stranded on 0 not out, possibly robbing him of another 2nd innings 50 (He was using my bat and it is due for one). Kiama's innings came to a close with the score on 128 an overall lead of 49 runs. An early tea was taken and Kiama were geeing themselves up for one final onslaught. After the events of earlier in the day, and momentum heavily in our court, there was a feeling that we could pull this off, but knowing that everything would have to go off perfectly for the Cavaliers to pull of the miracle win.


The Cavaliers got off to a great start when Bombaci picked up an early wicket, trapping one of the openers who nearly broke us on day 1, and Lake started off not how they wanted as they were 1/7. Soon after the game plan to rid the other opener worked perfectly and Kiama were starting to move towards the unthinkable. With the crowd building by the minute and the pressure all on Lake Illawarra, two of their youngsters were out at the crease and the #3 was being terrorised by Bombaci and Simpson (as well as the fielders) before his middle stump was uprooted by a pearler from Simpson and Lake were 3/18. Next ball and another wicket as Simmo caught Scott Usher plumb in front and Lake were on the brink of disaster at 4/18.


Next over and Bombaci clean bowled another batsmen and Lake were 5/19 and when a dicey run was taken as the batsmen took on my arm (usually that's a safe bet), but not this time as I rocketed it into Spuds gloves, only to be hit by despair as the ball bounced out of Spuds gloves. When we turned around, the square leg umpire had his fingers up. Now most of us were in shock, and the gobful that the umpire copped made it safe to assume that Lake thought he same way, however after the game, the umpire told me that the ball had bounced off Spud's gloves into the stumps before Spuds gloves wrecked the stumps... A stroke of luck for the Cavaliers and maybe someone upstairs was wearing a Cavalier shirt!


After day one, Lake Illawarra had one hand and 4 fingers on the 3rd grade trophy... The Sunday fightback from the Cavaliers has seen those 4 fingers taken off and replaced with the hand of the Cavalier, because at 6/23, this game was well and truly back on. 4 wickets remaining and 27 runs still to get with Kiama well on top. However with the Lake skipper still at the crease, Kiama knew they couldn't rest for one second. After a somewhat steadying partnership by the Lake skipper and his son, Bombaci shattered the Lake Illawarra camp when he caught the Lake skipper in front and Lake had fallen to 7/36.


At this time, Bombaci and Nathan were running on empty. Both men were drawing from something inside that kept them giving 150% on every ball despite being totally exhausted. Bombaci was dillusional as he thought I was the umpire (maybe he was drunk?) and Nathan was struggling with a calf injury. Bombaci was called upon to work through the exhaustion barrier and young Matt Cook was thrown into the pressure cooker as he replaced Nathan Simpson and it proved extremely worthwhile when Cooky clean bowled another Lake batsmen and Lake were now 8/41.


A close LBW shout off Bombaci and a hard caught and bowled attempt that went down by Cooky were the only chances before Harry Webb smacked a six onto the Bonaria hill to pick up the victory and let the celebrations begin. Hats off to Lake Illawarra for winning the 2005/06 3rd grade premiership, as they totally outplayed us on Day 1 and managed to hold their nerve in the thrilling ending. However Kiama Cavaliers have nothing to be ashamed of. The fightback that we showed on Sunday was legendary and if we pulled off the victory it would have gone down in Cavalier history books. We showed true character and team spirit. Everyone thought we were down and out and that included most of the 11 players. But it was the team spirit that kept us fighting and nearly pulled of a great victory in one of the greatest grand finals of all time.


Luke Bombaci deserves a bloody medal for the way he bowled on Sunday. I was at mid off late in the day and I can tell you, Luke was cactus... He had nothing left at all, but kept bowling with the same intensity every ball. 10 wickets in a match, let alone a day is a terrific effort and capped off a great season were he led both the batting and bowling aggregate at the end of the season (thankfully for all of us, he wasn't ahead on the batting aggregate at the end of the regular season... I don't think we could have survived the off season if he had won them both). Simmo battled through the pain of a calf injury for a few overs and that picked up vital wickets in the 2nd dig. And Cooky... What a rookie season! These three and Russell Park, who may or may not have played his last game of cricket for the Cavaliers were the reason we were minor premiers and nearly became premiers. Countless times they bailed us out of jail with terrific bowling spells. They were the backbone of our team this season and deserve all the praise that can be thrown their way.


But you may or may not be asking about these conspiracy theories I have been referring too... How did Lake Illawarra know so much about the Kiama 3rd grade Cavs. Was their Lake Illawarra spies watching our matches, making a database on each player in preparation for the Grand Final? Probably not, though I would like to see mine if that theory was correct. Are the 3rd grade Cavs just that famous that everyone knows about us? Well besides Bombaci thinking he is, it probably isn't the case. No my theory is one that was very hard for me to believe... Lake Illawarra 3rd grade were using my reports to gain knowledge on our players! DAMMIT! Despite my reports being famous, and I am starting to build my cult following before I take on world domination, it still hurt us... Next year I am thinking of writing a decoy report that says I have been hitting sixes left right and centre and watch all the teams go on the boundary.


That being said congratulations Lake Illawarra (I know you are reading this, hence proving my theory correct), and congratulations to the 3rd grade Cavaliers for a great season!


Man of the Match: Luke Bombaci (Match figures of 10/68 off 42 overs and 41 runs for the match)

Special mentions:

3rd Grade Cavaliers (nearly the fightback of the century)
The Hill (for some top calls throughout the weekend)
Me (for hitting a six!!!!)


Well that's the way the season ended. I can't write a report on what happened back at the Grand because I can't remember a bloody thing, besides a lot of beer being drunk!

I'm Andy Sheehy writing off for season 05/06!

3rd Grade Final Review

Thought I’d better have a say here now, as Andy might be drunk for three days. I know I would be!!

Day One was one of the most disappointing days play I have watched. It looked as though our guys just thought they had to turn up, and the premiership would be theirs. Though I know there would have been a lot of nerves, the intensity appeared to be missing.
Being bowled out for 94 was not a good start. Discussion on the Cavaliers Hill at Bonaira Street thought that 140 would be a good total, something that gave our guys something to defend. The final total was small and gettable, but there was plenty of confidence that Kiama’s bowling attack could defend it.
You have to give credit to the Lake openers, who batted superbly in the circumstances to erase that total without loss of wickets (though Simmo’s dropped chance on 89 hurt…). They just bumped the ball around, took the runs on offer, and played terrifically well. The stumps score of 2/140 looked ominous for the boys, and one wondered how long the match would progress on the Sunday.

Day Two was a complete reversal of the previous day, and was scintillating cricket. Lake obviously though the match was all over, while Kiama came out with the intensity and drive that they should have done on Saturday. Luke Bombaci was sensational, his six wickets for the innings all coming in this 90 minute period. Simmo and Cooky both took one apiece at the other end, and Lake lost 8/33 in the morning to be bowled out for 173, a lead of 79.
Joe and Tommy saw the total through to lunch, and the game was back on, with Kiama 0/24, just 55 behind with all wickets in hand. On the Hill, we saw the situation that we had to bat until tea, declare, and bowl Lake out for whatever lead we had.
Wickets fell steadily after the break. Kiama hit the lead, but were six wickets down in the process. The lead was (I believe ) 9 runs, when a great 8th wicket partnership between Russell Park and Andy Sheehy took place. They took quick singles, turned ones into twos, and grabbed boundaries where they could. It was great cricket, and had Lake really sweating. Andy hit a fantastic six that lifted everyone, only to be dismissed two balls later. When Russell was bowled, Kiama were all out for 128, a lead of 49, and two and a quarter hours left to play.
Enter Bombaci and Simpson. Again bowling with the type of intensity that appeared missing on Saturday, these two ripped holes in the Lake batting, leaving them 6/23 at the final drinks break – and the match was in the balance. Luke was sensational, while Simmo took time to warm to the task, but came to the party with two wickets in an over. Andy Sheehy’s rocket arm to Joe Murphy for a superb ‘run out’ also swayed the game Kiama’s way.
Lake’s skipper Bruce Clark began to block his way to a draw, but was outdone by a Bombaci thunderbolt that left him trapped in front. Matt Cook replaced a tiring Simmo, and took out the middle stump of Lake’s number nine, and the score was 8/40, and The Hill was ecstatic.
Poor old Cooky then dropped what would have been a great caught and bowled off Harry Webb at 42, which may have meant the match. Two overs later, Harry sent a ball from Cooky bouncing halfway up Cavs Hill, and the game was over.
It was the end of a sensational day’s cricket. 26 wickets had fallen, and 211 runs scored, and though the result went the other way, our guys have nothing to be down about. They fought to the very end – the VERY END!

A few thoughts.

Luke Bombaci – has played his final match of 3rd Grade. His was a sensational effort. Jason Wills performed the best ever all-round effort I have seen in the semi-final against Warilla at Gerringong two years ago. Luke’s was the second best. He carried the team on his back on Sunday – 11 wickets for the match (I think), and about 40 runs. Just brilliant. He is wasting his time if he doesn’t go up the grades and show his talents on another level.

Matt Cook – for a kid, just had a special performance with the ball. Looks the goods, and will only improve in the future.

Andy Sheehy – averaging about 3 runs over 3 seasons, but what a great effort late on Sunday, with the bat and in the field. His batting, along with Russell, gave his bowlers a total to chase. Sensible cricket. His fielding for the run-out (DREADFUL call by the Lake skipper) was also sensational (better than the keeping of it…). Next season, we’ll just tell him he is in that situation very weekend, and we may have him back in award-winning form.

Joe Murphy – may be the old warhorse, but you could see his steadying influence on the Sunday keeping the guys in check. Couldn’t ask for a better person to be there in the trenches in that type of game, and almost got them over the line, when the senior Lake players appeared to be panicking.

Tommy Mayes – a whippet in the field, and showed glimpses with the bat. For his first season back in the game, he showed he can be a very good player in the Club in the coming years.

Congratulations to all of 3rd Grade. OK, so we don’t have that elusive premiership. Yes, Saturday was probably the day when it got away. But you can all be proud of the effort you put in on Sunday.

Special mention to Sam Wolf, who, despite Luke’s heroics, was easily Man Of The Match. 9am Grand on Saturday morning to 3am at Ria’s, then 9am Grand Sunday morning until (I am reliably informed) close at the Grand on Sunday night.
Also to Dale, Jaya, Barrie, Tim and Matt who were at the game for both days, as well as Richo and Pump (though both left yesterday to watch the SOCCER with the Cavs defending 50…). These are the guys who stuck it out with the boys for both days, which is the real Cavalier way. They also can be proud of their effort.

I am proud to be a Cavalier. Thanks boys.

3rd Grade Final Preview

3rd Grade Final
Kiama Cavaliers Vs Lake Illawarra Lakers
Bonaira Street Oval
With the job done last weekend, and done well with a thrashing of the experienced Albion Park team, all attention turns to this weekend, and the final of the 3rd Grade competition between Kiama and Lake Illawarra.
Lake Illawarra will be a similar proposition for the Kiama side as Albion Park were. Both are heavily experienced teams, both have won the 3rd Grade premiership in recent seasons, and both have – or had – every reason to believe that they could beat Kiama in a final, given the Club's record in the past decade in such matches. Both teams rely on steady bowling and explosive batting. Albion Park was not prepared for the steely determination that now rests in this Kiama team, nor the belief that they are the best team in the competition, nor the raw aggression of the youth that has arrived, or the importance of the veterans that have continued. One wonders if Lake Illawarra know of the storm that is about to hit them.

The teams met once this season, at beautiful Morley Park, in a match that Kiama has tried to forget since it finished. Lake Illawarra batted first, and were in some trouble at 6/50 in their first innings before a seventh wicket partnership of 131 between two of the Clark clan got them to safety, and a final score of 230. Kiama, though fielding a weakened team, and certainly nothing like the side that will show up this weekend, should have done much better, and were quickly and decisively bowled out twice in quick order for just 71 and 91, losing by an innings and plenty. At the time, it was a setback of incalculable proportions. As it turned out, it was probably just the tonic that was required.

Playing the final at Bonaira Street Oval should provide Kiama with some sort of advantage. It will certainly be decisive in light of the fact that Kiama has not lost at the grand old ground this season.
Winning the toss and batting is an advantage that was proven in the semi-final, and will be important again. A score on the board – any score – is a bonus, especially in 3rd Grade cricket.
Last season, Albion Park made 176 in the first innings of the semi-final, and won comfortably. Two seasons ago, Albion Park made 215 in the first innings of the semi-final, and won by 46 runs. Three seasons ago, at Bonaira Street, Oak Flats made 150 in the first innings of the semi-final, and won by 46 runs. Four seasons ago, Albion Park scored almost 200 in the first innings of the semi-final, and won comfortably.
I think I may have made my point. It's not the be-all and end-all of the match, but in Kiama's recent history, it has proven to be pretty bloody important.

The semi-final showed up Kiama's strengths and weaknesses well. Joe and Tom look to get the team off to a quick start, mainly as Joe will not play any other way but attack the ball that is full. From that point, assuming the opening partnership is successful, the innings is set up for the likes of Simon, Jeff, Luke, Andy and Russell to play their natural games, and progress the total along at their own pace. Anything between 150 and 200 will be a good score. Anything over 200, and it is almost game over.
The strength of Luke, Matt, Nathan, Russell and Rob with the ball is probably the key to this match. They need to fire from the outset, as they did against Albion Park. By obliterating the top order, they can strangle to the flow of the Lake runs, and let them get themselves out going for outrageous shots to break their hold.

Despite the result of their match in November, Kiama will start this game as favourite. The teams have changed since that contest, Kiama's to massive improvement. The match will be in Kiama, and there is likely to be the biggest crowd ever seen at a cricket match in the town for decades. More than likely, most of Lake Illawarra's supporters will be at the the First Grade final, leaving their 3rd Graders to fight the battle alone.

This match will not be a blowout. The Lake side are very experienced, and will not be overawed by the occasion, or the Kiama supporters. They have won premierships before. Having said that however, they will not have the youth aspect in their side that Kiama will, which will be charging down doors to get into this final and smash it wide open on the first day. Though the veterans have played in so many finals games and will as such have an edge, this match will be won by the kids – Tommy Mayes, Matt Cook, Luke Bombaci, Nathan Simpson, Andy Sheehy. They will win it because they want to win it so much, and their enthusiasm will set the standard that this final will be played at.

This is the 34th time the 3rd Grade competition has been fought out in the South Coast District Cricket Association... and Kiama's time has come. By Sunday night, Kiama's name will be inscribed on that trophy after a famous victory. Get out there and watch it, and be a part of it.

Vital Statistics

Joe Murphy3rd Grade 2005-06 – 165 runs at 23.57. HS 51*.
3rd Grade Career – 1040 runs at 18.57. HS 80. 10 wickets at 7.00. BB 2/1.
3rd Grade Career vs Lake Illawarra - 174 runs at 21.75. HS 77.

Tom Mayes
3rd Grade 2005-06 – 294 runs at 24.50. HS 63. 6 wickets at 17.50. BB 4/40.
3rd Grade Career – 294 runs at 24.50. HS 63. 6 wickets at 17.50. BB 4/40.
3rd Grade Career vs Lake Illawarra – n/a

Simon Pearson3rd Grade 2005-06 – 241 runs at 17.21. HS 100.
3rd Grade Career – 1361 runs at 21.27. HS 100. 27 wickets at 14.63. BB 4/15.
3rd Grade Career vs Lake Illawarra – 72 runs at 72.00. HS 69*. 6 wickets at 6.33. BB 4/15.

Jeff Lawler
3rd Grade 2005-06 – 375 runs at 25.00. HS 75.
3rd Grade Career – 1311 runs at 24.74. HS 89.
3rd Grade Career vs Lake Illawarra – 111 runs at 18.50. HS 55.

Andrew Sheehy3rd Grade 2005-06 – 122 runs at 8.33. HS 33. 2 wickets at 24.50. BB 1/11.
3rd Grade Career – 1025 runs at 11.92. HS 64. 20 wickets at 25.00. BB 3/7.
3rd Grade Career vs Lake Illawarra – 101 runs at 16.83. HS 40. 1 wicket at 44.00. BB 1/44.

Luke Bombaci3rd Grade 2005-06 – 385 runs at 35.00. HS 65*. 40 wickets at 9.15. BB 5/16.
3rd Grade Career – 1560 runs at 18.80. HS 67. 119 wickets at 14.53. BB 6/31.
3rd Grade Career vs Lake Illawarra – 84 runs at 12.00. HS 41. 10 wickets at 18.40. BB 5/55.

Russell Park3rd Grade 2005-06 – 192 runs at 64.00. HS 54*. 26 wickets at 12.12. BB 6/36.
3rd Grade Career – 1525 runs at 25.00. HS 105*. 185 wickets at 15.70. BB 6/7.
3rd Grade Career vs Lake Illawarra – 150 runs at 37.50. HS 56*. 5 wickets at 23.60. BB 2/10.

Nathan Simpson
3rd Grade 2005-06 – 75 runs at 12.50. HS 41. 17 wickets at 13.18. BB 6/61.
3rd Grade Career – 181 runs at 13.92. HS 41. 45 wickets at 10.51. BB 7/34 (incl hat trick).
3rd Grade Career vs Lake Illawarra – n/a

Rob Wakeham
3rd Grade 2005-06 – 111 runs at 9.25. HS 53*. 22 wickets at 18.41. BB 4/9.
3rd Grade Career – 366 runs at 7.62. HS 53*. 76 wickets at 19.46. BB 5/42.
3rd Grade Career vs Lake Illawarra – 130 runs at 21.67. HS 53*. 11 wickets at 15.73. BB 5/42.

Jason Horley3rd Grade 2005-06 – 111 runs at 10.09. HS 27*. 5 wickets at 19.80. BB 1/5.
3rd Grade Career – 168 runs at 8.40. HS 27*. 14 wickets at 19.29. BB 2/12.
3rd Grade Career vs Lake Illawarra – 27 runs at 13.50. HS 18*. 1 wicket at 52.00. BB 1/5.

Matt Cook3rd Grade 2005-06 – 82 runs at 11.71. HS 56*. 30 wickets at 10.70. BB 4/24.
3rd Grade Career - 82 runs at 11.71. HS 56*. 30 wickets at 10.70. BB 4/24.
3rd Grade Career vs Lake Illawarra – 5 runs at 5.00. HS 5. 2 wickets at 11.50. BB 2/23.

2nd Grade Semi-Final Report - Kiama v Albion Park

2nd Grade Semi-Final
Kiama Cavaliers Vs Albion Park Eagles
Oakleigh Park


Kiama 2nd Grade revisited old demons and familiar disappointments last weekend as they went down to Albion Park in their semi-final at Oakleigh Park. One hundred minutes of undisciplined batting turned what could have been a great final into yet another chance to rue poor decisions in years to come.

Skipper Steve Holz chose this time to lose the toss, and Albion Park batted on a wicket that was certainly flat, but with obvious moisture under the surface.
The opening was slow and steady. Neither batsman was particularly active, protecting their wicket, while Josh Elliott and Jason Dowling bowled superb opening spells, probably their best for the season. Jason in particular was proving unplayable, beating the bat regularly and with ease. He had Cajar dropped down the legside early, which was the first of what was to prove a number of costly chances put down by the Cavaliers again in a semi-final. Cummins frustration was obvious, and after a couple of drives that went straight to fieldsmen, he got a rank half tracker from Jason, which he summarily pulled straight to mid-wicket, where Holzy snatched in a great catch. 1/24.
Mark Grimson arrived at the wicket, and looked very underdone. He gave an early chance to short mid-wicket when he was three that should have been caught off Josh – which proved to be costly as well. While Cajar held up his end, Grimmo mixed a couple of good shots with more regular fortunate ones in an unconvincing but fast scoring effort.
Closing in on lunch, and the scoreboard read 1/87. Continuing the joviality of the day, I mentioned rather loudly that the score was 87, and that Grimmo was a bit superstitious about the score. It got the laugh I was looking for (just for my own goodwill…), but from Rocket’s following delivery he offered a huge swipe at the ball and missed completely. This got the team going, while Grimmo offered, “That’ll be enough from you Bill!” The following delivery was a pearler off a good length that clipped the top edge of his bat, and was neatly pocketed by Tim Wolf at second slip – and the boys erupted. It’s not often that an offhand comment picks up results in cricket, but it had worked a treat here. The funniest part about it was when we discovered later that the score had actually been 89 – but no one on the field knew that, and it will forever in Kiama folklore be 87. More importantly, in two balls from Dan Reilly, the tide of the match changed in our direction.
Ferguson came to the wicket, and was greeted with some kind words from Elliott and Peters. The words kept coming from around the bat, and within two overs of playing and missing at the ageing leg spinner, he had hit a ball straight back at him and was dismissed caught and bowled. Suddenly Park were 3/91, and visions of their collapse in the two day game in October came rushing back as Kiama went to lunch at least on par with their opponents.

After lunch Park continued their crawl, obviously in no hurry to post a total. The bowling from Reilly and Peters was tight (which was most unusual), and gave few scoring opportunities. Warren Campion had come in at the fall of Ferguson’s wicket, and like most of his team mates was struggling to stay in a defensive mode. He had eventually had enough, and tickled another good Rocket delivery to Ben King-Gee, who took the catch to the glee of the bowler, but less so to his fellow bowler, to whom BKG had dropped the same batsman twice in the space of an over just after the break.
Brendan Burns strolled to the wicket, and immediately Holzy brought back his strike weapon. Jellie has had the wood on Skippy, and so it proved again here, as he again collected him on the front pad with the first ball he bowled at him, resulting in a successful LBW appeal. The batsman was less than impressed, but the Cavs had another wicket, and at 5/121 the game was poised again.
The next over brought more success. Tim Wolf had suggested bringing himself in to a short front square, almost on the wicket, and it paid dividends quickly when the ageing leg-spinner got one to turn and bounce, and Cajar popped it straight into his hands.
Two dangerous batsmen remained in Trent Glover and Scott Coombes, but Josh took care of both. He continued his spell over Glover when he forced him to follow a widish delivery which he could only edge through to the keeper, while it was only self-preservation against Woofer when he blasted a half volley straight back at his head, which Josh took with both hands – though I’m sure he barely saw the ball, and certainly would have ended in hospital if he hadn’t taken it off his nose.
Mick Norris was swung around to bowl after Josh’s spell ended, and he cleaned up the final two wickets of the innings, having Kast caught behind again by the keeper (who is obviously still pissed off with me about the Rail game a few weeks ago, because he caught everything off everyone else but me!!!) and bowling Calder, for a final score of 164. Park had lost their final nine wickets for 75 runs, which was a great effort by the bowlers.
Josh Elliott bowled his fastest and most accurate spell of the season in taking 3/40, while Jason was almost unplayable in his only spell, taking 1/17. Dan Reilly bowled by far and away his finest spell of the season too, finishing with 2/31, and Mick Norris was his accurate nagging self with 2/31. The ageing leg-spinner bowled as well as he can for 2/46.

An early tea was taken, leaving the Cavs about 140 minutes to bat. They used only 95 of them. In short, the boys seemed to have left their heads in the shed, as they were quickly put away for just 70 runs. Holzy and Sav had a rescue mission in the middle order, putting on 50 for the fourth wicket, but little else could be said for a performance that was right up there in humiliating efforts that I have been a part of in 24 years in this senior Club.

By stumps on Day One, Park were 0/33 and in total control.

The second day was one where Kiama fought every inch of the way, never dropped their heads and gave it everything they had. Park ground away from the start, again deciding they wanted to bat all day. Once again they got away with shots that it had been Kiama’s misfortune not to be able to get away with – but that is the nature of the game when you are on top. Finally, with the score on 94, Cajar decided to hit Tim out of his short mid on position in the ageing leg-spinners second over, and only managed to hit it straight to Holz at mid on.
More ugliness followed. One can only imagine what the Park were thinking, because they carried on as if we were kicking their arses, and it was without doubt the other way around. The shot selection from both Crackers and Grimmo was fairly ordinary, yet both were more concerned about the comments from the Cavs than their batting. Mark finally attempted to sweep once too often and was trapped in front by the ageing leg-spinner. He didn’t take kindly to this, and I couldn’t understand why, and thus we traded a few words as he (eventually) walked off. One thing that we did establish this weekend is that Albion Park batsmen do not like to be given out LBW. In fact, it appears that they believe they are immune to it. Extremely strange.
Three quick wickets fell before lunch. With 1st Grade having arrived to cheer along, Crackers pulled a shortish ball from Andrew Ross to the outfield, where Jellie took a very good catch low to his right. Joy turned to elation later on when we found out Crackers had been on 99. Not long after, Brendan Burns was well stumped by BKG off the ageing leg-spinner – and yet, he turned and had a shot at the square leg umpire, saying his foot was grounded. Gary Paget’s fine reply of “Yes, but it has to be grounded behind the line” was as good a sledge as we could have come up with, but we had a go anyway. My suggestion that “You’re 260 in front, what the fuck are you carrying on about?” was met by the response “Look at the scoreboard idiot!” which I found unusual, as I thought I had just made that point clear. Again – one would have thought Kiama were about to win the match the way the Park carried on. I’d have thought the situation was fairly clear cut.
This was followed by the end of Ferguson, who pulled around to Matt Unicomb at short fine leg, and at 5/175 at lunch… well… maybe there was an outside chance…

A mixture of strange batting and good hitting got us through the next session. Woz and Glover both stonewalled, as their previous batsmen had – but only to a point. Trent was especially surprising, as he didn’t play a shot in anger for half an hour, and then charged down the wicket to the first ball he faced from Tiger to be stumped by about three metres. He was followed by Scott Coombes soon after, though none of us are actually sure what he was given out for. Unlike his team mates however, he walked without a word of dissent, not only showing his class but also showing he knew how the game was progressing.
After a period of controlled hitting from Woz and Kast, the end came soon enough. Woz got a tickle on one from Mick to be BKG’s seventh dismissal for the match. Kast ended his days losing his stumps to Rocket, who then followed it up with another the following delivery to complete the innings at 257, a lead of 351.
Dan Reilly was economy personified with 2/16 off almost 11 overs, while Mick Norris bowled a long initial spell, finishing with 2/33. Tiger Ross bowled another fantastic second spell in the afternoon, and his 2/55 probably deserved better. On a personal note, the ageing leg-spinner bowled as well as he ever had over the weekend, and 3/51 was not as good as I would have liked to have finished with for the side.

The Cavs had 33 overs to chase that 351, but I think the main motivation was to make the pricks get out there in the sun for a couple of hours instead of letting them have their celebration early.
Good theory, that crashed as Kiama fell to 97. The highlights were undoubtedly Sav, who was given a ‘Licence To Thrill’, and did so until fired LBW, and Tiger, who put on a hitting show until he went once too often and holed out.

So that was that. The season ended for 2nd Grade, in much the same way as it started. There was some promise during the season, but when it came to the crunch, we were beaten by a more dedicated unit. My belief is that this season needs to be dissected to discover what can be done to improve on this in the future. We keep getting these mental blocks at finals time. The team dropped a total of 10 catches over the weekend, with another couple not ‘dropped’ as such, but should certainly have been caught. In the first innings alone, three dropped catches cost the team 98 runs. I’m not kidding – 98 runs. That changes the outcome of the match.

That was my final match in 2nd Grade. It’s sad to go out that way, but we have a base now to go further next season – IF the right things are done.

2nd Grade Semi-Final Report

2nd Grade Semi-Final
Kiama Cavaliers Vs Albion Park Eagles
Oakleigh Park


Kiama 2nd Grade revisited old demons and familiar disappointments last weekend as they went down to Albion Park in their semi-final at Oakleigh Park. One hundred minutes of undisciplined batting turned what could have been a great final into yet another chance to rue poor decisions in years to come.

Skipper Steve Holz chose this time to lose the toss, and Albion Park batted on a wicket that was certainly flat, but with obvious moisture under the surface.
The opening was slow and steady. Neither batsman was particularly active, protecting their wicket, while Josh Elliott and Jason Dowling bowled superb opening spells, probably their best for the season. Jason in particular was proving unplayable, beating the bat regularly and with ease. He had Cajar dropped down the legside early, which was the first of what was to prove a number of costly chances put down by the Cavaliers again in a semi-final. Cummins frustration was obvious, and after a couple of drives that went straight to fieldsmen, he got a rank half tracker from Jason, which he summarily pulled straight to mid-wicket, where Holzy snatched in a great catch. 1/24.
Mark Grimson arrived at the wicket, and looked very underdone. He gave an early chance to short mid-wicket when he was three that should have been caught off Josh – which proved to be costly as well. While Cajar held up his end, Grimmo mixed a couple of good shots with more regular fortunate ones in an unconvincing but fast scoring effort.
Closing in on lunch, and the scoreboard read 1/87. Continuing the joviality of the day, I mentioned rather loudly that the score was 87, and that Grimmo was a bit superstitious about the score. It got the laugh I was looking for (just for my own goodwill…), but from Rocket’s following delivery he offered a huge swipe at the ball and missed completely. This got the team going, while Grimmo offered, “That’ll be enough from you Bill!” The following delivery was a pearler off a good length that clipped the top edge of his bat, and was neatly pocketed by Tim Wolf at second slip – and the boys erupted. It’s not often that an offhand comment picks up results in cricket, but it had worked a treat here. The funniest part about it was when we discovered later that the score had actually been 89 – but no one on the field knew that, and it will forever in Kiama folklore be 87. More importantly, in two balls from Dan Reilly, the tide of the match changed in our direction.
Ferguson came to the wicket, and was greeted with some kind words from Elliott and Peters. The words kept coming from around the bat, and within two overs of playing and missing at the ageing leg spinner, he had hit a ball straight back at him and was dismissed caught and bowled. Suddenly Park were 3/91, and visions of their collapse in the two day game in October came rushing back as Kiama went to lunch at least on par with their opponents.

After lunch Park continued their crawl, obviously in no hurry to post a total. The bowling from Reilly and Peters was tight (which was most unusual), and gave few scoring opportunities. Warren Campion had come in at the fall of Ferguson’s wicket, and like most of his team mates was struggling to stay in a defensive mode. He had eventually had enough, and tickled another good Rocket delivery to Ben King-Gee, who took the catch to the glee of the bowler, but less so to his fellow bowler, to whom BKG had dropped the same batsman twice in the space of an over just after the break.
Brendan Burns strolled to the wicket, and immediately Holzy brought back his strike weapon. Jellie has had the wood on Skippy, and so it proved again here, as he again collected him on the front pad with the first ball he bowled at him, resulting in a successful LBW appeal. The batsman was less than impressed, but the Cavs had another wicket, and at 5/121 the game was poised again.
The next over brought more success. Tim Wolf had suggested bringing himself in to a short front square, almost on the wicket, and it paid dividends quickly when the ageing leg-spinner got one to turn and bounce, and Cajar popped it straight into his hands.
Two dangerous batsmen remained in Trent Glover and Scott Coombes, but Josh took care of both. He continued his spell over Glover when he forced him to follow a widish delivery which he could only edge through to the keeper, while it was only self-preservation against Woofer when he blasted a half volley straight back at his head, which Josh took with both hands – though I’m sure he barely saw the ball, and certainly would have ended in hospital if he hadn’t taken it off his nose.
Mick Norris was swung around to bowl after Josh’s spell ended, and he cleaned up the final two wickets of the innings, having Kast caught behind again by the keeper (who is obviously still pissed off with me about the Rail game a few weeks ago, because he caught everything off everyone else but me!!!) and bowling Calder, for a final score of 164. Park had lost their final nine wickets for 75 runs, which was a great effort by the bowlers.
Josh Elliott bowled his fastest and most accurate spell of the season in taking 3/40, while Jason was almost unplayable in his only spell, taking 1/17. Dan Reilly bowled by far and away his finest spell of the season too, finishing with 2/31, and Mick Norris was his accurate nagging self with 2/31. The ageing leg-spinner bowled as well as he can for 2/46.

An early tea was taken, leaving the Cavs about 140 minutes to bat. They used only 95 of them. In short, the boys seemed to have left their heads in the shed, as they were quickly put away for just 70 runs. Holzy and Sav had a rescue mission in the middle order, putting on 50 for the fourth wicket, but little else could be said for a performance that was right up there in humiliating efforts that I have been a part of in 24 years in this senior Club.

By stumps on Day One, Park were 0/33 and in total control.

The second day was one where Kiama fought every inch of the way, never dropped their heads and gave it everything they had. Park ground away from the start, again deciding they wanted to bat all day. Once again they got away with shots that it had been Kiama’s misfortune not to be able to get away with – but that is the nature of the game when you are on top. Finally, with the score on 94, Cajar decided to hit Tim out of his short mid on position in the ageing leg-spinners second over, and only managed to hit it straight to Holz at mid on.
More ugliness followed. One can only imagine what the Park were thinking, because they carried on as if we were kicking their arses, and it was without doubt the other way around. The shot selection from both Crackers and Grimmo was fairly ordinary, yet both were more concerned about the comments from the Cavs than their batting. Mark finally attempted to sweep once too often and was trapped in front by the ageing leg-spinner. He didn’t take kindly to this, and I couldn’t understand why, and thus we traded a few words as he (eventually) walked off. One thing that we did establish this weekend is that Albion Park batsmen do not like to be given out LBW. In fact, it appears that they believe they are immune to it. Extremely strange.
Three quick wickets fell before lunch. With 1st Grade having arrived to cheer along, Crackers pulled a shortish ball from Andrew Ross to the outfield, where Jellie took a very good catch low to his right. Joy turned to elation later on when we found out Crackers had been on 99. Not long after, Brendan Burns was well stumped by BKG off the ageing leg-spinner – and yet, he turned and had a shot at the square leg umpire, saying his foot was grounded. Gary Paget’s fine reply of “Yes, but it has to be grounded behind the line” was as good a sledge as we could have come up with, but we had a go anyway. My suggestion that “You’re 260 in front, what the fuck are you carrying on about?” was met by the response “Look at the scoreboard idiot!” which I found unusual, as I thought I had just made that point clear. Again – one would have thought Kiama were about to win the match the way the Park carried on. I’d have thought the situation was fairly clear cut.
This was followed by the end of Ferguson, who pulled around to Matt Unicomb at short fine leg, and at 5/175 at lunch… well… maybe there was an outside chance…

A mixture of strange batting and good hitting got us through the next session. Woz and Glover both stonewalled, as their previous batsmen had – but only to a point. Trent was especially surprising, as he didn’t play a shot in anger for half an hour, and then charged down the wicket to the first ball he faced from Tiger to be stumped by about three metres. He was followed by Scott Coombes soon after, though none of us are actually sure what he was given out for. Unlike his team mates however, he walked without a word of dissent, not only showing his class but also showing he knew how the game was progressing.
After a period of controlled hitting from Woz and Kast, the end came soon enough. Woz got a tickle on one from Mick to be BKG’s seventh dismissal for the match. Kast ended his days losing his stumps to Rocket, who then followed it up with another the following delivery to complete the innings at 257, a lead of 351.
Dan Reilly was economy personified with 2/16 off almost 11 overs, while Mick Norris bowled a long initial spell, finishing with 2/33. Tiger Ross bowled another fantastic second spell in the afternoon, and his 2/55 probably deserved better. On a personal note, the ageing leg-spinner bowled as well as he ever had over the weekend, and 3/51 was not as good as I would have liked to have finished with for the side.

The Cavs had 33 overs to chase that 351, but I think the main motivation was to make the pricks get out there in the sun for a couple of hours instead of letting them have their celebration early.
Good theory, that crashed as Kiama fell to 97. The highlights were undoubtedly Sav, who was given a ‘Licence To Thrill’, and did so until fired LBW, and Tiger, who put on a hitting show until he went once too often and holed out.

So that was that. The season ended for 2nd Grade, in much the same way as it started. There was some promise during the season, but when it came to the crunch, we were beaten by a more dedicated unit. My belief is that this season needs to be dissected to discover what can be done to improve on this in the future. We keep getting these mental blocks at finals time. The team dropped a total of 10 catches over the weekend, with another couple not ‘dropped’ as such, but should certainly have been caught. In the first innings alone, three dropped catches cost the team 98 runs. I’m not kidding – 98 runs. That changes the outcome of the match.

1st Grade Semi-Final Preview

First Grade Semi-Final Preview

1st Grade Semi-Final Preview
Kiama Cavaliers Vs Albion Park Eagles
Keith Grey Oval
Kiama return to the finals after a season's absence, in which time Albion Park climbed from sixth to finish as premiers. If something that fanciful is to occur this season, there will need to be a complete change of fortunes. Albion Park have remained undefeated this season, apart from the one-day final, while Kiama have lost four of their past five games, one of those to Albion Park, and two heartbreakers to The Rail and cellar dwellers Shellharbour City.

The teams have met twice this season, both resulting in victory to Albion Park, but not without a fight.
In the one day match at Keith Grey Oval on November 26, 2005, Albion Park prevailed by 15 runs in a match that went down to the wire. Albion Park was bowled out for 156 after being 6/90. A seventh wicket partnership of 52 between Dan Abela and Jess Hancock saved the side from a much lower total. The bowling and fielding was exceptional by Kiama, with Tim Richardson finishing with four wickets. In reply, Kiama batted solidly, but perhaps just a little too slowly, and always seemed to lose a wicket as they were beginning to get on top. Still needing only six an over as they approached the total, the wickets still fell at the wrong time, and a couple of batsman played wild shots at a time when singles would have done the job. Kiama were eventually bowled out for 141, just 16 runs from victory with 13 balls remaining in the innings. Jaya Hartgerink's 41 was the standout.
The return two day match at Cavalier Park on January 7 and 14, 2006, was a tale of two weekends. On the first day, Albion Park was bowled out for 155, after being 8/126 at one stage. Matt Meurant took his initial five wicket haul for Kiama in claiming 5/14. In reply, Kiama had lost two wickets by stumps, but appeared to be in the ascendancy. Things changed quickly the following weekend when Matt was dismissed in the first over of the day, and things deteriorated for Kiama. From 2/53 Kiama lost 8/41 to be dismissed for 94. Conceding a lead of 61, Albion Park stuttered early to be 5/34 in their second innings, before ending the day at 8/129, and taking first innings points.

Twice this season, Kiama have had Albion Park on the ropes, but have been unable to come up with the knockout punch. On both occasions the batting has failed to chase down a mid-range total, but it also important to note the two late order partnerships that extended these totals away from 130 to the relative safety of 150+.

If Kiama go into the match confident in their ability to defeat Albion Park, if they apply themselves with the bat, and they choke off easy runs in the field, they can win this match.

Only twice this season has the Kiama bowling conceded more than 200 in an innings, and on both occasions the attack was a weakened one. All six of the senior bowlers in the side took 19 or more wickets during the season, a remarkable achievement. In the bowling department Kiama are at least the equal of the defending premiers.
Much will rely on the ability of Josh Jones, Tim Richardson and Dale Scifleet to make the early incisions into the batting line-up. Curbing the influence of Steve Milgate, Hayden McKay and Graeme Smith at the top of the order will be vital to the side's chances. It will be interesting to see if the Park skipper takes on the number three role himself, or if he waits back in the middle order for the first wave to be completed.
With Kiama's six major bowlers all available there is plenty of flexibility for the skipper to mix his options. Sam Wolf, Matt Meurant and Matt O'Brien will have just as important roles to play as the other three bowlers already mentioned. The pressure valve must not be released for the entire innings, lest the Albion Park batsmen find a gap and get away. While each bowler will be required to put in the maximum effort for their own initial spells, all of the bowlers need to prepare themselves for the possibility of three or four spells during the course of the weekend – not an easy thing to do.
Throughout the season Richo has proved to be adept at drying up the runs. He and Matt will need to be efficient in this job, leaving Josh, Dale, Sam and OB to attack furiously from the other.

Kiama's batsmen will have to discover a method to grind out a competitive total when their turn at the crease comes. On only three occasions has Kiama managed to pass 200 in an innings, twice against the beleaguered Warilla and once against Shellharbour City. They will need to do so again if they want to push the reigning premiers.
In this quest, Dale must be the aggressor, as his natural game has always shaped. This is not to suggest he should be reckless about it, just that he needs to deposit the bad ball to the boundary. This is one of the features of Dale's batting, and he needs to exploit it. Dale's whole career has been building to this point, where he can lead the team with the bat into a grand final. His moment has arrived.
Jaya, Ben Jones and Matt must be solid without getting bogged down. They must continue to turn the strike over, and ensure that the dominant partner, whoever that may be, is receiving the majority of the strike. With three left handers in the top six, it may well be apt to continue to try and have a left-right combination at the crease as much as possible, in an effort throw the Albion Park bowlers off their line and length. Certainly neither John Simon nor Nathan Barr would baulk if the opportunity arose for them to bat higher in the order. Josh and Tim and Xavier Mayes will also have big roles in the middle order.

Belief. Desire. Hunger. These are the things that stand between Kiama and victory. Somewhere in the last three months, Kiama First Grade has lost these three things, and they need to rediscover them quickly. The time for half arsed excuses is over. If the fielding is tight and enthusiastic, and if the bowling is tight and penetrating, and the batting confident and impenetrable, then an upset will occur. It is now up to the eleven selected players to pull on the baggy blue and gold, and do their Club and Town proud.

2nd Grade Semi-Final Preview

2nd Grade Semi-Final Preview
Kiama Cavaliers Vs Albion Park Eagles
Oakleigh Park

For the third year in succession, Kiama start out on a finals campaign with everything in front of them, and some work still to do. Last season's ugly exit to Lake Illawarra stills haunts them, as will Albion Park's similar effort to fall to Oak Flats. All of this after the still stinging wash-out of the final between these same two sides two seasons ago with the game evenly poised, which left Albion Park as premiers.

The teams have met twice this season, with a victory to each side. Kiama have only won 2 of the past 14 clashes, however, and both were one day games.
In the two day match at Cavalier Park on October 22 and 29, 2005, Albion Park prevailed by 39 runs on first innings in a match that had just about everything. Albion Park were bowled out for 217, with Ferguson scoring 90 and Warren Campion 51 not out. Josh Elliott finished with four wickets with a good second spell, while Bill Peters also took four. In reply Kiama fought hard, but a middle order collapse, along with a questionable LBW on John Simon, brought them to a total of 178. John scored 48 with AJ Savage fighting heart palpitations to finish on 35 not out. In their second innings, Albion Park were cruising at 1/83, before Kiama then rolled them for just 126, leaving them 16 overs to score 166 for a surprise outright victory. This was beyond their reach, but had certainly put a scare into their opponents.
The return one day match at Keith Grey Oval on December 17, 2005, continued the competitive nature of the games between these two Clubs. Albion Park won the toss and batted, and was rolled for just 101. Josh Elliott took five wickets and Jason Dowling three in a superb opening effort with the ball. Kiama then marched to 0/59, before losing three wickets on that score, and 5/17 all up. Sav again saw the side through to victory by four wickets, but this time the scare had been put into the Kiama side.

Over the last three seasons, these two teams have played some outstanding cricket matches against each other. No quarter has been given, and none taken. Both sides are still looking for a clear advantage over the other following the premiership washout in 2003-04, and no doubt both sides would have preferred this to be the match for this year's premiership, rather than the semi-final.

Kiama have had a season where they have never really been able to maintain any momentum. Rain has played its part in this, and some ordinary opponents have hampered the enthusiasm of the side. In fact, Kiama have been looking at this weekend's clash for six months, with everything in between just a sideshow. Kiama are still looking for that revenge.

The pressure will be on the batting to produce a score that is competitive. Albion Park's bowling attack is a shadow of what it was two seasons ago, but is still competent for this level. Kiama's batting is a mixture of youth and experience, of defense and attack, and it will need to mould itself into a lineup that can do the job that is required. Youngsters Matt Unicomb and Ben King-Gee, in their first Grade final, will have an important role to play. Tim Wolf, Sav and Steven Holz are the keys to the batting, and must assume the responsibility of scoring the bulk of the runs. Mick Norris will be the stabling influence at number six, but the order gets shaky after him. The total must come from the top six.
There must be a great deal of pressure on the bowling attack. First year prodigy Jason Dowling has had a great debut in Grade cricket, but has struggled for wickets of late. Josh Elliott has again been either dominating or dreadful, sometimes on the same day. When he is on song he is the leader of the attack, and wins games on his own back. Kiama need him in this frame of mind if they are to succeed. Dan Reilly has not bowled enough this season to find his rhythm, and will at least be an unknown quality for Albion Park. Unlike two seasons ago, he will not be in a support role, he will be in the front line, and he needs to step up and show why he played First Grade this season by becoming the spearhead the team needs. Mick Norris has been by far Kiama's best player this season, and he will again need to probe through the middle order as he has been so successful at this season. Perhaps more importantly, an ageing leg spinner needs to rediscover his best quickly if he is to play any part, as his form is probably as ordinary now as it has ever been.

If this match had taken place six weeks ago, Kiama would have been raging favorites. Now, with the loss to Oak Flats, the difficult victory over The Rail, and two weeks without match play because of the bye, the match is wide open. This match will not be won by the team that starts the best. It will be won by the one that never drops its head, and never gives in until the final ball is bowled. Kiama have to make sure that they are the team that does this

3rd Grade Semi-Final Preview

3rd Grade Semi-Final Preview
Kiama Cavaliers Vs Albion Park Eagles
Bonaira Street Oval

Is this the year? Is this the year Kiama finally lifts its maiden Third Grade premiership? There are obstacles yet to clear before that becomes a reality, but surely they are closer than they have ever been before to fulfilling this dream. Their opponents are wily campaigners, however, and have fought out almost every semi-final series in the history of the Third Grade competition. They are widely experienced and cannot be underestimated, for they will be fighting every last inch of the way – and not only that, they will BELIEVE they will win.

The teams have met on one occasion this season, with Kiama coming out on top. Both sides were rather different to the ones that will play this weekend. The two day game was played on October 22 and 29, 2005 at Des King Oval. Albion Park won the toss and made 172 in their first innings, with surprise packet Tom Mayes taking four wickets and Rob Wakeham three. In reply, Kiama were eventually dismissed for 236, with Tom scoring 63 at the top of the order, and Luke Bombaci 53 in the middle order. Albion Park batted out time as everyone got a bowl and remained at 6/126 at stumps.

That match will have no bearing on the result of the semi-final. Nor will last season's semi-final result. Kiama has a new team, and they are hungry.

Kiama have suffered somewhat from unsettled teams this season, but it has eventually worked to their benefit. Though they have had a range of players in and out of the side this season, they now have the benefit of choosing their strongest squad, and their only complaint could be that there are now too many players to choose from.
The side's bowling is as strong and diverse as it can be, which is a good thing playing on the synthetic. Matt Cook has been a revelation this season, coming into the team early, and having a hugely successful season. His foil at the other end, Luke Bombaci, has continued with his success of previous seasons, and must surely be considered the most consistent all-rounder playing in the competition. These two will need to work well in tandem again, along with the returning thunderbolts of Nathan Simpson, whose presence should be an enormous benefit to skipper Jeff Lawler. The mercurial Russell Park will no doubt dry up the runs from one end when introduced into the attack, with Rob Wakeham's leg spin the variation in the attack. The bowlers will need to be well supported by their fieldsmen to restrict the total to the low one that will be required.

In recent times, the batting has been held together by the veteran brigade, and this final is the perfect opportunity for the younger players to stand up and contribute heavily to the cause.
Tom Mayes has had a terrific debut year in Grade cricket, and will be looking to continue that here in the semi-final. The return after Christmas of timeless veteran Joe Murphy has been a bonus for the team, molding opening bat and wicket keeper into one. If he comes off with the bat he will get the team off to a wonderful start, and no matter what, his experience will be invaluable in the circumstances. Luke Bombaci has been in good touch after his five ducks in six innings toward the end of last season. He will want to put in a better effort with the bat at the conclusion of this season. Jeff Lawler has had yet another superlative season with the bat, and along with Russell Park, who has been dismissed just the once this season, these two will provide the stability that the middle order will be looking for. Simon Pearson, who has struggled to score good runs after his early century, will see this as an opportunity to rectify that, and surely Andy Sheehy has been playing dead for two seasons, waiting for this very match to break out and make the big score he is necessarily due.

Kiama have now secured their first ever minor premiership in Third Grade, but the job isn't over. This weekend they go into a semi-final as favorites for the first time in many years – perhaps ever. They are expected to win, and that can be a tough burden to handle. As long as the team plays to its potential, they should have no problems, but finals cricket is a whole new ball game, and everything that has happened in the season before it matters for nought. The phrase “Never give a sucker an even break” applies in this match – give Albion Park a sniff, and they will take it with open arms.

Wind of Change

So the Kiama Cricket Club has reached the finals with three of its four entries intact, and now the attention turns to their performance over the next two weekends. If current form is to be taken into account there is some work to be achieved before Saturday arrives.

Third Grade has achieved our Club's first minor premiership in that Grade, which is a wonderful effort, considering the talent in the teams that have gone before them in Kiama colours. Jeff Lawler has again done a great job as skipper of the team, leading from the front and guiding them to success. After the disappointment of last season's slide from first position at Christmas to almost missing the semi-finals, and then losing that very final, it was important to ensure that it didn't occur again. Despite the capitulation to Lake Illawarra early on, and the surprise defeat to Shellharbour Blue not long ago, the side has managed that. They have made a habit of losing first innings points before winning the match outright, however. It is a habit they will not want to see repeated in a final, as the outright may not come so easily.
The emergence of young players such as Tom Mayes, Matt Cook and Andrew Ross has been exciting for the Club. The return of veterans Russell Park and Joe Murphy, and the regular appearances of Jason Wills, have also proven to be of great value for the side.
With the inability of last season's premiers Oak Flats to make the finals this season, the title is there for Kiama to take. Given the nature and talent of the team, the only thing that can stop them from securing our Club's first ever Third Grade premiership is taking their opposition lightly. No doubt the senior players in the team will ensure that this does not take place.

Second Grade come into the finals on the back of four fairly ordinary games of cricket, and the bye. Having disposed of both Jamberoo and Shellharbour City comfortably in outright decisions, the Shellharbour game thanks to two innings from visiting First Graders, an under strength team went down to Oak Flats on first innings. In their final game, they posted a 300+ total against a Fourth Grade attack, before being unable to bowl The Rail out twice on a featherbed. None of this particularly augers well. The side has had an unsettled line-up since Christmas, and the two week break before the semi-final will not suit the side at all.
Steve Holz has led the team well, though on the surface to the detriment of his batting. With only two scores behind him all season. He will need to cajole the best from both his team and himself in the next two weeks. Mick Norris has been the star of the team, leading with both bat and ball in his first full season in Seconds, while new kids Matt Unicomb, Ben King-Gee and Jason Dowling have improved all season, and now stand as important cogs in the premiership push.
Whatever team is chosen for the weekend, this will not be the pushover some people having been saying it will be. Seconds will have to beat the premiers of the past two seasons to win the competition, and though they may not be as strong as they were on those occasions, they will still be super competitive. Last season's semi-final should stand as a monument to what happens when a team is not switched on and prepared to fight hard for victory. Those lessons will need to be reinforced if success is to come for this team.

I have spent the last two weekends watching a First Grade team that look like shot ducks. Playing against a side that have not looked like posting a victory all season, Kiama were lackluster and far too carefree in their attitude. In their first innings at least four batsmen played unforgivable shots to be dismissed, at a time when they should have been knuckling down and getting some form behind them. There seemed to be little disappointment in the way the first innings progressed. Then on the second day, with Shellharbour's tail needing 55, the warm-up fielding drill was of a standard that defies the level these guys have been chosen at, resulting in Shellharbour getting the runs without a great deal of fuss. What then occurred for the rest of the day was, to me, inexplicable, and is probably best left not brought up.
Any momentum the side picked up leading into the finals after defeating Lake Illawarra has now dissipated. No doubt the talk during the week will be how the side pushed Albion Park in both of their encounters this season. Certainly they did with the ball. The fact remains that they lost both games, essentially through the batting, and have also lost to The Rail and now Shellharbour City.
Two seasons ago I had the dubious honour of playing the final two games in First Grade to fill in for Josh Jones, who had gone to Tasmania to study. That team played two of the worst afternoons of cricket I have been involved in. It appeared that they had naturally assumed they were a shoo-in for finals cricket, and were cruising. The capitulation of the batting on the Sunday of the two day game against Warilla, and the fielding and bowling against Gerringong the following Saturday, was deplorable. It led me to saying on the field that it was a disgrace, and that the team didn't deserve to be playing in the finals if they didn't want to fight for it. In many ways, the past two weekends has reminded me of those two games.
To have won only one of their five games after Christmas means that this side needs to find something within themselves if they want to compete against the reigning premiers. To those that have seen them in recent weeks, they have not shown they are capable of it. It has been an excellent feat in reaching the semi-finals after last season's disappointment. At the start of the season, it would have been accepted as a good result. But if Firsts wish to progress any further, they will need to find something in each and every one of them, and lift their personal performance on an individual level to heights that have been unseen in the last two months. On the evidence of the last two Saturday's, it would be a miraculous effort.

Good luck to everyone playing this weekend. Let's hope that all sides are well supported, and give it everything they have got. Walk off the field on Sunday afternoon knowing you couldn't have done anymore personally than what you did, and the final result will take care of itself.

2nds vs The Rail

2nds won. Not convincingly, but enough for first innings points.

Highlights

Matt Unicomb scored a very good 74 opening the batting. Batted for more than three hours. A good knock with semi's coming up.

Sav savaging the attack for 20 minutes. Looked good again. Hopefully he's saving that hundred for one of the next two matches.

Holzy found a bit of form (f**king FINALLY!!!), scoring 74. He moved from 33 to 62 in two overs after tea, a pretty fair effort.

Nathan Simpson pulling out of his JGS virus (Jason Gillespie Syndrome), regaining a bit of zip and bowling well in all his spells last Saturday. Very handy running into form at the right time of the season.

Andrew Ross bowling the best spell of off-spin bowling I have seen for almost 18 years. 3/43 off 15.1 overs, and probably only half a dozen ordinary deliveries. I don't care what anyone else says - Tiger is a great find, and someone we need to look after and push hard next season.

Sav bowling his first - and last - over for the Cavs. Poor attempt at a caught and bowled first delivery, the batsman picked up on him after that. At least you got that over Sav...

Jason Dowling's effort in the field, as well as his bowling, where because of the ten bowlers in the team he probably didn't get as much bowling as he deserved. A big role to play in the finals.

The return of Steve "Sticky" Norris. Still missing the outside edge almost every delivery, and still getting cut about it. It's great to have him back.

Ben King-Gee's keeping. No, it wasn't great, but Sav and I had a ball all day reminding him about it. Great cricket.

Just Six Weeks of your Life

After a weekend that saw the entire Club brought back to earth from the air of regency it was holding itself in, the time for affirmative action has surely come in an attempt to halt the slide which all Grades find themselves in - once again, in the second half of a cricket season.

Since the Christmas break, Kiama’s 1st Grade side have now lost five players from its first-choice XI – Mitch Gowland (transferred to Sydney), Josh Jones (returned to study in Tasmania), Tim Davies (injured in car accident), Sam Wolf (stress fractures of the back) and Rob Farrell (transferred for work to L.A.). To that list you can also add Josh Elliott, as he is now out until the finals with work and rugby league commitments. Not only does this affect 1st Grade, it affects the lower grades, and hurts the depth of the Club.
Halfway through November, Shellharbour City lost five of its first-choice players through a different set of circumstances. Since that point, they have lost all of their one-day matches and all of their two-day matches by an outright decision, two of those in one day. It has been a test of their Club’s depth that they have been unable to answer. Results in January and February suggest that our Club is in an awfully similar position.
There has been a long held fear at Kiama that as a Club we are proficient at producing players of 3rd and 2nd Grade standard (and as such the reason that we figure almost annually in the finals of these competitions), but are unable to develop these players into a 1st Grade standard that would enable us to compete with the top echelon in our competition. It hasn’t helped much in the way of premierships in any of these Grades. We have never secured a 3rd Grade premiership. We have an empty 1st Grade cabinet since 1983-84. Of 2nd Grade’s two premierships since 1978, one was with a side that was devoid of a team in the 1st Grade competition.
To those outside of the process, it is baffling to see 2nd Grade’s best player all season not playing in the top Grade. Mick Norris has taken 28 wickets at 8.89 in 2nd Grade this season, alongside 113 runs at 18.83. Add to this his one game in 1st Grade against Warilla – 35 not out and 2/44 off 10 overs – and you have a standout season. Figures do NOT always accurately portray the form or ability of a player. In this case, they are the bald-faced facts.
No doubt the captain has his plan, and it is not for me to question it in this forum. I merely point out that 1sts have a very good and capable player waiting in the wings should it be deemed necessary to find one.

I would like to think that the players chosen for the remainder of the season can lift themselves and their teams to the heights required to win. Enough of the bickering. Enough of the negativity. We are supposed to be the friendly Club, the Club that bands together as one, and supports one and all – rain, hail or shine. It’s time for that attitude to rise to the surface once again.
Some changes to our structure as a Club probably need to occur, but that is something to address in the off-season. Let’s get out there and encourage one another, within our team and to all our other teams. We have a real chance at something special this season, if we can all pull our fingers out and get serious about the job at hand. It would be a real shame to look back in years to come, as we do in regards to recent seasons, and say “Geez we should have won that year…” Let’s just win this year instead!
C’mon Kiama. Let’s make the last six weeks of this competition ours, in all Grades. Just six weeks of your life to get the best out of yourself so that the Club can once again be called The Best On The South Coast.