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Sunday, 7 April 2002
FIRST XI
Under new coach and captain Scott Coutts there was an expectation of improved individual and team performance for the new season. The inclusion of Couttsy, experienced journeyman Shaun Anderson as an attacking batsman and assistant coach and the development of younger players was pivotal to this improvement. The season began slowly due to rain and a tough game against big improvers Yarrambat. A sign of things to come was the outstanding maximum points performance against perennial finalist Mill Park and solid wins against Panton Hill and Whittlesea that saw the team holding down a position in the four at the Christmas break. A highlight was the superb batting form of Alastair Mann and the bowling efforts of Brett Temple and Cain Harper in his first full season as a First XI player. In the new year, consistent performances saw the side maintain a strong chance for finals action particularly against quality opposition in Mernda and Lalor Stars which both resulted in losses but the signs were promising. With only three losses and two outright wins after the home and away rounds the side reached the finals for the first time in four seasons fmishing fourth. The work of AI Mann and Brett Temple was exceptional and the improved form of Dale Robertson, Myagi and Couttsy augured well for a strong finals campaign. Meeting hot premiership favourite Lalor Stars on their home turf in a semi-final would be a huge task but the team went into the game with plenty of confidence. Falling only fifty runs short of Lalor's mammoth total of 338 was in hindsight an excellent performance with too many dropped catches probably being the difference in the end. The team's start of season goal of reaching the finals was achieved with many positives coming out of the season. Al Mann batted like a man possessed with a record smashing 660 runs, BT equalled the club record of 45 wickets, Couttsy and Myagi proved they still had plenty to offer on the field and the side generally played to its potential for much of the season. The team can be well pleased with their efforts but next season they can become even better and stronger . SECOND XI
On the back of a premiership the previous season the team anticipated another solid year with a rich blend of experience (Dozie, Dash, Steve Leighton), youth (Rigga, Pete, Aussie and Jarrod Mann, Clint Monger) and new players (Cam, Reidy, Clay) to the team. Strong bowling and capable batting performances saw the team with only one loss during the season to middle of the road Mill Park and four comprehensive outright wins, theteam entered the finals on top of the ladder with main rivals Lalor Stars who they defeated in the penultimate game of the season. A below par Yarrambat were no match for the team in the semi-final and the team were poised to take on Stars in what was sure to be a fascinating Grand Final. This proved to be the case with the game going right down to the wire on the third day. A poor first up batting effort and a resilient, dogged Lalor Stars line-up denying the team of a well-earned back-to-back success. Overall, a fine season from the team with the ultimate prize so close yet so far. Great performances from Darren Morter, Adam Rigg, Aussie Mann, Cam Fordred behind the stumps and Peter Mann in his first season as a senior team captain. The team can be proud of their achievements once again. THIRD XI
Led initially by club legend Alex Argentino and then club stalwart Ash Chapple, the side boasted a blend of youth, experience and talent and went into the season with plenty of confidence. At the half way mark of the season during the Christmas break, the side sat second on the ladder with only one loss and the opportunity of a place in the finals barring any mishaps. Unfortunately, due in part to a lack of team stability through unavailability and promotions and meeting stronger sides, the team lost four of their last five remaining games and plummeted out of the finals race. It was a disappointing end to a year that began with such confidence and success. However, with a turn over of thirty-two players the ability to develop a solid, consistent batting and bowling line-up was always going to prove difficult. In contrast, the side boasted a number of fine individual efforts from our up and coming youth and junior squad. FOURTH XI
Once again led by the astute veteran Steve Page, the team had high hopes of a successful winning season. With the inclusion of Pagey, Wazza Burchell, Brett Grindal, the return of Steve Willett mixed with up and coming youngsters the chances were high of a much improved year. The season turned out to be one of numerous highs and lows with great wins and big scores punctuated by disappointing results. The difficulty of putting a consistently strong side on the field was an overwhelming factor. Individual highlights included the twin centuries of newcomer Brett Grindal, another to Steve Willett and the maturing performances of Rusty Smith, Ash Crawford, Brett Millsom and Brad Page while the team's score of 3/359 was another outstanding highlight. FIFTH XI
Led for the first time by the returning Luke Groves and made up of many developing juniors and parents, the side performed admirably throughout the season only missing the finals by a narrow margin. After a long lay-off Luke Groves proved to be the premier player but was ably supported by the likes of Matt Penton, Erin Feehan, Mal Stevenson and the seasoned veteran Paul Oehme. Future senior players in Chris Trace, Matt Kamolins, Chris Chipper and youngsters Daniel Robinson, James Stevenson, Chris Walker and Zac Groves all made fine contributions at various times. The side proved to be more than competitive under the difficult circumstances of travelling up to Hurstbridge for their home games.
Sunday, 7 April 2002
NORTH ELTHAM WANDERERS CRICKET CLUB INC
Year Book 2001/2002 I have great pleasure in presenting the North Eltham Wanderers Cricket Club Year Book for the 2001 12002 season, our twentieth anniversary year. Haven' things changed over the past 20 years. Mike Fordred summed it up in his wonderful history of the Club "From an Old Tin Shed" which was launched on the anniversary celebration day along with the announcement of the team of the decades. Congratulations to all the players that were named in that team. It was a great day where we reminisced about the early days and to where we are now. I am proud of what we, the Committee, members, players and supporters, of the North Eltham Wanderers Cricket Club has achieved. We are now a major player in the DVCA and recognised as a Club that is innovative and professionally run. As members and supporters we should be very proud of what we have achieved in a short time. The past year has been a period of consolidation for the Club. After the previous years initiatives, the Club, because of the influx of junior players spent considerable energy on the infrastructure that supported the teams. The Club appointed Scott Coutts as the senior coach and Shaun Anderson as the assiant coacg. For the first time, the Club entered two modified teams in the Under 12 competition. We commenced the season with a record number of 5 senior and 10 junior teams as well as the highly regarded Milo program with 65 participants. The Club now has the largest junior Club in the DVCA. Unfortunately we were unable to secure any premierships this season, however the First X1 played in a semi final and the Second X1 were defeated in the grand final. The two Under 14 teams also made the semi finals. Congratulations to all the players who played in the finals. We set a goal at the beginning of the year to play in the finals. That goal was achieved, however the bigger challenge remains. Sponsorship continues to be an increasing part of our financial survival. This season we were again fortunate to have the support of Agility as our major sponsor. Club members have proudly worn the orange T -Shirts and caps all season and on behalf of the Club I thank Craig Ondarchie for his generous support. To Heinz Watties Australasia, David McFarlane Real Estate, Cugley Ciravolo Bordin and Ian Groves, thank you for your support, it is greatly appreciated. To the coaches and team managers, thank you for your sterling efforts. Thank you also to Mike Reid, Steve Page and Steve Leighton for organising of our excellent Milo program and the junior teams. We are extremely fortunate to have persons of this calibre within our Club. I also wish to acknowledge the work that David Lambert does with the Under 12's and Mark Robinson with the Under 14's. To all members of the Committee, I thank you for your tireless work and valuable
contribution over the past year. Finally I would like to record my sincere thanks to the following persons who have given excellent service to the Club, Mike Fordred, Mike Reid, Ian and Chris Groves, Brett Temple, Steve Page and Andrew Stacey. Thank you to Mike Fordred for again compiling this excellent statistical year book and I commend it to you. We look forward to the next season with a great deal of optimism and we will strive to continue to build on our successes of this season. Brian Stieg
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