Sports News
Australasian Marist Cricket Carnival, Bunbury WA
The opportunity for Trinity’s best cricketers to travel to the other side of Australia to play against a high standard opposition was an exciting and challenging start to 2004. Thirteen players, together with their coaching and management squad, assembled at Brisbane airport on 8th January to begin the adventure.
The squad spent two days adjusting to the time difference, relaxing and sightseeing in the beautiful city of Perth. We visited the WACA, where we were entertained by three centuries in an ING Cup match, including Justin Langer’s 100 in only 67 balls. A train trip to Fremantle allowed for a relaxed lead up to a practice match the following day against the WA under 16 State squad.
On Sunday, we were unsure of what to expect against the WA boys, but the hit out proved an excellent preparation. Our bowlers were asked to show their stuff first and produced the quality that we know they are capable of. Adam Thompson proved that if you bowl quick and at the right length, batters will not score. His return of eight overs for only nine runs was excellent. Harneck Singh proved the perfect foil and was rewarded with two wickets. Others chipped in with wickets, but we were most pleased with the boys’ ground fielding, which was fast and precise. The opportunity to bat allowed Shaun Buckett to power to 67 while Alex Margan and Daniel McIntosh established the middle order as an area of strength for the team. We passed the opposition’s score by scoring 157 from only 34 overs, thanked them for the day out and went back to the motel. Smug! Our arrival in Bunbury on the Monday saw the boys meet their billet families after sharing a liturgy with all teams and many supporters. We were keen to play the hosts in our first game at Forrest Park on the Tuesday.
Shaun won the toss, a rare event and chose to bat. Our openers were solid for fifteen overs, which is their job. Luke Cleaver showed good technique and gathered 24 runs. Shaun, Ben Wraight and Daniel also scored in the twenties. Alex put on a willing 47 before hitting one too many balls in the air. Adam showed skills to establish his claims to a spot higher up the order. The team finished with 200 runs from their 50 overs and were well pleased.
After lunch the Bunbury team rolled along at four runs an over but continued to leak wickets. Justin MacMaster changed the course of the match with his second spell when he took three wickets for only 18 runs, including two in the first over. This earned him the Player of the Match award. We bowled them out for 176 in the 45th over. Adam and Harneck each had two, while Alex and Dalpreet Singh picked up one apiece. Ben Wraight set a high standard with his keeping. We were leading the Carnival at the end of Day 1. Smug!
Day two had us pitched against the Auckland team. We were unsure of what to expect against them. When we saw the pitch we were certain of what to expect from that. It was a horror. Only 219 runs were scored during a game that lasted for only 72 overs. We were rolled for just 118 runs with Scott Bullman’s 24 the only score of note. Adam picked up the ball and returned the best figures of any bowler in the carnival, 6 for 18 off 8.4 overs. He was unplayable and awarded Player of the Match and the outstanding Player of the Round. Shaun took 3 for 7 and we were exceptional in the field. Harneck bowled 10 overs for a miserly 15 runs. At the end of day two we were on top of the Carnival ladder, undefeated. Smug!
Day three put us on the bus to travel out of town to Waroona where we played Marcellin College of Bulleen. The strip looked hard and fast. It was. Balls reared up at the batter in a frighteningly regular manner. We were rescued by a marvelous partnership between Alex and Daniel of 88 runs. We achieved our objective of batting 50 overs for 181 runs. Shaun, Dalpreet and wides were adequate contributors. The bowlers were handed a tough task but they accepted the challenge. Harneck 2 for 24, Alex 2 for 17,Adam 1 for 18, Chris Gorman 1 for 28, Justin 1 for 15 all shared the spoils. However, Shaun Buckett was great. He turned the ball a mile to bowl three of their batters around their legs. Alex Margan was the Player of the Match and we were on top of the Carnival ladder…again. Smug!
Day four. Oh dear, St Gregory’s of Campbelltown. They were much better than us. At a beautiful ground in the town of Collie, our bowlers were smacked all over the park for 249 runs. Ouch! Nonetheless, we felt that if we batted to our potential, then we could challenge their performance. They bowled too well for us and we were all out for only 116. Scott, Alex and Daniel all scored in the twenties. Luke Cleaver showed that sometimes opening the batting is a silly masochistic pursuit. He was struck on the arm, a painful blow that caused him to leave the field. He later returned only to be run out. No longer the top of the Carnival ladder, but philosophical about the quality of the opposition, we moved on.
Day five set us against St David’s of South Africa at Busselton. We lost the toss and were asked to bowl. The boys were a little flat and as a consequence we waited for things to happen rather than taking the initiative. Dropped catches and sloppy ground fielding are contagious and before long it was as if we were diseased. They scored 227 despite some excellent bowling from Alex and Justin who both took three wickets. St David’s rated themselves as special and performed with confidence. We sulked and failed to perform to our potential. Alex matched his batting to his bowling and scored 50 runs but will still be disappointed about two run outs. All out for 123 was a real shame. Not so smug!
I believed that we were back on competitive terms with an opponent when we played Marist Ashgrove on Day 6. The ground was pretty by the sea at Bunbury, but the pitch was a minefield. They batted first and mastered the conditions. Our bowlers took good wickets, Adam 2 for 22 was superb, Harneck picked up 3 for 26. They batted their 50 overs and we agreed that we must do the same. I believe that this innings was as bad as we played at any stage during the whole season. Sure, players were tired but we lacked commitment. Only Ben batted with determination. All out for 65. Humiliating! The final day we were set to play St Joseph’s at Forrest Park. At last Shaun batted to his potential and was rewarded with 91 runs. He was awarded the Player of the Match and the Player of the Day trophies for this performance.
Aaron Burnett batted with discipline to score 33. We were unable to bat out the 50 but still managed 209. Game on, we thought. This game was there to be won. We knew that we were capable of bowling teams out. Our failing was in a lack of catching discipline and a sloppy line from the bowlers. The end of the carnival and we were left with a three four, win loss record. That night the Presentation dinner was held. The best players were recognised with selection into the prestigious Australasian Marist XI. We were honoured to have Adam Thompson and Alex Margan deservedly chosen. On reflection the team performed creditably. It is the best result from the TCC squad for quite a few years. Players performed well. Several showed dramatic development. Justin was a real standout. With a reconstructed bowling action, self-understanding and confidence he will be an excellent cricketer. Aaron showed that he too is willing to learn and when he plays with discipline he will always score runs. Luke is an excellent opener who will grow into his role. Harneck is a marvelous opening bowler with a stingy attitude to runs. Chris Gorman is a terrific team man who never gives up and works very hard to get the best from his buddies. Daniel was seen as the benchmark for commitment and fielding efforts. Simon Milenko is a skillful cricketer and his experience at this carnival will be fuel for future success.
Scott Bullman and Dalpreet are fine exponents of their respective roles and look forward to consistency.
Many wonderful moments on and off the pitch were had by all. The boys were exceptional in the way they represented the College. Billeting allows them to meet and make friends in a new environment. The host families spoke highly of the lads. I am proud of the maturity of leadership displayed by Shaun and Alex. I am appreciative of the support for the boys’ efforts provided by Mr Gilmore and Br Mark. The First XI squad is a special experience and it was an honour for me to lead them. I look forward to the next challenge.
Mr Gerry Benfield, Coach
North Coast Academy Athletes
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in North Coast Academy of Sport programmes for 2004: Lucy Andrews — Netball, Sally Baldry — Hockey, Samantha Barnett — Netball, Melissa Burt — Assistant Coach, Hockey, Peter Rees-Duncan — Hockey, Clayton Fettell — Triathlon, Joshua Frederiksen — Soccer, Melissa Gourlay — Softball, Tamara Hamshaw — Netball, Adam Harrison — Rowing, Jacob Heffernan — Soccer, Kate Johnson — Swimming, Kayla McDonough — Hockey, Ben Pool — Swimming, Kirra Weingarth — Soccer, Amanda West — Hockey, Dwayne White — Hockey.
House Captains and House Competition 2004
The upcoming Championship Swimming Carnival to be held at Lismore Pool on Thursday 19th of February from 1.00pm to 5.00pm is the first component of the House Championship for 2004. It serves three purposes:
1. As a selection trial for the Diocesan Carnival on the 3rd of March, where last year Trinity was the winner in this carnival.
2. As an opportunity for our many talented swimmers to not only compete against each other, but to also have a chance of breaking some very prestigious records (some standing for more than 25 years). All of the Trinity Swimming records are on display on the Sports Site of the College Intranet and at the moment are also on the Student Council Notice Board on St Joseph’s Site.
3. To encourage all students to participate, not just to win but to dare to do their best. For many students in the past few years it has been an enormous achievement just to finish the race (especially if it’s Butterfly). All students are aware that each swimmer who completes a race earns a minimum of one point for their house.
The Participation Swimming Carnivals on 26th February will be held at both Lismore and Alstonville Pools. Like last year Dennis, Chanel and last year’s House Champions, Nagle will fight it out at Alstonville Pool and Champagnat, McColl and D’Arcy will battle at Lismore Pool. The House Captains for this year are very keen to make this event bigger and better than ever before, but as the name of the Carnival implies, it depends on the involvement of all the students to make it a success. Everybody will have the chance to participate in an individual swim, a noodle relay, a tennis ball scramble and maybe a super hero relay, plus several other events.
These Participation Carnivals are an essential element of the House Championship. Points for the House Championship are awarded on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for each event. This year’s House Championship will consist of at least: the Championship Swimming Carnival, the two Participation Swimming Carnivals, Junior and Senior Cross Country and the Athletics Carnival. If students participate in all of these events and are in the winning House then they will be offered a reward day to Wet’n’ Wild at the end of the year. Of course the members of Nagle, who had such a great time last year, will again want to be on the buses for that trip.
It is interesting to note that Nagle didn’t win in 2003 because it has an excess of Champions; they won last year because more of their members competed in everything.
House Captains for 2003 are:
Champagnat: Rene Lowbridge Rob Mair
Chanel: Clare Dawson Julian McInerney
D’Arcy: Cherie D’Andrea Christo Muskens
Dennis: Larissa Shanahan Alex Llewellyn
McColl: Melissa Burt Matt Meldrum
Nagle: Chelsea Nurthen Aaron Burnett
The first task for the new Captains is to organise and run the first House meeting for the year. They are responsible for explaining the format of the Swimming Carnivals and encouraging as much participation as possible from their House members. With the enthusiasm of these leaders I’m sure that the swimming carnivals will be a great success. The most important role of the House Captains is to try to get their team across the line as Champion House for 2004.
Parental Help Required
Due to the large number of swimmers and time constraints, we will need much assistance especially in the time keeping area. If there are any parents who would like to help, and are available at that time, could they please contact Mr Phillip Newton or Mr Bernie Johnstone at the Sports Office on 6627 6662. Please continue to keep us informed of any outstanding sporting achievements – Contact the Sports Office on 6627 6662.
Mr Phil Newton, Sports Co-ordinator