The Fitzy File - A Grade

MEMO ROVERS v WESTS - A GRADE GRAND FINAL - 28-29 MARCH 09 - TRAEGER PARK

Day one

At the end of a long season, we  were up against Westies in the final at Traegar. Sport over time has tossed up various ways of players firing themselves before the big game i.e. listening to heavy metal music, a bit of face slapping ala Tommy Raudonikis style etc. But when I entered the Rovers sheds on grand final day to find Charlie Dick vacuuming – well lets just say I was a little disturbed.

The toss was crucial. Runs on the board being priceless we all thought so we all hoped that Westies would win the toss and send us in. Blayne was due for a toss win and called successfully.

Dougie and Ryan were in on what looked like a flat batting deck. A cautious start got us to 10 before Dougie after hitting through mid wicket turned for a second, got sent back, and was just out to a direct hit from deep mid wicket. Scotta joined Ryano and took us to 1 for 23 at the first break. Both guys looked solid despite what looked like a lot of unnecessary appealing from Wests that would set the tone early.  The next session got us to 69 without the loss of any more wickets. Ryano continuing to play a great team knock and Scotta keeping to his usual high standards. Scotta going shortly after the second break LBW for 24 and we were 2 for 71. Blayne joined Ryano and this pair got us to tea without the loss of any more wickets. Ryan taking advantage of a good deck and taking on any short stuff through the leg side. 3 sessions for the loss of 2 wickets, not many runs, but we were setting ourselves up with patient, solid batting. Ryan went shortly after the break to a tired leg side swipe that took the stumps but 53 invaluable runs in a final had set us up. I joined Blayne at 3 for 112 and we continued to slowly compile a decent score to chase. Blayne went LBW to an attempted hook that struck him high (gone for 23) and I inside edged on to my foot gone LBW as well for 8 (5 for 138). Victims perhaps to some of the incessant appealing going on but that’s cricket. Macca joined Jacques but feathered one behind and when Quanny got cleaned bowled by Fernon for another grand final globe  we were 7 for 152 and at risk of wasting a great start. At 60 odd overs bowled and with Wests tiring, the stage was set for Charlie Dick (pumped up after the vacuuming) to come in with a cameo and he delivered. The best number 9 in town teamed up with Jacques for a great stand of 66 that you would think put the game of out  of reach of Wests. Jacques the longer he batted was looking better and with the overs running out put the pressure back on Wests with some great running between wickets and hits over the infield. Charlie went for 30 and we were 8 for 218 . Dillon’s 1 was enough to avoid packing the kit and Boalsy after looking a bit dusty launched the last ball of the allotted 80 overs to mid wicket for 4 and a total score of 9 for 231 with Jacques not out 52. A great grand final knock and return to form by Jacques at the time we needed. Ryan Thompson and the ever reliable Biggsy Westies best with 4 for 51 and 2 for 43 respectively

A few sherbets later enjoyed at the Memo with the victorious B graders and unlucky C graders who lost in the last over. Perhaps Charlie and myself should have gone home earlier given the lengthy spells Blayne will no doubt expect us to be bowling tomorrow.     

Day 2

A rousing pep talk from Weeksy/Murph had us in the field determined to make Wests earn every run. Macca took the new ball with Blayne and both guys got stuck in on what was still an excellent batting deck.  A huge shout for LBW against Vaughan in Blayne’s first over was denied, but Wests were one down for 5 when Scotta took a great sharp catch at silly mid off  a leading edge from James in Blayne’s third over.  Fernon was in at first drop and wore a short ball from Blayne first up. Rattled, he tried to hook  from there on and Blayne, gladly obliging with the short stuff, found Fernon getting a faint touch through to Quanny – Wests 2 for 7. Macca and Blayne bowling throughout the first session, both beating the bat repeatedly, and Wests 2 for 17 at the first break. Our second session did not start well with catches to Charlie and Macca going down but our line and length was maintaining the pressure. Boalsy shortly after clean bowling Wests skipper Bramley with a great nut  for 7  and followed up soon after with an awkward stump high full toss which Coutts skied high and I caught low at mid off.  Wests crawling to 4 for 32 at the second break off 30 overs.  Subbiah shouldered arms to Boalsy soon after the break to lose his off peg and notch up a duck and we were by now all over Wests at 5 for 35 and the big fella Boalsy was on song. Opener Vaughan through all this time had been occupying the crease but frustratingly for us had been dropped 3 times and survived numerous LBW shouts. Blayne back for his second spell  found Vaughan’s leading edge and I made good ground (so I thought) to take a low diving catch at cover point but was soon brought back to earth by my teammates who informed me I had the turning circle of a road train – Wests gone at 6 for 41.    Tea gladly came at 6 for 52 but the job was yet done.

Blayne had Mark Bramley nicking to Quanny first over back from tea and Ryan Thompson was soon after run out to some great fielding from Jaques at mid wicket – Jaques ground fielding on the day outstanding. Biggsy and Blayne’s good mate Marriot then followed with a 30 run partnership which flattered Wests final score before Dougie held one at point off a deserving Macca for Biggsy gone for a fighting 29.  Westies by now 9 down. The Rovers crowd of loyal supporters by now had begun the Fitzy chant which was last seen back before XMAS for that bloke Quackpatrick who’s identity to this day remains a mystery to me.  Macca tossed me the ball to cheers from the crowd, and I justified the call with a fourth ball that can at best be described as absolute crap – and smacked straight to Boalsy’s safe hands at backward square, and victory with Wests bowled at for an even 100. Macca 1 for 36 of 18, Blayne 4 for 37 off 20, big Boalsy 3 for 8 off 10 being the key bowlers for us.

Great scenes later in the sheds with an emotional Blayne lost for words. The support of the Rovers crowd was outstanding and the envy of the Wests players. A great season for us considering we had only 5 players backing up from last year’s successful final winning side but could still win so convincingly. In a batting side reliant on Blayne and Scotta we still had 8 guys pass 50 (I’ll include Macca’s 49) during the season. Macca being back after Xmas maybe the X factor for us.

Lots of good times and blurred memories of later in the night – Boalsy bench pressing anyone within sight, Quanny (don’t cry for me I’ve got tinea), Muzza belting out Mustang Sally , Guv making a speech that even with translation was  understood better the second time when he spoke in Japanese, more bad karaoke, some concern I had later in the evening been eaten by a dog at Ragonesi road dog and Weeksy leaving at 8.30 in the evening only to wake up Monday morning and find he had no front gates.

A long but great and successful season for the Rovers Club. Enjoy the off season everyone.       

Scotta's Spiel - B Grade

MEMO ROVERS v WESTS - B GRADE GRAND FINAL - 28 MARCH 09 - HEAD STREET

A glorious Saturday morning at Head Street saw everyone arrive early, ready for the all important team photos. These being done and team sheets filled out, the all important toss was next. Having a few "older" blokes in the side means winning the toss and batting first is generally pretty important, as some of struggle a bit after 40 overs in the field! A loud clear call of heads from me must have scared the coin, as it duly did what it was told. Tick box one, we were batting first!

Ty and Gaz went out, with Ty no doubt thinking of the century he made in his last Grand Final appearance. A big six by Gaz on the second ball got the innings under way. Unfortunately for Ty, he fell 100 runs short of consecutive Grand Final centuries, giving a fairly straightforward catch for 0. Gaz followed a few balls later (2/16). Toolbox and Stats put on 32 runs before Box (4) was given out Caught Behind.... no wait, he dropped it..... must be LBW then! At 3 for 48, we were looking a bit underdone. Someone obviously forgot to tell Stats that, and he proceeded to smash them to all points of the park. A 66 run partnership with Scotty S, of which Scotty made 13, before being given out handled ball after falling over and swiping the ball to square leg with his glove! A 74 run partnership with Fin (26) saw the "old man" make 144, including 12 sixes and 12 fours. Didn't leave him with much running to do, wonder why he was so tired? A couple more quick wickets by Westies saw us finish with a quite respectable 8/220. My wicket was particularly quick, lasting only one ball.......

Although the runs weren't there for them, the supporting roles that both Scotty and Fin played while Stats was on fire, were priceless.

Wests made their way out to bat, and were looking good a 1-61. A wicket by Toolbox on the last ball before drinks saw them go into the break still looking good at 2-62. Well, it all fell away pretty quick after that, with the little master Akash, and Tooly, combining to take 9 for 29 between them.
Gav O'Toole 6 for 12 off 6.4 overs, Akash 3 for 17 off 5 overs. Wests losing their last 9 wickets for 23 runs. A superb effort from both the boys, with 7 dropped catches for the day making their efforts even more outstanding.

Three in a row for the B Grade, and for me personally, making me the only MRCC player to play in all three!

It was fantastic to see so many blue shirts and kids down at the A Grade on Sunday, to watch the boys take home the flag.

Commiserations to the C Grade, who went agonisingly close again, only to lose in the last over.

All in all, a great year for the club, taking out 4 of the 5 flags on offer. Let's keep the momentum going for 09/10.

Don't forget Presentation Night on Saturday the 25th April at the Memo from about 6:30pm.

Cheers
Scott

Muzza's Mutterings Weeksy's Writeup Shags' Shamble Guv's Garble - C Grade

MEMO ROVERS v RSL WORKS - C GRADE GRAND FINAL - 28 MARCH 09 - LARAPINTA OVAL

Well, we started the day with a win …. Muzz had had enough of Murph’s comments about his coin toss’s so handed the job to him in what he tells us was his last game.  Heads it was and we’ll have a bat thanks.

Muzz gave his speech .. “..a score of 160 odd will be very handy”.  Weeksy revved us up with a speech of his own “What ever your goal for the day ..increase it. If you want to take 4 wickets - aim for 6, if you want to make 40 – make eighty….. as for me I just want to get off the mark”. Stirring stuff

Mick Niven and Milney got us away to a solid start seeing off the openers before Milney was out in the 10th over for 20 with the score on 38. Mick was next to go given caught behind to one he missed 2/52. Murph and Shags put on 46 before Shags was out for 9.

Murph tried to smash their oldest bowler out of the park but just sent it straight up and was out for a well made 47 incl 7 fours and 1 six. Brownlow next to go for 3 on 117 bringing Pres Weeks to the crease. Next ball Bones was on his way to the middle. Unfortunately Weeksy  wasn’t able to reach his goal for the day, clean bowled (what’s “dirty bowled” I wonder) for a golden duck!

Muzz hit a big 6 in his knock of 12 and Bones was eventually run out for 24 in a mix up with Not so big Mick who was out not much later for 4. Jonesy and I batted out the last couple of overs before our innings closed on 161 after the 35 overs. Right about where Muzz was hoping as a minimum.

We missed an early chance when NSB Mick got his hand to a sharp one at second slip, knocked it to Murph at first, who had a couple of grabs before he tried knocking it to Mick with the gloves on. $2, $4, $6 … a quick way to rack up the fines!

Their first fell in the 4th with the score on 6 as Jonesy held a good catch. He took the next catch also, out on the boundary with the score on 19. In what looked like a set play Alex Marsh smashed a short one straight down his throat .. great result but I was trying to bowl it full at his toes following a chat from Murph, still, its in the book!

While it was another 13 overs before we got the next wicket, RSL weren’t setting any scoring records and we were feeling good about things. Bones followed up with a wicket next over and they were 4/81 in the 23rd. The new batsman was a slogger … and slog he did - smashing  a fairly rapid 44 giving us a missed few chances before Weeksy held onto one at deep mid off. 

We weren’t out of it but RSL were back in it. We stuck to our task however and put the pressure back on them with 3 wickets for 5 runs, including a run out involving Life Members Weeks and Murphy. In the post wicket excitement, Murph must have slipped and his feet connected with the stumps accidentally kicking one half way down the pitch. Know, we all know Murph’s a known handballer so this was very unusual.

The year came down to the last over with RSL needing 3 to win which were hit by Bryan Gill who had batted the whole innings to finish 58 not out … Well done Gilly and congratulations to RSL. The game was played in great spirits but contrary to RSL Skipper Al McKibbin’s suggestion you couldn’t ask for more … you can.

Congratulations to all other grades ..sorry we let you down.  See you all next year.

Cheers
Guv

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