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I think that the fact that so many of our top players made themselves available, was a positive. It is extermely frustrating that we were unable to win (again) but I am reluctant to criticize any of the players chosen. I agree that Damiano (and Cross) have been terrific for the comp. and would have been a couple of the first selected. We need to continue to encourage our "gun" players to make themselves available and the tide win turn.Thanks Will for the report from Traralgon, while I share your frustration at the Subbies side again falling short, I stop short of individualising players for criticism.
Damiano has been a breath of fresh air in the comp, despite the fact a number of clubs have been on the receiving end of a match winning innings, his recent Premier stint where he top scored in a pressure cooker environment against Siddle and Pattinson would belie the opinion he struggles against quality.
However in saying that the fact an extemely strong VSDCA line up on paper failed to have more than one batsman score over 20 is a massive concern.
There was a suggestion the pitch was poor and the over all score would tend to support that account, if that is the case, this must be investigated and those responsible sanctioned. On the other hand in a one day match the conditions will be the same for each side, so play on.
A theory I have which may be seen as an excuse is the match being played at an extremely busy time of the year, and this year directly after a 38 degree day.
Perhaps the VSDCA executive and VCCL could look at scheduling the match in early/mid November when clubs are subject to losing a lot of players through school and Uni exam commitments and a mid-season break could be observed. This way all players could be at their best, and we would hopefully see a better standard than what has been delivered in recent seasons.
It would also reduce the workload on our top players and really incentivise seelction in a prestigious event.
The team looked pretty good to me, my question is 'Who should have been in?' The batting has either been good in the past or are new guys who have performed (McGuinness). I don't think anyone could bag this team!I think that the fact that so many of our top players made themselves available, was a positive. It is extermely frustrating that we were unable to win (again) but I am reluctant to criticize any of the players chosen. I agree that Damiano (and Cross) have been terrific for the comp. and would have been a couple of the first selected. We need to continue to encourage our "gun" players to make themselves available and the tide win turn.
Amazing decision to call off week 2. 35 degrees all week. Pitch covered on Thursday. 5mm rain on Friday and less on Saturday. Pitch rock hard and a sunny afternoon and we are not playing!! How are these decisions made ? Surely week 2 should be report to grounds, even if a later start!I see Rex Bennett made 141no for Sunshine 4ths v Balwyn last Sat. Rex was Footscray's opening bowler in its 1979-80 first XI VCA Premiership team, so he is no spring chicken. To bat nearly all day in searing heat would test the tenacity and fitness of someone half his age. Well done Rex, it should be an inspiration to your team mates. Wonder if he is still fit enough to bowl? Wickets next Sat would really cap it off !
Amazing decision to call off week 2. 35 degrees all week. Pitch covered on Thursday. 5mm rain on Friday and less on Saturday. Pitch rock hard and a sunny afternoon and we are not playing!! How are these decisions made ? Surely week 2 should be report to grounds, even if a later start!
Amazing decision to call off week 2. 35 degrees all week. Pitch covered on Thursday. 5mm rain on Friday and less on Saturday. Pitch rock hard and a sunny afternoon and we are not playing!! How are these decisions made ? Surely week 2 should be report to grounds, even if a later start!
spot on brightboy - appalling decision for those who could have played a game today. As long as these poor decisions are made clubs will continue to use money on players rather than facilities such as extra covers which is where the money should be spent.
All I can add to how the decisions are made is that out here in the west thundery type heavy rain fell from about 3.30 to 4.00 pm on Thursday which is before the players would have arrived for training. I know that at both Yarraville and Sunshine the pitches were wet on the top, but still firm at depth, when the players at both grounds covered their pitches on Thursday, and, that adverse weather on Friday and Sat am prevented the covers being removed. Curators at both grounds are summer -season hobbyists as their is no municipal involvement in pitch preparation at either and, therefore, must look to the club to provide the manpower to lay and remove the cover as it definitely not a 'one-person' job. (In any event, the relevant by law requires the home club be responsible for providing any labour necessary ( surely 'any' should read 'the') for the laying and removal of the cover and both clubs know this responsibility cannot be delegated to their curator).spot on brightboy - appalling decision for those who could have played a game today. As long as these poor decisions are made clubs will continue to use money on players rather than facilities such as extra covers which is where the money should be spent.
All I can add to how the decisions are made is that out here in the west thundery type heavy rain fell from about 3.30 to 4.00 pm on Thursday which is before the players would have arrived for training. I know that at both Yarraville and Sunshine the pitches were wet on the top, but still firm at depth, when the players at both grounds covered their pitches on Thursday, and, that adverse weather on Friday and Sat am prevented the covers being removed. Curators at both grounds are summer -season hobbyists as their is no municipal involvement in pitch preparation at either and, therefore, must look to the club to provide the manpower to lay and remove the cover as it definitely not a 'one-person' job. (In any event, the relevant by law requires the home club be responsible for providing any labour necessary ( surely 'any' should read 'the') for the laying and removal of the cover and both clubs know this responsibility cannot be delegated to their curator).
I couldn't agree more that more money should be spent on ensuring adverse weather interferes as little as possible with play and this could start with the competition first conducting an audit of every club in the comp to ascertain what arrangement they have in place for the laying and removal of their cover. Finally, we curators know where we stand on the rungs on the ladder, right at the very bottom: Out of sight, out of mind and the butt of all manner of ill-informed bull-shit.
It is definitely a case of prevention, and the VTCA's approach to increasing it is to make it mandatory for all clubs to lay full table covers as from next season, the dimension for a 6 pitch table being 28m x 20m. I have been told by clubs who have already invested in these that it takes 6 guys to lay and remove them (and even more in windy conditions), so I think it reasonable to assume they will not be laid any more often than is needed to comply with the relevant by-law (except when otherwise instructed from time-to-time by text message from the comp's executive).Most Premier 3's and 4's were able to get underway. Only saying that those games which were able to be played should have been. Note VTCA have similar concerns with several clubs unhappy.
Yep, this'll be interesting. No clearance/transfer applied for as far as we are aware.Super Saint, is this the bloke that played with you guys last year? This was on the CMCA page.
Only a new recruit for East Sandy could bat for an extended time, Brett Hampton made 76 not out.
Big drop in standard playing on carpet in the CMCA. Do not think the CMCA will have to worry too much about regulations.Not sure there is a cross over between turf and carpet.Yep, this'll be interesting. No clearance/transfer applied for as far as we are aware.
It is definitely a case of prevention, and the VTCA's approach to increasing it is to make it mandatory for all clubs to lay full table covers as from next season, the dimension for a 6 pitch table being 28m x 20m. I have been told by clubs who have already invested in these that it takes 6 guys to lay and remove them (and even more in windy conditions), so I think it reasonable to assume they will not be laid any more often than is needed to comply with the relevant by-law (except when otherwise instructed from time-to-time by text message from the comp's executive).
Some clubs where I have curated over the years also have a one pitch cover ( often referred to as a 'strip cover'). If, say, all clubs had a strip cover it would acceptable for the comp to ask clubs to lay it over the pitch as early as a Wednesday evening in the event of showers being forecast for the following day. This is so, because a curator working on his own can, on arriving on Thursday, fold back the strip cover to work on the pitch (leaving the pegs in place on one side), and fold it back over the pitch prior to departing. Later in the day the clubs will have the manpower to lay the full cover and, if it has already been raining, it can be laid over the top of the strip cover. If the weather clears on Friday I can generally manage to fold back the full size cover on my own to the extent needed to work on the pitch leaving as many pegs in place as possible, and fold it back over the pitch prior to departing for the day. Curators at nearby grounds are generally available on a Friday to help me if I need it to manhandle the table cover.
Despite the many years I have been curating I have yet to be asked by a competition on my thoughts on commonsense steps that can be taken to protect a pitch from rain. What does that say about their mindsets? I may have been a bit over the top in my final para of my previous post but it was written soon after I (yet again!) been the subject of criticism by uninformed players who held me responsible for them missing out on a game last Saturday. I am thoroughly sick of it.
Matt Hayes back this week, a good bat when going, helps strengthen our batting.My tips:
Willy to beat Sunshine.
Melton to beat Elsternwick- I still think O'Shea when he gets going is one of the most dangerous bats in the comp, but Melton should have this covered.
Ormond to beat Moorabbin- Ormond were saved by the wet weather last week but should be thrilled with their start to the season. Moorabbin's bowling is pretty poor and they rely heavily on Susa with the bat.
Caulfield to beat Yarraville. Caulfield's batting too strong.
Kingston to beat Altona. Who is 'coming back' SS?
Brighton to beat Werribee. Brighton just, mainly because of their bowling attack. Should be a good game.
Malvern to win at home.
Looking forward to a sunny Saturday. A few teams must've been furious to lose 6 points last weekend and will be keen to atone.
Anyone keen to knock up some group teams of the year, at the half way stage. Thinking the 'South' Team would be looking pretty strong.