ROUND 6 SELECTION

The last round before Christmas has the Snowdogs desperate to finish off 2011 in the right fashion. After a week of soul searching and hard work on the track we are sure to see some big performances in the next fortnight. A big congratulations to Nick Serrano on his 100th game for the club. Nick has played in 4 premiership along his journey too 100, including being vice captain to Mick Thom in the 2008/09 2nd XI premiership. Nick is a great clubman and much loved by all at the club, with a great cricket mind and tight technique we wish him all the best in his big milestone game.

1st XI @ Spotswood - C.Osborne (C), S.Cave, J.Mills, J.Lowe, T.Kassis, N.Linton, G.McIntyre, L.Davis, S.Driscoll, G.McMahon, I.Jurcic Meet at 11.45am

2nd XI v Spotswood - M.Thom (c) K.O'Connell, D.O'Connell, J.Davey, A.Jordan, T.Chrystie, J.Riley, N.Serrano, B.Cooper, J.Dunnel, A.Turner. Meet at St Bernard's at 11.45am

3rd Xi @ Royal Park/Brunswick - J.Bourke (C), J.Cowan, S.Hefter, J.Clure, Josh Dunnel, J.Browne, M.Bergin, M.Jaggard, T.Isaacs, T.Carrick, Sullivan. Meet 12:30

4th XI v St.Albans - J.Jordan (c), G.Cook, P.Conlan, G.Craig, P.Comerford, P.Maloney, J.Jones, M.Castles, R.Bennett, R.Rodgers, M.Cooper. Meet 12:30.
 
Presidents shout for super sippers sounds like a good idea- lets get four wins and bounce back as a club

BERNARD'S BITS - EDITION 1

Hi. My name is Bernard. You may not have seen me before but I can assure you that I’ve seen you. I live in the Snakepit.  But, I like to keep a low profile.

Skulking around in the creek or hiding behind a tree up on the hill. Sometimes when it rains I take refuge in Tige’s office up in the school. Either way, I’m always taking in the events of St Bernards OCCC. I watch from behind the nets at training, eavesdrop on post game discussions and occasionally sneak into the opposition changerooms to relieve myself on their kit bags. I’m a proud and passionate Snowdog. My veins pump with blue and gold blood.

I’m intensely private but the web team have coaxed me out to share a few views and opinions. I’m going to start with sharing a few things I’ve learnt so far in season 2011/12:

▪ Julian Assange look-a-like Jordan Mills is becoming a handy opening batsman.

▪ Thomas Christie needs to work on his driving. Car driving that is. Admittedly it was wet but Snowdogs are expected to perform in all conditions.

▪ Gary McIntyre is living proof that these days people are getting married later in life.

▪ Young Harry Jordan could become a star batsman for the club in 2026.

▪ Tristan Kassis is still having nightmares after being bounced out by Brendan Davey in the nets a month ago.

▪ G-Tram is still bald. 

This week shapes as a very important one for the club. It presents a big opportunity to grab a win before Christmas and then keep the “role” going in 2012.

Cheers,
Bernard.

1ST AND 2ND XI COLLAPSE WHILE 3RDS AND 4THS POWER ON

Round 5 was built as one of the most important rounds of the season for the Snowdogs, with only one more game before Christmas the final two rounds would of 2011 prove pivotal in consolidating top 4 positions.

The first XI played host to the side who last year bundled them out of their first Senior Division finals appearance in over two decades - Bentleigh. The visitors won the toss and chose to bat on the first Saturday of summer for the season - a cool one at that. The snowdogs were able to pick up wickets at regular intervals throughout the innings restricting the visitors to 7/129(cc) with the in-form Luke Davis continuing his recent string of wickets taking 4/19 off 11 and was well supported by Jordan Mills who took 2-25 off his 10. The chase got off to a good start with newly promoted opener and in-form Jordan Mills making 70 and Nick Linton 24 as the two combined for a 63 run partnership bringing the score to 3-102 needing only 28 to win. From then a complete and utter capitulation to be 9-122 with the final wicket being able to put on 7 runs to salvage a tie from what should have a been comfortable victory - a very disappointing result for the 1st XI who find them self 9th on the ladder instead of 6th.
The 2nd XI travelled out to Bentliegh via Stereosonic to soak in some last minute phat beatz before they took on last seasons Senior Seconds runners-up. Losing the toss and being asked to bowl was not the worst result for the dogs with overcast conditions and a green tinge to the wicket the barely pubescent opening pair of Riley and Turner were able to get the best of the conditions. Some tight early bowling by both of these meant Bentleigh were on the back foot almost from the first over, both bowlers having tidy one day figures with Riley (1-29 off 10) and Turner (1-13 off 7) picking up his first 2nd XI wicket with a ball that jagged back from outside off to take the top of middle. With the hard work done early it meant the dogs could attack the middle/lower order with the spin of Kevin & Pat O'Connell who were able to pick up 6 between them bowling the hosts out for 117. The run chase got off to a good start being 2-40 at drinks (both openers in the shed Jordan 5, and P.O'Connell 22) with a further 23 overs to get the remaining runs. Kevin O'Connell and James Davey were able to put on a little partnership before James was dismissed for 16 and Kev for 22 it was going to be tough for the dogs to claim victory. Tom Chrystie showed stiff resistance but it was not enough with the dogs falling 8 runs short of victory. Same old story for the 2nds with guys getting starts and not going on with it.
The undefeated 3rd XI played host to rivals Hoppers Crossing on oval two under the captaincy of Jason Bourke for the 2nd time this season. Hoppers won the toss and sent the snowdogs into bat - a decision they would late rue, after Jason Bourke put on a batting display to behold, smashing the quality Hoppers attack to all parts of the ground en route to his 2nd century in as many seasons in the 3rd XI - 107* in the impressive total of 5-173. Sean Hefter and Matt Bergin also chipping in with 22 & 14 respectively. Hoppers got off to a reasonable start in their chase with the score at 2-82 were looking comfortable before Jarrod Cowan claimed one of his 3 wickets to be the best of the bowlers in what turned out to be a comfortable 23 run win.
The 4th XI drew the short straw this season having to play away to Hoppers Crossing twice in the first 5 rounds. Batting first they were able to post a highly competitive target of 4/161 with Mark Casltes making 54, Ross Rodgers 32 and Captain John Jordan 43*. Pat Comerford starred for the snowdogs with the ball taking 3/13 off 7 putting Hoppers on the back foot from the word go. The dogs running out 36 run victors.

Big week of training awaits.

REVISED ROUND 5 SELECTION

With week one washed out and few players returning for the one dayer there have been a few changes made to the sides. The First XI welcome back Gary McIntyre fresh from his honeymoon after marrying the lovely Fiona. Good Luck to all teams, 1st and 3rd XI sides remember to bring afternoon. The 2nd XI will be meeting at St.Bernards at 11:15.

Teams for Round 5

1st XI v Bentleigh (Home) - C.Osborne (C), S.Cave, J.Mills, J.Lowe, T.Kassis, N.Linton, G.McIntyre, L.Davis, M,Thom, Jake Dunell, I.Jurcic Meet at 11.45am Afternoon Tea

2nd XI v Bentleigh (Away) - K.O'Connell (C), P.O'Connell, J.Davey, A.Jordan, T.Chrystie, J.Riley, T.Raffle, B.Cooper, S.Johansen, T.Isaacs, A.Turner. Meet at St Bernard's at 11.15am Sharp

3rd Xi v Hoppers Crossing (Home) - J.Bourke (C), L.Wade, J.Cowan, J.Clure, M.Bergin, S.Hefter, Josh Dunell, M.Jaggard, J.Browne, T.Carrick, R.Bennett. Meet at 12.30pm Afternoon Tea

4th XI v Hoppers Crossing (Away @ Westborne Grammar) - J.Jordan (C), G.Cook, P.Conlan, J.Jones, P.Maloney, P.Comerford, M.Castles, G.Craig, R.Rodgers, J.Sullivan, M.Webste

 

Lets get 4 wins!

SNOWDOGS SNEAK HARD FOUGHT T20 WIN

The Long awaited home 20/20 match was finally upon us. With many team members talking smack on facebook the day before some big results were expected. The Squad was picked and once again 20/20 specialist Tom Chrystie was overlooked, the team looked stronger than ever. Chris Spinella unfortunately lost the toss but the team was up and about and were bowling some very good areas. James Riley was fantastic with the ball taking two wickets in his first two over’s. J.Mills also was bowling sharp and the team was up and about in the field cutting off singles and creating run out opportunities. Then the skipper tossed Tristian “I probably should be dropped” Kassis the ball in what would turn out to be the entertainment of the night for a few spectators. With balls racing to the boundaries, caught and bowled opportunities going to ground and then a very uncoordinated run out opportunity all in his first over. Consequently the ball didn’t go back to Tristan and instead Craig “180” Osborne and Luke “well bowled” Davis ended bowling extremely tight and resulted in Rowdy getting some very well deserved wickets. Chris bought himself on to close the innings and after a good bowling performance the team were chasing 100 runs for victory.

This turned out to be the captain’s innings he hit 58* in an extremely impressive innings as his teammates were falling by the waist side. Many players went cheaply skying balls to mid off. Chris batted the whole twenty overs and directed the squad to making the runs with two balls to come. A very iceman like cover drive by James Riley turned out to be the winning runs. A very hard fought win and a good result for the undefeated Snowdogs.

The dogs are now 2-0 and sit 2nd on the ladder needing to beat Keilor Park to advance through the group stage of the tournament.

We look forward to some Saturday cricket this week!

-Thomas Chrystie