Huge congratulations to current MPCC Club Captain and skipper of the MP Sporting Edge Div.1 2nd XI, James "Comet" Duncan who etched his name into Merivale-Papanui Cricket Club folklore Saturday by scoring the clubs first ever Double Century on the last day of the season against Sydenham at Sydenham Park 2. Comet who debuted for the club in 2013/14 had never scored a hundred and made sure his maiden effort was a very special innings indeed scoring 216 off 150 balls (including 18 x 4's & 17 x 6's) and sharing in a 4th wicket partnership of 248 with Jonathan Collins who scored 36 (94) as they set up a score of 284/5 dec in the 2nd innings against their opponents. Comet's innings surpassed the previous highest score by an MPCC batsman of 180 which had been set by Darren Leigh in 2017/18 against St Albans. All in all a fantastic and very special knock by Comet and one that won't ever be forgotten by the man himself or those that were lucky enough to witness it!!

  Congratulations to MP Sporting Edge Div.1 1st XI opening batsman Thomas Batty who scored his maiden MPCC century Saturday scoring 104 not-out and guiding the side to their winning target against East Chch Shirley scoring 235/3 to finish their 2-Day campaign with 5 outright wins from 5 games and claim the 2-Day title in style. The side have also earned promotion back to the Championship Grade for next season. Tom in his first season with the club had an excellent debut season scoring 646 runs @ 49.69 from his 18 innings!

  Congratulations to Steve "Pickle" Van Grunsven (531) whose 43 for the MP Gold Presidents side in their win against Sumner at Barnett Park took him past 500 runs for the season. This is the third time in his MPCC career that Pickle has passed the batting milestone having scored 622 runs in 2012/13 and 757 in 2014/15. He becomes the 13th MPCC batsman this season to pass 500 which is a new record surpassing the 12 players from both the 1991/92 & 2014/15 seasons.

  Congratulations to Mathew Wilcock whose wicket for the MP Div.4 side against Marist-Harewood at Edgar Mac 1 was his 300th wicket for the club.

  Congratulations to Jamie Chapman (1002) whose 21 not-out Saturday for the MP Sporting Edge Div.1 1st XI in their win against East Chch Shirley took him past 1000 Division 1 (Senior B) runs for MPCC.

MPCC 2020/21 Prize-Giving ...

  The 2020/21 Prize-Giving has been scheduled for Friday 9th April at the MPCC Clubrooms (Edgar Mac) starting at 7:00pm.All members and their supporters are warmly invited to attend the farewell event for the season and help celebrate the team and individual successes of Season 2020/21.

Match Reports from Saturday 20th March ...

MP Sporting Edge Div.1 1st XI vs East Chch Shirley @ Burwood 2 (2-Day)(Win)

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MP Sporting Edge Div.1 2nd XI vs Sydenham @ Sydenham 2 (2-Day)(Loss)

  2nds started day two vs Sydenham 23 runs behind and with one wicket to get, but Sydenham opted to declare overnight amid damp conditions. This seemed a good move when we were 17-3 after not too long with tall Kyle (0), Brogan (1) and Dakesy (8) all back in the hutch. Comet and Jono took some time to rebuild the innings, going at less than 2 an over for a while before Comet started to put together some runs. Sydenham’s decision to try spin backfired as Pagadala was put over the boundary repeatedly, with four overs going for 39, (38 of them scored by Comet). With his score mounting quickly, Comet called for drinks and new gloves so that he could work out what he was on and then worry about not getting to his first century before lunch, particularly when Jono tried to run him out on about 90. However, a boundary and a single off the final over before lunch brought up his first MPCC ton off 103 balls, and we went in reasonably placed. Jono was on about 10 by this point.

     There were big celebrations at lunchtime, but what came afterwards was pretty astonishing. After the break Comet and Jono set about attacking more or less every ball, with Comet bringing up his 150 with a ball onto the road off about another 16 balls – in one seven ball sequence he scored 6, 6, 1, 6, 6, 6. Jono also started to knock the ball around a bit. Sydenham worked their way through all their bowling options and all of them got the same treatment until, with no-one on the ground believing what they’d seen, Comet smashed another six into the trees to bring up 200 off 140 balls, 37 after he got to three figures. It’s the first ever double-century for MPCC and will take an incredible knock to overcome. After a round of applause from both sides on our pitch and the Presidents game on no.3 block, and a few figures on the no.1, we carried on until Jono was out caught for a supportive 36 off 94 balls with the score on 265-4, ending a 248-run partnership that may or may not be the biggest ever compiled for MPCC (editors note: The biggest MPCC partnership is 282 by 3C's Sam Thomas & Ash Dixon against NBWMC on Saturday 3rd November, 2007 at Edgar Mac 2). Small Kyle (7*) hogged the strike for a bit, trying to catch up, before Comet finally holed out on the boundary for 216, following 18 4s and 17 6s, as we declared at 284-5 in the 51st over of the day, setting Sydenham 262 to win.

     The less said about the final innings the better. McBride got us off to a good start, dismissing one of the openers for 1, but was otherwise expensive, and Nemo also got an early wicket caught at mid-on, but nobody was able to remain consistent. Alex Brogan (2-55) took 2 wickets in one over and bowled quite nicely for a time, before being taken for 28 off an over by Vish Singh who, having been dropped on about 10, went on to put on 94. Beattie, (3-82 off 13) got rid of the well-set Barkhuizen and another batsman in successive balls to spark hopes of a recovery, but Vish kept going till he was finally caught in the deep by small Kyle off Beattie (our third or fourth chance from him) with only about 10 needed to win. Pagadala (29*) drove a couple of impressive sixes to partly make up for Comet’s earlier brutalisation to get them home 7 down in only about 32 overs, resulting in 548 runs off about 83 overs and a Sydenham win to consign us to the wooden spoon.

     This was a disappointing way to follow up Comet’s record-setting knock, and summed up our season, which has seen lots of promising moments, but few of them converted into wins. Hats off to Sydenham, who chose to chase the target rather than block out, and did it with some style. However, the result will be quite quickly forgotten, whereas Comet’s innings will remain in many people’s memories for a very long time.

     Congrats also to the Div 4 side for their promotion and to the 1sts for winning all their 2-day games, the 2-day comp, and promotion back to the Championship, and well done to Tom Batty for his first MPCC ton in seeing off Easts. Hopefully the club can build on these successes in 2021/22.

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Dave M

MP Division 4 vs Marist-Harewood @ Edgar Mac 1 (Loss)

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MP Division 7 Panthers vs Riccarton Lions @ Barrington 2( Loss)

  12 men army of Panthers displayed great fighting spirit but unfortunately lost the thriller. Panthers played with Riccarton Lions  at batting friendly Barrington Park. Riccarton won the toss and elected to bat first. No surprises Riccarton openers tried to dominate Panthers, so Panthers had to struggle to break partnership. Bowling change worked as Jonno got Sunny’s wicket. Rest of Riccarton batsmen contributed well with bat and kept run rate high. Lions got all out for 197 runs. Phenomenal spell from Nick Kirk who fooled Lion’s batsmen with quicker deliveries and variations taking 5 wickets. Jonno Abbott bowled really well and took 3 wickets and Ronnie got 2 wickets. 

  Chasing target of 198 runs, Panthers lost both openers very early. Andy Richards and Sunnie’s partnership of 49 runs for 3rd wicket set up good platform. Sunnie got out after getting decent start. Andy got 51 runs with classic shots and 8 beautiful boundaries. Jonno Abbott took game deep with crucial partnerships with Andy Anderson and Dean August. After taking team close to victory unfortunately Jonno got out scoring impressive 51 runs. Panthers had to score 9 runs in last over but unfortunately Andy and Jeet both got run outs, and Panthers fell short by 6 runs. Great day of cricket, but not the result we wanted on the final game of this season. 

  Overall this is an incredible journey of Panthers throughout season. Cheers to skipper Joel for forming team and entertaining us with mighty sixes. Andy Richards the backbone of Panthers batting lineup leading the batting chart. Ronnie Khuu with 31 wickets bowled incredibly took wickets at crucial moments. Jeet and Andy Anderson’s combo bowled exceptionally throughout season gave us great starts most of the games. Most valuable Panther Dr.Jonno Abbott was outstanding with bat, ball and extraordinary fielding. Dr.Nick Kirk was so impressive with spin bowling and valuable contribution with bat. Rochie and Clinton never failed to add energy to the team, both performed remarkably well in the games they have played. Dean August was so reliable behind the stumps and also with the bat. Harsha with great fielding efforts, Louis and Sunnie with great batting performances in top order added value to the team. Not to mention the decent contribution of Dakesy and Jono Collins in few games they have played. Cheers everyone for the good times we had over past few months, I hope our Panther’s legacy continue next season, until then Harsha signing off.

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Harsha Reddy

MP Division 7 Gold vs The Wanderers @ Edgar Mac 2 (Win)

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MP Cavaliers T20 vs Marist-Harewood @ St James 1 (Win)

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MP Beverage Brothers Presidents (BYE)

MP Gold Presidents vs Sumner @ Barnett 2 (Win)

  Final week of the season had the MPCC Gold side make the pilgrimage to Barnett Park to take on top of the bottom split table Sumner side. A fair amount of green showing through with a bit of sponge made this toss a difficult choice if won for us, thankfully that was not a problem as Richie's calling ability deserted him again. Paul was off on a little run to the middle, spent half a second looking and informed us we were to pad up. With Dearsley missing in action this week, Crimpy was made to fill in with Campbell, an action you could tell he was not particually enamored with but sucked it up to comply. Sumner used Robinson and Sherwood as the opening projectile launchers and then it was all on. Rob seemed to get the better of the opening exchanges racing to 12 within two overs hogging the strike before things slowed down markedly. Telling overs of fifth and sixth had both openers back in the hutch as movement induced edges, Robs ending in Steele's gloves for 14, Crimpy finding Gormack at slip for 1. Honours shared for the two bowlers. This brought Hume and Pickle together early with a bit of pressure to perform. I would put the tussle that ensued ended with a slight advantage to MPCC getting to 55 off sixteen without further loss. The forced change-up of Marsh and Garner to relieve the tapped out Robinson and Sherwood, didn't start particularly well for Fluff, the first over being decidedly short (not helped by a misfield) going for 13, but to his credit came back well in the second. Garner had the reverse going into drinks as his second over was targeted to go, MPCC breaking at 81/2. Sumner's breakthrough came courtesy of a subtle outswinger from Garner and Pickle playing defensively down the wrong line, ball met top of off, batsman trudging off for 43. This may have spooked the MPCC line up as a period of watchfullness was evident, Hume breaking the shackles slightly picking up Marsh for a legside boundary and then attempting another flick, timing it well, but unfortunately a bravely diving forward Garner got his hands underneath securing an excellent pouch, Hume back for 34. Having enough of that, Fluff was replaced by Owens, who struck relatively early getting Flats (5) caught at cover by Gunn. This triggered Browne into action, from that point the boundaries were in danger. Mayo was not able to repeat earlier form, comprehensively trapped in front by Cuff, gone for 8. Millar was busy early while Browne was taking the long handle, a lucky break on the midwicket boundary allowing him to stick around a little longer than Sumner would have liked, making his way to 46, finding Robinson near the straight one attempting to bring up the half century, Cuff to take his second. Price got done round his legs by Owens for a blob then Millar had the bails removed in a flash by Steele sending him away for 18 (13). That left Skuds and Muzz to see out the remaining five balls, which they did so successfully. MPCC finishing the overs 176/9, bowlers award to S. Cuff for 4/0/20/3.

  Happy enough with that effort, Mayo maintained a slow ball attack for the week, opening with himself and Hume. This took all of six balls to pay dividends when Russell walked pass something resembling a "turning ball" and Muzz whipping off the bails finding Paul short of his ground, 1/1. Marsh and Gunn found the going tough, made tougher when Mayo snuck the slowest of deliveries through Gunn's (6) defences with just enough momentum to disturb a bail and have another victim 2/14. A bit of a counter from Marsh slowed the Mayo train, but carnage was resumed in Mayo's fifth as Owens (5) launched a rocket into Skudz which stuck, then Robinson (0) not hitting hard enough to evade Browne at deepish mid off, Sumner 32/4. Mayo riding the heights of a part timer finding some form. A partnership of 30 developed between Fluff and Gormack, was broken by none other than captain fantastic, Marsh trying to nail another one over mid on, not getting the connection and catch completed, gone for 28... Mayo 8/1/22/5 ????? At this stage Sumner had been reduced to 10 players, so effectively only four more scalps to go. Two overs later Millar nabbed one of them Steele (6) cutting away from the body ended up deflecting back onto the stumps. Browne took up the attack from Mayo but didn't get the reward and passed on his remaining overs. Crimp had immediate success knocking over Cuff (17). An over later Gormack trapped for 20 by Pickle, Sumner teettering at 96/8. Coup de gras delivered by Crimp blasting through Garner (2), leaving Sherwood stranded on 10*. Sumner limping to 113 in the 29th. A good way for MPCC Gold to finish the season as we were well off the pace for the majority of it.

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Cheers, Pickle.

Mens Subs for Season 2020/21 … 

Men’s full subs to be $260 for a season if fully paid by 30 November, 2020 or if an AP has been established in writing with the Treasurer by 30 November, 2020. Otherwise the subscription to be increased to $300 for late payment. ($130 for students and team captains, or $170 for late payment).

• MPCC 5-Year Adult Membership … $1100 (To be paid immediately and in full).
• MPCC 10-Year Adult Membership … $2000 (To be paid immediately and in full).

Internet Banking ...

When paying your subs by Internet Banking ...

• The clubs bank account details are:
• Westpac 03 0866 0269318 000
• Merivale Papanui Cricket Club Inc
• When making a transfer please state your full name as a reference.

Facebook ...

Both the Senior and Junior sections of MPCC can be found on Facebook ....

• Click Here for Merivale Papanui Cricket Club
• Click Here for Merivale Papanui Junior Cricket Club
• Be sure to "LIKE" both pages.

If you have any queries send us an email to mpcricket@xtra.co.nz

Article added: Friday 12 March 2021