Congratulations to former North West Youth Cricket player Cameron Williams who took his maiden MPCC five wicket bag in an amazing spell of 7.3 overs, 3 maidens, 8 for 12 for the MP Geeks on Wheels Div.7 side against the Southern Districts Gurkha Crusaders at Waltham 2 on Saturday. Cam's spell helped decimate the opposition seeing them bowled out for 20 off 14.3 overs to which MP scored 21/2 off 3.2 overs in reply to easily win the 40 over a-side game. Cams figures were the best by an MPCC bowler since Alan Bastin claimed the exact same figures for 3C against Addington in 1998/99 and see him surpass Richie Mayo's 7/25 as the best figures of the season to date.

  Congratulations to former NWYC now MP Sporting Edge Championship bowler Ben MacLennan #284 who was the shining light in a lack lustre day one performance by the side against Sydenham on Day 1 of their 2-Dayer at Edgar Mac 1. Ben claimed his maiden MPCC and Championship grade five wicket bag taking 5/26 off 10 overs in the 1st innings of the game and followed it up with the sole wicket in Sydenham's 2nd innings just before the close of play.

  Congratulations to MP Sporting Edge Div.1 all-rounder Kyle Sloane whose 1st innings wicket against East Chch Shirley at Burwood 2 on Saturday 19th February was his 100th Division 1 (Senior B) wicket for MPCC. Kyle becomes the 20th MPCC bowler to have taken 100 Div.1 wickets and coupled with his innings of 60 in the same game, which took him to exactly 1500 Div.1 runs, he became just the second Div.1 player to have scored 1500 runs and taken 100 wickets joining Barry Cleverley who scored 2639 runs and took 127 wickets during his "Senior B" career.

Postponement of MPCC Trivia Night ...

  The Sporting Edge MPCC Trivia Night scheduled for this Friday 25th February has unfortunately been postponed due to recent Covid developments within our local community. Other events including those below will be reassessed by the Committee on a case by case basis.

MPCC Six-A-Side Sunday 6th March ...

  The MPCC Six-A-Side has been rescheduled for Sunday 6th March and is open to all players across the grades so if you are keen to participate let Chris McBride or Jonathan Collins know ASAP. Entry is $10:00 per person and players are asked to be at Edgar Mac by 11:30am on the day ready for a 12:00pm start. Supporters are welcome also and the Bar & BBQ will be operating throughout the day.

Chairman's Cup Final ...

  Merivale-Papanui will now be hosting St Albans on Edgar Mac No.1 Sunday 13th March with the winner claiming the Chairman's Cup for the 2021-22 Season.

MPCC 2021/22 Prize-Giving ...

  Friday 1st of April has been set as the date for the MPCC 2021/22 Prize-Giving and will be held at our Edgar Mac clubrooms starting at 7:00pm. Mark the date in your calendars and hopefully we'll see all teams well represented on the night. 

Championship One-Day Semi-Final ...

  The Championship side turned up to a warm Christchurch morning at St Albans Park for the second semi-final of the season against Lancaster Park.  LP’s covers had holes in them, so the game was delayed 2 hours. Lingy won the toss and put us into bat which is about the only good thing that happened. Lingy and Comet got off to a decent start until Comet was given out dubiously. From then on, we lost continuous wickets with Lingy the only innings of any substance with 27. We were bowled out for 93, very very disappointing but the team never got going against a good Park bowling lineup. Also not batting our overs has really cost us the last couple months. 

  We opened the bowling with Jacob and Mike, we needed early wickets if we were to have any chance. Jacob picked up a wicket in his 1st and 4^th overs (2/19 off 6). Sadly no one else could find the breakthrough and they ended up chasing it down in 16 overs. Pretty disappointing way to finish our one-day campaign but we were completely out played in all departments except for having a beer in the changing rooms. Couple of bad days does not define a team so looking forward to seeing the guys make a turnaround for the last 5 weeks. Thank you very much for the supporters coming down really do appreciate it.  

https://www.crichq.com/matches/1000484/1st_innings

Comet

Match Reports from Saturday 19th February ...

MP Sporting Edge Championship vs Sydenham @ Edgar Mac 1 (2-Day)(Day 1)

MPCC vs Sydenham Day 1

  We started off the day great with Lingy losing the toss and getting put into bowl at the Mac, we opened with Beattie and Jacob, with Beattie getting an early wicket. Apart from that it wasn’t a great start with the boys bowling on the shorter side and giving away a boundary ball each over. Ex MPCC player PK was chatted out and from there we pulled ourselves back into the game. Cam and Ben came on to do as they do and slow the run rate down and nab some key wickets which they did. Ben bowling amazingly and claiming his first 5 wicket bag for MPCC, getting 5-26 off 10 overs. Jacob and Beattie came back well and added a few more to their tallies, Beattie 3-36 off 16 and Jacob 2-53 off 14. We thought they were about 40 short of a par score on that deck, bowled out for 179, happy we pulled them back. Bit of a disappointing day in the field though as we dropped far too many chances.

  We came out to bat and were confident we could get ourselves the lead, but a couple of cheap wickets up top put us in a position where we needed to fight. Deeley and Comet steadied the ship for a while before they fell, Deeley getting 25 off 38 and Comet 17 off 51. Other than that there wasn’t too much to talk about, Cam got a sexy 14 not-out but in his mammoth batting innings he blew a calf out! All out for 110.

  We had a shot at them for 12 overs at the end of the day in the dark and rain, the magic man for the day Ben snapped up the wicket of PK leaving them 45-1 overnight. We currently trail by 114 with 9 wickets to get next week, we need to make sure we are tighter and dismiss them early if we want to fight for the win.

  Big thanks to Dakesy for the pitch, was a gem and sounds like half the Sydenham players are keen on a transfer to play on our pitch more!

https://www.crichq.com/matches/999139/1st_innings

Jacob Wilson.

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

  The might of the MPCC Div1 battlers travelled east this week to take on the lads from East Shirley. A dumbed silence spread around the team as Gilly won his first toss since god knows when and we inserted Easts on a damp looking deck. Josiah and Cecil opened up this week with Josiah getting a reward early on. Both bowled well beating the bat on numerous occasions to have our opposition batting cautiously early on. Unfortunately Josiah lost his radar a wee bit after about 8 overs and Gilly brought Sloanie into the attack with almost immediate results. We kept applying pressure and with our third bowling change Jase came on and picked up 3 in next to no time. Easts were reeling at 60 for 6 when their number 8 came out and turned the game on it's head. He battered us three ways from Sunday with not many being spared and at one stage it  looked like it would be easier to get protesters out of Wellington. He brought up his hundred off about 45 balls and had a partnership with his skipper that saw them through to a reasonable 250 off their 45.

  We were still confident of chasing the total with a long batting order and short boundaries and with Nana getting a couple of 4's away we were feeling ok about things. Funny game though cricket and as it got darker before the rain Nana got cut in half to lose his pegs then Gilly and Bellsy not bothering the scorers and Ash not any better we were starting to get the feeling of deja vu. Joel got a couple away then he fell and we were staring down the barrell a bit at about 40 runs and almost half our batting in the rear view mirror. Then the rain came and bucketed down briefly which ended up to our favour as we regrouped and came back out firing a few shots of our own. Hemanshu lived up to his billing of "The Big Show" as he teamed up with Sloanie to have Easts albeit briefly on the back foot. They both played some outstanding and frankly brutal shots with a number of 6's and 4's. The Big Show was unluckily out while in full flight falling for 49 off just 26 balls and Sloanie then batted intelligently (That's right I said it!) with the rest of the lower order to see us well past the follow on. A late flourish from Josiah and Cecil got us up to a noice 69 runs behind after the first innings. Apparently Cecil's hands were moving but they were far to fast for an old man like me to see. 

  Special mention to Kyle's innings of 60 today though, he found the perfect mix of attack and defence and batted with real maturity although Jase may think differently if you ask him. Also Jase bowled well with 3-17 knicking out a couple, one of which may have gone to first slip having been given the chance.

  Obviously being behind by 69 isn't ideal but we showed a bit of ticker today and hopefully a few early wickets next week may put all the pressure on Easts.

Bellsy

MP Bombay Tandoor Div.3 vs Sumner @ Bishopdale 1 (Loss)

  MP Bombay Tandoor (Div3) took on Sumner at Bishopdale Park. Special thanks to Sam Hall for filling in for us [took a good catch too].  Sumner’s forward-thinking captain asked for an early start given the rain was supposedly going to hit us around 5pm, so we got under way at midday... Let’s just say that Matt didn’t go out and get a lotto ticket – we were batting. Low and slow, hard to get runs without being a bit creative. See Masood’s highlights package. Matt decided we needed to try something different and so gave young Ben McGarvey and older Masood {Max} a crack. Ben 0 (off 12), Darren 2 (off 10) were the only wickets to fall before drinks, which saw us with 40ish runs on the board. Masood fell 3^rd ball after drinks trying to up the tempo, which created a lovely over 50’s (ages) partnership with Ross Patterson and Ross Hastings (finally having a chance to play for us after being scheduled to play in three rained off games). It was good to see RP’s timing coming back and it was a delight to witness an exquisite leg glance that went for two, and look up to see both batsmen gasping for air after having run 2 lots of two in a row. RH may have even mentioned to RP that he needs to hit the ball harder. After some nervous/tentative prods , RH decided he had had enough and started to attack the bowling. 75 run partnership followed before RP was stumped in the last over for a well compiled 44 and RH finished up on 42 not-out (only batsman to get over a 50% strike rate…125/4 at the end of our 40. Matt was looking for 140 +.

  Early wickets were the plan. Masood picked up the 1^st one with a nice wee outside edge that was well taken by Ranjith 1/10. Matt didn’t have any luck and so threw the bowl to the “Monster” [Dave Monger]. First return to the bowling crease after an injury forced break saw Dave bowl his 8 overs on the trot, picking up 3 wickets. Unfortunately , Sumner were still keeping ahead of the required run rate. 2/51 , 3/56, 4/62 (off 16.3). We decided to try some even slower bowling and RH stepped up to the mound. Even though he bowled tightly, 1/26 (off 8), Sumner were still annoyingly picking up runs. Pratik replaced Dave and picked up a couple of wickets to keep us believing we had a chance (unfortunately you won’t see them on Masood’s highlights package as he had put the camera in the car when it started to rain). There’s always next week Pratik. [71/5, 90/6, 92/7 off 28.2] Credit to Sumner’s Mark Reid who batted very well with the tail and got them within throwing distance of our target before Matt took a great caught and bowled to remove him with still 1 run needed. No more heroics happened, and Sumner passed our total 8 down in the 37^th over.

  We fought hard. In hindsight, that 140 Matt was looking for was dead on the money. I think he should take up “run prediction” and give up “tossing”…..

  Quick note: only a couple of dodgy decisions this week. We may need to provide hearing aids and a magnifying glass for the opposition umpires in future! 

Long Live the mighty Merivale Pukeko!!

https://www.crichq.com/matches/1000138/1st_innings

Darren Leigh

MP Frame'n'Copy Div.6 Panthers vs Marist-Harewood @ Sheldon 1 (Loss)

https://www.crichq.com/matches/999862/1st_innings

MP Geeks on Wheels Div.7 vs Southern Districts Gurkha Crusaders @ Waltham 2 (Win)

  With just 5 weeks of the round robin remaining the Division 7 is looking very tight with the top 3 teams all within 5 points of each other. We played the Southern Districts team who were in first place at Waltham Park and with the threat of rain expected at around 4pm we made the decision to bowl first as we knew we had the power to both chase and bat out for the rain depending on the match situation. Being a 1st vs 3rd match, one would expect this could be a close one but right from the start this was proven to be wrong with just 5 players present at the start of the match. Cam Williams got us off to the best possible start picking up a wicket in his first over. Getting a good view from first slip it was like watching the same wicket on repeat with Southern Districts having no clue how to handle the swing of Cam, blocking out a few before throwing the bat at one. Throwing the bat worked a couple of times hence the 2 boundaries he was hit for but the majority of the time it seemed to result in stumps needing to be fixed. Cam bowled 7.3 overs picking up the best bowling figures since the 90s ending up on 8/12. I wish I could write more about his spell but their innings was about as short as Sloane in heels. Sam Brunie was called in last minute and bowled very well at the other end. Sam Picked up 2/7 but had a few chances go down off him. Southern Districts all out for 20 with none of their batters contributing much.

  Out to bat and our goal was to chase down the target as quickly as possible as in the past we have not been as ruthless as we could be and our run rate showed that. Balfour had a cautious first over and Tom Greig was caught out in controversial circumstances with the legside umpire Brunie judging a very high ball to be below the waist. 3rd over Balfour went back to his old ways hitting 3 4s and a 6 to tie up the game. Of course, as it always goes with all the batters on the side taking the kit off, Balfour skied one to be caught for 19 off 10. Dhanuja hit the winning runs the next ball and it was an easy 8 wicket win after just 3.2 overs. This moves us up to second place and with the bye this round puts us in a great position to qualify for the top 2 final. 

https://www.crichq.com/matches/999886/1st_innings

Jono Collins

MP Presidents Blue vs BWU Foxes @ Burnside 4 (Loss)

Very Short Report provided by BWU Foxes ...

  BWCU Foxes had a 7 wicket win on Burnside 4, ripping through MP Blue for 114 in 35 overs, then scoring 115/3 in quick fashion to finish the game before the rain arrived. Grant Dickson highlighted our bowling with a fantastic 6 for 16, and Martin Conway bludgeoned 54 off 39 to lead the Burnside reply. In the end, it was a short game played in good spirits. Thanks Mario and friends, see you all soon.

https://www.crichq.com/matches/1000010/1st_innings

MP BBS Timbers Presidents Gold vs East Chch Shirley Black @ Edgar Mac 2 (Loss)

Report provided by ECS Black ...

ECSCC Presidents Black 206/6 (G Strachan 2/27) defeated MPCC Presidents Gold 46 all out.

  ECSCC Black took on MPCC Gold at Edgar Mac 2, skipper Harkerss called correctly and chose to bat. Not the easiest surface to bat on however the top order laid a solid platform with MP Gold doing us a few favours and grassing a few through the innings. 40’s from team scribe and Johnston however top score of the innings was Murray Seaton with a well made 56. A cameo 20no from the skipper got us up to 206/6 from our 40 and what we thought was a very good score given the conditions. Tough day in the field for the MP boys, Strachan the best of the bowlers with 2/27 off his 7 overs.

  In reply MP Gold started briskly but once the first wicket fell at 17 there was a “house of cards” esq collapse to 28-6 before a brief shower took us from the field for about 5 minutes. That shower looked to be the end of the game but it quickly cleared up to get back out on the field and wrap up the last 4 wickets and bowl MP Gold out for 46. Tim Grocott ripped through the top order and finished with a bag and the excellent figures of 5/23 while Tony Gray cleaned up the tail with 3/11. Good fielding from us and the gloves of Johnston behind the stumps really helped us as well. Millar with 11 was the only MP Gold player in double figures.

  A few beers and a debrief afterwards as well as passing over of the Frampton shield aka “The Curse”. Thanks to Pickle and his guys for the match, good luck to them for the rest of the season.

https://www.crichq.com/matches/1000216/1st_innings

MP Cavaliers T20 vs Sydenham @ Barrington 2 (Loss)

https://www.crichq.com/matches/1000156/1st_innings

Sporting Edge MPCC Draw for Saturday 26th February:

• MP Sporting Edge Championship vs Sydenham @ Edgar Mac 1 (2-Day)(Day 2)
• MP Sporting Edge Div.1 vs East Chch Shirley @ Burwood 2 (2-Day)(Day 2)
• MP Bombay Tandoor Div.3 vs ECS Tridents @ Edgar Mac 2
• MP Frame'n'Copy Div.6 Panthers vs Southern Districts Misfits @ Beckenham 1
• MP Geeks on Wheels Div.7 (BYE)
• MP Presidents Blue vs ECS Black @ Bishopdale 1
• MP BBS Timbers Presidents Gold vs Sumner @ Barnett 2
• MP Cavaliers T20 vs Riccarton @ St Albans 2

Mens Subs for Season 2021/22 … 

  Men’s full subs to be $260 for a season if fully paid by 31 October, 2021 or if an AP has been established in writing with the Treasurer by 31 October, 2021. 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: Tuesday 22 February 2022