Wins, close wins, close losses and not so close losses to report this week.

Subscriptions for the 2023 season

A reminder that adult subscriptions are now due for the current season.

Senior club subscriptions for the 2023/24 season are set at $260 ($130 for students/apprentices) if paid, or if an AP is established in writing with the club's Treasurer, before 30 November 2023. Late subscription rates are charged at $360 (or $230 for students/apprentices). Note the increase in the late payment rate for this season.

Players joining the club from high school in their first season are not required to pay a subscription.

As always 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.

Show Weekend

A quick reminder to all players that games on Show Weekend will be played on Friday 17 November instead of the Saturday. Div 7 and Masters do not have games.

Congratulations to David Frost, whose 5-20 for Div 7 helped his team to a win in a low-scoring game.

Congratulations to Anil Kumar, in his first season with the club, whose 84 was his first club half-century, followed up by his first club wicket, helped Burger Station Div 3 to its first win of the season.

Congratulations to Masood Chakari, who scored his third half-century in four games for Bushnell Builders Div 6, unfortunately in a losing effort.

Congratulations to Chris Ellison, who marked his club and Sporting Edge Premier debut with 4 wickets - hopefully the first of many!

Match Reports from Saturday 4 November 

MP Sporting Edge Prems vs Lancaster Park @ St Albans 1 (Two Day – Day 1)

At the weekend we took on Lancaster Park at St Albans 1 on a sketchy looking pitch. Lingy lost the toss and we were put in to bat. We opened with Bertie and Lingy himself who put the first ball away for 6 and the 3rd away for 4 which got us off to a great start. Bertie ran himself out early on which brought George to the crease. Unfortunately he didn’t add too many and we were soon 2-30. Lingy and Luke put on a few more before Lingy departed for a well made 39. This saw Rory stride to the crease and deposit the first ball for 4 before getting out shortly after leaving us 56-4. Debutant Chris was next with himself and Luke grafting hard and picking up runs when possible. Luke got out LBW for 22, a hard fought innings and one that was required. At number 7 was Jamie and after a quick fire 13 was caught at backward point after spooning one in the air. This left us 102-6 with Chris and Louis the new batter. Unfortunately, both were out shortly after with Chris going for 17 and Louis for 2. This brought Ritwik (on Premier debut) and myself to the crease, and it’s fair to say there weren’t many attacking strokes played as we looked to dig in. Ritwik eventually fell for 13 which brought Jacob out to the middle as he looked to launch and was caught for 3, which was us all out for 134.

Myself and George opened the bowling and had them 36-2 early on, however some strong batting from their main man Oscar Wilson left us behind the game. He fell to the bowling of debutant Chris (4-57) who bowled beautifully and then picked up another 3 in quick succession, leaving the hosts 124-6. This brought Jacob into the attack who also bowled well with figures of 1-29 off 11, picking up the 7th wicket. They had a strong partnership of 60 before Bert came into the attack picking up the 8th. I then came on for a couple overs and picked up the 9th in the last over of play that day with Lancaster park 214-9. We showed plenty of character and fight to get ourselves back in the game, same again and more required next week.

Samuel Medhurst

MP Sporting Edge Div.2 vs East Shirley @ Burwood 3 (One Day, Loss)

This week the Div 2 Wolverines travelled to Burwood park 3 to take on the East Shirley Tridents. After losing the toss we were asked to bat first on a soft looking pitch. Despite the soft nature of the deck the ball carried through well enough as Jibin and the big Comet scored freely enough in the opening overs. Jibin in particular was able to get some nice shots away to the boundary in his fluent 33 (32). We had got through to 50 for no loss before the Tridents changed tack and introduced left arm spin. This proved to be a master stroke as he removed both spinners and started a trademark Merivale collapse also picking up Joel and Sloane cheaply. Teddy ground it out for a while before eventually succumbing to former Merivale man Bal Shivlal. Mike Beattie 25 (30) struck a couple of nice blows over the boundary and worked together with Josiah to drag us over a hundred before we were eventually all out for 110. Well short of where we needed to be.

We opened the bowling with Mike and Chris as the storm clouds loomed overhead. Mike sprayed it around as he does but managed to pick up our first wicket. Chris bowled without too much luck before young Lachie continued the trend. All of the bowlers were a bit wayward overall with 14 wides bowled and made things easier on the batsman who eventually ran the target down in pretty comfortable fashion, just 3 wickets down and with plenty of overs to spare. Need to step things up next week and grab a win at Edgar Mac.

Joel

MP Burger Station Div 3 vs Marist Harewood Himalayan @ Bishopdale (Win)

We turned up to Bishopdale Meadows, where the Dandelion Protection League had declared a no-cut-zone, to find a deck looking a little soft, but remarkably good after Friday’s rain (as ever, thanks to Dakesy for his hard work – the block held up very well). I lost my fourth toss in a row and, despite telling the team we were bowling, I realised I’d just reported what the opposition skip, former player Nabin, had called, and we were actually batting . We had ring-ins on ring-ins with Darren Leigh hobbling in after Ash was called in to work and club coach Mario Williams dodging speed traps to get across to Bish after a final late withdrawal. Thanks to both for putting themselves out when they could have said no. Key tip from the skip for the day (last innings a 2-ball duck) was for the blokes who knew how to hold a bat to value their wicket.

We opened with Basa and Shane, who did just that. With decent early bowling and a pitch that needed watching early on, we were some thing like 5-0 after 8, before Basa flicked one over mid-on for 6. It was hard work in the early overs, but we got to 29 before Basa was out for a hard-earned 18 off 54. Anil joined Shane and the pair started to mix dots with lofted 4s and 6s (anything else was a 1 or risky 2) to get us to drinks at something like 54-1. After the break, Shane (23 off 66) finally missed a nice in-ducker, and Mario was out a little later for an uncharacteristically aggressive 1. Himanshu joined Anil and worked hard to find the pace of the pitch while Anil continued to batter the odd ball to the boundary. After a 50 partnership, Himanshu eventually holed out for 18, notwithstanding a top-edged 6 that would have been caught at square leg for most. Jase Swensson then fed the strike to Anil for a while, who battered a couple of sixes and a four in the penultimate over before being stumped for an excellent 84 from 66 balls in the last over. This is two weeks in a row that Anil seemed to bat on a different track from other mortals. Nithissh (1*) got the single and gave Jason (19*) two balls to add a couple of boundaries, leaving us 173/5.

The clouds burst at the end of the innings, prompting a quick dash to dump bags in cars. We then opened with Nithissh and Tawanda and were well-rewarded again. Nithishh kept things tight before Tawanda picked up our first wicket of the innings courtesy of an exceptional low diving catch by keeper Sam Hall. Next over, Mario went sideways to take a catch at gully for Nithissh, helping set the standard for everyone else. A key moment followed with Nithissh (2-6 off 6 with 4 maidens) skittling MH’s skipper, Nabin to make everyone it 3-18. Tawanda was unlucky with a couple of chance falling into gaps, but picked up 1-19 off his 5 before suffering a leg niggle. Jase replaced him and got a wicket first ball courtesy of a good catch by Himanshu. Dave came on at the other end, bowled a couple of decent ones, during which a run-out from Nithissh and Sam was added, before getting a wicket caught by Himanshu's buckets at cow (now only c. 40 short of the Monger-Wilson combination at cow), and then breaking down with the traditional injury. Anil (1-4 off 3) and Basa (3-10 off 3) then finished off the game with Basa getting the only high-scoring batter (Alex Lankeshwar) for 45. Both bowled excellently, with Basa asking questions on every ball. Marist were all out for 86, and we enjoyed the team song for the first time this season. As a final note, our cordon called back a batsman judged LBW despite a thick edge, while one of MH’s umpires gave a late LBW despite having to look round Basa running down the pitch. Great to enjoy another fair and competitive game.

Honestly, a pleasure to see our entire team put the effort in to get us to the win. We’ve been seeing a few guys make a good effort without that coming to the boil, but 1-11 had an impact on the game and we won comfortably in a game where batting first was expected to be the kiss of death. Anil’s 84 stood out from everything else on the day, but we needed a team performance to win, and got it.

Dave M

MP Bushnell Builders Panthers vs St Albans @ Polo 3 (Loss)

The Panthers were playing the St Albans Buccaneers at Hagley Polo 3 this week. We knew going into this game that it was going to be tough as St Albans have won all their games so far this season very convincingly. Skipper Andy A won the toss and didn’t hesitate to bat first. 

The opening duo of Andy R and Dean dealt to the opening bowlers well, getting us off to a decent start. Dean scoring at almost a run a ball until he top edged one and was caught on 19. This brought Max to the crease who started off well hitting 2 boundaries in his first 4 balls. Andy R was next to go when he tickled a ball round the corner but didn’t realise the fielder was nearby and was sent back but didn’t make it, out for 8. Glen then joined Max and didn’t muck around, absolutely smashing his second ball to the cover boundary. Glen and Max then set about building a partnership, scoring at a decent clip to some very handy bowlers (we found out that most of them played Div 2 last season). Glen was next to fall on 23 out caught. Skipper Andy A came in and hit an on-drive down the ground for 4 but the following over was bowled by their left arm spinner who got the ball to dip under his bat, out for 5. Aman came and went pretty quick, was bowled on 2. Matt Dolan was the next man in who played a nice little cameo alongside Max who was the rock we needed to tie the innings together, eventually Matt had to retire hurt on 17 after he twinged his hammie. Max was the next fall when he was caught trying to up the ante, a stellar knock with 59, (third 50 in four games!). Steve came in and noodled around a few singles and twos but was eventually caught on 11. Baheer came and went so fast I don’t remember if he even took his bat to the crease, Ronnie didn’t trouble the scorers but was very unlucky when he was caught by an absolute screamer. Matt came back in just to have a swing in the last over but was out first ball, Jack was not out on 0. So the Panthers ended up on 151, not a huge score but we knew if we bowled well we’d definitely be able to give ourselves a chance.

We opened with Andy A and Max, who got us off to a good start, taking early wickets and making the Buccaneers look like they’d been hit by a cannonball. But the real star of the show was Baheer, who must have had hands made of Velcro. 

Andy A was the first to strike with a diving catch from Baheer at mid-off in his 4th over, he struck again when Glen caught a screamer at cover later in the same over. Steve and Jack were brought on first change, Jack getting a bit of tap from some very aggressive batting. Steve made a breakthrough in his second over, another stunning diving catch from Baheer at mid-off. Jack was extremely unlucky not to take a wicket early on when the batsmen clearly edged the ball through to Dean, who hardly appealed because it was so obvious. The umpire didn’t give it, claiming he didn’t see a deviation, and the sound must have been the bat hitting the ground! The whole team was furious with this decision as all the fielders heard it and it was clearly a woody sound! Jack eventually did pick up a wicket when he had the batsmen caught at mid-wicket by Baheer again! Glen then came on and bowled a brilliant 8 overs on the trot, really tying the Buccaneers in knots, he eventually got 3 for 10, with great catches to Baheer (again!), Andy R and Ronnie. Max then came on and nabbed a wicket, a great catch at gully by Matt. At this stage the game was getting really close, we were getting regular wickets, and they were finding it hard to score. It came down to the last over where they required just 3, with 1 wicket remaining. Jack was given the ominous task and bowled 4 beautiful dot balls, but on the 5th the batsmen threw everything at it and somehow middled it over the cover boundary. St Albans won by 1 wicket.

Despite the result, I’m proud of the way the team fought hard, and the highlights included Max's half-century, Glen's precision bowling, and Baheer's jaw-dropping catches. The fielding effort was nothing short of fantastic, with nine catches taken – well, eight if you don't count that invisible edge! This game will hold us in good stead going forward, we will be able to compete with any team in the grade.

Andy A.

MP Div 7 vs Southern Districts @ Waltham 3 (Win)

Merivale Papanui Div 7, sporting a few sore heads and lost voices from the previous night’s Karaoke antics, made the trek out to Waltham to take on the inconsistent Southern District Gurkhas. MPCC has had the wood on the Gurkhas in our previous encounters including a nine-wicket win two years ago, having rolled them for just 21 runs, followed by a 500-run thriller last season, with their captain Rajesh almost bringing home the bacon with 125 runs off not many. This week, we brought back the big guns with Barrel and Timber both lining up for their second games of the season. Surprisingly, Pav was also punctual this week. Upon inspecting the pitch with a key and nearly losing it in a waterlogged puddle, we knew that winning the toss on this mud track was essential, and Bellsy did the honours. Opting to put the Gurkhas in to bat, Frosty and Sanath were handed the new ball. Rajesh signalled the Gurkhas intent with a huge six off Frosty’s second over, but Sanath was rewarded with some tight bowling to have him bowled before any further damage could be done. Frosty cleaned up his batting partner the following ball with the ugliest full toss of the season which happen to be straight. The Gurkhas lost runs at regular intervals having them pegged back for 7/48 at drinks. Upon resumption, the Gurkhas decided to play for the rain, with one batsman making 2 off 50 overs, although it was all in vain as we rolled them for 63. Frosty finished up with 5/20, Sanath troubled their top order with accurate bowling to finish with 1/18 (4). Barrel was his usual menacing self and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket. He ended up with a tidy 0/4 (5). Muthu replaced Barrel and showed him how to get a wicket, picking one up in his first ball, and finishing with 2/6 (4). Ethan kept the accurate bowling going with 0/14 (4). Bellsy then burgled the tail to add to his impressive wicket telly, ending a good bowling performance with 2/0 (1.2). Nana also got in on the action with a sharp stumping which was initially given not out, but was overturned after a quick cricket lesson with the batsman' foot being on the line.

With 64 to chase down, rain clouds looming, and a challenging pitch, it was always going to be a tough run chase. This was evident by our run scoring machine Nana getting out for a duck. Tim added one to the score before being stumped. Richard didn’t trouble the scorers with a duck. Then when Alan fell for an uncharacteristically patient 13 off 49 things were looking bleak. Pav & Belsy combined for a momentum turning 27 run partnership before Pav departed for a game high 20. Barrel made a run before being dismissed by a stunning one-handed catch by the Nepalese Barrel. Frosty and Bellsy brought us home with a sensible 16 run stand, steering the team to victory with six wickets down. Batting highlights went to Pav, who played the only six in the innings, and Bellsy, the dependable middle-order maestro, currently boasting an impressive season average of 101. With only four boundaries in our innings and one two, the Gurkhas bowled some tight lines which was backed up with some solid fielding, but we managed to pull through for our third win in four games. Another fantastic game against formidable opposition!

David Frost

MP BBS Timbers Masters vs St Albans @ Edgar Mac 1 (Loss)

Masters Report 4/11/2023 BBS Timbers MPCC 133 (Hume 34, Mendis 27, Cartmell 25) lost to St Albans 134/7 (Van Grunsven 2 – 12, Mendis 2 – 30)

A nail biter at Edgar Mac 1 as Saints put us into bat on a track with good bounce and pace, but some sideways movement after the rain on Friday. Several early edges found gaps, until one finally found the diving outstretched hand in the slips. Seven catches later, including three to the keeper, and some tight bowling saw BBS Timbers MPCC restricted to 133. Hume 34, Cartmell 25, Mendis 27 and Van Grunsven 18 making strong starts but being dismissed just as they were looking dangerous.

The Saints batsmen were closely watching the dark clouds that had been forming all day, but it quickly became clear that our attack were going to be a greater threat than the weather. Saints limped to 28-3 after 17 overs, and things were going well. However one of their openers, Gibbs, was still at the crease, and with support helped to improve the run rate. Wickets kept falling and with more than five an over still required through the last 10 overs the pressure was on, streaky singles, brave, uncertain shots over the top saw the teams battle furiously hard as the game neared its end. Unfortunately, we just fell short, with the St Albans batsmen scoring the winning runs in the last over, with just 3 balls remaining. Pickle as always was economical and picked up two vital wickets to end with 2/12. Kelum Mendis, who is having a brilliant start to the season, backed up his runs with 2 for 30 off his bowling. The rest of the wickets being shared. In the field, Frankie Kokiri shone again, with 3 catches. It's been a rough start for us, still without a win. But were showing tenacity, fight determination. With a little luck, we’ll get there.

PK

MP Bombay Tandoor T20 vs New Brighton @ Garrick 1 (TBC)

Article added: Wednesday 08 November 2023