It's hard to believe that the end of the season is now only one Saturday away. Here's hoping the weather is better than predicted and everyone gets to finish their respective campaigns on the field of play, good luck to all teams. Be sure and get back to the clubrooms on Saturday afternoon/evening which will be open wet or fine with the BBQ also being fired up.

  Congratulations to Darren Leigh who Saturday broke his own MPCC record of most runs in a season, previously set in Season 1998/99 of 922 runs. Darren scored 22 for his MP Accessman 4A side in a win against Heathcote at Bishopdale Park to take his season tally to 928 and with one week to go this is likely to be further extended!

  Congratulations also to Glen Bellam whose 4 wickets for MP Accessman 4A vs Heathcote at Bishopdale Park saw him become the 17th bowler to have taken 400 wickets for the club. Having scored his 4000th run earlier this season Bellsy is just the 3rd MPCC player to have achieved the 4000 runs/400 wickets double after Shane Flattery and Steve Van Grunsven.

  Finally, congratulations to Tom Dryden whose 3/27 off 8 overs for MP LBJ 3D vs Southern Districts at Edgar Mac 2 saw him pass 100 wickets for the club.

Club Trophies to be Returned ASAP ...

 Could all those having Club Trophies from last season please get these returned to Edgar Mac or Bellsy ASAP so that they can be readied for the upcoming Prize-Giving. Ideally if they could be returned by this Saturday (24th March) that would be greatly appreciated.

MPCC Prize-Giving (Friday 6th April) ...

  Remember to mark this in your calendars. The 2017/18 Prize-Giving has been scheduled for Friday 6th 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 2017/18.

Match Reports from Saturday 17th March ...

MP Sporting Edge Sen.A vs New Brighton @ Rawhiti 1 (2 Day)(Day 1)

  The MPCC Sporting Edge Senior A team were rounding out their season against the Merivale Expats (New Brighton CC) at Rawhiti Domain. As per usual Captain Hawkins lost the toss and we were put into bat on a fresh wicket. Hawes was the first to fall for 3 bringing Hawkins (16) to the crease, he and B Mayo (24) looked to steady the ship before both fell within a few overs of each other to Wilcock and Fielding respectively. Comet continued his decent form and along with Andrew Mayo they compiled a solid partnership. Comet was the aggressor as he favoured the lofted shots over long on and midwicket, he eventually fell for a well played 28 off 34 balls. NBCC thought they had a sniff but Jamal Sukhon and Mayo silenced any resistance as both took to the NBCC bowlers. Mayo took particular liking to T Burnett however the bowler had the final say as Mayo nicked off to first slip for a well played 34. Rochford joined Jamal at the crease and got his first runs in senior cricket in style as he smashed an array of lofted drives on his way to a quick 18 before being bowled in the search of quick runs. Jamal had been ticking along steadily but he flicked the switch in the last 10 overs in the search for a ton, some clean hitting from Jamal and quick running from him and Dyer eventually saw MPCC to the more than competitive score of 235/8 with Jamal not out on 91 off 66 balls, an outstanding innings for the hype player. Eder (4), Wilson 1 and Josh Dyer (4*) being the other batsmen used.

  NBCC came out to bat with a very conservative approach, in particular Matt 'Nuggsy' Kendall who was batting in a tin foil hat instead of a helmet and seemed more interested in building some pyramids than scoring runs. Most of the NBCC top order blocked out stoicly (after 25 overs they were on 39 runs). The pressure built as Dyer got 3 top order wickets including the massive wicket of inform batsman M Fielding. throughout the middle overs MPCC chipped away at the wickets, with Jamal and Hawkins getting 2 each through their respective off spin. Jamal also got the massive wicket of Nuggsy, however the batsman was later heard telling everyone that the fact he got out was a conspiracy theory and that somehow it was linked to the government covering up aliens and that 9/11 was an inside job. The NBCC block-a-thon eventually came to an end when Robin James came to the crease, he looked completely at ease as he milked the singles while also hitting a few large horns, he and Van Blerk batted out the remainder of the innings to get NBCC to 156/7 off their 50 overs. MP carrying a lead of 79 runs into the final day of the season. The pick of the bowlers for MPCC was easily J Dyer who picked up 3-42 off 18 overs, a coming of age spell for the young speedster.

Rory 'the X files' Hawes.

MP Sporting Edge 2B vs St Albans @ Edgar Mac 2 (2 Day)(Day 1)

  2B welcomed St Albans to Edgar Mac for the final 2-day round of the competition, with the luxury of a strong and balanced side of batsmen and bowlers. With an almost unrecognisable Saints team drifting in one or two at a time, the captains agreed we’d bowl first, and we opened up with Mike Beattie and Kyle Sloane. Their opener swung wildly at the first ball and kept doing it for some time while a couple of wickets fell around him via bowled and LBW wickets for Mike. Despite this, Saints were into the high 40s by the tenth over, aided by a couple of slips in the field, and we switched it up soon after with Jono Collins and Dave Monger (0-17) entering the attack. Next wicket, however, came courtesy of Srinath Basaboena, who threw down the stumps at the non-striker’s end to get rid of the Saints opener for an inelegant but successful 42. As we neared lunch, Jono (1-22 off 10) broke up a partnership with a c+b, before Mike (3-33 off 10) returned to grab a further wicket, sending them in 5 down off about 38 overs. Despite these late successes, Saints had added quite a few runs and frustrated us in the field. After the break, resumed with Sloaney, who continued to bowl reasonably without getting much luck, and Sam Gillespie after a long bowling hiatus. Sam eased himself back into rhythm, sending down six or seven full tosses before deciding to hit the deck with one and bowling his first victim. From that breakthrough, we quite quickly rattled through the remaining batsmen, with Sam adding three more wickets via a bowled, c+b and deep catch by Ash Reddy to end up 4-8 off 6, while Sloaney (1-70 off 15) eventually got one in the book through a catch by Mike. Ultimately, Saints were all out for 174 in the 51st over, a few more than we’d have liked.

          Nonetheless, that left us with plenty of time to chase left in the day. We opened up with Eddie Commons and Ash, but both were back quickly with Eddie (2) shouldering arms to an inswinger and Ash (0) nicking off. Stuart Knox and Bevan Rich began the rebuild, putting on 40 or so before Knoxy was out for 11, after which Sam (1) came and went quite quickly, continuing our unfortunate habit of losing wickets in pairs, and leaving us 47-4. Jono joined Beaver and advanced the score a little further before Beaver, who'd looked in little trouble, spooned up a catch off a spinner's first ball to depart for 37. Jono followed not long after for 9, leaving us 67 for 6, and still a few short of a potential follow-on. However, Sri and Kyle came together for a decent partnership, adding 32 runs before Sri was bowled for 19. A couple more small partnerships as Mike (12) added 19 more with Kyle, and then Sloaney and Dave (2) put a further 13 on the board before Dave top-edged an attempted pull and Sloaney had his stumps disturbed going for a slog in the next over to leave us 131 all out in the 46th over, 43 behind. There was then time for Saints to add 8 for no wicket off the final 3 overs of the day, leaving them 51 ahead and us with a battle to dismiss them cheaply and knock off their score on day 2.

          Dave M.

MP Little Brown Jug 3D vs Southern Districts @ Edgar Mac 2 (Loss)

  Batting first against top of the table Southern Districts the LBJ 3D side were looking to set a good total and then put the opposition under pressure with the ball. Andy and Rob opened up and got through to 21 before Rob (6) was bowled and then Andy (15) was caught not long after. 28/2 became 33/3 when Nick Kirk (1) was also bowled and Sanjay joined Patto but he too didn't stay long falling for 6 of 5 balls, 46/4. Patto and Sharma saw things through to drinks with the score 56/4 and looking to be more positive heading into the second half of the innings. Patto however snicked off for 12, 58/5 and Daniel "Milky" Bushby joined Sharma. These two put together a very good partnership of 65 taking the score through to 123/6 before Sharma (20) was out LBW. Joel came out and played a cameo innings of 25* off 16 to add 36 unbeaten with Milky who brought up a very good and much needed fifty as he ended the innings 51* off 53 with the total 159/6 after our 40 overs.

  Sanjay (2/50 off 8) and Milky (1/23 off 3) opened the bowling with each picking up an early wicket to have SD two down for not many however the 3rd wicket pairing of Harjeet & Nilang played aggressively and got their innings rolling along at a good rate before Sanjay induced a false shot from Nilang. Tom Dryden and Robin Dhanyan both bowled very well, Robin getting a wicket courtesy of  a good one-handed catch in the gully from the skipper and then Tom took care of the lower middle order taking 3/27 off his 8 the first of which bringing up his 100th wicket for the club. Harjeet their opener got through to his 50 before holing out in the deep off Sharma and SD were 8 down with overs ticking away and requiring another 30 or so runs. Spin twins Sharma (1/19 off 8) and Ronnie (0/20 off 4.4) bowled very well as did Tom and Robin and had SD under heaps of pressure which craeted a number of run-out and catching chances that unfortunately we weren't able to complete and ultimately they got through to 162/8 in the 37th over to give them the win. A valiant effort by the lads in a good game of cricket and had we been able to take those late chances we might have given SD just their 2nd loss of the season!

Patto.    

MP Accessman 4A vs Heathcote @ Bishopdale 1 (Win)

  It was a mildy cool day, overcast with ominously leaden skys, when we met Heathcote at Bishopdale Park and let me say from the outset that a huge amount of credit needs to go to Craig and John for the hard work they have done on this pitch. While it may be slightly at odds with what's happened in some previous games here, the pitch for our game, especially compared to some we have played on previously, was a breath of fresh air. Nice and brown, hard and flat, with relatively consistent bounce (just the odd one to keep the batsmen on their toes, as there should be). So well done guys, and thank you for the work you do. Anyhoo, the game itself...

  We won the toss and funnily enough chose to bat. It was slow going at the start, with only one over going for a couple of boundaries. I went with less than 20 on board, which brought Darren out. He was uncharacteristically subdued, getting to 22 with only 1 boundary before being bowled by a peach. Ricky came out and soon left supported by two team mates after breaking something else in his rapidly decaying body. Bringing out Bellsy, who took it to the bowlers, scoring 46 not out off not many. Meanwhile, at the other end, Kevin Patterson remained solid like a really solid thing. He carried his bat, scoring a very patient 66* (with only 1 boundary!). His first 50 of the season, and a fine effort. So after scoring only 50 in the first 20 overs, we ended on 169/2 (with Ricky retired crippled).

  Their turn to bat, and while their opening pair hung around for a while, they never really got going. Our bowling was tight and controlled, only conceding 4 wides and 2 no balls (which, compared to our efforts earlier in the season where we were routinely throwing down 20+ wides a game, is gold plated!) and never really gave Heathcote the opportunity to make a serious run at our score. Sam Brunie returned the excellent figures of 2/15 off his 8, and Malcolm was also very effective with 2/27 off his 6. But the star of the show was Mr Bellam - he was lethal, with some of the batsmen having very little clue how to play him. He ended with an outstanding 4/15 from his 8. In the end it was a relatively comfortable victory by 41 runs, with Heathcote all out for 128 in the 38th over. A good all round performance with both bat and ball.

  Many thanks to Bellsy and Kane who filled in for us, and to Nana and Finny who were excellent replacement fielders due to Ricky and Murray being unable to take the field.

Cheers, Richard.

MP 4A Rebels vs Richmond Gold @ Centennial 3 (Loss)

  Cead Mile Failte. Centennial Park’s groundsmen produced a real greentop, appropriately for St Paddys Day, for our match with Richmond Gold. At the start of play, the match had all the makings of a St Patricks Day massacre as Richmond turned up with 9 players (later to become 10). On the other hand, the M-P 11 had well over 100,000 games of cricket experience under their collective belt. Richmond batted first with Kevin Leonard (ex M-P) opening and producing an excellent knock of 50+ before falling to the wiles of Tim Watts. They went to drinks at 96 for 4. And then something very strange happened. Those who believe in leprechauns claim they saw one appear at the drinks break, take the ball behind the trees, and put a spell on it. Tis great to have the help of the little people and Richmond were all out shortly after drinks for 111. Andy Anderson (2/19 from 8) the best of the bowlers. Sam Gardner (2/34), John Costello (3/6), Tim Watts (1/8) Hamish O'Malley (1/26) the other wicket takers. 

  Then came our turn to run down 111. However, our innings turned into more of a St Patricks Day procession than a batting exhibition as batsmen came and went, with all except Tim succumbing to the Richmond bowlers. To be fair, Richmond did bowl well on the whole. Tim ended up on 55, looking better and better as his innings progressed. We managed only 97 in total. Enough said.

John C.

MP Accessman Presidents vs Sumner @ St Leonards 1 (Loss)

  MP Accessman made the long, long, long distance trek to the picturesque St Leonards Square, under overcast skies and hilly enclosure that is Sumner's home ground. I called correctly at the toss then totally misjudged the pitch conditions when a confused call of "I guess we'll have a, um, arr, err bowl?" sentence spilled out of my mouth. I think Paul's eyes lit up at once but it was too late to change the call. Opened up with Crimpy and Price (on a management call/hunch)... Crimp maiden to Russell so almost the perfect start. Second over had the ball dispatched to the boundary/road four times meaning it had looked like it had been savaged by a dog after only two overs. Crimpy continued to be probing and creating chances (unfortunately Russell being dropped on about 20 odd which proved very expensive as you will see). Having been forced to remove Price from the crease, Pickle had a go only to suffer the same treatment from a belligerent Ben de Joux who took a fancy to the fuller ball, dispatched for 25 off his first two overs. Rotating the attack I gave Winz a turn having him bowl his overs on the trot with mixed results. In between getting spanked, he pulled out the occasional unplayable ball which threatened to dismiss de Joux, without actually achieving it. There was a sitter at square leg put down which was most disappointing but as I have said previously sometimes you just make your own luck. Sumner off to a blistering start 133 on the board after 16 and us looking down the barrel of a very long day in the field. After Crimpy had finished up with the most economical figures of 8/1/30/0, I bought on Disco, who, with his first ball, (full toss I think) had de Joux overextending himself finally caught by Humey at mid-off for 71 (off bugger all), Dearsley going on to complete a wicket maiden. But cricket being a funny game that was his only highlight as the remaining seven overs went for twelves. Drinks came and went the runs kept coming, Winzy picking up Ben Gunn (17) in his final over (the 21st of the match) which brought Yock to the crease. I brought myself back and was hit out of the attack after two more miserable attempts to get the ball in the right spot (4/0/49/0 being my most embarrassing figures to date in my career and in serious contention of giving it up... bah who am I kidding, I'm a sucker for punishment), and handing off to the injured Jase Steeman, who after a great first over got a little tap then picked up Yock (64 off again stuff all) caught at cow. Having run myself out of options, I had to bring myself back from the other end with the familiar sound of the ball crashing into the fence once again off the bat of Russell after nailing his 4th century for the year... Success was just round the corner though, Paul walking down the pitch finally beaten, leg stump tilted back made the long walk back to the pavilion (only because everyone on the field felt the need to shake him by the hand after treating us to a masterclass of batting) 116 beside his name. This lead to a progression of wickets as Steeman benefited to the tune of three more victims (Mauger (18), Gormack (7) and Davison (0)) and Pickle his second (and more importantly some confidence back, third stint 4/0/16/2). Jizz's haul of 7/0/46/4 being his best in a bloody long time. So having Sumner curtail their inning at 327 for 8, a sigh of relief was heard, that particular pain was finally over...

  Facing such an imposing total, we opened up with the successful partnership from last week hoping to make some inroads - Humey and Pickle. This came falling down when Mark (6) chased an extremely wide ball and somehow managed to direct it off the inside edge onto the stumps about a metre and a half away off Davison (something I believe he would be unable to do if given the opportunity another twenty times). Spicy joining Pickle and we knuckled down putting on 71 or so runs before the introduction of Nuttall put pay to Spice (26) bowled off the inside edge onto right hand pad onto left leg onto stumps. Pickle (45) lasted a couple more overs before the full bunger from Carver got the best of his temperament induced the pickup shot caught by that man Paul Russell on the boundary who by his own admission didn't see it until it was practically in his hands. This sparked a mini collapse with Nuttall and Carver taking toll of the middle order with a range of single figure scores aside from Price 12 (5) brilliantly caught by de Joux and Crimp bowled by Nuttall for 20 (20). Fluff coming back after Carver bowled out (8/1/51/2) to knock over the tail to restrict us to 150 in the 30th over. Figures of the match belonging to Andy Nuttall 7/3/10/5 ably backed up by Marsh 6.3/0/27/2. My boys being comprehensively taken to task to wrap up a day to forget really. However it takes nothing away from the displays of disciplined cricket we had had the privilege to witness and the awesome displays of comradeship between the teams in the after match functions. Good to have Sumner in the grade and good luck to Paul and his lads for next week.

Cheers, Pickle.

MP Identity Signs Presidents vs ECS Blue @ Burwood 3 (Win)

  No match report as MP Identity Signs won by default.

Sporting Edge MPCC Draw for Saturday 24th March:

• MP Sporting Edge Sen.A vs New Brighton @ Rawhiti 1 (2 Day)
• MP Sporting Edge 2B vs St Albans @ Edgar Mac 1 (2 Day)
• MP Little Brown Jug 3D vs OBC-SNCC @ Elmwood 4
• MP Accessman 4A vs Riccarton Thunders @ Bishopdale 1
• MP 4A Rebels vs City Eagles @ Spreydon Dom.2
• MP Identity Signs Presidents vs Sumner @ Edgar Mac 2
• MP Accessman Presidents vs St Albans @ Hagley 4

Subs for Season 2017/18 ...

• Mens Subs for Season 2017/18 … Men’s full subs to be $260 for a season if fully paid by 31 October, 2017 or if an AP has been established in writing with the Treasurer by 31 October, 2017. Otherwise the subscription to be increased to $300 for late payment. ($130 for students and team captains, or $170 for late payment).
• Womens Subs for Season 2017/18 … Women’s full subs to be a flat rate of $100 for all players if fully paid by 31 October, 2017 or if an AP has been established in writing with the Treasurer by 31 October, 2017. Late payment would incur a further $40.

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