South Canterbury Cricket News Section

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New role aimed at regaining glory days

Amy Beeby

ON A MISSION: Former Timaru Girls High School allrounder Amy Beeby wants to help lift the standard of women’s cricket in South Canterbury back to the halcyon days of the 1990s.

Amy Beeby wants to make sure South Canterbury continues to produce New Zealand women’s cricket players.

The former Timaru Girls’ High School captain has taken on a women’s cricket development role with South Canterbury Cricket with the aim of helping girls in year seven to nine learn and improve in the game.

Beeby is playing her cricket in Dunedin after finishing her schooling and will commute to make the 25-hour-a-week role work while she also studies psychology.

She was part of the Otago Sparks winter training squad and is likely to make the Otago under 21 team for its national campaign next month.

The allrounder dominated senior women’s cricket in South Canterbury last season.

She scored 169 runs at an average of 84.5 with the bat and took 17 wickets at an average of 4.35 to win both the women’s batting and bowling trophies.

“I want to try to get women’s cricket back to where it used to be in Timaru because it used to be so strong but now it has really dropped off.”

TGHS won the national secondary school competition in 1996, 1997, and 1999, as well as coming second twice.

South Cantabrians Haidee Tiffen, Janet Brehaut and Rowan Milburn have all played for the White Ferns and the area has produced several provincial players.

“I’m trying to get to the young ones [interested] because they are at the age where they still listen to everything and enjoy playing sport.

“You have to try and show them the fun stuff first.”

Beeby hoped she could be the perfect example of what could be achieved as she worked to crack the Sparks team under coach Warren Lees.

She said Lees was keen to see her make the step up and her left-arm seam ability was seen as an asset to her chances.

South Canterbury U17 Boys Tournament Team Announced

sccricket-logo-grnThe following boys have been selected to play in the U17 Canterbury Regional Tournament to be held in Timaru December 2nd – 6th 2013.

Michael Lees, Ben de Joux, Wyatt McAughtrie, Alister Harvey, Christopher Hogan, Lawrence Darling, Jacob O’Connor, Jamie Trezise (wk), Nick O’Brien ( c ), Jack Green, Josh Mehrtens, Mark Otley.

Coach Mike Otley, Manager Mike O’Brien.

Practice times to be advised individually. Anyone unavailable please call Mike O’Brien on 027-230-5678

Extra training pays off for Stone

Willie Stone

Willie Stone – Maiden Senior Century 103
Video courtesy of Julian Blanchard

Temuka batsman Willie Stone, one of South Canterbury cricket’s characters, finally cracked his maiden senior ton on the opening day of the two-day competition on Saturday.

For many years, the Magpie batsman has largely kept his place in the senior side because of his passion and enthusiasm for the game and his club, rather than his ability to make big scores, but he made 103 against Star at his beloved Temuka Oval.

While his innings would not have been as pleasing to the eye as Timaru’s Sri Lankan import Prabodha Arthavidu’s stunning 148 not out against Waimate at Ashbury Park 4, the fact Stone made it to a century is well deserved.

His innings at the top of the order held together Temuka’s first innings of 254 for nine declared after the 60-over compulsory declaration.

Englishman Curtly Slatter made 44, while stalwart Hayden Broker added 30 to be the other main contributors around Stone.

Hamish Dickson was the pick of the Star bowlers with three for 39 from 15 overs, while Terry McErlain snared two for 14 in his return to senior cricket.

In reply, Star stuttered their way to 129 for five at stumps, with Danny Campbell holding their innings together with an unbeaten 48.

An unbeaten partnership between Arthavidu and Tim Mackle (48 not out) earned Timaru first-innings points against a depleted Waimate.

Arthavidu was in sublime form after surviving a caught behind appeal when he was on 15 which the Waimate players were adamant had found the edge.

Batting was initially tough, with Timaru on 99 for five after 40 overs, thanks largely to Waimate captain Glen Drake’s left- arm spin.

However, in the last 20 overs, the Timaru pair went at more than seven runs an over, with Arthavidu ruthless on any delivery that drifted into his pads and Mackle producing another battling knock in steady support. Drake deserved a five-wicket bag for his 29-over effort but had to settle for four for 114.

Waimate’s chase started quickly with Nathan Sew Hoy blasting a quick 35 but once he was dismissed, wickets fell at regular intervals as Drake (68) tried to hold things together with the bat much like he did with the ball.

It was the accurate medium pace of Sam Porter which proved too much to handle for Waimate, with Porter producing figures of five for 29 as Waimate were skittled for 151 inside 38 overs. Timaru are five without loss in their second innings, a lead of 104 runs.

Celtic gained first-innings points over Roncalli/Celtic with another top all-round effort from Dan Laming.

He made 77 with the bat when he came in with his side in trouble at 17 for two and then took the last four wickets of the Roncalli/Celtic innings to restrict them to 150 when they were 140 for six.

Adam Beck was the pick of the Roncalli/Celtic players as he took two wickets with the ball and top- scored with 38.

Celtic are 28 for one in their second innings, a lead of 98 runs.

Weekend Scoreboards

Trophy lost as top order fail

James Laming

Jimmy Laming topscored with 44

The South Canterbury batsmen were the main architects in the tame handing over of the Ron Biggar Memorial Trophy to Mid Canterbury for the first time in seven years after the home team suffered a five-wicket loss at Aorangi Oval yesterday.

Another poor performance from the top-order was the key to the match as South Canterbury was dismissed for just 118 in 48 overs on a slow but comfortable pitch.

It appeared none of the South Canterbury batsmen learned from the previous Sunday’s outing when the team was dismissed for just 123 against Otago A.

Poor shots and a lack of patience punctuated the effort from South Canterbury.

While the bowlers had nothing to defend, they did well to take five wickets before the visitors got the runs in the 34th over.

With none of the batting issues sorted, the problems were compounded when South Canterbury had to default this Sunday’s final Hawke Cup warmup game against Christchurch Metropolitan because coach Robin Beeby suggested with several first choice batsmen unavailable he did not have the calibre of batsmen waiting in the wings to front up.

It means South Canterbury’s next match will be in the Hawke Cup proper against Otago Country on November 30 and December 1 at Aorangi Oval.

South Canterbury opener James Laming was the only one to look comfortable at the crease.

He played some nice shots off the front foot, but when he departed after a loose shot for 44, South Canterbury were soon 79 for seven and the match was effectively over as a contest.

Veteran Andrew Buckingham again showed the determination needed to play provincial cricket with a gritty 30.

The same level of fight was not shown by any of the other batsmen.

Harry Jones was the main destroyer for Mid Canterbury.

He removed three of South Canterbury’s top four batsmen, including out- of-form captain Nick Horsley for 0 on his way to three for 14 from nine overs.

A 72-run opening stand between Robbie Polson 34 and Ban Mably (71 not out) all but secured the match for Mid Canterbury.

Left arm seamer Nathan McNicol took two wickets in two balls to spark the game back into life as he continued to impress after his South Canterbury recall.

While the middle-order looked vulnerable, the home team did not have enough runs and with Mably anchoring the innings, the lowly total was chased down with more than 16 overs remaining.

South Canterbury coach Robin Beeby said it was up to the batsmen to rediscover their form.

“I think it’s a confidence and application thing.

“It’s up to the players (to improve),” he said. “They showed last season they had the ability so it’s up to them to find where that kind of effort has gone to.

“Everyone is disappointed in there, but it’s up to them to improve.”

Full Scoreboard

Secondary Girls Rep Practices

A time has been arranged for the Secondary Girls to have some practices at the Graeme Blanchard Centre at Aorangi Park in Timaru.

It will be for the next 4 Thursday afternoons at 4.45pm-6.00pm, starting this Thursday 14th Nov.

This will act as a trial for the Secondary Girls team to be selected to play in the Canterbury regional tournament in Christchurch on 16th – 20th December 2013.

Girls that are in Year 9 upwards this year are eligible to play in that tournament.

If you are keen to participate please turn up this Thursday.

If you know of girls who you think may be capable of participating please tell them to turn up on Thursday afternoon.

Also if teachers and/or coaches can nominate the girls that they think could play, please let me know.

Any questions please email or call Shane on

gilky@southcanterburycricket.co.nz or 02102313118

Year 7 and 8 Girls Cricket Practices

A time has been arranged for the Year 7/8 girls to have some practices at the Graeme Blanchard Centre at Aorangi Park in Timaru.

It will be for the next 4 Thursday afternoons at 3.30pm-4.45pm, starting this Thursday 14th Nov.

This will act as a trial for the Year 7/8 girls team to be selected to play in the South Island Yr 7/8 Primary Girls tournament in Christchurch on 24-26th January 2014.

Girls that are in Year 6, 7 & 8 this year are eligible to play in that tournament.

If you are keen to participate please turn up this Thursday.

If you know of girls who you think may be capable of participating please tell them to turn up on Thursday afternoon.

Also if teachers and/or coaches can nominate the girls that they think could play, please let me know.

We know some girls are away at camp, etc., this week, so they can turn up the following week.

Any questions please email or call Shane on

gilky@southcanterburycricket.co.nz or 02102313118

South Canterbury Primary A beat North Otago

sccricket-logo-grnSouth Canterbury Primary A started their summer with a good win over North Otago.

South Canterbury batted first scoring 206 for 9 dec thanks to Ted Grigg 49, Gabriel Evans 43, Tom Mcfarlane 26, Ben Stayt 18*, Ed Heenan 14 and William Johnson 10*. Grigg and Mcfarlane shared an 80 run partnership for the 8th wicket which really set the team up for a good score.

North Otago had a good start chasing the score with the openers putting on 50 before James Arscott took 3 quick wickets and then Evans with 3-11 off 6 overs and Charlie Martin with 2-23 off 8 overs cleaned up the middle and lower order dismissing North Otago for 100.

A good fielding display by South Canterbury with 6 catches and 2 run outs with Ben Thomson taking 2 excellent catches at slip off Arscott.

South Canterbury now play Canterbury Country next Sunday at CSG.

South Canterbury: 206-9 dec

North Otago: 100-10

Result: Win to South Canterbury by 106 runs.

Bowlers have better of memorial match

Nathan McNicol

Temuka’s Nathan McNicol took three wickets for South Canterbury in the Mark Parker Memorial cricket match against Otago A yesterday to greatly help his Hawke Cup chances.

South Canterbury’s next generation of seam bowlers may have proven themselves but the batsmen did little to push their case for Hawke Cup selection after a 79-run defeat to Otago A in the annual Mark Parker Memorial cricket match yesterday.

South Canterbury restricted Otago A to 202 all out but could muster only 123 in reply after the home side had slumped to 32 for five in the face of some quick, accurate left-arm fast bowling from former Otago representative Blair Soper.

South Canterbury’s inexperienced seam attack was led well by the nagging line and length of veteran medium pacer James Laming.

The all-rounder was pivotal in keeping the middle-order in check after a platform was laid which could have seen the visitors post more than 270 on a typically placid Aorangi Oval pitch.

Brad Rodden (53) and Tim Muir (51) combined for a 98-run fifth wicket stand before both were removed by Laming’s accurate bowling which helped him to figures of four for 31 from 10 overs.

Left-arm quick Nathan McNicol was the standout bowler for the home team.

His extra pace and bounce made him hard to play.

He got good carry, beating the bat several times, and had two catches dropped off his bowling and still managed three for 38 from nine overs.

The effort would have erased memories of his nine-over spell in the same match last year where he went wicketless and conceded 86 runs.

James Blackstock showed why he had been on the cusp of the top team for some time, on his way to three wickets on debut.

The 14-year-old seamer Mark Otley would have learned plenty from his first outing for South Canterbury.

He gave up two front-foot no-balls with the subsequent free hits costing him 10, so his figures of none for 41 from six were respectable and, apart from the odd delivery, his line and length earned the respect of the visiting batsmen.

South Canterbury’s run chase never got going, with five wickets falling in quick time.

Rory Lorimer, who took four catches with the wicket-keeping gloves got a duck on debut, as did Adam Beck.

Both batsmen failed to adjust to the extra pace of Soper (three for nine) and Michael Sneddon (two for 25).

It was left to two 11th hour call-ups in Andrew Buckingham and Will Watt to put some respectability into the scorecard.

Buckingham, who probably thought he had played his last game for South Canterbury a decade ago, battled to survive early before flourishing with some boundaries on his way to 22.

Englishman Watt stuck around to make 27 but after their 53-run sixth-wicket stand was broken, the end came quickly in the 40th over.

South Canterbury coach Robin Beeby said the batsmen had learned just what a big step up it was to go from club cricket to representative cricket.

He said the bowlers performed well and stuck to what they had been doing in training, and the outcome with the ball was beyond all expectations.

South Canterbury will play Mid Canterbury for the Ron Biggar Memorial Trophy at Aorangi Oval on Sunday.

Full Scoreboard

Slatter proves class

Curtley Slatter

Curtly Slatter 80*

Englishman Curtly Slatter announced his arrival in South Canterbury senior cricket with a defiant 80 not out on Saturday.

His unbeaten knock under pressure helped Temuka to a 66-run win over Roncalli/Celtic at Ashbury Park 6.

The teenager combined with Magpie stalwart Hayden Broker (58) for a match defining partnership. The pair came together at 70-4 after the visitors had slumped to lose four wickets for 20 runs. The pair produced a gritty 126-run stand with Broker the aggressor.

When Broker departed, Slatter, who was on 35, took control of the last 10 overs as he spearheaded Temuka’s finale at more than nine runs an over with a myriad of shots square of the wicket. His efforts helped Temuka to an imposing 229-5 from 45 overs.

Adam Beck was the pick of the bowlers with 1-16 from his six overs, but the bowling attack struggled for penetration after doing well to dismiss the top order as quickly as they did.

Roncalli/Celtic’s run chase lacked early momentum and it wasn’t until Brett Walker (27) and Adam Beck (49) took the score from 53-5 to 93 that they had any form of solidity.

Sam Ellis (22) then added 56 for the seventh wicket but when he became one of medium pacer Vaughan Tarrant’s three victims, the run chase was effectively over.

Timaru successfully defended 162 to claim a 37-run win on a pitch that was tough to bat on.

Josh Smallridge (46) and Prabodha Arthavidu (39) helped Timaru get to 153-4 until they lost their last six wickets for just nine runs once wicketkeeper Tim Mackle limped off with a groin injury.

Jonathan Roguski took three wickets while former South Canterbury Cricket seamer Simon Murphy grabbed two wickets in his first match of the season. Arthavidu then turned destroyer with the ball.

On a pitch lacking pace and bounce, his offspin was just what was needed. His 3-15 and Sam Porter’s 3-24 put the breaks on the run chase quickly.

Star were no match for Celtic at the Celtic Sports Grounds. The visitors only showed up with nine players and apart from opener Phil McGregor who made 42, no-one was able to make an impression with the bat.

All the Celtic bowlers gave few runs away with the medium pace of Dan Laming taking 3-12 from 8.4 overs, while Tom Pavletich took 3-20.

Star’s lowly 119 was never going to cut it. Andy Scott (44) and James Laming (34) added 63 for the opening partnership and despite two wickets from Hamish Dickson, the home team cruised to the target in the 22nd over.

Weekend Scoreboards

Sth Cant U17 open rep campaign with win

The South Canterbury boys travelled to Ashburton to play their Mid Canterbury counterparts, and while the pitch left a lot to be desired, were ruthless in dismissing Mid Canterbury for 68.

Opening bowler Josh Mehrtens led the way with 6-13 and was ably supported by Chris Hogan with 3-11.

In reply Wyatt McAutrie was unbeaten on 26 and Alister Harvey out for 25 as South Canterbury cruised to victory in the 12th over making 72-2.

Full Scoresheet

Sth Canterbury Senior XI to play Mark Parker Memorial match announced

South Canterbury team to play Otago A:

Nick Horsley (Temuka) c, Curtly Slatter (Temuka), Craig Hinton (Star), Mark Otley (TBHS), James Blackstock (Celtic), Nathan McNicol (Temuka), Adam Beck (Roncalli), Glen Drake (Waimate), Rory Lorimer (Temuka), Andy Scott (Celtic), James Laming (Celtic).

Adam Beck

Adam Beck
On Debut

Mark Otley

Mark Otley
On Debut

Rory Lorimer

Rory Lorimer
On Debut

Curtley Slatter

Curtley Slatter
On Debut

James Blackstock

James Blackstock
On Debut


Meanwhile Timaru Boys’ High School quick bowler Mark Otley, 14, is refusing to be daunted by the challenge of making his South Canterbury debut on batsman-friendly Aorangi Oval tomorrow.

Otley was one of the big surprises in South Canterbury coach Robin Beeby and selector John Davies’ first team of the season to face an Otago A side in the annual Mark Parker Memorial 50-over match.

Otley said it was a huge thrill to make the team but he was keen to take it all in his stride.

“Aorangi always favours the batsmen but I’m just looking to bowling nice channels and get the ball nice and full and see what happens,” he said.

The coaching of Dayle Hadlee at the Canterbury Cricket Pace Bowling Academy had been inspiring.

“He’s been great to me and has become like a mentor,” he said. “He’s helped me with my action, mechanics and my run-up.”

Beeby and Otley met when he was used an example for bowling technique by Hadlee at a coaching clinic the South Canterbury coach attended.

Beeby said he had a lot of potential.

“He’s getting up there in terms of the quickest we have in South Canterbury but he’s not there yet.

“What he lacks in pace, he makes up for with accuracy.”

Otley is one of five players making their debut, with Roncalli College all-rounder Adam Beck, Temuka batsman Rory Lorimer, Englishman Curtly Slatter and Celtic pace bowler James Blackstock all earning the call-up.

There are also recalls for Celtic’s Andy Scott and Temuka quick Nathan McNicol.

Former captain Sam Carlaw is unavailable, as were the Temuka batting duo of Johnny Geddis and Richie Preston.

Pace bowler Ben Watson was also unavailable but Beeby expected all four men to play a major part in the season.

The team will be captained by former Northern Districts batsman Nick Horsley.

The match begins at 11am.

14-year-old fast bowler in line for rep debut

Mark Otley

MARK OTLEY: Timaru Boys’ High School quick bowler is expected to make his debut for South Canterbury against Otago A.

By Jacob Page Timaru Herald

South Canterbury look set to debut 14-year-old quick bowler Mark Otley in the Mark Parker Memorial cricket match against an Otago A selection on Sunday at Aorangi Oval.

With the fast bowling stocks low in South Canterbury, the Timaru Boys’ High School (TBHS) opening bowler, who already stands close to 1.85 metres may get a start as coach Robin Beeby and selector John Davies take a punt on trying to fill the gap when the team is announced today.

If he is selected, it would make Otley one of the youngest players ever to turn out for South Canterbury.

Otley has been training with the squad in the lead-up to the annual match played in honour of 27-year-old South Canterbury player Mark Parker, who was killed in the Bali bombings in 2002.

It will be the first match of the season for the South Canterbury team as they prepare for the Hawke Cup competition.

Otley showed plenty of potential last season, as he took part in the Canterbury Cricket Pace Bowling Academy for emerging players.

Part of the selection criteria for the academy was that he must show the potential to play first class cricket.

He was also named South Canterbury Under 16 Cricketer of the Year.

Quality fast bowlers appear scarce in South Canterbury with last year’s leading wicket-taker, Englishman Matt Woods, not returning and the two English imports this season being batsmen.

Waimate’s Simon Murphy, who was 12th man for the Hawke Cup challenge in Rotorua last season, has not committed to club cricket so far this season while Temuka veteran Kevin Teahen is seemingly on the outer and his young team-mate Nathan McNicol has been unable to force his way back into the team since he was pummelled for 86 runs in nine overs in the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.

Even a medium pace seam option is gone with former captain Dan Laming making himself unavailable this season.

The most likely fast bowling options appear to come from Star’s Craig Hinton, and Celtic’s Ben Watson and James Blackstock, with the latter making a strong case for a callup in the latter part of last season and the start of this campaign.

TBHS wicket-keeper/batsman Michael Hogan also is a chance of a recall.

The 18-year-old has been considered the best long term option for the wicketkeeping role since his debut but has only played sporadically.

Job Opportunity – General Manager Nelson Cricket Assn

General Manager

Nelson Cricket Association

Cricket is New Zealand’s staple summer sport with more than 100,000 people currently playing the game, making it one of the most widely played sports in the country.

Nelson Cricket Association is responsible for the delivery of grass roots cricket in the region, with a strategy to increase playing numbers, host outstanding cricket events at Saxton Oval, have a successful representative team and maintain financial stability.

Due to a promotion within New Zealand Cricket we’re looking for a new General Manager to lead and inspire the organisation, ensuring that we achieve our strategic and operational goals.  This is a challenging full time role, leading a small team of 2 plus a number of independent contractors during the cricket season.   Reporting to the Chairman, you’ll also be liaising with New Zealand Cricket, affiliated clubs, schools, sponsors and commercial partners, local council officials, the media and on occasion the ICC and Cricket World Cup 2015.

The ideal applicant will:

  • Have a passion for cricket
  • Have an understanding of current sports governance
  • Have good commercial skills and knowledge including financial management
  • Be results-driven with effective planning skills
  • Be a strong relationship builder with excellent interpersonal skills

 

Previous event management experience would also be useful.

Candidates should email a CV and covering letter to David Leonard at: david@safabio.co.nz.

A position description is available on our website www.blackcaps.co.nz.

Applications close at noon on Friday 15 November.

SC Primary Development XI to play North Otago Nov 10th

sccricket-logo-grn

South Canterbury Primary Development team to play trial match vs North Otago at Celtic Sports Ground 2 on Sunday 10th November, 10.30am start.

Adam Argyle, Cougan Brown, Will Davenport, Ben McRae, Laurence Chapman, Lleyton Phillips, Ryan Lewthwaite, Ben Cosgriff, George Copland, Lachie Harper, Daniel Fitzgerald, Ben Helliwell.

Please  assemble at ground at 9.30am.

Whites required and please bring your own lunch, drink & sunscreen.

Anyone unavailable please contact Hayden Inkster on 021 338927

or Shane Gilkison 021 02313118 or gilky@southcanterburycricket.co.nz