Senior Club Captain’s Report

The Centre had been a long time in the making and immediately provided extra capability for the sports clubs and inspired pride and enthusiasm amongst respective players. New net facilities were also finished in time for the new season and proved extremely useful with long bouts of wet weather, reducing the opportunities to practice on grass wickets.

The premier one-day competition got off to a great start with a big win against a quality Leeston-Southbridge team, at Southbridge. What followed was one win from six matches and two games lost to bad weather. The team re-surged late in the season however, with one more win against both Darfield and Kaiapoi, as well as close losses to Southbrook and Sefton. The team was able to score 200 or more runs in four of their last six matches. At the completion of the minor premiership, Weedons was placed 7th on the table, with the third-highest net run-rate in the competition. This qualified the team for a plate semi-final, however bad weather ruined any chance of a shot at the plate. Notable performers over the season included Sam Wilson, scoring 400 runs at an average of 40, including five 50’s, while Sandeep Singh and Lachie Stove both picked up 15 wickets each for the season, at averages of 9.4 and 19 respectively. Frazer Austin notched up another five-wicket haul, taking 5/13 against Kaiapoi in round 5, while Liam Mason recorded his first five-wicket bag for the club, taking 5/7 against Kaiapoi in round 12. While it was a poor season overall, the team gained confidence throughout and had an enjoyable second half of the season.

The Twenty over competition also began with a lot of promise, with wins over Darfield, Sefton and Kaiapoi. However, the team only managed one more win in round play with a three-run win over Southbrook. In that match, James Richards scored 97 not out off just 68 balls, including eight 4’s and three 6’s. Weedons played Leeston-Southbridge in the cup semi-final but lost by a sizeable margin. While the competition ending was unsatisfactory, the team showed a great capability to switch into T20 mode and win tight games.

The Weedons premier players selected in Canterbury Country senior teams during the season included James Richards, Johnno Green, Lachie Stove and Todd Inness.

The premier squad finished the season with new plans for the following summer, which included fresh strategies for improving senior club culture, increasing player enjoyment and ultimately providing a platform to better the team’s on-field performances. These strategies require additions such as a coach or manager, pre and post­match team uniforms and quality practice routines. Statistics recording work has also commenced and sometime during next season, a portion of this will hopefully be released.

The Weedons senior B team, had another positive year, albeit winning six matches from 17 for the season. With convincing wins over Cheviot, Greendale and previous finalists Peninsula- Diamond Harbour there was plenty of positives to take from the season. Sam Chan averaged 26 with the bat and along with him, 50’s were scored by Gareth Painter and Paul Rugg. Hamish Darcy lead the way with the ball, backed up by Kane Meyerhoff, Richard Edwards and Todd Quate.

Some 39 players represented the Weedons senior B team over the season, including local high school players, T20 team members and occasionally premier players. A player base of this size is difficult to manage and the majority of the credit for organising the senior B’s should go to Paul Rugg. Paul has been a huge advocate of the senior B team for a number of seasons and to see the team now establishing itself in country cricket once again is a great sight for the Weedons senior club, as well as youth players looking to follow a path from high school to premier cricket.

The senior club wishes to thank our departing president Bruce Agnew for his management and guidance with club facility maintenance, as well as his contribution to the club through the years. To Ross Clarke and Martin Welford, of the junior club, we thank you for your support, particularly Ross, for your administrative and financial work and general help. Thanks to Paul Rugg for your assistance with player management and Jared McGregor in your new role as club president. Finally, a big thanks to Josh Watson for your input into all areas of the senior club, particularly your mid-week work preparing pitches in all weather conditions.

Sam Wilson
Senior Club Captain – Weedons Cricket Club