i'll pass it on to Angus, Richie

Oh shit, I forgot to mention

n) we also have the cheapest subs in existence! We have a ''social'' membership of $100 which applies to 2-4 games played, $120 student / unemployed membership, and $170 full membership (5+ games) with no weekly fee (unless we have an umpire, in which case it's $5 for the day). Some clubs charge $20 per week, on top of a couple hundred dollars in season subs.
o) 17 round season, round 5 tomorrow Saturday 17th November

That'd be ace Rach!

I would have been in if I still lived in Ivanhoe. But I moved to Newport. Damn, woulda been fun.

playing finals this weekend

two days, 100 overs per day

Hearters - greatest park cricket team in the world

www.thehearters.com

if anyone lives down near Caulfield and wants to play, PM me.

http://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/Directory/S2_Item.asp?Mkey=529&S3Key=23

we may not be the greatest club, but we are small, young, and have a cheap bar.

pre-season starts with a kick-around in 2 weeks, nets training starts in a month or so. season starts october.

Anyone near South Yarra or St.Kilda need someone to play?

anyone in east london need someone to play?

Hey TagoMago,

We play at Anderson Park, Hawthorn East, just near the Tooronga Village.
Without knowing if you drive or not, a tram along Toorak rd would get you close as we're based near where Tooronga and Toorak roads intersect. Tooronga is the closest train station, or there's the Burke rd tram which is very close.
Season commences second Saturday in October.
Matches run from 12:30-6pm

Tabularasa is already member and I expect a couple other chats to play as some have expressed interest.

An A-Z of why the Abbotsford Anglers is the Greatest Cricket Club in the World:

a) we pride ourselves as providing the best afternoon tea in the competition, possibly the state! It could be said that the afternoon spread is the Anglers own little competition amongst themselves. Guys bring delicacies like octopus, marinated quail, spare ribs etc. We always have a BBQ at our home games, which are always double-headers. Two brothers turned up with a spit-roast on the back of a trailer one afternoon, started cooking it at 11am for it to be ready by 3:20pm. It's incredible.
b) we only play One Day games, 40 overs a side
c) as such, there is no requirement to commit to two Saturdays-in-a-row, you play when available or motivated. Nor do you ever end up spending 90 overs fielding in 38 degree heat
d) training is entirely optional, taking place in Clifton Hill at our brand new nets
e) two sides, but neither is looked at as being a first or second XI, just ''Blue'' and ''Gold''
f) as such, all players get a go, whether it be to bowl, or bat up the order. Nobody ever just fields. Winning is preferred but not essential
g) each side has a different captain every week - this helps to keep all on a level playing field and egos in check
h) it is all about having fun. I have never laughed as often on a cricket field as I do at the Anglers
i) there are no politics at this cricket club - a concept previously unheard of at cricket clubs (and most other sporting organisations).
j) beer drinking (and ''other'' pasttimes) during a game is not only allowed but encouraged
k) international tours are another agenda we are passionate about. You may have already seen the film Save Your Legs, about the Anglers tour of India in 2001 - a bloody hilarious document of a park cricket team's visit to cricket-mad India. There is a sequel in the works called Willow In The Windies, about the Anglers Caribbean tour in 2003. Another example of Angler fun on the park. We then visited Sri Lanka December 2005, and I for one will never forget being a part of the Tsunami anniversary and the wonderful Sri Lankan people. We then journeyed to Samoa March 2008.
l) we have a new President and Executive every two years - again, this helps to keep all players on a level playing field and ego's in check - unheard of at cricket clubs!
m) synthetic pitches, no covers to deal with on a Friday night
n) no dickheads.
o) we also have the cheapest subs in existence! We have a ''social'' membership of $100 which applies to 2-4 games played, $120 student / unemployed membership, and $170 full membership (5+ games) with no weekly fee (unless we have an umpire, in which case it's $5 for the day). Some clubs charge $20 per week, on top of a couple hundred dollars in season subs.
p) 17 round season, commences second Saturday in October, giving you a break from sport between AFL Grand Final and cricket season. Plus, the association doesn't schedule rounds on weekends such as Melbourne Cup weekend etc.
q) we have brand spanking new club rooms, with showers, kitchen, male and female toilets
r) women are welcome to also play
s) every player knows their Angler Player Number, and this can be embroidered upon purchase of a club cap:

the first woman to play was actually found to have been the 100th person to represent the Anglers, the second person worked out to be the 150th, without any fudging of our record books or collusion
t) we keep the most detailed statistics of any park cricket club I know of. Everything from the Highest Score on Debut, Best Bowling on Debut, or Fastest 50 / 100 to less wanted ''records'' such as Golden Ducks (on debut and career) or Consecutive Dot Balls. Actually, this is a highly sought after award, especially considering we're playing One Day games!. For a full understanding of just how comprehensive our statistics are, go to our slightly out-of-date (but this is currently being rectified) Angler website > Arm of Rock's Stats > The Angler Bible
u) not only have we already featured in one film already screened on SBS (their second highest rated program that week), and with another on the way, we are also the inspiration for a feature film currently in production, written and starring Brendan Cowell (Noise, boyfriend of Rose Byrne), who has also played with the Anglers and loved it. The feature film is based around the forming of our club and its subsequent trip to India.
v) our home games are played on two very small, picturesque ovals - very helpful for never having to fetch balls from miles away! I would've provided a Google Street Map image but they haven't done Anderson / Constance streets yet.
w) cheap beer and spirits at our wonderful new bar. When I say cheap, I'm talking $2.50 for local (CUB etc), $3 Coopers / Crown, $3.50 Corona (with lemon!). We also have a stereo and there's always some good tunes on offer after a game.
x) Concept XI's. We love 'em. Guys can come up with an idea, put it forth, and go about taking over one of the teams for a day. Amongst others, this has been done for one Anglers bucks day, West Australian concepts and a hilarious Concept XI the week Don Bradman died which was called ''Drop One for the Don''. Ask me about it next time you see me.
y) Finals. I believe we have a wonderful system in place for selection of finals teams. It's a democratic system whereby any Angler that played during the season is entitled to vote for his preferred XI, made up of those that are available and have met qualification requirements. This helps exclude what goes on at other clubs, when captains or committee members unfairly influence selection. Yes, with our system, mates can vote for mates, but their votes are watered down by the 40-odd other votes received and we generally end up with eleven players that are worthy of their place. Hell, blokes know when they weren't worthy and we regularly have instances of players standing aside from finals matches (unheard of...) to allow someone else to play. This standing aside has even happened during the week of the club taking part in Grand Finals! If someone misses out one year, they are guaranteed a spot in the following years finals. This great system helps those blokes, who may not be the most talented cricketers going around, take part in finals campaigns, something they could be excluded from at other clubs.
z) lastly, but by no means leastly, as a club of like-minded individuals, we prefer to help those less fortunate than us, unlike other cricket clubs who would prefer (for example) to purchase a bowling machine. In the past we have raised money for a village in Sri Lanka to help them purchase a new boat and help build brand new houses after the devastation caused by the tsunami. To actually go to this village and see first-hand, the benefit your small contribution makes to a struggling family or community is an incredibly moving experience and one I will never forget for the rest of my life. We also donate cricket gear and other useful goods to these communities or sporting organisations.

So, if you have been thinking about joining a cricket club, yet fear the demanding training or matches, you need not fear with the Abbotsford Anglers.

We play at Anderson Park, Hawthorn East, just near the Tooronga Shopping Village. Matches run from 12:30-6pm

If you would like to play some games this season, please contact me, Richie Ramone via pm.

Alright, definitely might be interested in giving this a crack, although I wont be available from january to february. How many games am I likely to miss? Will let you know soon, cheers.

Checked last years fixture Tago, we played January 12, 19, 26 and February 2, 9, 16 and 23rd.

training for 2008 / 2009 season starts weds 4pm for sacred heart cricket club at fawkner park opposite the alfred hospital. games start first weekend of october

turf cricket

the hearters.com

if anyone's keen get in touch

richie doesnt play for us but you do have to cope with regular doses of evo

Ouch.

The Anglers haven't started training and probably won't until the week of the first game (Saturday 11th October)

Ever wanted to captain a cricket team but have never been considered ''captain material''?
Maybe you've never played long enough at one club to be considered as a worthy captain?
The Anglers have a different captain every week.
Once you've played a few games and know some names, the captaincy yours! (if you want it, if not just politely refuse)
I captained for the first time, after playing 3-4 matches.

PM me if you're interested (and read the spiel a few posts above, either side of the two blokes in their Angler caps)

would love for you guys to play in the ACT...

poor evo

can you bring the team up here richie, ill plan then.

play even.

x) Concept XI's. We love 'em. Guys can come up with an idea, put it forth, and go about taking over one of the teams for a day. Amongst others, this has been done for one Anglers bucks day, West Australian concepts and a hilarious Concept XI the week Don Bradman died which was called ''Drop One for the Don''. Ask me about it next time you see me.

Is the concept of a Mess and Noise Chat Concept XI too conceptually cataclysmic?

turf baby, we only play on turf

Well good on you then Angelic.

We've had this discussion about Psoriasis before. My dad has it pretty bad, and I started developing it around 15. Fortunately mine is only restricted to my scalp in winter (when I don't get enough sun.) My dad has also developed arthritis pretty bad, and so I guess i'm inevitably headed down the same path eventually, but he's been a good example of how not to treat it (heavy drinking, poor diet) so I know not what to do. So playing cricket should do you some good, get you healthy, get some rays and vitamin D on the skin. Won't be surprised if you're looking and feeling considerably better by the end of the summer.

hey thanks Tago. Good luck with managing yours. And best wishes to your dad as well.

He is dead to me... but thanks anyway!

oh sorry to hear that, mine was an alcoholic..he's dead. my mum was an alcoholic..she's dead too. I loved them tho..even tho life was nuts..

enough of this morbid stuff.... you playing this weekend?

nope..maybe next tho! or the week after..

stay focused

yep. shall do.

A few spots remain for this week's double-header at home - with all the special goodness listed in the A-Z above!

Angelic's gonna make runs (in his orange cons), Tabularasa's gonna take his first catch and me? I'm gonna enjoy the BBQ...

Haven't been around here much lately sorry, so here's my report from the previous week:

Having succeeded with my request that Luke Serong and his mate Robbie join Gold in battle against our latest Church-going opponents in Knox Churches, Dmac and I were quietly confident, and arrived at Knox Park nice and early, despite the journey possibly being the farthest I have ever had to travel in some 15 years in the ECA – thank Christ for Eastlink.

Continuing the holy theme, I had roped in one Matt Church, who used to be a batsman of some note 15 years ago, before the lure of rock'n'roll became all-too-strong - park cricket losing one of its gentlemen to that sinful pastime known as ''rock and / or roll'' (Reverend Lovejoy). I was also reliably informed that Lukey was actually bringing two mates along and so I allowed myself the comforting belief that Gold would have XI (XII if my brother showed up after finishing work).

As I almost never guess correctly, I usually send my vice captain to call the coin toss, but as one hadn't been appointed I did it myself and won one for a change, electing to bat, mostly because we were still waiting for a few to arrive and they possibly only had eight. Within a few overs of our innings it became evident that not only did they have XI, Sticky hadn't shown up for us, and Luke brought only one mate. Eleven on the teamsheet, but only nine Anglers playing.

Seeing as Dmac wouldn't be opening the bowling, I felt it was time to give him the opportunity to shine with the bat (plus I know Dave loves the ball coming on) and offered him the opening slot. We lost Shutts early for 7, then Luke Serong and Dave put on 60 in quick time, until Dave was bowled for a just-what-we-needed, well compiled 31. Robbie McCracken French-cut his first ball for a single and was unfortunately bowled the next ball he faced, bringing Church to the middle, showing some promising signs until he was bowled for 1. Gold in a little strife at 4/79 when I joined Luke Serong, who was playing a superb innings. At overs end I asked Luke that we not take any risky runs as the last thing we needed was a run out. The very next ball, Luke guided one to mid-wicket, the ball going through the fieldsman stationed there and we took off. I called out ''there MIGHT be two'' as the young guy was still chasing the ball he should've stopped. Luke took off, certain that he would make it – trouble is, he didn't factor in whether I would make it and, with a perfect throw over the stumps at the bowlers end I was run out by the proverbial mile, stumbling and crashing halfway down the pitch. I haven't been Run Out since I fell victim to Humpa's infamous between-wickets-brouhahas around about Round 12, 2004/05, notching up my 3rd R.O in my first 7 Angler innings, declaring ''I'll never get run out again at the Anglers''…

Luke really took to the bowling after that, until falling for a wonderful 72, providing a Master Class in How To Bat (Running Between The Wickets Not Included). 6 for 132, with Phil Lambert and Sideshow out there, quite literally speaking, Gary having been woken from his afternoon nap and asked to perform various tasks, including ''bat like you did in Samoa''. These two put on a very handy 24, Gary bowled for 5, with Phil living dangerously but getting away with it and boundaries flowing. Uncle contributed 9 of a last wicket stand of 34, Gold bowled out for 190. Phil finished with a magnificent 47* (61).

A fair, but not flashy afternoon spread was offered, tuna and egg sandwiches, pull-aparts, donuts and some homemade cake.

It was always gonna be tough defending 190 with only 9 Anglers in the field, but we were confident we could do it. Gary bowled a ripper in the first over that the batsman could feel unlucky he managed to get a tickle through to me behind the stumps. Our great start was soon dampened as we proceeded to drop 4 catches in the first 5 overs, the opposition taking advantage of the many gaps, with lots of quick singles off Gary and Uncles bowling. A double bowling change, and still the catching yips continued, 7 drops in the first 11 overs, that is until Robbie took a beauty at mid off from Luke's bowling, followed quickly by a LBW to Dmac and we were back in the hunt. Wickets fell steadily from that point, catches started being held, and Luke and Dave bowled superbly, ending with 3-for and 4-for respectively. A fine throw from Robbie to the keeper had also netted a middle order batsman run out, our other debutante in Matt Church also experiencing a good day's contribution in the field, excelling at backward square with some awesome saves and stops. With Luke (10 overs, 3-49) finished, Shutts was given the opportunity to snare an easy tail-ender wicket, which he almost muffed by asking that Luke be taken out of his 1st slip position. Thankfully I declined his suggestion and Shutts first ball of 2008/09 caught a thick edge, presenting Luke with some simple catching practice and the Anglers with a stunning 9-man versus 11-man victory!!

Unfortunately, with much of my time last week taken up dealing with other crap, I didn't have the opportunity to do as I've done the past two seasons and confirm with our opposition during the week that they have a bar for Anglers to purchase a beer - so it was off to some God-forsaken hellhole of a ''sports bar'' for some well deserved post-game frothies.

I put this win up there with some of the finest I've had the pleasure of being a part of, made particularly pleasing for me personally as it extends my Angler captaincy record to 7 wins - zero losses!

Well played. Nice reading.

Thanks TM ! Not my best work but it'll do...

One spot vacant in each side tomorrow if somebody feels like donning the whites
(we have extra pants and shirts if you don't own or wanna buy any)

Tabula and Angelic, I'll see you guys tomorrow...

lemme know if you end up short RR

I'm waiting to hear back from Scotty Alderson (you might know him, former Wilderness Society guy, old mate of Wally's) as to whether he's playing.

You wanna play? We could car pool if so...

Thankfully not too much running involved at our home grounds due to everything's either a single or boundary!

You would go close to being Angler #250 !! (think we're currently at about 244 and I reckon we'll have quite a few debutantes tomorrow, we've lost 5-6 regular players to a bucks day)

give me a call if req'd...

No worries mate, will do. Thanks.

hey Ramone, sorry i couldn't make it on Sat, here's report from our last two games

Round 3 SHCC 3rd XI vs Monash Gryphons

Two hard fought, low-scoring contests against Monash Gryphons played over successive weeks on the ''random'' pitches of Walker St, Parkville.

Week One - Defeat

I arrived at the ground to find Monash warming up, military style, 75 minutes before the game. Their captain later told me he has trouble getting everyone to the ground on time so he lies and tells them they start an hour earlier. So when I won the toss and chose to bat we probably played into their (extremely warmed up) hands. Monash bowlers opened with a tirade of wide deliveries before Rowdy got bowled around his pads by one that came back in. Debutant Tav Makin was even unluckier - he was LBW to a ball that bounced twice. Scotty Pickett looked the goods again but couldn't quite go on with it. Nik Mohan middled a couple and Cobra battled hard but the rest of us barely bothered the scorers and we were all out for 83. Wides being the highest scorer of the innings on 20.

We had a fair crack at 'em with the ball. Debutant #2 Iain McCleary suffered Harmison-like bursts of swing with the new pill, skipper Roberts collected his Monash counterpart with a sharp run-out off his own bowling and Clarkey was as competitive as ever, nabbing a quick wicket when he came on first change. Spin twins Mohan and Malik applied the pressure to their sub-continental counterparts, but the Monash boys exhibited poise and composure to steer their team to victory. Rowdy and Johnny O nabbed a couple of cheeky wickets in junk time.

However the most memorable moment of this game came late in Monash's run chase when we had the spinners on pressing for wickets. Cobra was hustling in close on the offside as Tav Makin was bowling some offies. Tav tossed one up and the Monash batsman Shah pummeled an off drive which smashed into Cobra's face. Everything went still and a quiet lull hushed across Royal Park as Cobra slowly twisted and collapsed in a heap on the ground. For a moment I seriously considered the nasty fact he might have been killed by a cricket ball. Fortunately, Cobra was able to get to his feet soon after and was ushered to the emergency ward where he scored 8 stitches to his cheek, but luckily no other permanent damage. No doubt he'll have a tale to tell when he shows up at training this week.

Week Two - Victory

Arriving for the return bout I again found the Monash boys pumped up in pre-game activities. It was nice to see our boys had caught onto this and were actually changing into their whites 30 mins prior to game time. Tropical humidity hung over the ground so it was an easy call to bowl when I won the toss, a decision that was soon vindicated when we had 'em 2-3 in the third over. Monash were able to settle and build a couple of partnerships, Thakkar in particular compiling an impressive 37 before Shippa got him LBW just after drinks. Some tight late innings bowling and rock-solid fielding saw regular wickets fall and limited Monash to 113 all out. Best bowling figures - Clarke 4-25, Roberts 3-14

As conditions started to clear I believed 114 was an achievable, but testing target, against enthusiastic opposition on a pitch that continued to show plenty of personality. Johnny O missed an early delivery and was soon back on the bench. Shaun Buttigieg-Clarke might have been nursing a hangover but showed his class with a cracking on drive, as he and Rowdy put together a quick scoring top order partnership that pushed us towards 50 runs. Unfortunately Shaun copped a suspect LBW decision, and in (extremely) quick succession we lost the wickets of Ship, J Clarke, Rowdy, Mohan and were looking down the barrel at 6-47. Myself and Coops battled though a few overs and pushed the score onto 71 before another mini collapse brought Chris ''Hazer'' Hastings and Scotty Woodhouse together with 41 runs needed for victory.

Considering the circumstances and the game's momentum, the situation appeared dire. However, no one had told either Scotty or the Hazer. Displaying patience, resilience, opportunism and genuine skill, they took stock of the situation and dug in. Willed on by the Fawkner Park Faithful they let held out the Monash bowlers and picked off the runs; Hazer the sheet anchor as Scotty hit the boundaries. Tensions mounted and (some) nerves frayed. Evo kept talking up the win and luck went the Hearters way - one of Scotty's shots literally leapt over the head of a fielder and went for four. In the end a wide ball got us past Monash's 113 and Hazer was able to open up and hit a boundary guaranteeing the win. A truly memorable victory for the team and the club, the boys celebrated with drinks at the local Irish pub.

Looking ahead, the win will be great for the team in coming weeks. Hopefully we can use it to build on our confidence and enthusiasm. Our skill in the field has picked up markedly. Our bowling is more potent and economical. We just need to hold our nerve and build personal and team pride in our batting performances. The example set by Scott and Chris can serve as inspiration for bigger scores and continued competitive efforts. Hope to see you all at training working hard on form and fitness.

Go Hearters!

Luke Roberts Capt SHCC 3rd XI

nice summary. damn that was a nasty one Cobra got. fuck...

good victory with a lot of heart in the second game by the sounds...

C Grade Sunday - Round 4.1 Sacred Heart vs Carnegie

A game played in two halves. Carnegie won the toss and batted in bright sunshine on a grassy FP 6 wicket. Hearters fielded strongly. This was highlighted by a great run out by Ivan and top catches by Rowdy, Euan Roberts (on debut) and Macca. Bowling was rock solid - a classy second spell by Macca, spirited middle innings spells by Neeraj & L. Roberts and three tail-end wickets to Mohan. But the main reason we were able to bowl out an experienced Carnegie batting lineup for 156 in 38 overs was two killer spells by Jeff Clarke who finished with the figures of 5-39 off 9 overs. Great effort Jeff.

Chasing 157 for victory Rowdy & Ivan got us off to a solid start before Ivan unfortunately lost his wicket after compiling a promising 22. Cobra (0) followed him quickly back to the rooms. Skies darkened and as rain threatened, runs came and wickets fell - Rowdy (16), L. Roberts (15), Pickett (12). 5-69, Carnegie were confident of victory. Scotty Woodhouse and Nik Mohan came together and showed great poise to put on 58 for sixth wicket and bring us in sight of our target. As light drizzle turned into hard rain the lower order were handed the challenge for the second week in a row of getting the team over the line. In conditions more suited to football, the quick wickets of Euan and Jeff (9-130) saw the game's momentum swing back in favour of Carnegie. Neeraj joined Macca at the crease and the two of them hit the loose balls and ran hard putting on an unbeaten 30 run stand, with Macca blasting a boundary in driving rain to give us victory with an over to spare.

Great win to the Hearters. Looking to back it up with another win with our return bout against Carnegie out at Lord Reserve next weekend.

I made 2, didnt bowl and we drew.