LEP

Burgundy B

Burgundy A

Black B

Black A

PSB 2010 Squads

Dear All,

Congratulations on all the effort that you have all put in so far. The last couple of weeks have left us (the selectors) with some very difficult decisions. There will be some that will be disappointed but, we all need to pull together in our teams to make sure that we do ourselves and North Harbour proud in whatever team/position we have been chosen. It is an honour to represent your district and you should make sure that you give 100% throughout the tournament.

Attached is the final tournament squads; these are the teams that you will be representing at the tournament and with whom you will be capped tomorrow evening. I look forward to seeing you at the capping ceremony.

Kind regards

Rupert
Play hard, play fair and respect the game and the people within it.

Tournament Team Photos

As per emails, we will be collecting the money for the team photos before the tournament. The cost is $15 for a photo and you will need to make sure that you let your team coach know that you want one and give them $15 (cash only) on capping nigth (tomorrow). I will take all the cash and make a bank transfer to the photographer from my personal account, which is why I am asking for cash and that it be paid in advance.

Black A/B v. Western

Two excellent wins for the Black sides. Both chasing similar totals of 200 plus, both finding themselves with the balance tipped against them but both pulling through to win at the end. Very positive performances for all involved and very exciting to watch.

I will update with fuller details when I have them.

District Tournament (Draws and Results)

The district tournaments (results and draws) are available through the Auckland Cricket website on the excellent results vault. Click here and hopefully this link will take you to the page.

Burgundy A/B v. Manukau

Manukau were the strongest district in both the A and B tournaments last year, so these games were key to judging where we were this season. Manukau District is predominantly Howick Pakuranga CC with Papatoetoe CC and with both HPCC Y8 Prem sides at the top of the tables in the two ACA leagues, they were always going to be a tough proposition. In particular, the Manukau B team look be to be an extremely strong unit and showed as much on the day.

Burgundy A v. Manukau A
Manukau A 187 All Out (48.5 overs): Jake Fitzgibbon 2/24, Angus Nicoll 2/28, Reid Hastie 2/19, Max Lewis 1/27, Bronson Marshall 0/26 and Chris Groenink 3/37
Burgundy A191/6 (46.5 overs): William O'Donnell 44, Donald Coleman 76 and Angus Mckenzie 22

A very good win and confidence booster for the Burgundy A side with everyone contributing in some form. Definitely not the polished product but, looking good for the tournament proper.

Burgundy B v. Manukau B
Manukau 276/6 (50 overs): Liam Brown 2/33 and Jake Meenhorst 1/32
Burgundy B 148 All Out (49.5 overs): Ed Henning 50, Asher Robb 29 and Scott Gannaway 16

Unfortunately against any side at this level, let alone a really good one, 53 extras is not good enough. The bowling needs to be more consistent with fewer short balls; we have spoken about this before and the importance of bowling full and straight. That being said, they are a very strong side and we can take positives of batting our overs and some good partnerships both batting and bowling. Between now and the tournament, we can really change our attitude towards fielding and the consistency of our bowling, if we are able to do this, I strongly believe that we have the players to be able to compete and give the other districts a real run for their money. We can slide in to the tournament under the radar but, have shown against Hamilton that we have the ability - positivity and teamwork are our friends!

Parent Help

Dear All,

Just a gentle reminder to all parents, that the coaches are going to be coming to you to discuss a tournament roster. We will be looking for roles that cover all skills but, the key ones will be scoring and umpiring.

We cannot do this without you and I know that, whilst you may not be jumping with joy at the chance of scoring/umpiring, you will do your best to help out the coaches who have worked so hard during the pre-tournament and, obviously, the tournament itself.

Don't forget the capping ceremony is on Tuesday 7th December at Takapuna Rugby Club from 7pm. Bring your cameras and cash/cheques (no eftpos facilities) for the gear.

Thank you all for the help and support that you have given so far.

Keys to Success

In the run in to the tournament, you must start focusing on raising your performance levels. I have discussed this in the posts below but, really need you to focus on putting the words in to practice. In particular:

1. Partnerships: Bowling and batting partnerships are key to team performance. You must keep the pressure on when you bowl, sometimes you will need to sacrifice pace for good length and look to bowl dot balls. When batting you must turn the strike over. I will be looking at the scorebooks for evidence of good partnerships. Work together.
   
2. Positivity: As a team and an individual you must remain positive about your performance. Put the poor shot/ball behind you and focus on what you are going to do. Use your imagination to think about how the ball is going to leave your hand or bat. Bowlers, imagine the ball leaving your hand, the seam, the shape of delivery as it pitches and hits the top of offstump. Batsmen, picture the ball leaving the bowlers hand and imagine the sound and the feel of the ball as it is strikes the middle of the bat. As a team, make sure that you keep positive throughout the game - no negative thoughts or words. All positive and all about us!
3. Every ball is an event: When fielding, every run you save by diving or chasing a ball, is one more they have to score and/or one less you do. Every time you back up the stumps and stop and overthrow, is a run saved. When you are batting, every time you push the field and score a single because your partner was backing up or called well or when you play the ball in to the gap instead of smashing it to a fielder is one more to yours and one less to them. At the end of the game, when you add all the little events up, it will make the difference between winning and losing.
   

We all believe in your ability, you need to believe it! Play fair and with respect, play hard and remain positive!

Burgundy A/B v. Manukau A/B (Lloyd Elsmore Park) - This Sunday

Burgundy A
William O'Donnell (Capt)
Cole Briggs (Wk)
Connor Stuart
Donald Coleman
Angus McKenzie
Reid Hastie
Chris Groenink
Bronson Marshall
Max Lewis
Jake Fitzgibbon
Angus Nicoll
Unavailable: Eru Hudson

Burgundy B
Ed Henning
Scott Prentice
Asher Robb
Oliver Cheyne
Sean Reader
Jack Stevenson
Kieran Young
Keegan Russell
Jake Meenhorst
Dylan Stevenson
Liam Brown
Scott Gannaway
Unavailable: Jake Skellern

Both games will start at 10:00am, so be at Lloyd Elsmore Park, Howick for 9:15am latest.

Capping Ceremony and NH Gear

The capping ceremony will confirm all the teams for the tournament. It is also your opportunity to purchase the NH PSB cricket gear:

• The PSB Value Package $95 (Includes 2 playing shirts, warm-up shirt, shorts and vest)
• Vest $55
• Shorts $25
• Warm-up Shirt $30
• Playing Shirts $30 (for two)
• Tracksuit Jacket $60
  

Cheques or cash only on the night (no EFTPOS facilities)

I will also need to make sure that you have paid you subscriptions ($50 non-academy and $85 academy) and that you have paid (if you are having one) for your PSB Tournament photo ($15). Please make sure that you have handed your money to your coach before capping – you have either the 28th November (Burgundy) or 5th December (Black).

PSB 2010 Game Schedule

Games v. Eastern (Update)

I am compiling the scores for a full update but, I think it would be fair to say that all teams were given a "wake up call" to the level they need to be at for the tournament.

In all three games we did not compile enough runs to compete. This is not Saturday cricket; where you can expect to get non-bowlers coming on and serving up some buffet bowling; you need to work hard for your runs. This is a mental struggle and also a realisation that you must know where your scoring areas are ... turning the strike over is absolutely essential at this level and dot-ball strings can kill a batting total. You must learn to run (and call) better and know where the singles are.

I have not had a look at the strike rates but, can guarantee that we did not work the ball around. I saw some very talented boys playing (and admiring) wonderful shots struck directly to fielders for no runs. You must learn to score ugly and the top five batsmen need to score most of the runs at a good rate - you cannot expect the lower order to come in with 15 overs to go and score at 5-6 per over.

Bowling and fielding is always going to be difficult when trying to restrict a team to a small total but, you all need to be more aggressive in the field. Every ball is an event and every run you stop is one less you (or one more they) need to score. I saw some good fielding and catching but, there was not enough desire and anticipation for this level; watch the way that a good fielder moves and makes catches and stops look easy. It is not because they are lucky and are in the right place at the right time - they anticipate the shot from the way the batsmen move their feet and they move before the ball is hit. Bowlers need to be patient and bowl consistently good length balls - wickets are tough to come by and you need to work a batsmen out. Good length bowling is absolutely essential at this level (even at the expense of line), you must be able to maintain pressure; a good length ball that is slightly wide, is still going to get a batsmen thinking about the shot he needs to play, a long hop allows him to hit the ball where he wants, whatever the line!

I am convinced that this is not a technical issue; they are not technically better than we are. We need to step up our levels of intensity and start playing like this means something as opposed to being just another game. You must enjoy your cricket but this does not mean that I will accept poor performances. I am also aware that many of you are new to 50 over cricket; it is tiring and you need to be fitter (physically and mentally). This is only going to get harder (5 days of cricket at the tournament) so make sure that you look after your bodies ... hydrate and eat well before, during and after the game. Do not over play, you are young and developing. Make sure that you rest well and keep your practice to a short high intensity - you need to be fresh for the game.

I challenge you all to make the step up to PSB cricket, you would not be in the sides if we did not believe you can do it. So let's make sure that the next two games against Manukau and Western show a higher intensity and reflect our skills and commitment.

Ten Ways to Get Out (or culture corner)

Careful and clever that batsmen must be
Who wishes to tot up a century.
Ten different dangers to hedge him about
By any of which he may be put out,
First "bowled", second "caught", and third "leg before",
A fate that most batsmen dislike and deplore.
The fourth is "run out", deemed very bad cricket;
The fifth, if he clumsily "hit his own wicket".
"Stumped" is the sixth, the seventh we'll call
Foolishly touching or handling the ball.
Eighth, if the striker "should hit the ball twice"
With malice prepense - a pestilent vice.
Ninth, if he purposely spoils a fair catch
While running - and tenth, the last of the batch,
When jacket or hat, propelled by a gale,
Touches the wicket displacing a bail!
William Outhwaite (c1883)

Partnerships

"One thing our innings in this match underlined was the reality that it is very hard to make good totals in one-day matches without good partnerships. It's something we regularly talk about during team meetings, and I felt that this game showed that we've taken this lesson on board. It was important after Watto was dismissed so early that Tim Paine and I got things back on track, even though the wicket was playing some tricks. Then Mitch and Brett Lee and then Mitch and Nathan Hauritz worked really well together during the final 10 overs of our innings.

Partnerships were a key when we bowled too, especially in the latter stages when we closed the game out in efficient fashion. Those last few overs have been a bit of an Achilles heel for us over the years, so I took a lot of satisfaction from the way we took 6-55 from the final 61 deliveries of the game, to clinch the game by 50 runs with 19 balls to spare."

Ricky Ponting "The Captains Year 2010"
ICC Champions Trophy 2009: Game 5, Group A (September 26) Australia v. South Africa

I read this yesterday and thought of you chaps and how I keep going on about how important partnerships (batting/bowling) are ... good to see that I am supported by Ricky Ponting.

Burgundy A/B v. Hamilton (31 October)

Burgundy A v. Hamilton A
Hamilton A 84/10
Jake Fitzgibbon 0/14, Angus Nicoll 1/21, Max Lewis 1/16, Reid Hastie 3/12, Chris Groenink 1/12, Eru Hudson 1/3, Bronson Marshall 3/3
Burgundy A 85/3
Connor Stuart 17, Donald Coleman 35, Angus McKenzie 10*

A very comprehensive win and good performance across the whole team.

Burgundy B v. Hamilton B
Burgundy B 176/10
Dylan Stevenson 39, Ed Henning 47, Oliver Cheyne 17, Jake Meenhorst
Hamilton B 125/10 (30th Over)
Keegan Russell 4/21, Jack Stevenson 3/28, Kieran Young 1/14, Scott Gannaway 1/6

A very good win, with some key batting partnerships (Dylan/Jake 67 and Ed/Oliver 55) forming a good total. This was followed up by a good all round bowling/fielding performance with catches being taken and a direct hit run out.

Well done to both teams, not quite beating the U18's in speedy getaway but, on the road in good time. Great start to the season.

Tournament dates

PSB Tournament Dates: 27-31 December 2010 @ Lloyd Elsmore Park, Howick

Capping Ceremony Date (Change)

Please note that there has been a change to the capping ceremony date, this will now be on Tuesday 7th December at Takapuna Rugby Club. Boys will be "officially" capped and can purchase NH tournament gear on the night.

Inter-Squad (Labour Monday)

Excellent start to the season: runs, wickets, sunshine ... who could ask for more! A veritable run-fest on the top shelf between the two B sides and two excellent efforts to beat the bigger boys in the two A games.

Burgundy B lost to Black B
Burgundy B 203 All Out
Scott Gannaway 39, Dylan Stevenson 71*, Sean Reader 28*
Bjorn Wojt (2/24), Benjamin Beecroft (2/26), Adrian Young (2/42)
Black B 293 All Out
Sharn Fonseka 34, Benjamin Beecroft 62*, Matt Strain 44, Bjorn Wojt 46
Keegan Russell (1/40), Scott Prentice (3/26)


Black A lost to Y9/10 B
Y9/10 197/3 (50 overs)
Ross ter Braak (2/17), Anmol (1/18)
Black A 152 All Out
Sam Hinds 24, Kieran Seedall 44, Ross ter Braak 15, Cameron Riches 13

Burgundy A lost to Y9/10 B
Y9/10 157 All Out
Jake Fitzgibbon (2/20), Bronson Marshall (1/23), Max Lewis 2/26), Reid Hastie (3/27), Chris Groenink (1/13)
Burgundy A 119 All Out
William O'Donnell 11, Donald Coleman 20, Cole Briggs 15, Reid Hastie 14, Chris Groenink 21

Captions Required

Please feel free to send me your captions.

PSB 2010 Squads

Burgundy A Rupert/Colin	Black A JdR/Simon
William O'Donnell	Josh du Rand
Connor Stuart	Sam Hinds
Eru Hudson	Kieran Seedall
Donald Coleman	Josh Down
Angus McKenzie	Chris Woodard
Cole Briggs (Wk)	Kit Freeman
Reid Hastie	Ross ter Braak
Chris Groenink	Scott Martin
Bronson Marshall	Jake Skellern
Max Lewis	Cameron Riches (Wk)
Jake Fitzgibbon	Steven Newey
Angus Nicoll	Anmol Thapar
Burgundy B David Prentice/Brendan Cheyne	Black B Craig Beecroft
Jack Stevenson	Sharn Fonseka
Scott Gannaway	Nathaniel Law
Ed Henning (Wk2)	Josh Cheesman
Oliver Cheyne	Ryan Schierhout
Dylan Stevenson	Gray Hardy
Jake Meenhorst	Benjamin Beecroft
Asher Robb (Wk)	Matt Strain (Wk/Capt)
Kieran Young	Jacob Scott
Sean Reader	Adrian Young
Scott Prentice	Bjorn Wojt
Keegan Russell	Sachin Chhiba
Liam Brown	Jayson Jooste

PSB 2010 Squads

If you were not involved in the Academy, please remember to bring a cheque for $50 made payable to "North Harbour Junior Cricket" on Monday.

PSB Trial 16th October (Massey University)

Availability
If selected for one of four the PSB teams (Burgundy A/B and Black A/B), you will need to be available to play pre-tournament fixtures starting on Labour Monday (25 October) up to the tournament. These are generally every other week (Sunday) but, your commitment will depend on whether you are in Black or Burgundy, so it is not possible to give you the dates until the teams have been selected.

Trial Format
There are 48 places available (4 teams x 12 players), 26 boys have attended the academy and we will be looking for another 22 from the trial. The trial format will involve all attendees moving through a session on batting, bowling and fielding. The selectors will be looking for all round skills and a good attitude; the A teams require more specialised positions than the B teams but, clearly there needs to be a good balance between bowlers and batsmen. Please make sure that you bring full kit and remember there are going to be 30 other kitbags at Massey, so make sure that you look after your kit and keep it neat and tidy outside the nets – you will notice that this will be a theme running through to the tournament; keep your kit all together as a team and neat and tidy.

Selection and beyond
At the development (B team), the intention through the tournament is to make sure that every gets a fair go – it is a long tournament 5 games x 50 overs and we want to make sure that bowlers get a good bowl and batsmen get a chance to bat. However, often the issue at this level is that so many players do both ... Basically, we have to try and manage this as best we can but it does mean that if you bat top 5, do not expect to bowl and vice versa, if you bowl 10 overs do not expect to bat. The coaches are looking to balance the team during the tournament so at everyone leaves the tournament having had a chance to shine, I am there to make sure that this happens. The teams will be selected for the first game on the 25th October (an inter-squad game at Wainoni). Once selected in either Burgundy or Black, you will tend to stay within that colour but, there will be opportunities to move between an A and a B team over the first few games. However, we will be looking at “fixing” the teams by early November to allow for the coaches to start working on team building and development.

The tournament itself will require a commitment from the boys and parents. Please do not expect to drop the boys off and disappear for the day – we need everyone to get involved; from helping with drinks, looking after the kit, first aid to scoring, umpiring etc. Everyone will be rostered to do something – this really is a complete team commitment! If you do not think you can help out, it is better to know now than at the tournament.

I look forward to seeing you all on the 16th. It is pretty hectic, so forgive me if I don’t get a chance to chat.

Trial List

1. Rory Douglas
2. Anmol Thapar
3. Scott Gannaway
4. Scott Prentice
5. Kit Freeman
6. Sean Reader
7. Ed Henning
8. Faisal Ganchi
9. Oliver Cheyne
10. Sachin Chhiba
11. Jonathan Brewis
12. Jayson Jooste
13. Jake Meenhorst
14. Angus McKenzie
15. Asher Robb
16. Ben Beecroft
17. Adrian Young
18. Kieran Young
19. Jack Clothier
20. Keegan Russell
21. Nathaniel Law
22. Dylan Stevenson
23. Gray Hardy
24. Jacob Scott
25. Liam Brown
26. Ryan Schierhout
    
27. Donald Coleman
28. Bjorn Wojt

Welcome Back PSB 2010

The summer is coming and we will soon be focusing on the PSB Tournament 2010 (December 26-31, 2010). Keep an eye on the blog for updates and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Wanganui U13 "Bat" Holders