Anza Magazine July 2010:: Going from strength to strength

Going from strength to strength


What a difference a weekend makes. On the Friday, your humble scribe was contemplating what theme he might go with for ANZA’s fabled sports issue. Fortunately, with ANZACC’s season in full swing and the cricketing gods smiling on the club this year, at least once the game has begun (though often not long enough for us to finish a match!), I was saved from writing a treatise on the art of coin tossing.


While I’m sure a number of our skippers might welcome some insight into an art that somehow bewilders them week after week (Clive Tilbrook being the notable exception), ANZACC’s improving on-field fortunes in the 2010 season demanded the spotlight (thankfully).


Since our last instalment, all side have played league matches. Our 5th grade side, led by Andrew Spain, was looking the goods against the old foe as they racked up a sizeable 208 at the British Club’s home ground. A solid foundation was laid in the first 15 overs by a half-century from Phil “the Younger” McNicholas and Mark “Felix the cat” Cordiner. While neither innings can be said to be chanceless, Cordiner certainly rode his luck, affording the Poms nearly half a dozen opportunities to hone their catching practice on his way to a ‘solid’ 46. Special mention should be made James Dickinson, our Mug of the Month, for his decision to jinx Mark by commenting that “two fifties in the innings would be great”.


Moving up the grades; the Champs, the club best performers in 2009, have had a difficult start in 4th grade’s 2010 season with some very narrow losses. Sadly, regular brain explosions in ANZA’s top order have undone strong bowling and fielding efforts (aided by the spectre of having to wear the dumbo cap should you drop a catch), preventing them from breaking their duck, but their skipper assures the first win is not far off (and is willing to put money on it!).


Third grade opened their account with a Lazarus-esque result against the Police. A solid start from openers Garry Hawker and Shubham Gupta opened the innings on a soggy outfield but a steady procession of wickets made it look like the cops once again had ANZA pretty well pegged. Once Chiro “Jimmy” Gupta strolled out to the crease to join club newcomer Chris Walker at 5/65, however, this perp walk quickly turned into a prison break. Chris, having marked his ANZA debut with a half-century in the previous match, was again on song and accumulated runs almost at will, finishing with his second half-ton in as many games. Chiro, on the other hand, was at his destructive best. The ball disappeared to all parts as “the son of Kerry (Packer)” raced to 50 off a mere 20 balls, finishing with 68 off 34 and propelled Clive Tilbrook’s side to an imposing total of 181.


After the break, Singapore’s finest were contained by some tight bowling from the skipper (4 for 10) and James Howlett. This noose continued to tighten and within a few overs, the cops were reeling at 4/19. Things continued to look rough for the Gurkhas as the bowlers shared the wickets around once the openers took a breather. Eventually they were skittled for 115, giving the side their first win of the season and a hunger for many more.


ANZA’s second grade side, however, were the real stars of the month. Having brushed aside the Kallang Colts a couple of weeks earlier, Mark “Hammer” Christensen’s side took on SIA. Richie Kenner, having flown in especially for the match, was still a little dazed but able to maintain a quiet vigil at one end while Corbon “the corpse” Loughnan came to life. Pat Kelly joined Corbs in the 10th over once Richie decide to do the honourable thing and skied one to the keeper. What followed can politely be described as carnage. The next 12 overs brought 114 runs before Corbs departed in the nervous nineties. The following 12 overs were even more immense, yielding 155 runs Pat Kelly smashed the bowlers to all parts on his way to 146 of 74 balls, including 14 sixes and 7 fours and getting him our SunSense Man of the Month award. At the other end, Dharmik Kumar had relatively quietly gone to 53 off 33 balls. Although the innings finished with a flurry of wickets, ANZA had piled on the pain to score 359 for 8 off its 40 overs. (Note: Pat has been suitably punished for his 150 avoidance).


After decimating the opposition’s top order in the first 3 overs, SIA began to complain they had better visibility landing in Western Europe than against our bowling attack. Fortunately, the umpires agreed with our skipper and demanded play continue. Yet, as SIA had turned into BA, the match came to an unfitting end with ANZA taking the points on a walkout by the air hosties.


Turning to this month’s one remaining award, the Harry’s Hero, won this month by Corbon Loughnan. After regularly taking the helm in Kev Robertson’s absence in the first grade last season, and being a permanent fixture at the top of the run scoring list, Corbs has continued to be the perennial clubman in 2010. Prior to his 100 avoidance against SIA, Corbs took over on a few moments notice (and without his whites!) against MUCC, as Hammer welcomed a new member into his family. Hopefully, Corbs will continue to contribute both on and off the field.


Interested in playing competitive or social cricket in Singapore?


If you’ve recently moved to Singapore and are looking for a new club, or feel like getting back into the thick of the action after taking some time off, e-mail the club at info@anzacc.org.sg or dreamers@anzacc.org.sg and/or come down to the Ceylon Sports Club (101 Balestier Road) on Thursday nights between 6:30 and 8:30 pm for nets and post-practice socialising. Hope to see you there!