Colleagues Cricket Club

The Colleagues Cricket Club, evolved from the Colleagues Rugby Club back in the early days playing in local competitions. We were only admitted to the City and Suburban Cricket Association at the annual general meeting of the association held on 7 August 1984 and played for the first time in the C&S Competition in the 1984/1985 seasons.

Since then CCC has been a competitive member of the competition, enjoying the cricket season both on and off the park.

The 2005/06 season should prove to be another successful one for the Blue Giants. We congratulate the Association on the initiation of the Knockout competition and we hope to progress well into the late rounds. We welcome Kings and Allos into the competition, joining the other Old Boys teams in Scots, Cranbrook, Grammar, Knox and Barker, I know many colleagues are looking forward to once again coming up against their old schools.

Late in the 2005/06 season the Blue Giants will be playing at Blue Giant Stadium. With the support of the Association we have been able to upgrade the synthetic grass wicket at Woollahra 2 & 3. Blue Giant Stadium will be a true wicket and with the new clubhouse in play should be a great place to watch and the action and have a few beers with our competitors at stumps. We would like to thank the association for their support.

We would like to thank our Major Sponsors Austral Bricks, Four in Hand, Lime Grove for their continued support, and to promote our partner Eastside Home Loans- who we urge all colleagues, friends and family to speak to for you homeloan and re-financing needs.

Should anyone wish to join the Blue Giants for a game of Cricket or just for a few beers please contact one of the people listed below.

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Colleagues had another successful season albeit the start was a little slow with some early losses before the engine started firing. We managed 13 wins with 5 losses, 1 tie and 3 washouts/draws.

We saw a few new faces this year including a few more players from the Rugby Club. Occasionally we struggled for numbers and then there was the opposite when we had enough for two teams. This is an area we need to address given we have a few that are on 40 and others that are closing in fast to the milestone. Colleagues is now a group of Scots, Kings, Shore, Iggies, Joeys, TAS and even Cranbrook Schools, and along with the Rugby club, this should have us in a strong position to keep the numbers coming through.

In the batting averages department James Maurice took the honours this season amassing 480 runs at an average of 40. Paul Cleland 256 at 42, Robert Blackman 230 at 32, Edward White 242 at 21 and Hamish McCathie 218 at 19.8. Top score being 96no by both Duncan Gordon and Paul Cleland and James Maurice 89.

The bowling averages were James Dunlop 10 wickets at 10.3, Hamish Thomson 12 wickets 10.6, Paul Cleland 13 at 11.1, Hilal Dannaoui 19 at 14.8, Angus Caldwell 10 at 15.6 and Sam Davis 29 at 15.8. Best figures were Hilal Dannaoui 6-22 and 5-25 and Paul Cleland 5-27.

Although Sam Davis captured the most wickets we also gain this year with the inclusion of one of our rugby players Hilal Dannaoui “Hilly” who has played many years of grade at Bankstown. It was an eye opener for Hilly when in his first game in C & S he was heard to say at the end of the game “never before have I been treated with such disrespect”, but that’s the joy of this grade of cricket.

There was some spectacular fielding and one that will always stick in the mind was Michael Boyd’s drop catch at mid wicket but after dropping the catch he collected the ball and with a direct hit ran the batsman out. A great team result as we got the wicket and he had to buy each member of the team a beer back at the Four In Hand.

Most COD awards throughout the season 3 each for Blackman, Boyd, Davis, Petrie, and White, and 1 each for McCathie, Fields, Collett, and Broomhead.

The annual dinner for COY saw a kiwi Ben Sivyer in the play off against Sam Davis and it was Davis who received the 2005 COY honour cap.

In other news and although Woollahra Oval No.2 has undergone extensive work to we are yet to see the cricket pitch upgrade. We are now of the understanding that Council will now only allow an artificial wicket and we hope this might be completed for use next season.

Tom Millner will take over as the new Club Secretary and Captain following my resignation at the annual dinner after 5 years in the role. Time for a change.

We look forward to the response from the steering committee and the possible knockout competition. The general view throughout the club was for a competition structure but given we have always taken the view that everybody in the team must be involved otherwise why be there at all, we are happy with the proposed knockout competition structure and can understand why anything else would change the tradition of C & S Cricket as we know it.

Lastly we would like to thank our sponsors Four In Hand Hotel, Austral Bricks and Limegrove cordial, along with the minors. Without these guys we would struggle.

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In 1933 a group of young men who had left school in 1932, decided that although they desired to continue playing rugby, it was their wish that they remain together in the one club. However, in those days the rules of the competition demanded that you played for the district club that you resided. Therefore as this group of young men came from many areas, it was decided to enter a team into the Metropolitan Sub-District competition and the name of the club would be Colleagues. This name engendered the feeling of mateship and friendship which was prevalent with the foundation members of the club, and which has been carried through the past 72 years.

The Colleagues Cricket Club, evolved from the Colleagues Rugby Club back in the early days playing in local competitions. We were only admitted to the City and Suburban Cricket Association at the annual general meeting of the association held on 7 August 1984 under the entering the C&S Competition in the 1984/1985 seasons.

Earlier records have unfortunately mislaid, however we have been able to gather some information from various sources including the C&SCA annual reports and various old and existing players enabling us to in brief provide the history of the club since 1984.

• 1984/1985, the Colleagues Cricket Club foundation season - M Sinclair figured in the C&S averages with 251 runs @ 27.85, whilst a young Graham Rush stormed through the opposition collecting 50 wickets @ 9.60. Rush was to become a long-standing member of the club and figures in quite a few instances in the C&S competitions.

• 85/86 Doug Ambrose another long standing player who made his presence in the C&S competition in ensuing years hit up 347 runs @ 38.55 including a century. Stephen Aboud managed 232 runs @ 25.77 and David Taylor 222 @ 37. Mitch Duggan 17 wickets @ 22

• 86/87 Was an average season with only David Taylor scoring 232 runs @ 33.1 being of worth of mention. Rush took 15 wickets at 25.

• 87/88 Graham Rush played representative matches against the NSWCA and combined Services and took 31 wickets @ 11.83. There were also two batsmen, Mike Suttor with 382 runs @ 54.57 and Stephen Aboud with 250 runs @ 27.77 also figuring in the seasons averages.

• 88/89 Graham Rush continued to collect a swag of wickets with 39 wickets @ 12.78, and the runs were spread fairly evenly amongst the batsman with Hugh Taylor 241 runs @ 31.5, Stephen Aboud 228 runs @ 28.5, Bobby McCansh 227 runs @ 25.2 and David Taylor 208 runs @ 26.

• 89/90 Rush captained a C&S Representative side against the then reigning holder of the W.RAY Memorial Shield, the Cricketers Club. Another representative in that side was Mike Suttor who scored 40 of the 7-219 scored over 45 overs in that match. Rush with the ball claimed five wickets for 41 runs, and he then also played in the annual match v Newcastle C&S Association collecting 3 wickets at a match played at Goddard Park, Concord. It was also in that year he had the remarkable figures of 9-52 in a match vs. Scots Old Boys. Suttor came second in the Association records with 304 @ 50.66 whilst we also saw Hugh Taylor make 291 @ 32.50. Doug Ambrose finished with 300 runs from 10 innings averaging 30 including a hurricane 94 from 18 overs against Qantas Jets. R. Dunlop scored 258 runs @ 25.87, whilst Rush continued to figure in the bowling averages with 34 wickets @ 12.67.

• 90/91 Ambrose played in the Association matches against the NSWCA and Combined Services, and in the latter match whilst he only made 26 runs, these included two soaring sixes, one of which finished up on the roof of the main sandstone Barracks Block building at Victoria Barracks. That year he had amassed 691 runs @ 46.06 from just 15 innings including a century, whilst Nick Wright made 324 runs @ 32.40 and Bobby McCansh made 306 runs @ 27.8, David Taylor finished with 248 runs at 35.43. In the bowling department Damien Foley took 40 wickets @ 12.82, a very encouraging year and I’m advised we did not loose a game.

• 91/92 Doug Ambrose and Hugh Taylor were selected in the C&S Representative side to play against the Combined Services at Victoria Barracks. Ambrose scored a slashing 43 that included 4x6's, one ball finishing permanently in one of the palm trees that boarder the ground. This year Ambrose scored 501 runs @ 62.6 which included a whirlwind 115. Bobby McCansh made 348 runs @ 31.60 and he figured in an unbroken stand of 184 with David Taylor against Mosman Vets. Hugh Taylor managed 297 runs @ 59.4 playing only and handful of games and managing to score a century. The bowling was rather limited with Damian Foley 19 wickets @ 21 and Graham Rush 14 @ 25.

• 92/93 Sketchy detail for the next few years but the seasons were good for Colleagues with some noted individual outstanding performances. With the ball Damian Foley mustered 21 wickets, Mitch Duggan 19 wickets and Graham Rush 16 wickets. Hugh Taylor scored one century with total of 248 runs @ 49.6. Stephen Aboud also scored 222 runs @ 44.4, Doug Ambrose 197 runs @ 39.4 and Nick Wright 189 @ 37.8.

• 93/94 Saw a changing of the bowling attached with some genuine pace from Hamish McCathie combining with swing bowler Robert Blackman. Blackman gathered 24 wickets @ 14.2 while McCathie took 22 @ 14.7 and Damian Foley 18 @ 18.8. These three bowlers are still playing today but definitely in their twilight years. Batsmen of note this year included Nick Wright 362 runs @ 40.22 and young Cameron Rowntree managed 218 runs @ 31.1, Dave Taylor 214 runs @ 30.57 and Shaun Swift 199 runs @ 39.8 including a 50 from 14 balls.

• 94/95 Doug Ambrose played a hand full of games including a 50 from 16 balls and trying to match that effort was Stephen Aboud scoring 50 from 20 balls. (Bet on for the fastest to 50 in this game against Syd Uni Vets including one Kerry O’Keeffe who scored 40 odd in Uni total of 135. Colleagues knocked this off in 10 overs in true style). This year a gifted Paul Cleland joined us scoring 324 runs @ 40.5, while Adam Lloyd-Jones made 310 runs @ 38.7 and Ed White 212 runs @ 28.1 and Hugh Taylor 189 runs @ 27. In the bowling it was Paul Cleland with 22 wickets @ 15.6 Robert Blackman 18 @ 18.9 and Damian Foley 19 @ 20.5.

• 95/96 Won 9 lost 3. Hugh Taylor this year managed 372 runs @ 46.5 including a century, Paul Cleland 256 runs @ 42.6, Ed White scored 248 runs @ 35.4 and Ant Wiesener 242 runs @ 34.5 Hamish McCathie hit his straps with 25 wickets @ 13.7, Robert Blackman 23 @ 15.1 and Damian Foley 18 @ 16.9 and Paul Cleland 17 @ 14.7.

• 96/97 we won 8 lost 4. Paul Cleland came of age scoring 429 runs @ 71.5 which included a magnificent 151 at Sutherland and also a second another century for the season. Matt Collett accumulated 238 runs @ 39.6 and Ed White 211 @ 35.1 and Adam Lloyd-Jones 209 runs @ 23.22 on the bowling Damian Foley 23 @ 17.2, Robert Blackman 21 @ 17.4, Hamish McCathie 21 @ 18.3

• 97/98 we won 13 and lost 1. Paul Cleland 344 runs @ 49.1 Ant Wiesener 244 runs @ 30.5 Ed White 252 runs @ 36, Robert Blackman 232 runs @ 33.14 and Adam Lloyd-Jones 228 runs 28.5. Bowling Damian Foley 19 wickets @ 18.2 Hamish McCathie 18 wickets @ 17.3 Robert Blackman 16 wickets @ 19.1

• 98/99 we won 14 and lost 2. Paul Cleland 302 runs @ 37.75, Ed White 245 runs @ 35, Nick Moses 244 runs @ 34.85, Matthew Collett 202 runs @ 28.8 including a 50 in 17 balls. In the bowling Robert Blackman 27 wickets @ 9.1 Damian Foley 21 @ 15.6, Paul Cleland 18 wickets @ 13.4.

• 99/00 was a very lean year with us only playing 11 matches due other commitments and we struggled to maintain 11 players on the field each week. We won 8 and lost 3. Ed White made 338 @ 37.56 and Paul Cleland 332 @ 36.89 and the bowling was lead by Hamish McCathie with 23 wickets @ 10.57, Robert Blackman 21 wickets @ 11.7, and Damien Foley wickets 17 wickets @ 15.

• 00/01 we won 7 and lost 6 matches. Paul Cleland smashed 450 runs @ 64.3 including one century 125. Ant Wiesener supported well with 380 @ 54.3. The season was average one with us starting well but then falling in heap at the end. Graham Rush took 18 wickets @ 7.6 in the first three games but then fell away. Damian Foley captured 24 wickets @ 17.2 and Hamish McCathie and Robert Blackman took 18 wickets @ 19.3 and 20.5.

• 01/02 Saw a change of the Secretary with myself being given the job. With the club suffering with lack of regular players we had again recruit as done in years gone by and the target was bunch of younger GPS school blokes who were only a few years out of school and in need of some exercise. The hope was that these players would create a strong nucleus for the future. Furthermore, we were in discussion with the Colleagues Rugby Club who intend building of a new clubhouse at Woollahra No.2 and the reuniting of the Rugby and Cricket as one. We played 21 games with 9 wins and 5 losses and 7 cancels due bad weather or forfeits. Batting saw Tom Millner 249 runs @ 35.57, Paul Cleland 237 runs @ 26.3 and Will Christmas 200 runs @ 18.18. Bowling Damian Foley 23 wickets @ 16.13 including two 5 wicket hauls and Robert Blackman 21 wickets @ 20.4

• 02/03 We again had some 40+ players represent Colleagues throughout the year. The very promising thing however this year was that a majority were in the 22+27 age bracket. Our numbers and commitment this year have us giving serious consideration to entering a second team (Vets) playing maybe half the season next year. The Rugby club completed the new clubhouse building and in March and we were able to hold our annual COY dinner within the new facilities. Subject to a few concluding conditions the ground is scheduled for resurfacing in late 2003 with hopefully the addition of turf wickets. We played 20 games with 2 washed out. Unfortunately, our performances were a little scratchy with only 10 wins for the season. There were some outstanding performances with Chris Uther taking 32 wicket @ 13.7, Sam Davis 20 @ 13.5 including a 6-17 against Barker. Robert Blackman and Will Dawson also captured 18 wickets each @ 20.83 and 26.33 respectively. Paul Cleland returned from a stint in the country and only played 3 games amassing 199 runs @ 66.33, James Maurice compiled 305 runs @ 25.41, Will Christmas 245 runs @ 30.63 and Jack Mesley 219 runs @ 24.33, Hamish McCathie 202 runs @ 20.2, Tom Milner 194 runs @ 21.55.

Given the loss of earlier records we have managed to source mainly statistics, but we have seen some very good players within the Colleagues ranks over the years. Doug Ambrose was renowned for ferocious hitting, scared of no bowler and he wrecked many a good bowling performance whilst at the crease. Hugh Taylor played for city and suburban a couple of times with Ambrose. Hugh scored 3 hundreds for the blue giants. Graham Rush an outstanding inswing bowler who had a picnic on many occasion against the opposition then later to become an off spinner who was still able to cause havoc. Damian Foley a bowler who has the gift of swinging and cutting ability with pinpoint accuracy. Paul Cleland is another to mention and still with a few years in him. Paul continues to play today for the club and remains a force against any opposing side with both bat and ball.

Having had some very good players, the club has always, and hopefully always will be managed/captained with the view of keeping to the spirit of The City and Suburban Cricket by giving each and every player on field the chance to be involved either with bat or ball. Furthermore, we have always included a penalty system during our games that involves the fining of players for various misdemeanours. Penalties are in the form of amber fluids that are made payable during the after game activities with our local sponsor. This philosophy has always been a real leveller to all involved but has enabled us to unite a lot stronger as a team giving us many victories on team contribution with no real individual achievements.

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Colleagues Figures 2005

Colleagues Figures 2005 for CS

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