Much to the contrary of recent seasons, first grade in particular and our lower grades have enjoyed a succesful start to 2009/10.
The one's are leading the charge, with two wins in the first two rounds, then they were extremely unlucky to draw with Lindisfarne after being 4-146 chasing 176 after the first week, they returned a week later chasing 30 only for the day to be washed out so no points were gained. They sit in outright second position, trailling ladder leader Clarence by just for points.
Captain Dane Anderson and Vice Captain Nathan Butterworth are leading by example, as they are the leading run scorer and second highest wicket taker in the competition respectively at this early stage of the season.
Anderson has already scored a whopping 380 runs at the unbeliebable average of 190, with a high score this year of 235 against North Hobart. Dane now holds the top two individual scores in the proud 79 year history of the club and averages nearly 20 runs higher than the next batsman of the people who have scored 2500 runs or more in the club's history. Truely a staggering achievement and a record that only continues to get better, congratulations Dane. Butterworth or 'Chimes' as he is known has 10 wickets at under 15 and looks as if he can go back to back in leading the TCA wicket tally by season's end.
In other good news it's great to see ex-players return to the club and show they haven't lost a thing with Sean McGuire, Brent Cartledge, Ryan Delaney and Ricky Martin all having fine starts to the season and Nathan Matthews and Robbie Dilger returning from injury lay-off's and going straight back to where they left off. Congratualtions go to Nathan Philip and Trent LeRossignol who are currently touring picturesk Canberra as players in the Tasmanian Under 19 team, we wish them luck.
Second Grade is yet to get on the board with a win, but could have quite easily been two from two, both weeks they have been in a winning position but failed to deliver that killer blow when it was needed most. Luke Curran and Tristan Penneyston both have scored half centuries already this season and Billy Grice has started well behind the stumps.
Third Grade on the other had, like first grade are undefeated and like first grade their captain is leading from the front. Skipper Simon Stebbings leads the run scorers after scoring a majestic undefeated 151 in the first round of the year. Matthew Orth and Kevin Johnson are leading the way with the ball.
To highlight the depth of third grade and our club this season, Chris Barker was omitted a week after hitting 60 against North Hobart. In previous year's, a half century would have got you a promotion to second grade, but such is the depth across our squad it simply won't happen unless players can get three or four big scores and one score isn't going to save your bacon where as in past year's it got you a game for the rest of the season.
The under 17's have won one of two games and are improving every week under the guidence of coaching guru Steve Absolom. They are benefitting from having guys in the side who mainly played 2nd and 3rd grade last year, namingly Jamie Adams, Tim Spotswood and Tommy Coates who are leading the side with Steve well. Jamie in particular, has enjoyed a fine start to the year, picking up wickets in all games and top scoring with 79 not out against Kingborough.
The club is sitting equal third in the TCA Club Championship with 30 points across the grades, trailling North Hobart by just 6 points, which is another sign of the gradual improvement the club is going through at the moment.
Good luck to all grades in the upcoming one-dayer with New Town this week.
