Adelaide Hills Cricket (HCA, TVCA & A&EH)

[jackpot jim]

Wel finally we might see some cricket this weekend, Predictions for the last round are: Lobethal Vs Nairne; Well there is a fair chance these two sides will meet in the semi final as well, so this is a big game. To be honest, i think Nairne will demolish lobethal. They seem to be hitting there straps, training twice a week at full intensity. Lobethal havent had a great second half of the year losing to the creek and ashbourne. The difference here is the match winners, Nairne have a enormous amount, where lobethal theres not much there. Nairne Will win by a lot. Langhorne Creek Vs Strath: Strath will be hungry for this, they should treat this like a final, cause they will have to be on top of there game to beat woodside the following week Provided they win this game. They shouldnt have many issues in this contest, Langhorne Creek are depleted with no Johnson and possibly no warren. Strath just to strong in all aspects, will win easily. Ashbourne Vs Wistow. Well who cares really, Ashbourne have been disapointing once again and Wistow have been a rabble. Ashbourne will win this easilty, and Wistow will wind out with the spoon. No Surprises really.

A bit of light rain around and forecast showers and possible storm tomorrow afternoon. Should at least get some play in at least.

Agree 100% with your summation Ramrod. Nairne , Strath and Ashbourne all easily.
Warren in 2nd week for Creek but game could almost be all over by then as Creeks batting looks very thin.

[Roxy the Rat Girl]

Ashbourne Vs Wistow. Well who cares really, Ashbourne have been disapointing once again and Wistow have been a rabble. Ashbourne will win this easilty, and Wistow will wind out with the spoon. No Surprises really.

I reakon the Ashbourne and Wistow blokes probably care, as do their clubs and supporters.

[batmanbegins]

Pretty crazy ending to the HCA coming this weekend with teams looking to go for out rights to get either get in the finals or move up spots,;

Uri's are in a strong spot to steal 4th spot from lofty after having already won on first innings against aldgate and 200 runs ahead already they just need to bowl aldgate out to make the finals. Feel a bit sorry for lofty who never had the chance to cement there spot in the finals due to the hot weather.

Scibs appear to be looking for an outright to move up to second and possibly first and get a home final. They already won on first innings but bit strange they didn't bat on for a bit longer after winning and getting further ahead, although happy's batting is very frail so wouldn't suprise me if they collapse again and Scibs get the outright.

Meadows pummeled kangys making 290 of 50 overs and appear to be a chance for an outright but need 17 wickets for the day which may be a bit of a hard ask seeing as feather stone is in and batting well but u never know.

Flaggies made 210 and will just be looking to win and secure a top 2 spot although outright wins to meadows and Scibs May dent their top spot aspirations remarkably even though they haven't lost all year. Mind you if Gonzalez gets rolling stirling can cause an upset.

Should be an interesting final day of cricket before the finals.

[Ramrod]

Well that weekend went as expected. After bowling out a pathetic lobethal, Nairne have already won, but now will push to try and outright them and give themselves a sniff at top spot. I've alway thought Lobey werent that flash and saturday proved it, if Nairne do in fact finish second and have to play Lobey in the first final, Nairne will hand out another Cricket lesson. What that game does is put some pressure on Strath. I think Strath would've gone into that game thinking they only needed to win to retain top spot, Now with Nairne gunning for outright the pressure will be on strath to bowl langhorne creek out again, Which they can definitely do, depending how quickly they get the remaining 30 odd runs. Ashbourne also looking for the outright and know doubt they are a chance, Aggressive captaincy to declare and have a crack at Wistow for 12 overs. I'm backing Ashbourne to take 18 wickets next week and finish on a high. Wistow will be glad this seasons nearly over.

[FannyO'Wilson]

Pretty crazy ending to the HCA coming this weekend with teams looking to go for out rights to get either get in the finals or move up spots,;

Uri's are in a strong spot to steal 4th spot from lofty after having already won on first innings against aldgate and 200 runs ahead already they just need to bowl aldgate out to make the finals. Feel a bit sorry for lofty who never had the chance to cement there spot in the finals due to the hot weather.

Scibs appear to be looking for an outright to move up to second and possibly first and get a home final. They already won on first innings but bit strange they didn't bat on for a bit longer after winning and getting further ahead, although happy's batting is very frail so wouldn't suprise me if they collapse again and Scibs get the outright.

Meadows pummeled kangys making 290 of 50 overs and appear to be a chance for an outright but need 17 wickets for the day which may be a bit of a hard ask seeing as feather stone is in and batting well but u never know.

Flaggies made 210 and will just be looking to win and secure a top 2 spot although outright wins to meadows and Scibs May dent their top spot aspirations remarkably even though they haven't lost all year. Mind you if Gonzalez gets rolling stirling can cause an upset.

Should be an interesting final day of cricket before the finals.

Yes very interesting indeed, Lofty are going to be sweating for the week I would expect. It's a shame to have lost so many days of cricket this year but I think is likely to be the norm in the next few years.

[Ramrod]

Weekend went pretty much how i expected it to go. Really surprised by the Nairne Lobey game. Can fully understand why Nairne decided to call the game off with only 25 overs to go, however what were lobey thinking? After getting rolled for 80 odd Last week, i wouldve thought they may have wanted to get a bit of batting practice against the Nairne bowling attack. Nairne will absolutley destroy lobey this week. Strath Limped to a win, Ashbourne smashed Wistow. Wistow take home the Spoon after a pretty pathetic Year, I believed they played cricket the wrong way this year, Interesting to see if they continue to have an A grade next year.

[saintal]

TVCA semis:

Cambrai 174 def Paracombe 120. An upset with the 4th placed Magpies comfortably toppling the Pirates. An even spread of run scorers for Cambrai on day 1, while big Smith bagged 6 wickets for the hosts. The Pirates’ batting failed to fire on Sunday, Barossa recruit Hunter tearing through their order to take 5/39 from 21 overs.

Palmer 144 def Gumeracha 120. From 9/103 the Bears managed 144, which in the end was the critical partnership in the match. Gumeracha started day 2 on 2/32, after losing key man Sumner in the final over on Saturday. Everytime the Magpies appeared to be on track the Bears would strike, an untimely injury also hurting the visitors’ momentum. Skipper Rathjen (6/38) and young Lindner (3/8 from 12) superb. Gumeracha’s run of GF appearances comes to an end.

Palmer are yet to win an A Grade flag, while Cambrai’s last triumph at this level came in the 80s I believe. The final will be played at Birdwood.

In the B’s, Gumeracha will play Palmer at Lenswood on Saturday. Gumeracha knocked off Paracombe in a high scoring match, while Palmer destroyed Springton.

[FannyO'Wilson]

Pretty crazy ending to the HCA coming this weekend with teams looking to go for out rights to get either get in the finals or move up spots,;

Uri's are in a strong spot to steal 4th spot from lofty after having already won on first innings against aldgate and 200 runs ahead already they just need to bowl aldgate out to make the finals. Feel a bit sorry for lofty who never had the chance to cement there spot in the finals due to the hot weather.

Scibs appear to be looking for an outright to move up to second and possibly first and get a home final. They already won on first innings but bit strange they didn't bat on for a bit longer after winning and getting further ahead, although happy's batting is very frail so wouldn't suprise me if they collapse again and Scibs get the outright.

Meadows pummeled kangys making 290 of 50 overs and appear to be a chance for an outright but need 17 wickets for the day which may be a bit of a hard ask seeing as feather stone is in and batting well but u never know.

Flaggies made 210 and will just be looking to win and secure a top 2 spot although outright wins to meadows and Scibs May dent their top spot aspirations remarkably even though they haven't lost all year. Mind you if Gonzalez gets rolling stirling can cause an upset.

Should be an interesting final day of cricket before the finals.

Yes very interesting indeed, Lofty are going to be sweating for the week I would expect. It's a shame to have lost so many days of cricket this year but I think is likely to be the norm in the next few years.

So HCA top 4 ends up being SCIB, Flaggies, Meadows and Uraidla. Flagstaff Hill go second without losing a game. Weather ended up having a real effect on the final four.

Lofty miss out by 1.33 points. Extra 20 wickets taken by Uraidla compared with Lofty makes a real difference...

[batmanbegins]

Pretty crazy ending to the HCA coming this weekend with teams looking to go for out rights to get either get in the finals or move up spots,;

Uri's are in a strong spot to steal 4th spot from lofty after having already won on first innings against aldgate and 200 runs ahead already they just need to bowl aldgate out to make the finals. Feel a bit sorry for lofty who never had the chance to cement there spot in the finals due to the hot weather.

Scibs appear to be looking for an outright to move up to second and possibly first and get a home final. They already won on first innings but bit strange they didn't bat on for a bit longer after winning and getting further ahead, although happy's batting is very frail so wouldn't suprise me if they collapse again and Scibs get the outright.

Meadows pummeled kangys making 290 of 50 overs and appear to be a chance for an outright but need 17 wickets for the day which may be a bit of a hard ask seeing as feather stone is in and batting well but u never know.

Flaggies made 210 and will just be looking to win and secure a top 2 spot although outright wins to meadows and Scibs May dent their top spot aspirations remarkably even though they haven't lost all year. Mind you if Gonzalez gets rolling stirling can cause an upset.

Should be an interesting final day of cricket before the finals.

Yes very interesting indeed, Lofty are going to be sweating for the week I would expect. It's a shame to have lost so many days of cricket this year but I think is likely to be the norm in the next few years.

So HCA top 4 ends up being SCIB, Flaggies, Meadows and Uraidla. Flagstaff Hill go second without losing a game. Weather ended up having a real effect on the final four.

Lofty miss out by 1.33 points. Extra 20 wickets taken by Uraidla compared with Lofty makes a real difference...

Pretty crazy finish, Scibs finish on top by .08 after beating happy's outright and flaggies only taking 5 wickets in the second innings against stirling cost them as all they needed was one more wicket. Hard to fathom scibs finishing top having lost 2 games whilst flaggies havent lost but the game that was lost to heat was when scibs had the bye which helped them big time in the end. Feel for lofty but in the end they lost to uraidla during the year and would be ruing the kangy game which they feel would of been a missed opportunity.

So the semis are as follows;
Scibs V Uri- Scibs won the battle earlier this year in a close one and at home i feel they are the favourites but you feel as though dyl brown is due whos had a horrid year by his standards. If scibs get through brown and rumbles cheaply then its hard to see uri's getting up, however uri have good bowlers in gaetan and kepa but they just need to keep the extras down. Young shearwood returned for scibs and appears to be in form, whilst skipper Mcgowan is the key with the ball but Tarque lives for the big occasion so expect him to step up. Should be a cracker but Scibs in a close one is my tip.

Flaggies V Meadows- What a cracking semi, the best two teams of the year and when was the last time meadows didnt get a home semi? Skipper petty is coming of a big haul against stirling and they will be very confident after skittling them for 26 but meadows batting is on a different stratosphere. Flaggies did beat meadows earlier in the year so they will believe they can win and are probably favourites at home but by golly its hard to go against meadows with their batting, rohan and haydn are in great form but they seem to be relying a bit to much on them this year against the good teams. Flaggies bat deep but dont have the stars meadows have but flaggies bowling is a little more penetrating with petty and goulding, where as apart from rohan the meadows bowling is just very steady these days. Im going to tip against meadows for the first time and say flaggies to do the unthinkable and ruin meadows chase for 7 in a row in a thriller. (Now ive said that meadows will likely flog them)

[Corona Man]

Weekend went pretty much how i expected it to go. Really surprised by the Nairne Lobey game. Can fully understand why Nairne decided to call the game off with only 25 overs to go, however what were lobey thinking? After getting rolled for 80 odd Last week, i wouldve thought they may have wanted to get a bit of batting practice against the Nairne bowling attack. Nairne will absolutley destroy lobey this week. Strath Limped to a win, Ashbourne smashed Wistow. Wistow take home the Spoon after a pretty pathetic Year, I believed they played cricket the wrong way this year, Interesting to see if they continue to have an A grade next year.

Interested in your comment here re: Wistow. I saw them play once, and yes they were well short of A grade standard. How do you think they should have played Ramrod??..... If you haven't got the cattle, then you haven't got the cattle. Pretty simple.

Given the 2 "boys" who left their club at the start of the season will likely meet in the GF.... I think it's a shame that those blokes were enticed away from the hill, when in the best interest of the comp - the Echidnas needed them. Begs the question of what will happen with Wistow next season. I've said it before, good on them for staying up in A grade, it would have been a tough 6 months for them. Hopefully some of their younger guys have learnt a thing or two and will be back next season. Or will we see an A2 team (a few teams come to mind) put their hand up to have a crack with the big boys next season.

Time will tell...

[Ramrod]

Weekend went pretty much how i expected it to go. Really surprised by the Nairne Lobey game. Can fully understand why Nairne decided to call the game off with only 25 overs to go, however what were lobey thinking? After getting rolled for 80 odd Last week, i wouldve thought they may have wanted to get a bit of batting practice against the Nairne bowling attack. Nairne will absolutley destroy lobey this week. Strath Limped to a win, Ashbourne smashed Wistow. Wistow take home the Spoon after a pretty pathetic Year, I believed they played cricket the wrong way this year, Interesting to see if they continue to have an A grade next year.

Interested in your comment here re: Wistow. I saw them play once, and yes they were well short of A grade standard. How do you think they should have played Ramrod??..... If you haven't got the cattle, then you haven't got the cattle. Pretty simple.

Given the 2 "boys" who left their club at the start of the season will likely meet in the GF.... I think it's a shame that those blokes were enticed away from the hill, when in the best interest of the comp - the Echidnas needed them. Begs the question of what will happen with Wistow next season. I've said it before, good on them for staying up in A grade, it would have been a tough 6 months for them. Hopefully some of their younger guys have learnt a thing or two and will be back next season. Or will we see an A2 team (a few teams come to mind) put their hand up to have a crack with the big boys next season.

Time will tell...

No im not disagreeing with your comment here regarding not having the cattle Corona Man, From all reports they didnt play the type of cricket that was going to win many games. They were in such a negative mindset with there batting especially, they didnt try and move the game forwards at all. In regards to your Comment about the 2 "boys" from all reports they werent enjoying there cricket at Wistow. Good on them having the you know what to move and make the decision to go somewhere where they would enjoy their cricket. If i was in there situation i wouldnt think about whats best for the association. Wistow unfortuantely have awful facilties awful oval. My question is what was enticing the 2 "boys" to stay at Wistow? They have both gone to clubs with outstanding facilities, Finished first and second on the ladder, Both have played good cricket looking at the stats. Ask yourself Corona Man if you were in their situation what would you have done? i Know what i would do if i was in that sitatuation. Interesting week in that household if they both make it through to the GF

[Ramrod]

Corona Man, you've listed Echunga as your team? When are they going to have some B#lls to Come up and play with the big boys? before having shots at "boys" Maybe you should look at your own club and see if they want to man up a bit?

[Corona Man]

Corona Man, you've listed Echunga as your team? When are they going to have some B#lls to Come up and play with the big boys? before having shots at "boys" Maybe you should look at your own club and see if they want to man up a bit?

Umm well we came up this season. After winning the B grade title last season we came up to A2's. We finished 5th this season. So I would suggest there are more suitable candidates for promotion to A Grade than Echunga.

Please don't confuse the use if the word "boys" as derogatory Ramrod. Both of them are good players, I think it's a shame they left the hill that's all.

I'm still interested to know how Wistow could have done better this season with what they had at their disposal?

I expect your club will win the A grade again, and they are a real chance in A2's as well.

[Corona Man]

Sorry Ramrod just noticed your earlier post where you mention Wistow batted negatively.

Fair call but I guess batting time a bit rather than attacking comes about with a longer tail as well.

Also agree facilities at Wistow are poor... I get that part of it as well.

[Ramrod]

Sorry Ramrod just noticed your earlier post where you mention Wistow batted negatively.

Fair call but I guess batting time a bit rather than attacking comes about with a longer tail as well.

Also agree facilities at Wistow are poor... I get that part of it as well.

Yeah it's a tough decision as to whether you bat time or try to be positive. i Believe they got into such a mindset that they didnt even hit the bad balls when they were bowled. Just to let you know Corona man, I'm not from Nairne, Just a neutral supporter. I Agree though i think Nairne are still the team to beat.

[Corona Man]

Sorry Ramrod just noticed your earlier post where you mention Wistow batted negatively.

Fair call but I guess batting time a bit rather than attacking comes about with a longer tail as well.

Also agree facilities at Wistow are poor... I get that part of it as well.

Yeah it's a tough decision as to whether you bat time or try to be positive. i Believe they got into such a mindset that they didnt even hit the bad balls when they were bowled. Just to let you know Corona man, I'm not from Nairne, Just a neutral supporter. I Agree though i think Nairne are still the team to beat.

No worries Ramrod.... I still take my hat off to Wistow for having the b@lls to stay up in the A's. Hopefully the season has taught some of their guys what to expect at the higher level, and they take that challenge on board. So I guess I don't see them as "pathetic"..... in fact quite the opposite.

Every batting team needs to be positive and be on the look out for runs, and run scoring opportunities. No point patting back half volleys, even if you are behind the 8 ball in terms of the game situation.... Only said it on the weekend to our guys - better off to be all out 120, than 8/95 at the end of your allotted overs.

Echunga are a fair way off A Grade to be honest. As shown by not being able to even make the 4 in A2's. By my estimation we have say 4 players in the 20-30 age bracket who would be A grade standard, and by no means would they be dominate players. While our batting is OK (at A2 level) we still rely on some older guys to contribute. Slacky missed the entire season with injury, and we could have done with his runs this season. Our bowling is the Achilles heel though... not good enough for long enough. Our fielding is often comical!

Finniss probably don't have the bowlers for A grade either, I think their batting is OK. Hahndorf have the depth in batting & bowling, but an apparent "lack of commitment" to field an A Grade. Was told that not many of the current crop even train on a regular basis.

Given all of that - would the A Grade be better off as a 6 team comp??

Thoughts??

[Ramrod]

Sorry Ramrod just noticed your earlier post where you mention Wistow batted negatively.

Fair call but I guess batting time a bit rather than attacking comes about with a longer tail as well.

Also agree facilities at Wistow are poor... I get that part of it as well.

Yeah it's a tough decision as to whether you bat time or try to be positive. i Believe they got into such a mindset that they didnt even hit the bad balls when they were bowled. Just to let you know Corona man, I'm not from Nairne, Just a neutral supporter. I Agree though i think Nairne are still the team to beat.

No worries Ramrod.... I still take my hat off to Wistow for having the b@lls to stay up in the A's. Hopefully the season has taught some of their guys what to expect at the higher level, and they take that challenge on board. So I guess I don't see them as "pathetic"..... in fact quite the opposite.

Every batting team needs to be positive and be on the look out for runs, and run scoring opportunities. No point patting back half volleys, even if you are behind the 8 ball in terms of the game situation.... Only said it on the weekend to our guys - better off to be all out 120, than 8/95 at the end of your allotted overs.

Echunga are a fair way off A Grade to be honest. As shown by not being able to even make the 4 in A2's. By my estimation we have say 4 players in the 20-30 age bracket who would be A grade standard, and by no means would they be dominate players. While our batting is OK (at A2 level) we still rely on some older guys to contribute. Slacky missed the entire season with injury, and we could have done with his runs this season. Our bowling is the Achilles heel though... not good enough for long enough. Our fielding is often comical!

Finniss probably don't have the bowlers for A grade either, I think their batting is OK. Hahndorf have the depth in batting & bowling, but an apparent "lack of commitment" to field an A Grade. Was told that not many of the current crop even train on a regular basis.

Given all of that - would the A Grade be better off as a 6 team comp??

Thoughts??

I Believe the Assocation need to have some B#lls and Force teams like hahndorf to have an A grade. They have some quality young cricketers. In regards to batting aggresivley, that doesnt mean you have to smash everything, but its about being positive, hit the bad ball, Good running between the wickets, If you can run well in this comp you will pick up an extra 20-30 runs which could be the difference between winning a grand final or losing. It will be very interesting to see the A grade Comp Next year, Will Wistow Battle away again? What will Langhorne Creek Do? Ashbourne can they keep getting Poms? Thats for the off season those questions, just looking forward to seeing the finals result.

[Roxy the Rat Girl]

I think Nairne have come into their usual fine end of season form and can't see Lobethal beating them this week. THE Strath and Woodside is a little more interesting. I think Woodside have shown enough to beat Strath although their batting has let them down a few times. Strath have also shown vulnerability at times throughout the season so I think this could be a pretty good match. I'll tip Strath only because Woodies haven't played alot of cricket in the past month and Strath are at home.

I am tipping a rematch of last years Grand Final with Strath V Nairne at Strath.

[Ramrod]

Here is My semi Final Predictions; Strath Vs Woodside. This should be a cracker of a game with both teams winning one game each through the year. Strath had the better of them in there recent encounter. Strath have some very dangerous weapons with the bat and ball. With there Batting Mark Abbott and Luke Cousins are one of the best opening pairs in the comp. Schofield, Matt abbott, And Nathan Pelle have all had decent scores this year. There bowling is also quality with the Abbott boys, Larcombe and Hein, Possibly Ben Cousins as well. Woodside on the other hand still show weakness with the bat at times. Every one in the comp knows Woodside have had a habit of falling short in finals. There bowling is quality With Galvin, Druwitt, Collins boys, and the Leggy Smith. This should be a belter, Woodside havent played cricket for a month and that concerns me, plus being on the turf where strath havent lost all year, I'm backing Strath. Nairne vs Lobey. Goodluck Lobey, This could be and probably will be a belting! Nairne have more depth then any other club with the bat and Ball. There bowling has hit its Straps, Mitch Hein seems to be bowling beautifully, Harden, Walters, Tait, Godson, Harrowfield all have bowled well. lobethal batsmen will be having nightmares about facing that. We all know about Nairnes Batting, it can de extremely damaging. Lobey are young and inexperienced in finals, If Nairne bowl first it could be over within one day. Nairne will win this without breaking a sweat.

[Corona Man]

Sorry Ramrod just noticed your earlier post where you mention Wistow batted negatively.

Fair call but I guess batting time a bit rather than attacking comes about with a longer tail as well.

Also agree facilities at Wistow are poor... I get that part of it as well.

Yeah it's a tough decision as to whether you bat time or try to be positive. i Believe they got into such a mindset that they didnt even hit the bad balls when they were bowled. Just to let you know Corona man, I'm not from Nairne, Just a neutral supporter. I Agree though i think Nairne are still the team to beat.

Are you sure Ramrod?