WR IT T E N BY H E AT H M O O R E

December
Quiz Night
In late November the club held its annual function and fundraiser and this year it took the form of a quiz night. Put together by Deborah Vernon, Chris Reid, and Blayne Fraser the event was a huge success. Attended by over 70 people made up of club members and sponsors we were able to raise over $2,500 dollars which will be placed back into the club and the wider senior playing group. The event also doubled as the clubs Christmas function before the clubrooms are closed for the building of a second story, set to commence in January. The club would like to once again thank Deborah Vernon for her generous support in setting up the event and our major sponsors including, Barfoot & Thompson, Vernon Logistics, 2degrees, Sony, Bright Point, Fuze Caf, Luscious Food Store, Hanger Bar, Symantic, Adidas, Event Cinemas, and Hoyts Cinemas.

Premiers
The Twenty20 competition started in early December. A firstup defeat against Eden Roskill left the side with the tough task of knocking off the defending champions, Suburbs New Lynn. Some tight bowling and a committed fielding display meant the game went to the last over, but the game was lost with the bat. With every side given a quarter-final in either the championship or the plate, the final game against Kumeu will determine our opponents for the knockout stages in the new year. The two-day campaign started with a convincing first innings win over Eden Roskill. Unfortunately the rain washed out the first day of the next game against Ellerslie. The match went down to the last ball, but ultimately ended in a draw on first innings. Outright losses to both North Shore and Birkenhead followed, but a first innings win over University in the final game before Christmas will keep promotion hopes alive. With three one-dayers remaining in pool play, play-off spots will be decided in the three weeks after Christmas. Sitting one win out of the top three, it will be important to hit the ground running with Cornwall, Birkenhead and University all capable sides. The big performer for the side so far this year has been Aaron Jeavons, who is up to 350 runs and 21 wickets already with two more days of cricket before Christmas. Praneel Hira has also stepped up following his return from injury with 19 wickets and 142 runs to date. The bowling has been a strength with Scott Curtis on 20 wickets and Sheahan Huri on 15. The ever experienced Blayne Fraser has been consistent with 271 runs and Hayden Pye-Redfern with 276 runs.

Mid-Season Wrap Up
It has been a year of opportunity down at the Aviary for the first half of the 2012/2013 season. There has been a change with many young hopefuls putting their hand up for places within all senior mens teams. While the club has lost some experience, the future of the club is looking positive with a solid start to the season for all teams.

WR IT T E N BY H E AT H M O O R E

December
Premier Reserves
Our Premier Reserve side has continued its mixed bag of form into the two-day competition. At the half way point of the one-day competition we are placed in 6th position and looking to build on some of the form we had been showing in patches of different games. Unfortunately we suffered a heavy defeat against Suburbs. The next game however saw a change of fortune in what is probably the closest game in all competitions this season when we won by 3 runs against Ellerslie. Putting on a disappointing 152 all out, Ellerslie were 80/1 but some top bowling, inspired fielding and good captaincy saw the bird take flight and steal victory in the last over of the match. The patchy form continued with a tight 4 run loss to Papatoetoe. However, there was something to smile about with Amit Dhadwal who brought up his first senior mens century for the club. Sitting in last spot, the boys pulled out a big performance against 3rd place Birkenhead to take the spoils. The reserves are a rather young squad but some impressive performances from the new boys hold us in a positive position for the rest of the season and years to come. The top run scorers to date have been Kevin Samson (303) and Sam Bing (128). The top wicket takers have been Dan Schischka (13) and Sam Bing (11). The Reserves are currently mid-table in both one-day and two-day formats and are in a position to stake a claim for a top four finish or potentially snatch a title should the boys perform out of their skin after Christmas.

Senior A
Following the wrap up, the Senior As have dropped a couple of fixtures in the two-day competition, losing to Eden Roskill and Hibiscus Coast on first innings points. Fortunately they have picked up bonus points in those loses and with 5 favourable fixtures to come, the As could spring a surprise in the two-day competition and make a late charge to the title, or at least a top 4 placing. Currently they are in a prime position to take first innings and possibly an outright against Grafton to propel themselves up the competition ladder. Stepping out in the coloured clothing for the season, the Senior As sit in 2nd place, 1 point behind leaders East Coast Bays in the one-day competition. With Hibiscus Coast and Eden Roskill left to play it will go down to the wire. So far there hasnt been a stand out player for As, with a lot of players chipping in for runs and wickets. Leading run scorers for As are James Baker (171), Heath Moore (141) and Luke Hill (132). The wickets have also been shared around with Barry Mills (8), Cody Brookes (6) and Mike Marshall (6). The As are in a commanding position in their final game before Christmas reaching 287/7 against Grafton after day 1.

Senior B
Historically the Senior B side for Waitakere has struggled to compete for the title, but following last years second place finishing in the one day competition, the Bs look to be favourites to win the one day and overall competition. The team has a lot of experienced cricketers and it is showing already with their placing. The Senior Bs currently sit 1st in the one-day, 3rd in the two-day and 2nd in the overall competitions. Despite losing outright against Takapuna last weekend, they have dominated opposition, winning four of their five one-day games and outrighting North Shore in their first two-day game. While the runs and wickets have been shared somewhat, standouts with the bat have been Josh Carmody (161), Kevin Riley (161) and Daniel parsons (126). Leading wicket takers are Ben Carmody (19), Kevin Riley (12), Shaun Vant Wout (15) and Chris Jeffries (14). Currently the Bs are set to take first innings against Cornwall and could push for an outright this weekend.

WR IT T E N BY H E AT H M O O R E

December
Senior C
Last years one-day champions and overall runners up have taken a while to get going this year. A mixture of familiar faces and some new cricketers make the Senior C side which sees them currently mid-table of the one day and overall competition. The Cs turned their fortune around after losing their first three games by winning the next two against Howick Pakuranga and Eden Roskill. They dropped a game against Suburbs but are in a prime position to take first innings against Grafton and potentially push for an outright win. The star performers with the bat have been Phil Jones who has scored 255 runs, Scott Morgan (172) and Ross Watson (151). The pick of the bowlers so far is Brett Carroll with 17 wickets, Mark Bhan (10) and Lee Turner (10).

Player Profile : Ben Carmody

In his first season at Waitakere, Ben certainly impressed at pre season and followed that onto the field. Ben and his brother Josh Carmody were enticed over to play a higher standard of cricket after playing business house cricket for the past few years. Ben has represented Auckland at u14 and u16 level as a top order bat, but is now a bowling allrounder. Ben has been ripping up Senior B opposition with his huge hooping in-swing and nippy pace. The tall unit has taken 19 wickets already this season and could likely be the grades leading wicket-taker. Ben says he has loved the move to Waitakere and wished he made the move years ago. The 35-year-old is only 6 wickets away from earning a baggy blue in what has been a standout debut season at the club for Ben. Age: 35 Nickname(s): BC, Benny, Carmo Proudest cricket moment: When I was selected for Auckland u14 and Auckland u16 Cricketing achievements? Representing Auckland at age group level and hitting my highest score of 173 when I played for Eden Roskill a number of years ago. Best cricket advice: Keep your eye on the ball. Best life advice: Dont worry be happy. What do you do away from cricket? I am a brick and block layer and I enjoy playing the drums in my spare time, fishing and hunting. Goals for the season? Earning a baggy blue and dominating the competition. What is your favourite movie and why? Donnie Brasco, because I love gangster movies. Entrance song? Chicago by Groove Armada. If you could be anyone else, who would you be and why? Id love to be the drummer for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers but as me, not Chad Smith.

Samantha Curtis In White Ferns 30man World Cup Squad:

The club would like to congratulate Sam Curtis for being named in the White Ferns initial 30 players for the World Cup Squad. This season Sam has averaged 66 with the bat scoring 264 runs in her 5 innings for Waitakere including three half-centuries. Sam made her Hearts debut against Otago in 2007/2008. We all wish her the best of luck and are crossing our fingers she continues her good form and is selected for the final squad. The World Cup will be held in India starting January 31st, 2013.

In The Air
We are looking for people to contribute to The Fly Slip. This is not simply a newsletter for the Senior part of the club. We are happy to include anything that we deem appropriate or newsworthy, so dont be afraid to get involved. Get in touch with Heath Moore (heath.moore@vodafone.co.nz) or Praneel Hira (phir009@gmail.com) and we will get in touch.