With a convincing win over Morphettville Park, the A Grade have completed a clean sweep of victories before Christmas. This is the first time that the A Grade have achieved this feat since the season of 1983/84 (though the present occasion is more meritorious given that there were only five games played before Christmas in that season) and the sequence of six consecutive wins equals the winning sequence at the start of 1972/73. The current record (according to available information) was set in 1947/48 when Harold Watchman's "invincibles" compiled a string of seven wins (with one outright) to open the season and subsequently take the premiership.
After a strong batting performance the previous week, the bowlers ensured that the target was never under threat, with a good team performance. The main destroyer was David Magarey with 5/24 and the remaining wickets were shared between the other bowlers. They were all backed up by some tremendous fielding, the highlights being three catches at point by opening bowler Jeremy McCormick, a "screamer" at mid wicket by Stuart Campbell and a sensational running catch by Michael Cheek who covered 50 metres from his fielding position at long-on to complete the catch near the deep mid wicket boundary.
With a first innings lead of 172, captain Mark Eglinton elected to enforce the follow-on, for the second consecutive match. Another fiery opening from Magarey and McCormick saw Morphettville Park reduced to 4/27 with almost 30 overs remaining in the match.
Chasing a formidable 276 to claim its first win for the season, the B Grade just fell short against the Kenilworth A Grade.
Opening the innings were Daniel Jenkinson and specialist wicket-keeper Ben Summerton. For Ben it was his first genuine opportunity for some time in the middle this season, and he made the most of the opportunity with a magnificent score of 79: one wonders where the A Grade were hiding his batting talent earlier in the season.
In the 34th over the score had reached 119 for the loss of only one wicket, Summerton and John Rosman combining for a century second wicket stand. However, a collapse saw three quick wickets fall and the required run-rate rise above six runs per over. A fifth wicket partnership of 49 between captain Andrew Magarey and Paul "Eddie" Champion steered the team back on course and a stand of 53 runs in only eight overs between Eddie and Ken Rowe kept the victory target within sight. It was a timely return to form for the veteran Magarey, and with a well compiled 33 he passed the career milestone of 4000 runs.
Always one to take a keen interest in the statistics, captain Mike "Kiwi" Maclean appropriately celebrated his 50th match for Coromandel with a score of 50 runs. It was the 11th score of 50 or more by the former Auckland second XI player, who joined Coromandel in early 1997.
Another significant achievement was the 50th wicket for Chris Garth, the former Rambler who has made himself at home on this side of the valley. Still yet to reach 16 years of age, it is natural to believe Chris would be one of the youngest players ever to have reached this career milestone at Coromandel. The statistician will endeavour to extract and provide more information in due course, however it is already known that Chris does not hold the record as Peter Craig achieved this milestone aged just over 14 and a half years, in late 1970.
A comfortable win for the C Grade at home.
After a disappointing second innings batting collapse by Coromandel, Kenilworth required just 66 runs from 7 overs to claim what earlier seemed a most unlikely outright win.
With seven fieldsman on the boundary, Tim Kaethner and Stuart Norman were providing the batsmen with no easy runs. After four runs were scored from the first over, an inspirational piece of fielding by the one-armed sub fieldsman Jarrad Sim, restricted a certain four runs to just one after a short ball from Stuart Norman was pulled towards the mid wicket boundary. The batsmen, believing the ball was destined to the boundary, strolled down the wicket only to find an outstretched arm had gathered the ball on the first bounce and unleashed a powerful throw, quite an effort considering the difficulty that would be experienced following through with only one arm. A fine low catch by the captain Mark Lemmey, the only fieldsman within forty metres of the bat on the leg-side, was another highlight in the innings as his team were able to restrict the run-flow and collect one premiership point for avoiding outright defeat.
Tim Kaethner has once again staked his claim for the unofficial Team-Man award. For the second time this season, he has risked his livelihood in the pursuit of success for his team and captain. For those who are unaware, Tim is expected to commence work at 5pm on Saturday and after taking the new ball he bowled until stumps had been drawn, well beyond 6pm, and played his part in saving the match for Coromandel. Let's hope that Tim is still employed in the new year.
First Innings Loss
Coromandel 102