Melbourne Cup Night Function

Despite wet weather washing out all senior mens matches this weekend, the clubs annual Melbourne Cup function was very well represented by the senior teams sporting VERY ordinary suits.

The night was the first of many important functions for SDCC this season. Monies raised help support the captial works spendings the club is planning on shared resources such as the essential works required to improve the hard wicket nets.

Race caller Billy Griffiths overcame early nerves to run a tight ship, and despite the dice clearly being loaded towards the lane two, there were plenty of popular winners on the night. Along with the player auction which was held on Thursday night, significant money had been added to the SDCC coffers largely thanks to newly elected President Harvey Jolly and his team (including the lovely Linda J. Jolly and Pres. Mick from CBFC).

Great time had by all, well organised, and poorly dressed! Big thanks to all who supported the night!

Stingrays Sweep Prospect in Round 2

Southern District swept the Pirates in all senior grades to continue the clubs strong start to season 2010/11.

Shaun Tanner continued his match winning start to the season with a brilliant 77 to drag the Stingrays to a defendable total against Prospect in a rain affected affair. Water leaking through covers reduced the match at Prospect Oval to 32 overs a side, and after being asked to bat the Stingrays top order crumbled for the second straight match to be 5-11. Enter Shaun Tanner (77) and Lewis Hill (33) who along with round one rising star Josh Barratt (26*) launched a counter attack to lead Southern to a total of 164.

Prospect were never really in the hunt, losing regular wickets and were smothered by the Stingray attack and another excellent team fielding exhibition. Skipper Simon Roberts finished with 4 wickets, Tanner 3 wickets, and veteran Dean chambers was miserly conceding only 5 runs from his 6 overs.

A second hard fought come-from-behind win in as many weeks means the Stingrays have now won 6 consecutive matches (including four straight wins to end 2009/10) which is a club record in the two day comp. While this is a promising sign, the inability of the top order to fire will raise serious questions should they continue the recent trend against Adelaide in round 3 next week.

Paul Roberts shone with bat and ball in the B grade win over Prospect at Bice Oval. Roberts peeled off a workmanlike 120, combining with Sheidow Park's Brendan McCormack (67) to put on 130 for the first wicket. Some hard hitting from Nick Bowen at the end saw the Rays post 241. Southern's inexperienced B grade attack struggled to penetrate early, and it was left to veteran Scott Heywood (3-11 from 9 overs) and Roberts (4-28 from 18 overs) to lead the way and strangle the Prospect bats. Some outstanding catching from Jack Taylor and Paul Roberts got the Stingrays back in the match after Prospect appeared to be cruising at 4-170.

The C grade made short work of Prospect at Broadview Oval. Winning the toss and bowling on a damp squib, Steve Kerr, Sean Williams and Reece Button destroyed the Pirates top order, eventually dismissing them for only 113 thanks to three wickets each to Button and Chris O'Connor. O'Connor (76*) and Rhys Barratt (27*) then showed their class as the young Stingray side passed the total for the loss of only one wicket.

The D grade continued on their winning way with a comprehensive win at CBHS thanks to former Cove all-rounder Jamie Robshaw. With two seniors debutantes (Mitch Millan; Tom Cotter-Gillies) bringing the total to 10 inside the first two games, the young side showed plenty of fight to knock off an ordinary Prospect team. Jamie Robshaw's 143* was brutal and included eleven 6's and eleven 4's. His innings lead the baby Rays to 4-241 in their 50 overs, Tom Philips (35) & Lachlan Garratt (29) combining with Robshaw for substantial partnerships. Never really in the game, the Pirates lack of intent to chase the target meant the young attack was never really tested. The two debutantes were the pick of the bowlers, and with 13 year old Sam Philips showing improvement behind the sticks, the future senior group of the Stingrays looks bright.

Today see's the Stingrays take on Sturt in round two of the T20 competition beginning at 3:10pm at Bice Oval. Next round of the two day competition Southern District take on arch rivals Adelaide.

Roberts and Robshaw Score Diamond Awards

Paul Roberts and Jamie Robshaw are the first recipients of the Presidents Diamond Award. Every century scored in senior cricket will rewarded with a diamond of $500 in value, which will be mounted in a ring at seasons end.

Paul Roberts returned on day two needing 6 runs to become the clubs first century maker, and quickly compiled the required runs finishing with 120 in the hard fought B grade win over Prospect at Bice oval.

In only his second game since moving from Cove cricket club, Jamie Robshaw peeled off 143no in the D grade, leading that side to a crushing win. Jamie's devastating innings included eleven 6's and eleven 4's.

Southern District thanks sponsor John M Roberts Manufacturing Jeweller for it's sponsorship of the awards.

Presidents Diamond Award

Through the generosity of John Roberts each century maker this season in senior sides for the Stingrays will receive a diamond to the value of $500.00.

John says "I wanted to do something that placed a value on your wicket and rewarded a players discipline and determination to succeed"

John is the senior mens batting coach as well as a 46 year jeweller who prides himself on making a difference and doing a quality job.

"To make a century in senior grade cricket is a real personal milestone and is personnally satisfying as well as a team lifter"

"I would hope the recipients of the award understand the support their partners provide them and that the diamond could be used to recognise this support"

The award is open to senior men and women, a special board beneath the clubs honour board will keep a list of players who achieve this wonderful milestone and gain this special award.

The club thanks John for his contribution and I know players have already set their eyes on the prize!

Rising Star

SACA Recognise Josh Barrett with Rising Star Award

Southern District were looking for early success after finishing 5th and just missing out on finals last season. However, early wickets saw the the Stingrays in trouble at 6/35. Barrett came to the crease with some resolve, he showed composure and experience beyond his years by compiling a well fought out 71 from 165 deliveries. Matthew Sugg who made an important 79 and helped the Stingrays finish with 9/211. Josh influence the match further, but this time standing behind the stumps. The promising keeper-batsman took three catches.

The Stingrays expect nothing less, keep it up Josh. Who will be next!

A's Get Away With One

Senior Men
The senior men commenced the home and away season against West Torrens District Cricket Club.

The A's hosted the Eagles at Bice Oval and after winning the toss and batting got away to a very ordinary start. With Brenton Maiolo going early and then Joel Garret departing the Stingrays were 2 for 6, Ifould attempted to blunt the attack while Simon Roberts started to find his foot work and the gap through the covers. Unfortunately Simon missed one from ex-state player Trent Kelly and then two balls later returning Englishman Lewis Hill nicked one to Andrew Haslett, suddenly 4 for 31. Things got worse with Justin Ifould and on the very next ball Shaun Tanner soon joining the dismissed batsman, 6 for 35 at lunch!

Whether the lunch break distracted the Eagles or our young Rays decided this wasn't to be, Matthew Sugg and Josh Barrett set about re-establishing the innings, both batsman batted for over 2 and a half hours and faced over 160 deliveries each. In a partnership of 13o which saw Matthew Sugg score 79 and Josh Barrett go on to make 71 the Stingrays had got back into the game. With Josh Barrett helping the tail to put on another 46 the Stingrays finished with a competitive total of 211 for 9.

On the Sunday the West Torrens started with a strong resolve and openning batsman that included x-Stingray Erik Laubscher saw them to 0 for 103 before the first wicket was taken. Once again the Stingrays had taken stock at the lunch break and the second and third sessions saw the Eagles loose 9 for 68.

In an amazing spell of spin bowling Shaun Tanner made amends for his early departure with the bat and imposed himself on the game. 21 over, 5 maidens, 6 for 46 ripped the heart out of the Eagles. Supported by fellow spinner Thomas Joraslafsky 25.5 overs, 8 maidens and 3 for 43 and disciplined bowling from Roberts, Chambers, Jolly and Sugg the Stingrays dismissed the Eagles for 171 and took the points.


It was a match that all involved and watched will remember and with further resolve by the A's could set up their season.

In other Men's Grades;

The B's West Torrens 9 for 240, on debut Sean McIvor doing Seaford CC proud with 4 for 40 and fresh from England Jack Taylor also grabbing 4 for 42. In reply Southern fell just short at 7 for 228 with Danny Irvine, 52, Steven Ford 49 no, evergreen Jason Riley 45 and Matthew Overall 38.

The C's, West Torrens were all out 132 of 47 overs with Blake Trigg taking 3 for 25 of 7 overs and Dean Miller 2 for 40 of 10 overs. Sean Williams bowled extremely well taking 1 for 9 of 8 overs. In reply the Stingrays made 133 of 42 overs with Nick Bowen dominating the innings with 85 n.o.. A special note regarding Sam Phillips who debuted in the C's as a keeper, by all reports a job well done.

The D's, West Torrens again batted first making 121 of 41 overs, Huw Stone took 3 for 20 of 6 overs and Rhys Button took 3 for 27 of his 10 overs. In reply the Stingrays made 8 for 124 with Tom Phillips rattling of 48 from 60 balls.

Three out of four in Round 1, room to improve across all grades and with the challenge of Prospect comes the opportunity.


Good Luck to all senior grades the week.

2010/11 Recruits Debut

Southern District welcomes new DLCA recruit Jack Taylor from Gloucestershire CC in England. Jack is a batting allrounder who recently picked up a 2 year county contract and he is looking to improve his all round game during his stay in Adelaide.

Last seasons DLCA recruit Lewis Hill returns to the club and will look to build on the impressive 92 he scroed in his final A grade game of last season. Lewis was amongst the top aggregrate batters for the club last season, and is expected to provide depth to the Stingrays top order.

The club also welcome Sean McIvor from the local SCA competition. Sean is a bustling quick who will add depth the bowling stocks after the departure of Lewis Hatchett and Michael Delaney from last years attack.

StingrayTV Video Highlights

Video highlights of the Stingrays round one T20 win over University are now available on StingrayTV. Click on the YouTube link in the browser bar at www.stingrays.com.au to access the channel. Highlights of the C grades Grand Final against Woodville are also available now for viewing.

Keep an eye out over the season for more videos on StingrayTV (including an elusive post GF celebration video featuring on-the-spot interviewer Scott Heywood that may pop up at some stage...)

Barratt & Tanner Star in Convincing T20 Win

T20 Skipper Shaun Tanner took 4-8 off 4 overs to effectively kill University's run chase before it began. Tanner took the key wickets of Thornton nad Cooper in his first two overs, with Gary Putland (2/19) snaring the important wicket of Australian International T20 player Dan Chrsitian. Tom Joraslafsky (2/18) and Pat Jolly (1/28) chipped in with wickets to bowl Uni out for just 107 in the final over.

Earlier, in form from a winter playing in Worcestershire, Josh Barratt showed his class compiling a match winning 54 from 44 deliveries. Barratt timed his innings well, starting solidly after the Stingrays lost early wickets, and at one stage were reduced to 3/13. JB cashed in late with some mighty blows including three 6's and five fours. He was well supported by Simon Roberts (31) and Matthew Sugg (28*) to finish the innings at 5/151.

See the complete score card by clicking on the link below. Video highlights to follow soon on StingrayTV.

http://mycricket.cricket.com.au/common/pages/asphost.aspx?loc=/cricket/reports/match.asp&locx=MATCH&matchID=805133