First Grade
A Grade Captain’s Report 2010/11
Season 2010/11 was a successful season for the Launceston Cricket Club 1st Grade Squad. Advocate Cup & NTCA Findlay Cup Premierships were delivered as a result of hard work from a committed playing group.
Semi-final appearances in the Kookaburra Cup & NTCA Twenty20 competitions ensured LCC was competitive in all forms.
The 1st Grade Squad retained most of the playing group from the previous season combined with the arrival of all-rounder Adam Drinkwell from Victoria, Chris Bassano from work commitments, Myself from South Launceston and the promotion of a number of talented youth, shaped an extremely talented squad.
Pre-season focus was on skills, fitness and game sense. Our pre-season preparation also included a pre-season camp which proved highly successful as the long season un-folded as we were prepared for any game situation and all players contributed with excellent performances throughout the season. Notable performances throughout the season included Jade Selby centuries against Ulverstone, South Launceston, Glenorchy & Westbury, Rowan Smith’s Grand Final performances against Wynyard & South Launceston earned him best on ground honours along with Nick Glover & Stuart Jones new ball contributions.
Our Advocate Cup campaign started with a washout against Wynyard @ Wynyard and ended with Premiership success against Wynyard @ NTCA #1.
Our one day season netted 5 wins, included 2 washouts and our only loss was to Sheffield at home which came as a reminder to our squad the hard work that was required to win cricket games. This loss ultimately drove the squad for the remainder of our season.
The NTCA Premiership started with an away game and a convincing win against Riverside and was completed with a Grand Final win against arch rival South Launceston in a typically tough contest. With constant rain in the lead up, the final was going to be won by the side that played tough, un-compromising cricket throughout duration.Our squad was well prepared for these conditions and played hard, disciplined cricket and thoroughly deserved the victory.
A special thanks must go to 2nd grade Captain Brett McDermott for his support & patience throughout the season with limited resources at his disposal and to 3rd grade Captain Mark Shaw for his guidance & direction in taking his young talented squad to a Grand Final appearance on the back of some fantastic performances post Christmas.
Thank you also to Gavin Selby & the hard working committee for your off-field efforts & support throughout the season and finally to Club Coach Anthony Rist for his hard work to keep the playing group enthused, refreshed & disciplined which was crucial in the LCC achieving premiership success.
Our club faces challenges as we move into season 2011/12, however I believe our current senior, junior & women’s playing members will continue to represent the Launceston Cricket Club with pride and display the hard work required to enable sustained success into the future.
I encourage current, past, new & intending playing members to be involved with the Lions for the upcoming season as we have exciting & challenging times ahead to defend our premiership titles.
Thank you to all involved at the Launceston Cricket Club for welcoming me to your club, I thoroughly enjoyed my time and look forward to assisting in the development of our youth in the immediate future.
In particular, thank you to Vice Captain Ross Clayton for your on-field & off-field support, it was very much appreciated.
I look forward to seeing everyone for season 2011/12
Paul Bunton
A Grade Captain
Best and Fairest 2010/11
After each match the captain adjudges who they think were the best three players in the game with three votes given to the best and fairest player, 2 votes for second best, etc. Finals matches are not included in the count. At the completion of the regular roster matches the player or players with the highest tally are announced the winner at the annual Best and Fairest count, held at The Royal Oak.
The A Grade count was a humdinger. For the first time the Greater Northern Cup matches were included in the count as they now make up a considerable portion of the roster. Going into the last round all-rounder Stuart Jones held a 2 vote lead over spinner Ross Clayton with number three batsman Jade Selby and opening bowler Nick Glover a vote further back. However, a ton from Selby against Westbury was enough to secure the 3 votes and tie the count, with Jones and Selby sharing the honour on 10 votes. Selby claimed three 3 vote games, while Jones polled in five of the ten completed matches. Ross Clayton was third on 8 votes.
Captain Paul Bunton congratulates Jade Selby and Stuart Jones after they tied for the A Grade best and fairest.