‘Twas a fine morning on Tuesday with a brisk cross wind, air temperature 15 degrees – anything could happen! As the games began you would have thought we were bowling at the SCG with the ‘cricket scores’ each winning team was amassing!

On wicket number 3, Kim Evans (that silly mid-on), Hilda McPherson (delivers every bowl right in the block hole) and Lea Orr (caught bowling underarm – AGAIN) took the advantage over Carol Reed (scoring a hat trick of touchers), Maria Willcockson (playing some attacking shots late in the game) and Maureen Miller (captain and consistent all-rounder), winning by a fair margin! Kim received an official warning for possession of sand paper!

Six maidens in slips graced wicket number 4. Gwenda Carty (batting on despite the urge to retire hurt), Betsy Johnstone (timing her shots to perfection) and Di Howell (super-sub spinner of the red cherry) proved too strong for Chris Cox (wanting to bail out after turning a year older), Lynn Ryan (at short leg, her favourite spot) and Heather Harvey (usually plays in NZ kit).

Four players went into the attack on wicket 5. Julie Green and Fran Dixon (two multi-talented rookies) were in form and had their eye in from the first bowl. Valmai Westcott and Chris Curteis took their punishment on the scoreboard after bowling numerous dead bowls!

Play was briefly suspended as the No 3 Pennants team members returned triumphant from Dubbo. Congratulations to Maree Grant, Cherie Frame, Joan Simpson, Liz Byrne, Jan McPhee, Rhona Went, Brenda Davies, Merilyn Rodgers and Manager Kay Craft, on becoming Regional Pennants Champions! Next stop – State play-offs. That’s a SIX!

Sunday’s remarkable match was exactly what the future of the Grin-sted Cup needed according to Michael Greenwood, who wrote a book about the cup’s history.

“I believe the Cinderella win by Bogan Gate will provide the necessary shot in the arm for the longevity of the famous Grinsted Cup, arguably the longest running sporting challenge competition in regional Australia,” said Michael.

“The past few seasons leading up the cup centenary in 2019 had been plagued by regular forfeits from some of the larger centres and there were genuine concerns that the cup could go by the wayside. Those fears were effectively erased on Sunday, not only for the manner in which the match was played but also by the brilliant atmosphere generated by the largest cup crowd for years.”

Michael said the Bogan Gate Renaissance has drawn amazing parallels to their first win a mere 85 seasons ago. “Interest in the challenge from Grenfell on Sunday week is already generating keen public interest from around the region.” He congratulated all involved.

The 101st year of the prestigious Grinsted Cup delivered another amazing chronicle on Sunday when Bogan Gate produced a Cinderella win in their first appearance in 85 years!

The Bogan Gate Rabbits last held the Cup in February 1936 when they defeated arch-rivals Forbes in a thrilling contest, while Parkes was aiming for their 14th consecutive challenge victory.

The Woodward Oval provided the ideal setting as spectators came from across the state to witness the history-making clash.

Parkes won the toss and elected to bat. They immediately faced some excellent bowling from former Western Zone representative players Phill Dunford and Andrew Britt. Parkes soon reeled at 2/13 after 6 overs with Phil claiming the prized scalp of Parkes captain Myles Smith, who departed without troubling the scorers.

The introduction of Craig O’Shannessy and Ryan Dunford delivered immediate re-ward for Bogan Gate. Craig captured 2/19 off 5 overs, while Ryan finished with 2/16 off 7 overs. Parkes struggled to gain any momentum as the score stood at 7/37 before a valuable late order partnership between Jock Yelland (17) and Blake Smith (16) helped boost the Parkes total to 80 runs off 37.4 overs.

Andrew Britt turned in a superb spell of bowling to finish with 3/31 off 17.4 overs including six maidens, while Phil Dunford collected 3/13 off 8 overs.

In reply, the Bogan Gate opening pair of Lachlan Britt and Paul Dunford were in great form. Paul retired hurt on 14 after suffering a nasty shoulder injury. Talented cricketer, Vince Umbers joined Lachlan to continue the impressive batting performance before Lachlan was bowled by Blake Smith (3/21 off 6.1) for 28.

Bogan Gate only needing 10 runs for victory. Blake Smith produced two more amazing deliveries in succession to achieve a remarkable hat-trick. Vince Umbers (31no) featuring three well-struck sixes and two boundaries combined with Craig O’Shannessy (5no) to hit the winning runs and record a history-making victory for Bogan Gate.

By Luke Nash

The Parkes U/14 cricket team Parkes scored a convincing 91 run victory over a keen Wellington team at a superbly prepared Spicer Oval on Sunday. The Parkes team included a good number of U/12 players who took the opportunity to extend their skills by playing with talented U/14 players.

The scores were: Parkes 8/194 in 40 overs – Joseph Tanswell 75, Hunter Hawke 38, Jack Milne 23, Flynn Thompson 13 n.o, Maddy Spence 9, Isaiah Hill 2/29 off 8 overs, Nate Bradford 2/21 off 4 overs, Lachy George ½ off 6 overs.

Wellington 10/103 in 37.2 overs – Lachy George 23, Amali McNeil 18, Zeke Heterick 11, Callee Black 11, Joseph Tanswell 3/16 off 8 overs, Maddy Spence 2/9 off 4 overs, Ryan Dunford 2/5 off 4.2 overs, Hunter Hawke 1/11 off 8 overs.

Parkes batted first to see a very positive opening partnership between Joseph Tanswell and Jack Milne. They put on 51 runs in 11 overs before Jack was dismissed for 23 with 4 boundaries.

Hunter Hawke (38 runs off 44 balls with 4 very strong fours) then partnered with Joseph in a quick fire 63 run partnership for the second wicket. Joseph (75 runs from 89 balls with 7 well struck boundaries) should be very pleased with his highest score in his young career.

After a middle order collapse, late order players Flynn Thompson (13 n.o) and Harry Kennedy (6) added quick runs at the end of the innings.

In reply Wellington lost wickets at regular intervals. Maddy Spence and Geordie Duncan were impressive in the field, while Jackson Plummer also stood out. Joseph Tanswell completed an outstanding all-round match as he produced 8 accurate overs to capture 3 early order Wellington wickets. Maddy Spence (2/9) and Ryan Dunford (2/5) chimed in to take valuable wickets.

By Greg Morrissey

“I’ve played cricket in lots of places. In the backyard, the driveway, inside the house, but never on top of a radio telescope.” Brisbane Heat star, and one of the world’s biggest hitters, Chris Lynn joined other cricket heroes and local kids to recreate the famous scene from the movie, The Dish, at the Parkes Radio Telescope last Thursday.

Under dark, stormy clouds they tried to ‘blast’ a ball into space to launch Cricket Australia’s new kids program Woolworths Cricket Blast “I didn’t quite get the ball into orbit, but it was a great experience. It was amazing,” said right-handed top order batsman Chris.

He was joined by Big Bash League heroes Peter Handscomb, Alyssa Healy, Ash Gardner and Nic Carey, Parkes kids Nina Richardson-Barley and Nate Henry, and Nate Vincent from Condobolin.

About 60 children from Parkes, Orange, Dubbo, Condobolin, Forbes and Cowra signed up to be part of the exciting day and took part in many cricket activities on the grounds around the radio telescope.

In the famous scene in the movie two engineers turn the giant radio telescope, used for beaming live television pictures of the Apollo 11 landing on the moon to the world, into a makeshift cricket pitch.

Last Thursday the cricket heroes climbed the giant structure under guidance from CSIRO Operations Scientist John Sarkissian to re-enact the scene using soft balls not to damage the dish.

“The cricket scene in the film has become an iconic feature of the CSIRO Parkes Observatory, and to see it re-enacted by real cricketers was a blast,” said John. “It was fantastic to see how much the junior cricketers enjoyed themselves. I’m sure they will remember it for a very long time.”

Woolworths Cricket Blast is a program for girls and boys of all abilities between the ages of 5 to 10 to learn new skills and play Australia’s favourite sport.

By Maggi Barnard

The first Thursday in November was a special day for around 50 special class students from Parkes and Forbes public schools when they participated in Dream- Cricket at Parkes Pubic School. DreamCricket brings together children with a disability from years three to six. It was originally developed in the NSW Central Highlands as the result of a partnership between Rotary, the Bradman Foundation and the Movement Disorder Foundation.

The day was made super special when 18 Year 7 students from Parkes High joined in with their teacher Mark Ranger to help organise the games and cook lunch. About half the high school students completed Year 6 at Parkes Public School in 2015. The DreamCricket program allows the students to develop their hand-eye coordination, movement skills and balance in a team environment, while at the same time enjoying sport.

Students enjoyed the sporting challenges, which involved groups rotating around four specially adapted cricket-based activities. The participation and smiles on faces said it all. DreamCricket gives students that normally
would not participate in sport a chance to be involved. It gives participants a chance to enjoy physical activity while developing self-confidence, self-esteem, levels of behaviour and citizenship.

The DreamCricket program has grown to schools and children throughout Australia and internationally. The day was organised as a joint effort by the Rotary Clubs of Dubbo East, Forbes, Parkes and Orange Daybreak. It was coordinated by Don Stephens, Chair of Dream-Cricket Australia and member of the Rotary Club of Dubbo West.

By Ken Engsmyr

 

On Tuesday a team from Northparkes Mines played a ‘pink stumps’ cricket match against Year 10 students from Parkes High School at Spicer Oval. The game was played to raise money for the McGrath Foundation and the money combined has raised over $1000 for breast care nurses!

Parkes High School bat first and fought valiantly against a strong contender with 85 runs and 11 wickets taken. However, the Northparkes Mines team were the winners of the day with 126 runs and 5 wickets taken. The match was umpired by none other than Parkes Mayor, Cr Ken Keith OAM for the first hour who was then substituted
by Greg Morrissey, a life member of both Parkes Junior and Senior Cricket. Well done to all involved!