Page 51 - West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Cricket Club Yearbook 2015-16

Under 16 Green
And so after 8 years of pulling on the red, white and blue of the West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Cricket Club, stumps have finally been called on the junior cricket careers of the boys from the Gritty Greens. David Murray and I were so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to join in their long journey, from cheeky little boys to strapping young men. Along the way our team welcomed new faces, creating new lasting friendships both on and off the field. Everyone who joined the team brought with them not only new skills, but a willingness to support their team mates at the crease, in the nets or on the sidelines.
While our many seasons together did not yield premiership trophies, every year our bowling got a bit sharper, our batting a bit more stylish and our catches more spectacular. The smiles were always there, from the very first ball to the final wicket, whether we were cruising to victory or battling against outright defeat. David and I worked hard to provide opportunities for all the boys to participate in the game, and to their immense credit these young men unreservedly embraced ‘participation over results’ as the way we would play our games of cricket.
Our final year of junior cricket had a fair number of very exciting games, some going in our favour and some against. It was always great fun umpiring the classic WPHCCC Green vs Gold matches, with plenty of good natured chat and some extraordinary cricketing skills on display. With only 4 teams in the Under 16 competition, it meant we had 3 of these classics during the season and they were a real highlight for all the players. Brendan Flynn and I loved to agonise about what could have been, with a sharp catch here or a quicker single there – of course each of us expecting our team to win.
As for on-field performances there were many highlights. Brent Larkham picked up the bowling award claiming 8 wickets at an average of 15.75. Haydn Murray scored 166 runs at an average of 41.50. The team player award went to Matthew Digby, a fine young man and captain of the team.
One of the enduring memories I will take from the season is the sight of our opening bowler, who narrowly missed out on claiming his 5th wicket of the innings due to a dropped catch, draping his arm around the shoulders of the despondent player who let the catch slip, telling him not to worry about it. A wonderful show of maturity and empathy – sometimes you forget they are only 15 years old. Of course at other
times you think they are 20, as they grow well beyond 6 feet and tear into the nets unleashing a roaring thunderbolt – no more demonstrations of batting techniques without full pads and helmet.
Not only did we enjoy the company of the players, our Saturdays were a real social event with many parents regularly setting up camp on the edge of the boundary for the duration of the day’s play. Whether scoring, umpiring, warming up, cheering or supplying morning tea, we are extremely grateful for your involvement and will honestly miss you next season.
Well done to all the young men from the Gritty Greens, I hope you enjoyed your cricket and take into your future a love for this great game.
James Trainor and David Murray
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