Welcome to the second edition of the St George DCC Stumps Newsletter for SIX ROUNDS OF THE SEASON COMPLETE

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1 Welcome to the second edition of the St George DCC Stumps Newsletter for SIX ROUNDS OF THE SEASON COMPLETE With six rounds now complete the season has passed the 1/3 stage with mostly 2 day format games played in all grades. First Grade have now also played all 4 games of their Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup campaign with 2 wins and 2 losses. Unfortunately the young squad did not progress through to the final rounds. Our Poidevin-Gray U21 s have also played numerous rounds of a Sunday enjoying some solid performances in the mixed format competition which has so far seen them play 6 rounds of T20 s (3 double headers) and 1 Limited Over match which brought about a great hard fought win against Northern Districts. In the T20 s they won 2, lost 2 and had 2 washouts. They now sit within the important top 8 and have 2 more crucial L.O. rounds to go in January which will hopefully see them progress through to the Quarter Finals. December also sees the Green Shield Under 16 competition kick off with Round 1 taking place on the 14 th against arch rivals Bankstown at Jenson Oval. More can be read on our Greenies including the squad announcement further down in this bulletin.

2 AROUND THE GROUNDS FIRST GRADE NEWS It s been a challenging start for the boys in 1 s so far. A couple of wins mixed with some close losses see us 1 win outside the top 6 in the two day comp. The star of the show without doubt has been new recruit and serial chatterbox Matthew Hopkins. With 2 centuries already to his name, Hoppa is leading from the front and looking at a huge year with the bat. He has been extremely well supported by our other new recruit Blake McDonald. He has looked very impressive in every game (also played well too) and the way he has committed to the team and club culture has not gone unnoticed. Numerous injuries in the top two grades have made it very tough for the bowling department. Chris Macdougal has really settled in as the main spinner in the side after Matt Lacey has gone down with a groin injury. He has been very well supported by recent debutant Mitch Gray who has also had a role change considering he is usually a top order bat. The quicks have toiled away extremely well, sharing the wickets between them. With the injuries mentioned above, a number of boys have had the opportunity to make the step up to first grade. It has been an absolute pleasure to see some of these boys make the transition from 2 nd grade and grab the opportunity with both hands. A big congratulations to Matthew Hopkins, Blake MacDonald, Dylan Smith, Oscar Oborn-Corby, Adam Whatley, Benji Hoppitt, Ollie Robinson and Mitch Gray for receiving their first grade numbers this season. Also keep an eye out for Blake Nikitaras, Michael Kennedy and Ross Vergopoulos who have made their debuts through the T20 side. Close to the top 6 in the 2 day comp and up the top of the One Day format, the boys in 1s are looking to turn some heads over the next few games. We ve demonstrated we can compete with the best, it s now about executing at the important moments of the game which I am more than confident we will do. Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season! Nick Stapleton (1st Grade Captain)

3 SECOND GRADE REPORT It s been a tough start to season 2017/18 for second grade. We ve had some fantastic individual performances however haven t been able to put a full team performance in as yet. Mitch Gray 156no (+ first grade debut), Ross Vergopoulos 7/44, Benji Hoppitt 7 dismissals and a fighting 57 batting at 10 (also a first grade debut) have been some of the season highlights with hopefully plenty more to come. Editors note Captain Nick Shurmer also contributed a magnificent hard fought century (115) whilst combining with Benji Hoppitt for a massive 160 run 9 th wicket stand in Rd 5 against Sydney.. Leading into the Christmas break it is crucial that we take maximum points in a bid for a finals spot.

4 THIRD GRADE REPORT Third Grade have had an eventful start to season 2017/18. We have managed 3 big wins against Sutherland, Blacktown and Campbelltown. 2 narrow losses to Hawkesbury and Sydney and a disappointing washout in Round 6 to Bankstown that was shaping to be an excellent team victory! Rd 1: St George 10/192 (B. Johnston 96) Hawkesbury 5/196 (A. Marston 3/41) Rd 2: Sutherland 121 (P. Francis 3/25, M. Iemma 4/25) St George 5/251 (C. Fogarty 50, B. Kenworthy 75*, J. Moors 72) Rd 3: Blacktown 191 (T. Kennedy 3/43) St George 3/192 (M. Grealy 73) Rd 4: Campbelltown 119 (R. Vergopolous 3/33, J. Moors 3/17) & 5/168 St George (B. Johnston 114) Rd 5: Sydney 9dec/315 St george 290 (M.Grealy 83, B.Newport 54, K.Phillips 77*) Rd 6: St George 9dec/317 (M.Grealy 135, J.Shaw 58, J.Moors 74) Bankstown 5/114 (J.Berry 3/35) Plenty of Sainters have been doing wonderful things with the bat and ball that has contributed to the positive position we find ourselves. We have set ourselves a goal of winning at least 3/4 of the One Day games over the Christmas period. FOURTH GRADE REPORT A mercurial Fourth Grade side has displayed the on-field unpredictability more akin to the Gold Coast Chargers, West Sydney Razorbacks and Corey Fogarty, but the occasional flash of brilliance has kept us in the hunt and the punters coming back for more. Some will say the above-average crowd attendances at Harold Fraser can be attributed to the fact that the majority of the playing group needs to be chaperoned to games, but I choose to believe it is down to the entertainment value we are providing. Either way, I am just bitter that my own parents don t turn up to watch their 28-year-old son get shown up by players born in this millennium. But back to the team, we turn into Round 7 with three wins and three losses behind us and a disturbing penchant for winning games nine down. Despite the PTSD this has inflicted on the captain, it has been thoroughly enjoyable playing cricket with an excellent bunch of young, and not so young, men this season. While it s fair to say that there has been a revolving door of players across all grades this year, every single player who has turned out for Fourth Grade is talented enough and should feel welcome in this side as we chase down the Reid Cup for the Club.

5 FIFTH GRADE REPORT Fifth Grade have had representation from a broad variety of cricketers and this was exemplified in our most recent game when the age difference between our youngest and eldest player was a whopping 48 years. Importantly some of the new Grade players have showed improvement and even enjoyed some success in the grade above. This includes Kurt Chalker, Liam Thompson and Zain Khan who helped 4 s to a tight win last round. Josh Vella has shown improvement behind the stumps and Liam and our latest edition to the team, 12 year old Sam Konstas were instrumental in helping us to victory in Rd 5 against Sydney. After a tough day 1 and day 2 washout against Bankstown 5 th grade need to have a couple of good rounds in order to stay in the hunt for a finals berth come the business end of the season. Cricket is a funny game and as long as we can muster up 11 players each game we should give it a decent shot.

6 FOR THE DIARY - Sunday 21 st January Ruby Members High Tea at Hurstville Oval - Saturday 24 th February 2017 Past Players, Members and Sponsors Day at Hurstville Oval - Friday 13 th April 2018 St George DCC Annual Golf Day at Beverley Park Cricket Itinerary for 2017 North Sydney 1 st Grade Game is no longer the date set aside for Past Players, Members and Sponsors Day. It has been changed to February 24 th. Itinerary for 2018 Mosman PG s Game is the date set aside for Ruby Members High Tea event

7 COACHES CORNER New Physio We welcome Ciaran Williams & acknowledge Fit and Flow Physiotherapy as the club s preferred provider for physiotherapy services. Suite 6, 345 Kingsway Caringbah (02) GREEN SHIELD Congratulations to the following cricketers on their selection in the St George DCC Green Shield Squad for the season. Kieran Beadon Jarrod Brown Patrick Brown Conrad George Declan Hart Nathan Hillier Charlie Johnston Billy Konstas Sam Konstas Corey Moors Connor O'Rioirdon Joel Rush Eric Serra Adam Singleton Angus Mooney (in for injured Blake Denney) The boys enjoyed a convincing victory in their trial match against Randwick Petersham and back up for their final trial against Wests at Olds Park on Monday. Their first game of the official Green Shield competition is on Thursday the 14 th against Bankstown at Jenson Oval. Good luck to Dave Williams, Matt Grealy and the team.

8 MOVEMBER MADNESS Talk about some dodgy Upper Lipholstery but well done to these lads on supporting our boy Aaron Royall as he pushes to reach his amazing goals in raising awareness for mens health. So who's the best and worst of this lot? To show your support please visit -

9 Nicknames - Kevin, KD Years on Earth - 17 Birthplace - Nowra, NSW Star Sign - Scorpio Marital Status - In progress Previously Played For - North Nowra Cambewarra CC First Cricketing Memories - Front driveway with the Campbell s Junior Clubs - North Nowra Cambewarra CC Greatest Influence - Mum and dad Highest level Played - NSW u17 Greatest Cricketing Moment - Bronze at u17 nationals Worst Cricketing Moment - Getting mankaded Best Cricketer Played with - Jason Sangha, bangs em Best thing about cricket - The friendships created, the people you meet, places you visit and memories kept. Worst thing about cricket - Covers or overthrows What most excites you about playing for Saints - Experiencing new things, meeting new people, turf nets. Why Saints - Played green shield here and just and great club with good blokes Fav Saints players - I have 3 at the moment, Matt Greals, Pauly Francis and Fitzy Most memorable teammate/why - Blake Nikitaras, gives out good snacks and has good photos to share Fav sports commentator - Mike Breen Fav beverage - Sprite Fav food - Anything chicken Fav holiday destination - USA Hobbies - Bball, friends, music, golf, egging Five bands you would invite to Saintstock - Nipsey Hussle, Rita Ora, Bee Gees, Eagles and Marvin Gaye If you weren t playing cricket how would you spend your Saturdays - probably playing bball or hanging with friends. If you were down to your last $50 how would you spend it - 5 cartons of eggs and a ghilley suit

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11 ST GEORGE JUNIORS At the time of writing it is the final week-end of the Rep season with the St George Gee (U13 s) Shield Team making it all the way through to the Final. They will be playing against Blacktown at Beverly Hills Park No.3 on Sunday the 10 th. Three other teams made it to the Quarter Finals including the Watson (U16 s), Cawsey (U12 s) and Foster Shield (U10 s) who also progressed through to the Semi Finals but were sadly were knocked out last week at Gannons Park. The Gee Shield performance in last weeks Semi Final against Arch Rivals South Eastern who they had never beaten can only be described as dominant. The Saints restricted South Eastern to just 109 off 45 overs with Billy Arena claiming 3-8, Sam Konstas 2-14 and Kade Humphreys- Jones The Saints were brutal in reply with an unbeaten partnership of 111 between Alex Parthenis and Sam Konstas sealing an emphatic victory. Alex ended with 71* off 98 balls whilst Sam Konstas, who at age 12 had just recently made his debut for the club in 5 th Grade, finished with 38 from 80 balls. It took the boys just 28.5 overs to account for the Souths score. REP HONOUR BOARD BATTING Billy Konstas 103* (U16 s), Jakob Lindberg 89, Sam Konstas 85 (U13 s), Keiran Beadon 77 (U15 s), Alex Parthenis 71* (U13 s). REP HONOUR BOARD BOWLING Declan Hart 7-30 (U16 s), Jake Myers 5-2 (U11 s), Henry Keledjian 4-5 (U12 s), William Deller 4-18 (U13 s).

12 FIRST TURF GAME AT OLDS PARK On Saturday the 9 th of December Olds Park will play host to the Rd 7 Fifth Grade game between St George DCC and North Sydney CC. The significance being that this is the first time the ground will host a grade game on a turf wicket. Work started just over a year ago on taking out the synthetic grass (on concrete pitch) and replacing it with a turf wicket fit for grade standards. There has been a lot of other work done in regards to the outfield and drainage as well as the fencing and facilities outside of the ground. The completed work at Olds now sees the ground become an important asset to the Cricket Club and community but also our friends at St George AFL club as well. Supporters of St George cricket will not have far to travel in order to see all three home games in the near future. A big thank you goes out to Georges River Council and to all those involved in this wonderful project. Anthony Holdstock, formerly of Harold Fraser Oval has taken the reigns as head groundsman. Olds Park ready for the new turf square to be added. Pic taken 24 th of October With Turf Square November 2016

13 First Grade Player No. 395 Mark Stoneman St George DCC First Grade Player No Mark Stoneman Mark first arrived at St George DCC in the season of where he mostly played 2nd Grade. He returned in and quickly consolidated a spot in 1st Grade scoring 417 runs with a highest score of 101. He returned the following season and scored 523 runs in the top grade with a highest score of 112. He then went on to represent Campbelltown and Bankstown. His First Class career in England started with Durham in 2007 just after his first stint with the Saints. To date he has played 146 First Class games with 8692 runs and a highest score of 197. Just recently in June he represented the England Lions against South Africa A. Stoneman made his Debut for England at age 30 against the West Indies (17th Aug 2017) after some stellar performances for Surrey. He was then selected to return to Australia for the Ashes series where he made scores of 53 & 27. At our Facebook page you will find a number of interesting albums including a growing history of our First Grade players and their stories.

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