As 2019 draws to an end Hawkesbury Cricket Club's President, Hugh Mckay, has reflected on the season thus far, citing many highlights.
The return of former Australian One-Day player and local product, Peter Forrest, for his second season back as First Grade captain and Club Coach, was a definite win.
Charles Mathews continued as Forrest's assistant.
"Pete and Charles are great mates from way back at the club, when team mates playing PGs [premier grade] and First grade together," said Mckay.
The club held a more rigorous pre-season program that saw the players well prepared for the season.
An influx of players (120 trialists) created a Sixth Grade playing in the Metropolitan competition, currently in third.
"Lower grades hit the ground running, with early wins across the board," said Mckay.
"Fourth Grade are undefeated and sit six points clear at the top of their competition. Veteran captain Dean Laing leads the competition aggregates and is averaging 104.
"Biggest moment of the season so far was the thumping win over arch rivals Penrith in the quarter-final of the First Grade Kingsgrove T20 competition, last Sunday week.
"This was the first win by the Hawks against Penrith in a playoff match in the Hawks 35 year history."
They play in the conference final this Sunday against an undefeated Bankstown side.
A win will lead the club to it's first T20 final and a place in the National Premier Club T20 Finals.
"Nivvi Radhakrishnan, at 16-years-old, became the seventh youngest First Grade centurion in the 126-year history of the Sydney First Grade Competition," said Mckay.
"The Hawks Junior Academy has run a highly successful 10-week programme of training and coaching from First Grade players, headed up by leading Hawkesbury First Grade batsman Dale McKay, with over 30 youngsters involved each week."
In other cricket news Hawkesbury Cricket Club faced Manly-Warringah in day-one of round eight in the NSW Premier Cricket Competition.
First Grade had a great batting innings posting 6/363 with Scott Baldwin scoring 99, Nivethan Radhakrishnan knocking 95 and Peter Forrest reaching 77.
Second grade totaled 7/317 with Rehan Anjum getting 55 not out and Zulfiqar Salahuddin making 51.
In Third Grade, Hawkesbury bowled Manly for 8/290. Subhan Khan took 5/55 and Benjamin Bradshaw had 2/65.
Fourth Grade hit 9/246 with young Brock Fitton scoring 102 runs.
Fifth Grade smacked 8/328 with Nick Johnson and Stirling McAvoy reaching 112 and 95, respectively.
Sixth Grade saw the Hawks face Randwick-Petersham, who were all out for 121. Liam Zammit had an amazing 3/8, along with Liam Devaney and Jimmy Hale who each took two wickets.
Day-two of the matches will be played on Saturday.
Finn Coleman
I understand the importance of community news in highlighting stories that members of local communities care about - including events, businesses, sports and the people that make towns unique. Email me at finn.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0437 550 909
I understand the importance of community news in highlighting stories that members of local communities care about - including events, businesses, sports and the people that make towns unique. Email me at finn.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au or call 0437 550 909
