February Darlington Review Scribe Article

Over the centuries there have been many vices - snuff, liquor, fraternising and gambling. With the DSCC, bevvies and fraternising still find their way onto the hill on a late Sunday arvo, and wagering - well that's an interesting one. Not one normally known for a flutter, recently a member found himself in a bind over the use of his new "smartphone" and his ability to put a bet on the GGs whilst at one of our matches. Purchased because the member thought it enhanced his intelligence, this member was "outsmarted" as the wonderfully convenient device got the better of him. Not to be outdone, the member wrestled control over the disobedient beast crying "All bloody I.T. people should be tortured first, and then shot" as he hurled the recalcitrant phone onto the oval in an act of defiance. Bino, walking back from the centre of the ground picked up a phone and declared, "Look what I found". Darlington took the field and this frustrated member bowled brilliantly to tie up the quality batsmen from the DJCC. After his spell we noticed a gap in the field only to look up and see a cloud of dust from the fire station car park as the metallic pooh brown Camry veered its way towards Pine Terrace. He was gone. Ten minutes later he was back, only for one minute then gone again (wallets are required to drive and place bets). The fines master looked on in disbelief as he entered another fine into the hand held Excel fines spreadsheet on his iPhone. "I think I'll fine him a dollar for every minute that he's been gone" cried Lindsay. After 20 minutes a bobbing green hat reappeared onto the field immediately after the fall of an important wicket. As the players gathered to congratulate the wicket taker, the inevitable question was put. "How much did you win?" The no-longer frustrated metallic pooh brown Camry driving player gave his reply. The fines master cried, "Hell in that case I'm fining you a hundred bucks Jonesy!"

In cricket news, Darlington faced up to the Subi Floreat Old Boys - always a difficult match. Darlington were 9/203, with Subi reaching our total for the loss of just 3 wickets and 10 overs in hand. Mentionalbles for Darlington with the bat were Ward 78 not out and Lucas 25 (no other worth noting according to the Cap.) Bowling figures were Steve James 1/7 off 1 over, Jake O'Reilly 1/31 off 4 overs and Cam Giles 1/48 off 4 overs (could be another FOOS Cam!) 2 great catches were taken - one by Baz Roberts in slip and an equally amazing one hander by Bino in mid wicket. Oh and yeah our El Prezidente Graham Ekert turned 55 so we had 3 cheers for the old bastard at the O'Reilly's BBQ!

The Fathers and Sons made an ever popular return this year with 7 actual fathers and sons pairings for a double wicket combo match. It would have been 9 pairings had one Dad not done his back in and another's son decided that he would rather do his homework! (not really). Steve James had the honours of captaining the Dad's while Danon Letica led the sons to a comfortable victory. The format was declared a real winner by both the Captain of the Dad's and long time patron of the Game Greg Letica. Baz Roberts set an aggressive fines target keen to avoid fund-raising efforts this year. He did exceptionally well as players were slugged $108 for the match. Other notable mentions were the biggest crowd seen on the hill for many moons as Mums came to cheer on their sons and sons (those that had partners/wives) also cheered them on leaving the fathers destitute of support. Some bragging rights to the scribe's family with Mitchell Miller scoring good runs, taking 5 catches and one run out.  3 generations featured in the match for the first time in anyone's memory - Geoff Sherwin (Mitchell's grandfather) umpiring the whole match, Mitchell Miller and his Dad the scribe (James) both playing. We also had 4 new sons play this year and look like having 3 more next year which is very promising for a great match next year.

McMahon returned for their third match at our picturesque ground. It really has been lush and green this year due to all the late rain throughout the season. As McMahon didn't bring all the gifts that they brought us in their first year of playing, we decided to beat them. Making 4 for 319, a tough run chase ensued but McMahon came up short, so continued to send their players into bat and after 40 overs the scoreboard told the story - yes 15/251 after 40 overs. I don't think I have seen a scoreboard like that before. Reece and Tiff hosted their first BBQ and set new standards in lawn mowing accuracy, stone masonry, and salad layouts. Many a bloke went home wondering how to get their lawns lookin' so good!

Darlington Vs. McMahon

Darlington Junior Cricket Club were the next culprits with BBQ virgins Mitch and Angela Behan's the hosts. The match was played in great spirit and the spirit was in the end too much for the Seniors as the Juniors snatched victory for the returning Captain Duncan Ward.  An opening partnership of 50 was made between Nigel Harding and Mick O'Rielly, and a quickfire 36 was made by Lindsay Earnshaw. Duncan Ward made 52no , Steve Beazley 47, while in the bowling stakes, Mark Lucas tried to emulate Cam Giles efforts of an earlier match conceding 52 off 4 overs (picking up the FOOS award). O'Rielly was a close second for the FOOS with 41 off 2 overs (imagine if he had 4 overs!!!!), Ward 2/16, Difillipo 1/8. In the end DSCC made 239 which was not quite enough as DJCC scored 240 with 11 overs to spare. While not crying handicap, our captain noted our valiant efforts in the face of playing with one player short, then 2 players short Harding (Hamstring), then 3 players short Earnshaw (home duties) then 4 Players short S.Jones (TAB duties - see the lead story in this edition) disappeared for 20 mins. In the end we even if we had 17 players its very hard to set a field to stop sixes!

Oh by the way Ben Harvey (our Skipper for 2011/12 season) and Liza got hitched yesterday and here's a paparazzi shot at the event....

Ben and Liza's Wedding

Music trivia this month...released 42 years ago this year, these artists last studio album was released and was a number one album around the world. The band then split up that year. Only together for 13 years these artists often referred to as "Bookends" often tried to "Keep the customer satisfied" as they walked on "to look for America". They got back together periodically once in 1981 where they played to 500,000 people in this epic and famous concert. They have continued to reform from time to time and recently performed in Perth in 2010. Who are they and what was the 5th and final studio album they released in 1970?

And from last edition… icon of Australian music changed his name and took his names from 2 of his music idols – his first name from one of the Rolling Stones and his second name from an artist who played in the 60’s band Cream. Most popular from 1974 to 1982, his songs are legendary and cut his teeth on the Sydney pub scene mostly as well as short stint overseas. He was recently inducted into the ARIA hall of fame, despite only ever having one top 10 single and one top 10 album. Interestingly his only top 10 single was a “B” side on a 45 released from his second album, but got so much airplay it was subsequently changed to become the “A” side of the single. He also produced early music for INXS. A portrait of this artist was a finalist in the 2009 Archibald prize. Who is this musician? Richard Clapton