2001-2002

When you are top of the tree the only place to go is down they say and it was to be. The club needed to rebuild its stocks of players and despite some good results right to the end we could only manage fifth position in the First’s competition, missing out on the finals was perhaps unheard of for us but it had happened.
The Fifth XI was the only side to reach the final but once again for the third year straight, Heatherhill who had a smokie Darren Walker who took 8 wickets in the match steamrolled Patty’s hopes.
The country week team also saw Luke Van Raay and Justin Bridgeman be selected in the squad, unfortunately the squad fell just 24 runs short of making the final.

In the MPCA Provincial 1st XI Grade overall the following three Islanders had a great season with the ball, Greg Lamb, came 11th with – 23 for 286 @ 12.43, Paul Hartle, came 14th with 22 for 416 @ 18.91 and Luke Van Raay, came 20th with 20 for 252 @ 12.60.
On the batting side Doug Van Raay, came 15th with - 356 @ 35.60 and Paul Hartle 22nd with 315 @ 39.38

Alan Splatt remained at the helm as President for the season. Jeff Boag took up the Vice President’s position due to Cuey stepping down. After a long and tireless reign in the Secretary position, Peter Ridgway decided to call it a day due to family commitments. Darren Watt stepped in to fill that position, but was later replaced by Dave Bennett. Stuart McLeod took over from Doug Van Raay as the new Treasurer and will be the main man for dealing with the clubs finances.
Matty Bryant set up the social committee for the year. Glenn Fossett, along with Alan Jackson provided guidance for our Grade cricketers.

Players who left the club Peter Bedford (99 games, 1801 runs @ 31.60) to YCW, Jeff Boag (95 games, 1206 runs 15.46 @ 175 wickets @ 16.13) to family commitments, Jason Burgan, Dale Chubb (52 games, 805 runs @ 15.19), Jarod De Zilva (59 games, 75 wickets @ 17.81), Michael Dixon (65 games, 135 wickets @ 16.59), Andrew Ferrier (33 games, 68 wickets @ 12.12), Stephen Johnson again Geoff Laughlin (74 games, 2169 runs @ 32.86) overseas trip, Rob Leary, Brian McCue (89 games, 161 wickets @ 21.35), Nathan Ross (136 games, 256 wickets @ 18.54) to play closer to home

Players to start James Bennett, Chris Brittain, Adam Cronk, Graham French, Neil Goodman our English Import, Richart Horvat, Anthony Vial, Chris Watt and from the junior ranks Nathan Baldwin, Michael Bennett, Matthew Calcedo & Michael Cullen & Scott Phillips rejoined the club half way through the season after quitting with Frankston Peninsula CC soon to follow was handy all rounder Chris Brittain who originally played at Delacombe Park, then tried his hand at Frankston Peninsula and who also quit, then joined Scotty at the Island.

A special AGM was called at the end of the year to discuss the possibility to merge with another club, mainly Karingal.
A committee was set up to meet with Karingal and report back with any findings.

The Captains for the year were 1st XI Paul Hartle, 2nd XI David Worland/Stuart Doolan, 3rd XI Alan Jackson, 4th XI Martin Kelly, 5th XI Patrick Van Raay, 6th XI Darren Watt

With all that in place, let the Season begin…

Semi Finals
5ths Long Island 4/153 G.Rabot 72no, T.Webster 41no, P.Ridgway 14 Defeated Moorooduc 10/123 S.Hocking 7/32

Finals

Game 1 Carrum CC Vs Long Island CC
What a start to the game. We had early wickets fall for both sides. Long Island had a bowl first with James Haley taking out 4 of the top 6 batsmen. Arnie and Joel Stevenson chipped in to pick up 2 wickets while Justin Bridgeman picked up 1. Carrum finished 8 overs short of their 50 over mark and scored 91. As said, early wickets fell for Long Island as well with Carrum's two opening bowlers snaring the Long Island's two opening batsmen, however Justin Brideman and Joel Stevenson stedied the ship to get Long Island to 29 before lunch. That is where the game ended, with Mother Nature adding her little twist to the game in a constant downpour.

Games 1 Carrum CC Vs Long Island CC - The Rematch
It was a perfect 28oC and not a cloud in the sky (a cool breeze blowing from the south west, etc etc etc). Carrum had won the toss and sent us into bat. Long Island started comfortably with Mark Sargant and Joel Stevenson opening the batting scoring 31 and 24 respectively. Michael Burke hit the bowlers around a bit for a quick 14 and the wickets dried up from there with Doug Van Raay getting 69 in red ink. But the most outstanding innings of the day for us was that of the Captain himself a great knock for 84. We finished our 50 overs with 5/246.
It was now our turn to bowl, with James Haley and Arnie opening up. James looked to struggle to get a rhythm going in his first over but managed to take out one of their opening batsmen and finish the day with figures of 7-1-1-35. Arnie chipped in with two top order wickets. Greg Lamb and Mark Sargant also did well with the pill with respective figures of 2/56 and 2/6. It was getting late in the day when Arnie decided to give Potto a bowl. He beat the No 9 batsmen with great flight and bounce. That is where the game ended due to one of their players retiring hurt with a 'Hammy'. Carrum finished up with 198. A great display of entertainment was provided for the spectators all day (Not just on the cricket field).

Game 2 Long Island CC Vs Langwarrin CC - That Winning Feeling
The boys have done it again at Long Island. Defeating last years regular season premiers, Langwarrin. Conditions were very difficult for the whole day but Doug Van Raay won the toss and elected to bat in the morning sun. In hindsight this proved to be the best decision. Our openers Mark Sargant and Joel Stevenson started off scratchy and went out early. We looked in trouble at 2/3 but the Stapler kept things together and scored a well-compiled 30, as did Cameron McLeod. When Cam and Luke departed Paul Hartle and 'Potto' respectively came to the crease. 'Potto' started slow however moved the score along with some fine boundaries during the middle of his innings. While Arnie piled on the runs again, scoring an unbeaten 80. 'Potto' departed late in the innings for 47 that brought Matty Longley to the crease to belt the bowlers around for a few overs. Matty ended up on 23 n.o.. With 40 runs coming of the last 5 overs Long Island ended up on a defendable (but very gettable) 5/202.
With a very nice Lunch finished, it was Long Island's turn to bowl. Matty Longley opened up with Arnie and finished up with a very respectable 9 overs, 4 maidens, 2/21. Arnie didn't pick up a wicket but bowled into some very heavy wind for fine figures of 7overs, 4 maidens, 0/7. The rest of the bowling was left up to Greg Lamb 1/36 off 10 overs (and three catches to his name) and Cam McLeod 3/23 off 10 overs. Langy's only shining light was H.Sannan who opened and made 56 not out. 38.3 overs into the day the rain added the last nail in the coffin for Langwarrin. The game could have progressed later in the day, however Langwarrin conceded defeat, needing about over 80 runs of about 5 overs. Well done to all who played.

Semi Final Long Island CC Vs Frankston YCW
Not a great start to the day with overcast conditions and a few drops of rain. Dougy lost the toss and was sent in to bat. Justin Bridgeman and Mark Sargant open up for the Islanders and got us off to a flying start at a rate of 5.8 per over at the 10th. YCW had there way for the next 5-6 overs with a few quick wickets falling and not many runs coming off the bat, however Flipper (39) strolled to the crease and along with Luke Van Raay (86), steadied the ship. A few quick runs from the tail, (Dougy, Arnie, Lamby and Joel Stevenson) and we were on our way to a decent score. We finished up on 9/225.
YCW's chase was on a short time later, moving along at a rate just greater than ours however wickets were not falling. This proved to be a bit worrying for the Islanders, but to their credit they came back with some tidy bowlers in Michael Burke (3/10) off 6 overs. YCW ending up short of the total, and short of wickets by the 44th over. All out for a respectable 188.

GRAND FINAL Long Island CC Vs Rye CC
Long Island won the toss against Rye and elected to bat. Justin Bridgeman gave us a start scoring a handy 18 runs. Luke Van Raay and Paul Hartle went on with the job scoring 48 and 32 respectively. The lower order batted well with Michael Burke scoring 19 and Peter Conell 18. Long Island were all out for 160 setting an achievable target for Rye.
Rye then took on the task of trying to beat our score and at one point seemed that they were going to do this fairly easily. Rye lost their third wicket at a score of 68 then the fifth at 97 and we were looking in trouble. Our bowlers excelled and managed to bowl out Rye for 118.
Our star bowler on the day was Cameron McLeod getting 5 for 9 off 6 overs with James Haley (2 for 19 off 6) and Paul Hartle (2 for 26 off 10) doing their bit.

Juniors

Semi Finals
Under 14 west Long Island 10/56 M.Bennett 10, G.Wright 12 lost to Mornington 7/238 C.Marshall 3/27, M.Calcedo 2/17

Congratulations to the following Juniors for representing our Club:-
Under 18’s Coco Cola Cup Squad Brett Wilson
Under 16’s Dowling Shield Shane Double
VCA Bolters Squad & VSSSA Schoolboys (Under 15’s) Squad Ben Coleman and Adrian Calcedo
Special congratulations to Ben who was named Captain of the side.

SEASON MILDSTONES

Wickets
Tom Webster 8/16 Vs Moorooduc
Tom Webster 8/18 Vs Carrum Downs
Tom Webster 8/20 Vs Carrum Downs
Steve Hocking 7/32
Greg Lamb 7/55
Anthony Vial 6/13
Gary Measham 6/23
Tom Webster 6/25
Tom Webster 6/27
Anthony Vial 6/33
Grant Konning 6/48
Simon Fisher 6/62
Michael Wilson 6/85
Paul Barton 6/95
Cameron McLeod 5/9 (Jack Peacock)
Chris Hocking 5/12
Tom Webster 5/16
Luke Van Raay 5/23
Laurence Hall 5/24
James Haley 5/38
Tom Webster 5/41
Shane Double 5/48
James Khan 5/53
Damian Des Barres 5/71
Damien Des Barres 5/81
David Collins 5/84
Michael Burke 5/99

Centuries
Doug Van Raay 131
Neil Kent 129
Paul Hartle 114
Ben Bravington 112
Paul Henderson 112
Chris Hocking 107no
Michael Bennett 101no
Steve Hocking 101
Brendan Kelly 100no

Top Wicket Takers
Tom Webster 58@8.05
Anthony Vial 30@9.93
James Haley 28@14.18
Steve Hocking 26@11.23
Gary Measham 25@13.56
Greg Lamb 23@12.43
Damian Des Barres 22@18.18
Paul Hartle 22@18.91
Luke van Raay 20@13.85

Top Run Getters
Richard Curtis 449@40.82
Alan Jackson 433@36.08
Marty Kelly 408@40.80
Peter Ridgway 397@36.09
Glen Fossett 396@36.00
Ben Bravington 372@33.82
Paul Henderson 356@35.60
Doug Van Raay 352@35.20
Brendan Kelly 332@23.71
Paul Hartle 315@39.38
Peter Conell 314@52.33

CAREER MILDSTONES

WICKETS
James Haley 100
Marty Kelly 100
Michael Wilson 100
Damien Des Baress 150
Luke Van Raay 150
Gary Measham 250

RUNS
Ben Bravington 1000
Ricky Curtis 1000
Chris Hocking 1000
Alan Jackson 1000
Tom Webster 1000
Brett Wilson 1000
Justin Bridgeman 1500
Joel Stevenson 1500
Michael Burke 2000
Michael Godfrey 2000
Paul Hartle 2000
Paul Henderson 2000
Gerard Rabot 2000
Laurence Hall 2500
Glen Fossett 2500
Gary Measham 3000
Peter Ridgway 3500
Steven Wisniewski 3500
Chris Burke 4000
Stuart Doolan 4000
Marty Kelly 4000
Doug Van Raay 5000

GAMES
Paul Hartle 100
Brendan Kelly 100
Mark Sargant 100
Joel Stevenson 100
Trevor Ryan 150
Stuart Doolan 150
Laurence Hall 150
Marty Kelly 150
David Worland 150
Peter Conell 250