RENDELSHAM v FURNER/BEACHPORT
THE Millicent and District Cricket Association resumes with a blockbuster match on Saturday after a break for the Australia Day celebrations.
Much of the interest in round 11 is the fundraiser for a breast cancer charity which is being held at the Rendelsham Oval.
The “weather gods” have smiled on the second annual Pink Stumps Day as warm conditions are forecast after a short burst of high temperatures.
Pink Stumps Day is an initiative of the MDCA, plus the Furner/Beachport and Rendelsham cricket clubs who will compete on the day.
There will be keen competition on the oval as both teams look to secure a good ranking ahead of the finals in March.
There is still time for them to overhaul the Millicent Black Hats and the Millicent Footballers who are setting the pace in the MDCA this season.
There are a range of off-field activities being arranged and Pink Stumps Day looks like becoming an annual fixture on the MDCA calendar between the traditional farming and fishing rivals.
All proceeds from Pink Stumps Day go to the McGrath Foundation.
It was founded by Australian test cricketer Glenn McGrath and his wife Jane after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
She died from the disease in 2008 and Pink Stumps Days in her memory are held around the nation, including a test match in Sydney.
Rendelsham Cricket Club spokesman Graeme Smith said a club sub-committee has been busy organising this event.
“Main organiser Sara Gray is preparing a girl’s bar including nibbles and drinks aside from the normal bar,” Smith said.
“Raffles and an auction are also being organised and Pink Stump kits have been purchased to add colour to the event.
“Local musicians Scott Lesslie and Adam Hamilton are heading up the entertainment after the match.”
Furner/Beachport Cricket Club president Gerard McGrath said the Pink Stumps Day would be fully supported by his club.
The largest crowd of the 2017/18 season of 180 saw Furner/Beachport defeat Rendelsham by 10 wickets a year ago at the Furner Oval in the first staging of the Pink Stumps Day.
Visiting skipper Tyson Smith won the toss and elected to bat but his side was dismissed for 101 in the 33rd over.
Smith was one of five batsmen to reach double figures, but none could push their individual tally past 20.
In reply, openers Mitch Pulmer (68 not out) and Lewis Walker (28 not out) put their opponents to the sword.
Smith tried himself and five other bowlers, but none could get past the broad blades of Walker and Pulmer and the target was reached in the 18th over.
Looking ahead to Saturday, both teams have been starved of cricket in the past two months due to wash-outs, forfeits, scheduled byes and a three week break for the festive season.
KINGSTON VERSUS MOUNT BURR
THE seasiders sit in third place on the ladder and are considered the warmest of favourites to win at home over the reigning premiers.
Kingston has just dispatched top team Millicent on its home ground, while Mount Burr is languishing in sixth place and only ahead of Colts.
The Colts have the bye in round 11 and this club may not see reliable batsman Blake Kenny in its midst for quite some time.
The Millicent Saints premiership player has just achieved his long-held ambition of enlisting in the Australian Regular Army.
The 20-year-old may have departed the local sporting scene much earlier if not for a knee reconstruction a few years ago.
MILLICENT BLACK HATS VERSUS MILLICENT FOOTBALLERS
BOTH teams suffered upset losses in round 10 to teams placed well below them on the premiership ladder.
With the major round looming, they would be keen to secure bragging rights as well as the coveted minor premiership.
If veteran Footballers all-rounder John Facey can dismiss opening pair Mitchell Nitschke and Josh Mason cheaply, the ladder leaders stand a good chance of being toppled.
