Cyclone Alfred

It’s not looking great for us.

Let’s keep our sense of humour, band together and help our mates in trouble.

#upthebay #thefamilyclub

All Game Cancelled this week

Dear Clubs,

I hope this message finds you safe & well.

We are writing to inform you of a significant change regarding our weekend activities at Cricket Gold Coast clubs.

After much deliberation and considering various factors including advice from GCCC & QCA, we have decided to discontinue weekend Fixtures.

This decision was not made lightly, as we deeply value the sense of community, participation, and enthusiasm our members bring to every game. However, Alfred has the weekend Covered.

We understand that this change may come as a disappointment to some, and we want to assure you that we are committed to maintaining the competition in a positive way.

We genuinely appreciate your understanding and continued support. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we welcome any suggestions or ideas as we adapt to these changes. Please feel free to reach out to me with your thoughts or concerns.

Thank you for being an integral part of Cricket Gold Coast. Together, we can navigate this transition and continue to make our competition the best in SE QLD.

Warm regards

Baz

Barry van Peppen

Cricket Gold Coast Coordinator

Premier League First Grade

Match Report – Sam Loxton Oval Saturday-Sunday Fixture vs Alberton

Our home fixture at Sam Loxton Oval saw us take on Alberton in a two-day clash. Alberton won the toss and chose to bat first on what looked to be a solid wicket. Our bowlers applied pressure throughout, taking regular wickets and limiting major partnerships, but Alberton managed to post a competitive total of 191 all out. Freddy Fowler leading the way with 5/43 for bowlers being supported by Nathan Barnwell 2/33 and Adnan Hussain 2/33.

Our chase got off to a shaky start, losing both Ben and Rhys early with just one run on the board. Slayter continued his strong form with a valuable 32, but further wickets fell, leaving us in a tough position at 6/109 at stumps on Saturday, with Josh Cox and Freddy unbeaten at the crease.

Heading into Sunday with quiet confidence, we hoped to push deep into the run chase. However, a disastrous morning session saw us collapse, losing 4 wickets for just 5 runs, eventually bowled out for 114 in 41.3 overs. Josh Cox scored 46 as our top scorere.

Alberton returned to the crease with aggressive intent, declaring at 7/137 off 24 overs, setting us a target of 225 for victory. Adnan (4/38) and Freddy (3/46) were the pick of our bowlers, keeping us in the contest.

Slayter provided another promising start with 24, while Nathan Barnwell, promoted to number three, made a quick 33. Unfortunately, regular wickets left us reeling at 9/94, staring at the threat of an outright defeat. However, James Munro and Ben Canning showed resilience beyond their years, batting with grit to deny Alberton outright points. A fantastic effort under pressure—well done, boys! Plenty of positives to take, and we’ll regroup for the next match.

Thank You Nathan

This week, we say goodbye to Nathan Barnwell as he heads home to prepare for his upcoming season with Surrey. We've been incredibly lucky to watch this aspiring first-class cricketer play for our club. His work ethic during training was truly inspiring, and his bowling action was nothing short of poetry in motion. Nathan isn’t just an outstanding player—he’s also one of the kindest and most genuine people you could meet. Polite, helpful, and caring, especially for someone so young. Though he may not realize it yet, the impact he’s had on everyone here will be remembered. We wish him nothing but success in the future and hope all of his dreams come true. It’s been an honor to be a part of his journey.

Thank you, Nathan.

Premier League Second Grade

Day 1

Round 17 of the season, had the Bay 2s travelling further than most travel for their holidays, up to the sugar bowl of the Gold Coast, Alberton. The pitch felt hard, the clubhouse sported a new pergola, the outfield looked to have been re-laid and was displaying no evidence of the usual crop circles. With Cyclone Alfred hovering about 600km off the coast, there was a good chance that the match would be rain/wind/storm affected, the writing was on the wall – bat first. “Reckon that new pergola has been screwed down Trav?” Losing the toss had me wincing in moments before the home skipper mouthed ‘bat’. “Bugger”.

Fielding a pretty familiar side with the exception of one debutant, the responsibility of bowling the first over fell to spearhead, Stevie Watson. Taking up the new ball at the southern end was young debutant Jake Schultz. After marking out his run, Jake charged in for his first delivery which pitched just short of a length, kicked up off the glove and struck the Alberton skipper on the grill – a fiery start. While Stevie took a bit of tap at the northern end, Jake pounded away at a great line and length beyond what could be expected of a 15 y.o in his first appearance. After 8 overs without a wicket and the scoreboard nudging 40 runs, Hayden Kyle (1/33 from 9) replaced Stevie and worked into a great rhythm. In the absence of everyone’s favourite educator, Mr. Cam Davies, I decided to have a bowl from the southern end to replace Jake’s very tidy first spell. Luckily, I (3/42 from 15), got a few to pop off a length and snagged two cheap wickets which saw the score at 2-82 by the drinks break). Harker got hold of the ball between overs somehow and refused to let go, so we were forced to let him have a crack from the northern end. As Travis and I partnered with the ball we slowly began to drag the scoring rate back and by the tea break Alberton were 5-138. With very tidy second spells from Hayden Kyle and Jake Schultz who picked up his first scalp in 2nd grade, wickets started to fall at regular intervals. Stevie returned to confront his first-spell yips and dragged things back as he claimed figures of 1/50 (9). Stevie should have had a second wicket but for the fact that Varun was lecturing the square leg umpire on his poker prowess when a ball was hit straight to him. Timmy Murdoch (0/19 from 4 overs), threw down some hand grenades before we were forced to bring Harker back to clean up the tail. And that he surely did as he finished with figures of 3/14(7.3). Despite only taking the two wickets, the standout performance with the ball was definitely young Jake Schultz who finished with figures of 2/23 from 9. Jake looks like a really exciting prospect for the club who will no-doubt play a lot of high-grade cricket for the Bay. Well done, Jake!

With the Alberton score at 204 all out, we were forced to endure one of those nightmarish periods at the end of a day where there is really very little to gain and so very much to lose. With an hour and a half of play left, Matt Baker and Krish went out to get our innings underway. Sadly, neither Matt nor Krish ended up troubling the scorers as they both snicked off after just a few balls. Timmy and I set about ignoring the absolute diatribe of filth falling out of the home side’s faces and trying to make it through to stumps. An appeal for caught at second slip that didn’t go Alberton’s way, only saw the Hurricanes doubling down with their rhetoric as I was asked to walk. Knowing full well, I was likely to not last much longer anyway, I refused to do so. Sure enough, I too was on my way back to the sheds shortly thereafter with the score at 3/7. Things only got worse for us when Timmy Murdoch snicked off just an over or two later. 4/11. While Angus Richardson, offered a stoic resistance, Varun confirmed suspicions that he definitely is not a man for a crisis by flashing the bat at everything except for the straight balls. With his confidence sky-high after belting a very badly needed boundary, Varun padded up to a straight break from the left arm spinner to see the Bay 2s slump to 5/25 at the end of day 1.

Day 2

With the last 5 wickets needing to put on exactly 180 runs, we knew we were going to put in a massive effort to stave off yet another outright let alone secure first innings points. The addition via a slashed player of Ben McDermott and with Mitch McPhee still to bat, gave us a little hope that we could pull-off something special. Gus Richardson resumed having survived Day 1 and partnered with by far the best-looking cricketer on the Gold Coast, Benny McDermott. “He’s how old? Surely not. Looks 20 years younger than that!” The new partnership looked very solid with Gus prodding his way around and Ben punishing anything loose. Together the two steadied the ship and got us to within site of 50 runs before Gus 14(59) was adjudged LBW to one he is convinced he hit. Mitch replaced Gus and it only took one monster 6 from Mr McPhee for me to convince myself that we were going to chase down the total, despite still needing 130runs and only 4 wickets left in the sheds. For quite some time Benny and Mitch looked to have things under control as Benny faced out the seamers and Mitch belted the spinner. After getting a few big shots away, Mitch 16(48), missed a straight one to bring me back down to earth. As Harker waddled out to the centre with every bone and joint crunching like a poorly lubricated bike chain, we still needed 80 or so to win the match. With overthrows that he had to plead with Harker to run for, Benny brought up a classy 50 as once again we started to believe. Harker played the part of the joker again as usual, before he was caught at cover for a very handy 33(50). When Stevie came out at no.10 and with 40runs still required for victory, the state of play was clear, Ben needed to hit out for glory and just hope it was his day. As Ben farmed the strike Stevie, ever-ready to learn, astutely listened to Ben’s calls and trusted his judgement. Sometimes in the silly game that is cricket, being eager is not advantageous. While diligently backing up at the non-strikers end, Stevie momentarily lifted his bat as Benny belted a straight drive back at the bowler that then deflected onto the stumps to see Stevie run out, having done absolutely nothing wrong. The tension was palpable as young Jake Schultz-on debut, came out to the crease to face up at no.11. Requiring just 36 for victory, Benny 63(105), called Jake through for a tight single that would see Ben take strike for the coming over. Poor Jake was having none of it and as the two met mid-pitch, the ball was thrown in from point to the bowler, who removed the bails and secured the first inning victory for Alberton.

This was a great fightback and although we didn’t secure the points, there are a lot of positives to take out of this one fellas. Well bowled to Hayden, Travis and most importantly Jake Schultz. Good fightback Stevie to return for a second and very important spell. Angus, Mitch and Travis all proved that if we can see of that new ball spell we can put on good totals. Benny Mac’s innings was nothing short of sublime given the circumstances and the state of play when he came to the crease. We now move forward to the final fixture of the season against our nearest neighbours, Queens. 

Patrick.  

Premier League Third Grade

Away this week and against a top 4 team and without Grossy, Wolfe, Angus, Jake S, Amir and Varum – it was going to be a struggle ☹

 To make matters worse I lost the toss (again) and into the field we went

!I would like to Gee, Turab, Craig Secombe and Hamish C for helping out but when they say welcome to premier division, in the case it proved to be true !

As we walked out, I had a simple message – we must take our catches, or they will take us apart.  The result tells the story ☹

Dropping the opener on 4, 12 and 26, cost us badly and Hamish do lift our sprits with a great catch in the deep, but the next batsmen was dropped 3 times as well and between they went on the take the total to 178 before the next wicket but by then the damage was done.  Normally very positive, even I was struggling to stay energetic in the field with Logan Village getting to 280.  Hamad the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 70 off 8 overs with W Marron bowling tight and should have had 3 wickets (at least)ending 0 for 26 off 8 overs.

 Not really expecting miracles again I discussed a simple message, bat for yourselves and pride.  Let’s just say our batting was not good, and when we were 4 for 4, I was concerned we would be emulating the 2’s but things turned around briefly getting to 50 before another collapse with just a cameo from Craig and Hamish see us get to 65. 

In the famous words of James Munro – it’s better to get slaughtered then tortured and we accomplished that emphatically !

 Not much else to say and I would just add that I did get a Jaffer but no excuses need to do better when we bat.

 Man of the Match went to young Hamish Canning for his cameo of 21 a great catch (the only one) and unlucky to not get at least 2 wickets.

Dame dropped catches HURT !

 I don’t have to many highlights, however;  Gee smiled all day and was a pleasure to have her on the field, Hamish C likewise, but most of all we were got through it and have learned a valuable lesson – training will help 😊

 1 game to go maybe – Go Away Cyclone Alfred I want to open the bowling !  

Big News!

Play Our Way Grant

 We are beyond thrilled to announce that the Runaway Bay Cricket Club has secured the highly competitive ‘Play Our Way’ Federal Government grant to build inclusive, modern, and sustainable facilities.

This funding will enhance accessibility, promote women’s participation in sport, and provide a top-tier clubhouse and experience for all our players, spectators, and officials.

Total funding: $893,000 from the Federal Government, plus $250,000 support from the City of Gold Coast and Division 4 representative.

What’s coming?

New modern dressing rooms (including dedicated female facilities)

Upgraded umpires’ room & first aid facilities

Revamped clubhouse, and improved access & disabled facilities

Enhanced storage & southern façade

This journey started in 2019, with a vision from Dave Saunders and John Harrison to modernise the Bay clubhouse, as part of a wider strategic plan to reimagine Runaway Bay cricket.

Spearheaded by Dave and John, our plan was presented to Queensland Cricket. And so began - an almost impossible mountain of hard work for both men.

Dave Saunders needed to return home to New Zealand in 2020. But through Nicole Smithers, and John, the project gained momentum with detailed planning and support from Gold Coast Council.

A massive thank you to Gary Grieve for leading the design process, Chloe Oborn for her invaluable council support, and Arran Canning and Emily McQueen for their frantic last minute assistance in securing funding.

We are also incredibly grateful to Queensland Cricket, Councillor Shelley Curtis, and the many individuals who backed our application.

Your dedication helped turn this into a ‘shovel-ready’ project and secured this game-changing opportunity.

This upgrade cements Runaway Bay Cricket Club as a premier hub for grassroots and high-performance cricket in Queensland.

We can’t wait to welcome more players, families, and fans into our community and top notch clubhouse.

Stay tuned for project updates

#upthebay #thefamilyclub

Community League Division 2

5th Grade

We welcomed Tambo to Loxton 4 with revenge firmly on our minds, after our last defeat, way back in round 5, was to them. The new skipper lost the toss again & we were asked to field first once again. We were reduced to 10 after a few midweek mishaps until Macca recruited an old Runaway Bay legend Gary Hinze. It was good to see all the injured boys turn up to show their support, well, all except one.... Josh Foe opened the bowling & his first ball nearly beheaded Tambo’s opener, I think he was glad to go not long after, run out with a direct hit from Josh. Josh finished his fiery spell with 1/14 from his 6 overs. Schuey opened from the other end, bowling tightly, his 6 overs only conceding 10 runs. Gaz Hinze then bowled 3 overs before taking the keeping gloves from Conan, his figures 0/9. Fridge was next & his golden run with the ball continued, bowling 6 straight, finishing with 3/19. All our bowlers were on the spot reducing Tambo to 3/43 at drinks. After drinks, the new skipper threw the ball to Nate Foe, they had no answer to his flighted offies, finishing with 3/12 from his 6, then Jacko finished them off 2/6 from 2, Tambo losing 6/28 after drinks, all out for 71 from 29 overs. We opened with Conan & Luke, Conan run out early for 8. Luke was then joined by Col {The new wall) Wakefield. Luke departed soon after but not before dispatching 3 giant 6’s, caught for 25 off 33. Fridge was next, showig no respect for the bowling, hitting a towering 6 first ball, but departed soon after for 20 off 9, then Matty Jackson put them out of their misery with a 6 to finish proceedings, finishing with 11 off 10, Col 5 not out. We passed their score in the 14th over, 3 down, packed up & were back at the Bay bar by 3. It was around 6pm we decided to have a team meeting to address the only injurd bloke not to turn up & show support after Andy Foe & Critto turned up im wheelchairs. The answer can be found in the photo below. Cheers JH.

Community League Division 3

6th Grade Navy

This week we played at home on Sam Loxton 3. After choosing to bowl, we opened the bowling with Harry and Geoff Watson. Harry bowled 3 overs and had a spell to make way for Aaran to come in and take our 1st wicket in the 7th over. In the 11th over, Harry came back into the attack and claimed 2 wickets in his next 2 overs, finishing with impressive figures of 2/26 off 6 overs. After coming back into the attack to replace Geoff Watson who finished up with figures of 0/41 off 5 overs, Chris took our 4th wicket in the 22nd over, finishing with figures of 1/26 off 6 overs. Noah and Darren came on and bowled out the rest of the innings claiming 3 wickets between them, with Noah finishing up with figures of 1/41 off 7 overs and Darren finishing with 2/49 off his 6 overs. After a good run out by Dale and a tidy final over by Noah, we restricted Helensvale to 8/234 off 36 overs. With a big chase ahead of us, we opened the batting with Lachy and Harry. In the 2nd over Lachy got ran out for a 3 ball duck, bringing Geoff McQueen to the crease. Despite fighting hard early, we lost another 2 wickets inside the first 8 overs, with Harry (4) and Geoff McQueen (2) departing in quick succession. With the team in a tricky position having lost 3 early wickets, Dale and Chris came to the crease and gave as a much needed momentum shift, piling on the runs with some excellent boundary hitting before Chris got out for a quick 18 runs and Dale departed after making an impressive 35 runs, which put us 5/103 at the drinks break. Right after the break Arran was dismissed for 8 which brought Darren to the crease. Despite wickets falling at the other end, Jimmy was putting on a brilliant batting display, keeping the runs flowing quickly with as he reached a well deserved 50. After Darren got out in the 22nd over for 6, the team was on 7/129, Geoff Watson came in and was able to stick around with Jimmy as the two built a very impressive 8th wicket partnership which helped keep us in the game. The partnership came to an end however when Geoff got out after making a very handy 11 runs, with James coming in and making a quick 3 runs before being dismissed soon after, leaving us on 9/185. Noah, who made 15*, then came to the crease with Jimmy continuing to pile on the runs at the other end as the pair fought hard to chase down the total. Despite their best efforts, the run rate became too much as we fell 20 runs short of the target, finishing on 9/214, with Jimmy being the highlight of the innings making an outstanding 82* which kept us in the game until the very end.

I n an inconspicuous little shop in a tiny suburban shopping centre in Parkwood you’ll find a butcher who sells only organic products: GJ’s Organic Meats.

While there are several Gold Coast butchers who sell organic meat, GJ’s is only one of two butchers where every single product in the shop is from certified organic producers.

Gary Hooper, GJ’s proprietor, has been a butcher all his working life.

“You couldn’t go into this business [organic meat] without years of experience in the industry,” he tells me. It has taken many years of dedication and commitment for Gary to build up his present business, developing direct contacts with certified organic farmers, his network of contacts built through mutual respect and trust earned during his forty years in the industry.

Gary’s produce comes from far and wide: pork from Goondiwindi, beef and lamb from Roma, organic and preservative free meats, free range eggs and duck, chemical free fish, salami and stir fry mix. There’s other organic produce as well: Barambah and Wallan Vale Dairy yoghurt, milk, feta and quark; organic bread; stock and soups; ready to go cooked meals such as beef burgundy, stroganoff, curry and stews, all reasonably priced.

Besides the impressive range of produce, you’ve got to love the old-fashioned service with a smile, as your heavy box of purchases is carried out to your car. Oh, and there’s parking right outside the shop…What’s not to love!

Shop 5, Clocktower Centre, Cnr Olsen Ave & Central St., Parkwood, Queensland 4214 Ph: 07 5591 2423

Community League Division 3

6th Grade Orange

6th Grade Orange V Mudgeeraba

Lost the toss and we had a bowl. With a late withdrawal Matt (Knee issue) stepped up to help out in the field so thanks Matt. With the wind blowing Murray and Jason had the ball swinging around and Jason got the early wicket at 1/8. Unfortunately we did not get another wicket by the drinks break and the score was 1/72. The second wicket fell to Deepak and at 2/93 from 22 overs we were going ok. The next batter came in and hit us all around the park for a quick 38 to have them 3-139 from 28 overs. Tony Robertson picked up 2 wickets towards the end as they finished on 7/179. LMS player Matt 2/16 from 6 overs, Tony Robertson 2/20 from 4 overs and Jason 1/19 from 6 overs were the best for the day.

Changed things up with Deepak opening but he was out early to have us 1/10. Jason retired hurt after batting well  and we were 1/40 off 10 overs. Bob and LMS Matt went quickly and then Jamie out for 22  had us in trouble at 4/49 from 13 overs. I was out shortly after and Jason came back in to give us a chance of winning. A partnership of 74 From Tony Robertson and Jason out for 54 gave us some chance to win but in the end we came up 23 runs short with Tony Robertson 38x and Murray 7x at the end.

Jim P

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