Ron George
The Emus sadly report the death of Ron George, who has passed away aged 80. Ron made his debut for the Emus in the 1949-50 season. He was a handy tail ender but excelled with the ball, taking 19 wickets at 11.32 on Colts tours, including 6-6 against Downsland College in Toowoomba during February, 1951. His impact on the game runs so much deeper than his on field performances. Ron will remain one of the legends of Tamworth cricket. His funeral will be conducted at St Patricks Catholic Church, Tamworth from 2:00pm on Monday 14th May."One of nature's true gentlemen. The world is a sadder place without him."
The Emus sadly report the death of Ron George, who has passed away aged 80. Ron made his debut for the Emus in the 1949-50 season. He was a handy tail ender but excelled with the ball, taking 19 wickets at 11.32 on Colts tours, including 6-6 against Downsland College in Toowoomba during February, 1951. His impact on the game runs so much deeper than his on field performances. Ron will remain one of the legends of Tamworth cricket. His funeral will be conducted at St Patricks Catholic Church, Tamworth from 2:00pm on Monday 14th May."One of nature's true gentlemen. The world is a sadder place without him."
- "Sad news. Indeed, he was a champion. Best to all his family and friends." Barry Everingham
- "Ron was an inspiration to me as a young Emu. Very great man who gave so much to so many. Commiserations to his family." Stan Gilchrist
- "Many thanks for the email re Ron George, very sad news a better person you would not find, he was a very good friend on the 1970 world tour to a lot of young blokes who respected him enormously. He was truly a great man." Ken Shine
- "Thanks for the note, Terry - Ron was our Assistant Manager of the Emu Tour to New Zealand in 1966, he loved the game and those who played it. You're right, a true gentleman." Rick McCosker
- "Thanks for letting me know of the passing of Ron. I remember him fondly from the 1970 World Tour and subsequent reunions. He was a gentleman, with a great sense of fun." Ian Hodge
New Zealand - January 2012
The following players have been selected to tour with the Emu Colts to New Zealand in the new year:
Matt Baillie, Shanon Bills, Micthell Cox, Tom Irwin, Alex Jenkins, Nick Pearson, Luke Fox, Michael Rees, Trent Statham, Joe Willman, Will Howard, Angus McNeill.
Itinerary
Western Australia - April 2011
The Emus fly to Western Australia on the 9th of April for a tour at Bunbury on the south west coast. Its only the second Emu tour to the West - the first being in 1983 when Mike Brady captained the side and ABC footy commentator Craig Hamilton was the stand out fast bowler. This tour replaces the games which were scheduled against Canterbury Emerging Players from New Zealand, when their tour was cancelled in January.
The Northern NSW Under 21 Emus won the toss and elected to bat on a beautiful day at the picturesque Donnybrook Cricket Ground. Openers Tom Irwin and Andrew Harriott started cautiously against some tight bowling early, before accelerating to produce an opening stand of 134 before Harriott was dismissed in the 24th over for a well compiled 52. Irwin and Aaron Flaherty continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over in a partnership of 62 runs. During this partnership, Tom Irwin brought up an outstanding century in the 33rd over before being dismissed for 107. Flaherty and Nick Pearson then combined for a 30 run partnership before Flaherty was dismissed in the final over for a well compiled hard hitting 41. The innings finished with a score of 3 for 231. The Masters X1 used 10 bowlers in an attempt to curb the run flow and take wickets.
The Masters X1 started strongly (including a 6 off the first ball) racing to 0-60 in only the 9th over, before Alex Jenkins made the initial breakthrough dismissing danger man Glen Dehring, a veteran of Western Australia Country X1, for a hard hitting 38. This breakthrough slowed the run rate, and the regular fall of wickets resulted in a strong win for the Emu's, with the Masters finishing on 9 for 159 (with one batsman retiring hurt after top edging a ball into his cheekbone). The 2nd top scorer for the Masters X1 was sundries with the Emu's bowling 27 wides. The Emu's used 7 bowlers with 4 bowlers taking 2 wickets. Alex Jenkins opened the innings, bowling impressively for 8 straight, taking 2 for 39 against the rampant top order. Other multiple wicket takers were off spinners Josh Crowe (2 for 35 off 8 overs) and Jack Bennett (2 for 20 off 6), and left arm quick Trent Statham (2 for 12 off 3.4 overs).
The Emu's won their 3rd consecutive toss and elected to bat. The openers started strongly against some very good swing bowling before Andrew Harriott was bowled in the 8th over. Tom Irwin and Aaron Flaherty continued the momentum with a partnership of 46 before Tom was dismissed for a solid 39 with the score on 83. Flaherty fell soon after to some fine leg spin bowling from C. Fitt (4 for 22 off 10 overs), followed soon after with the run out of Matt Baillie leaving the Emu's at 4 for 97 after 24 overs. Nick Pearson and David Angus steadied the innings with a cautious partnership of 38 runs before Angus was dismissed for 11 with the score at 135. The next 5 wickets fell for 35 runs with Nick Pearson top scoring with a patient and well compiled 48. Due to some tight bowling, the tail collapsed to be all out for 160 in the 43rd over.
The Colts commenced their run chase with a solid opening partnership, where both openers looked comfortable before Swallow was caught at point off Trent Statham's bowling for 18 with the score at 28. The other opener fell at the same score, which was the start of a procession of wickets with the only resistance coming from C. Catsounis at No. 8 with a top score of 23. WACA Country Colts succumbed to some very good controlled bowling from the four Emu's medium pace bowlers used. Trent Statham (2 for 22 off 6) and Will Howard ( 2 for 20 off 8) bowled well at the start and were well supported by both Alex Jenkins ( 3 for 23 off 5.3) and Ben Neaves (3 for 4 off 3) to bowl the Colts out for 72 in the 23rd over to complete a comprehensive win.
This completed a great tour for the Emu's with 3 wins from 3 matches. The boys played some good cricket against all opposition in remaining undefeated on tour. They have upheld the strong emu tradition on this tour with some strong cricket against all opposition.
Many thanks to David Head & Richard Rowlings for their reports and photographs submitted after each game when they'd rather be doing something else.
The following players have been selected to tour with the Emu Colts to New Zealand in the new year:
Matt Baillie, Shanon Bills, Micthell Cox, Tom Irwin, Alex Jenkins, Nick Pearson, Luke Fox, Michael Rees, Trent Statham, Joe Willman, Will Howard, Angus McNeill.
Itinerary
Friday 6 January Arrive Christchurch
Saturday 7 January North Canterbury Senior T/20
Competition (2 games)
Emu Colts 9-121 (Michael Rees 32, Joe Willman 22, Tom Irwin 18) defeated Sefton 96 (Joe Willman 2-2, Angus McNeill 2-9, Michael Rees 2-18)
Emu Colts 3-172 (Nick Pearson 54, Michael Rees 34, Matt Baillie 33, Tom Irwin 24x, S Bills 20x) defeated Rangchora 9-93 (Will Howard 2-11, Michael Rees 2-17, Tom Irwin 2-18)
Emu Colts 9-121 (Michael Rees 32, Joe Willman 22, Tom Irwin 18) defeated Sefton 96 (Joe Willman 2-2, Angus McNeill 2-9, Michael Rees 2-18)
Emu Colts 3-172 (Nick Pearson 54, Michael Rees 34, Matt Baillie 33, Tom Irwin 24x, S Bills 20x) defeated Rangchora 9-93 (Will Howard 2-11, Michael Rees 2-17, Tom Irwin 2-18)
Billet North Canterbury
6/7 January
Sunday 8 January Free Day - Travel to Blenheim
Monday 9 January v Marlborough 50 over
Emu Colts 9-221 (Luke F0x 56, Tom Irwin 42, Michael Rees 24, Matt Baillie 21) defeated Marlborough 159 (Joe Willman 3-21, Mitchell Cox 2-19)
Emu Colts 9-221 (Luke F0x 56, Tom Irwin 42, Michael Rees 24, Matt Baillie 21) defeated Marlborough 159 (Joe Willman 3-21, Mitchell Cox 2-19)
Billet in Blenheim 8/9
January
Tuesday 10 January Travel to Nelson
v Nelson Day 1 of 2 day match
Nelson 9(dec)281 (Joe Willman 3-79) and 4(dec)117 (Joe Willman 3-11) lost to Emu Colts 140 (Tom Irwin 52, Nick Pearson 27) and 4-259 (Nick Pearson 138x, Michael Rees 34, Luke Fox 34, Joe Willman 21x)
Nelson 9(dec)281 (Joe Willman 3-79) and 4(dec)117 (Joe Willman 3-11) lost to Emu Colts 140 (Tom Irwin 52, Nick Pearson 27) and 4-259 (Nick Pearson 138x, Michael Rees 34, Luke Fox 34, Joe Willman 21x)
Thursday 12 January Travel to Westport
V Buller/West Coast 50 over
Emu Colts 266 (Nick Pearson 59x, Michael Rees 53, Joe Willman 39, Alex Jenkins 35, Luke Fox 33, Tom Irwin 24) defeated Buller/West Coast 190 (Tom Irwin 3-9)
Emu Colts 266 (Nick Pearson 59x, Michael Rees 53, Joe Willman 39, Alex Jenkins 35, Luke Fox 33, Tom Irwin 24) defeated Buller/West Coast 190 (Tom Irwin 3-9)
Friday 13 January Free Day - Travel to Rangiora
Saturday 14 January North Canterbury Senior T/20
Competition – Day 2
Minimum of 1 game/2 if in
finals
Billet North Canterbury
13/14 January
Emu Colts 144 (Michael Rees 55) defeated Southbrook 50 (Joe Willman 3-2, Angus McNeill 2-6)
Emu Colts 130 (Matt Baillie 38, Luke Fox 23) defeated Sefton 105 (Trent Statham 3-6, Angus McNeill 2-5, Will Howard 2-5)
Emu Colts 144 (Michael Rees 55) defeated Southbrook 50 (Joe Willman 3-2, Angus McNeill 2-6)
Emu Colts 130 (Matt Baillie 38, Luke Fox 23) defeated Sefton 105 (Trent Statham 3-6, Angus McNeill 2-5, Will Howard 2-5)
Sunday 15 January v Suburban 50 over match
Billet Suburban 15 January
Suburban 278 (Trent Statham 4-44, Will Howard 2-29) defeated Emu Colts 186 (Tom Irwin 58, Matt Bailiie 32, Alex Jenkins 26)
Suburban 278 (Trent Statham 4-44, Will Howard 2-29) defeated Emu Colts 186 (Tom Irwin 58, Matt Bailiie 32, Alex Jenkins 26)
Monday 16 January Travel to Ashburton
V Mid Canterbury 50 over match
Billet Ashburton 16
January
Emu Colts 315 (Micahel Rees 85, Matt Baillie 58, Alex Jenkins 33x, Shannon Bills 33) defeated Mid Canterbury 180)
Emu Colts 315 (Micahel Rees 85, Matt Baillie 58, Alex Jenkins 33x, Shannon Bills 33) defeated Mid Canterbury 180)
Tuesday 17 January Free Day - Travel to Leeston
Wednesday 18 January v Willows Youth XI
Billet Leeston 17/18/19/20
January
Emu Colts 242 (Matt Baillie 89, Shannon Bills 65) defeated Willows Youth XI 180
Emu Colts 242 (Matt Baillie 89, Shannon Bills 65) defeated Willows Youth XI 180
Thursday 19 January v Canterbury Country Day 1 of 2 day match
At Leeston
Friday 20 January v Canterbury Country Day 2
Canterbury Country 139 (Angus McNeill 4-21, Will Howard 3-34) and 228 lost to Emu Colts 9(dec)313 (Nick Pearson 112, Luke Fox 46, Trent Statham 34x, Shannon Bills 31, Joe Willman 28) 3-54 (Tom Irwin 30x)
Canterbury Country 139 (Angus McNeill 4-21, Will Howard 3-34) and 228 lost to Emu Colts 9(dec)313 (Nick Pearson 112, Luke Fox 46, Trent Statham 34x, Shannon Bills 31, Joe Willman 28) 3-54 (Tom Irwin 30x)
Saturday 21 January Return Home
Western Australia - April 2011
The Emus fly to Western Australia on the 9th of April for a tour at Bunbury on the south west coast. Its only the second Emu tour to the West - the first being in 1983 when Mike Brady captained the side and ABC footy commentator Craig Hamilton was the stand out fast bowler. This tour replaces the games which were scheduled against Canterbury Emerging Players from New Zealand, when their tour was cancelled in January.
The touring party is: Aaron Flaherty (capt), Trent Statham, Nick Pearson, Ben Neaves, Alex Jenkins, Tom Irwin, Will Howard, Andrew Harriott, Josh Crowe, Jack Bennett, Matt Baillie, David Angus-Crouch. Managers Dave Head and Richard Rowlings will report throughout the tour.
Game One v Mandurah 10th April, 2011
Emus 8-184 (Andrew Harriott 68, Nick Pearson 38, Aaron Flaherty 22. A Jeffery 3-16) defeated Mandurah 7-173 (M Jenkinson 52x, D Burns 40, B Evans 27. Ben Neaves 2-23, Trent Statham 2-39)
Good first up game -well contested. Emus batted first and after a cautious start under some tight bowling Buddy Harriott & Nick Peasron opened up and put on a solid opening partnership of 89. Innings continued well until it lost momentum toward the end of the
innings (3 for 0 on 170), and finished with a competitive total of 8 for 184. Mandurah were in plenty of trouble at 3 for 15 after a strong opening spell from Will Howard and Ben Neaves, but recovered to eventually go down by 11 runs after their 40 overs. The backbone of the Mandurah side were an ex Brisbane First Grade player M. Jenkinson and ex Perth First Grader and WA Country Veteren and team Captain Dale Burns.
Game 2 v Bunbury Masters X1 played at Donnybrook on Thursday April 14th 2011
The Northern NSW Under 21 Emus won the toss and elected to bat on a beautiful day at the picturesque Donnybrook Cricket Ground. Openers Tom Irwin and Andrew Harriott started cautiously against some tight bowling early, before accelerating to produce an opening stand of 134 before Harriott was dismissed in the 24th over for a well compiled 52. Irwin and Aaron Flaherty continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over in a partnership of 62 runs. During this partnership, Tom Irwin brought up an outstanding century in the 33rd over before being dismissed for 107. Flaherty and Nick Pearson then combined for a 30 run partnership before Flaherty was dismissed in the final over for a well compiled hard hitting 41. The innings finished with a score of 3 for 231. The Masters X1 used 10 bowlers in an attempt to curb the run flow and take wickets. 
The Masters X1 started strongly (including a 6 off the first ball) racing to 0-60 in only the 9th over, before Alex Jenkins made the initial breakthrough dismissing danger man Glen Dehring, a veteran of Western Australia Country X1, for a hard hitting 38. This breakthrough slowed the run rate, and the regular fall of wickets resulted in a strong win for the Emu's, with the Masters finishing on 9 for 159 (with one batsman retiring hurt after top edging a ball into his cheekbone). The 2nd top scorer for the Masters X1 was sundries with the Emu's bowling 27 wides. The Emu's used 7 bowlers with 4 bowlers taking 2 wickets. Alex Jenkins opened the innings, bowling impressively for 8 straight, taking 2 for 39 against the rampant top order. Other multiple wicket takers were off spinners Josh Crowe (2 for 35 off 8 overs) and Jack Bennett (2 for 20 off 6), and left arm quick Trent Statham (2 for 12 off 3.4 overs).
The next game for the Emu's is a 60 over game against the West Australian South West Academy colts at Donnybrook on Saturday April 16th starting at 10.30am. This should prove to be a tougher assignment for the Emu's.
Game 3 vs WACA Country Colts played at Donnybrook Cricket Ground -Saturday April 16th 2011
This completed a great tour for the Emu's with 3 wins from 3 matches. The boys played some good cricket against all opposition in remaining undefeated on tour. They have upheld the strong emu tradition on this tour with some strong cricket against all opposition.
Many thanks to David Head & Richard Rowlings for their reports and photographs submitted after each game when they'd rather be doing something else.
