Onslow man and Wellington City Councillor has been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit as part of the 2009 Queens Birthday List for his services to cricket and the community.

John’s involvement in cricket has included playing for Wellington, New Zealand, TV & Radio commentary, chairman of the the Basin Reserve Trust as well as being a past president of the Onslow Cricket Club.

Congratulations Mystery – Well done.

At the 2008/09 end of season prize giving, two new awards were presented to honour Onslow players who have excelled at the representative level.

The awards, one each for male and female representative player of the year have been named after Onslow’s first New Zealand representatives – John Morrison and Trish McKelvey.

The inaugural winners of the awards went to Dechan McKeefry (Senior Men) who is a local lad who this year finished his schooling at Wanganui Collegiate and was selected in the Central Districts Under-19 side and played for Wanganui in the Hawke Cup. Amanda Cooper (Senior Women) receives her award after another solid season for the Wellington Blaze which came runner-up in the one-day competition and won the Twenty20 competition with Cooper taking four wickets in the final.

MVP for Each Side

MVP Senior Men – Stewart Rhodes
MVP Senior Reserve Men – Harsh Tataria
MVP Senior Women – Jess McFadyen
MVP 2A Men- David Macaskill
MVP 2C Men – Lyndon Jones
MVP 2DA Men – Gideon Jack
MVP 2DB Men – Nick Angus
MVP 1AA – Ian Martin
MVP 1AB – Alex Stainer

W.T. Christian Cup (Womens' Batting Award) – Jess McFadyen

H.L. Gentry Cup (Womens' Bowling Award) - Renee Moffitt

Craig MacIndoe Cup (Best Fielder One Day Cricket) – Alex Stainer (1AB Men)

R.F. Hickling Cup (Best Fielder Two Day Cricket) – Darren Jordan (2A Men)

Wicket Keepers Cup (Best Club Wicket Keeper) - Blair Parlane (Senior Men)

Gentry Memorial Cup (Senior Team Best Batsman) – Stewart Rhodes (478 Runs)

H.G. Wells Cup (Senior Team Best Bowler) – Stewart Rhodes (28 Wickets)

Denis Lander Cup (Best Batsman One Day Cricket) - Ian Martin (1A Raging Stags)

Grant Cross Cup (Best Bowler One Day Cricket) – James McLeod (1A Raging Stags)

Andy Wilson Cup (Best Batsman Two Day Cricket) – Mike Joel (2DA Men)

Gavin Larsen Cup (Best Bowler Two Day Cricket) – Cam Collings, Joseph Denyer (2DB)

Major Gentry Cup (Most Improved Player Under-21) - Harsh Tataria (Reserves/Senior Men)

Eddie Tonks Trophy (Best All Rounder Under-21) – Alex Stainer (1AB)

Hibernian Memorial Cup (Best All Rounder) - Stewart Rhodes (Senior Men)

Wally Heatherwick Cup (Best Batting Performance) - Nick Angus (2DB) – 200*

Bruce Heather Cup (Best Bowling Performance) – Sean Grosvenor (1AB Men) 8-4-4-6

Gerry Comesky Cup (Best Team Captain) – Amanda Cooper (Senior Women)

John Morrison Cup (Men’s Representative Player) – Dechlan McKeefry

Trish McKelvey Cup (Women’s Representative Player) – Amanda Cooper

H.E. Burton Cup (Most Valuable Club Member) – Greg Pike

Onslow Memorial Shield (Team of the Year) – Senior Women

Alan Henderson Memorial Cup (Club Performance Points) - Stewart Rhodes (Senior Men)

Honours Board Achievements
Stewart Rhodes (Senior Men) – 109* vs Karori

Stewart Rhodes (Senior Men) – 6-49 vs North City
Amanda Cooper (Senior Women – 119 vs Hutt Districts

Jess Bennett (Senior Women) – 6-33 vs Taita
Nick Angus (2DB Men) – 200* vs Collegians

Andy Wilson – Life Membership

Obtained from Cricket Wellington - profiling Onslow's Neal Parlane

Specialist batsman Neal Parlane is the Firebirds’ vice-captain this season, deputising for Matthew Bell who in turn took the reins from Neal’s older brother Michael after 2007/08. Last season his consistency and maturity at the crease translated into a rich vein of form and he scored a bucket load of runs right throughout the summer. His team leading 809 runs for the State Championship season included three centuries at an average of 57.78 and a highest score of 165. He also reached the milestone of 3000 first class runs for Wellington in 2007/08 in 52 matches.

Despite being sidelined by injury throughout much of the State Shield and all of the Firebirds’ State Twenty20 campaign, and again now with a broken finger sustained against the State Central Stags in Napier last week, Parlane has been a key run contributor to the side this year.

In seven State Championship innings, he has made three scores of fifty or more, including consecutive half centuries in matches against the State Otago Volts and the Stags. His most recent innings of 59 at McLean Park included six 4’s and two classy 6’s over midwicket.

Playing style: Top-order batsman Nickname: Flea  School: St. Paul ’s Collegiate Earliest cricket memory: Playing against my brother in the hallway   Favourite ground to play cricket on: The Allied Nationwide Finance Basin Reserve Most memorable cricket moment: Winning the Shell Trophy with Northern Districts in 1999/00 Favourite holiday destination: Spain   On my ipod is: Music, photos and videos

Neal in action for Wellington

If I could bat/bowl in partnership with any cricketer from any era I would chose: Viv Richards would have been awesome to see batting at his best up close Favourite player as a kid: Viv Richards (see above!) The non-cricketing sports person or team I most admire: Muhammad Ali If I had superpowers I’d have: the ability to be able to fly If my parents are coming to dinner tonight, I’d cook them: Roast chicken with all the trimmings

Cricket Wellington Supplied Article

The Onslow Cricket Club recognises one of its legends this Saturday when it makes Andy Wilson a Life Member in a special presentation at its Old Timers’ Day at its Nairnville Park clubrooms.

Wilson, one of the stalwarts of Wellington club cricket, will be presented with his life member honour as part of a reunion of past Onslow players and several members of the 1988/89 Senior Men’s championship winning team, a team that included Wilson and Cricket Wellington CEO Gavin Larsen.

A hard hitting stroke making batsman and colourful character, Wilson played over three decades of Senior cricket for Onslow between 1975-2007 and was also a fringe Wellington player for several seasons. His name appears prominently on most Wellington club cricket batting record lists.

He represented Wellington on four occasions in first-class cricket, including in Wellington’s win over the West Indies in 1980 at the Hutt Recreation Ground. This success was a highlight of his career, as he explained to the Evening Post’s Lyn McConnell in a 1993 article:

“The West Indies had an unbelievable bowling attack. They had Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Andy Roberts and Colin Croft, and then Malcolm Marshall on the outside of the team unable to get into the Test team,” he told McConnell.

“I had to face Marshall on a hat trick at one stage. I never saw the ball when he bowled but he didn’t bowl it straight enough and I was safe.”

“Nine members of that Wellington side played for New Zealand so it was a pretty useful team. It also explains why I didn’t play more for Wellington,” he added.

Another representative highlight that he recalled fondly was an innings of 187 for Wellington B against CD B.

Cricket also took the former Onslow College groundsman and now Wellington Combined Taxis driver around the world, with playing stints in Stoke-on-Trent in England, the Brechin club in Scotland and the mighty Donaghadee club in Northern Ireland.

Additionally, he has also coached extensively around the Wellington and Central Districts regions.

Wilson has a prolific record at club level in Wellington – currently sitting on 12,917 club runs scored for several of Onslow’s teams from Senior down to Presidents grade.  

Only Denis Lander (15,000 runs) has scored more Senior runs for the club. This Saturday Wilson comes out of retirement (not for the first time and probably not for the last time) to play for the Senior 2As and if he has his eye in and all goes to plan he could reach the 13,000-run mark for the club on the same day he is made a Life Member.

Wilson’s name sits in second place behind WA Baker (10,226 runs between 1910-1943) on the leading Wellington club cricket top grade runs scorers’ list. His 9,703 club runs aren’t likely to be threatened in the near future either, with no modern player remotely close to achieving this feat in the Dominion Post Premier and Senior grades.

Among his credits at club level are a total of 969 runs in a single season, achieved twenty years ago in 1989/90, second only to the great Stewie Dempster who twice achieved the feat (1,182 runs in 1928/29 and 976 runs in 1927/28).

That same season Wilson scored five Senior centuries for Onslow, which remain the second most in a single season behind Dempster’s six compiled in 1928/29 while playing for Institute Old Boys.

All up he scored 17 Senior centuries which leaves him 5^th on the overall all time Wellington list.

Wilson’s involvement in cricket has not been without its fair share of controversy, well known for voicing his opinions on most aspects of the game in Wellington.

But his distinguished playing record and longevity speaks for itself and he remains a true legend of the game of Wellington cricket. .

NZ Herald Article

An unknown club cricketer from Wellington has out-hit Black Caps Jacob Oram and Ian Butler to claim the title of New Zealand's biggest hitter today. Jimad Khan from the Onslow Cricket Club smashed the ball a staggering 98.27 metres to take out the inaugural State Big Hits competition and set the first ever record for the biggest cricket hit in New Zealand. Khan was one of six regional finalists who competed at the Basin Reserve against the Blacks Caps duo fresh off their opening Twenty20 win over India last night. Butler was second with a 94.77m shot while Oram was third hitting 91.89m.

Jimad hitting the "big one"

Khan said he was thrilled to take out the final against two international players. "Going up against a Jacob Oram and Ian Butler was extremely nerve racking, I just smashed the ball as hard as I could and was stoked to win on the day" he said. New Zealand Cricket commercial manager Peter Dwan said the competition helped showcase the best from cricketers and members of the public all around the country. "Whether you're playing cricket competitively, for a club or in the back yard cracking a big hit is always a big adrenalin rush," he said. "Today's competition proved there are a lot of Kiwis out there who can really smash a cricket ball and setting a New Zealand Cricket record makes it official."

Onslow’s Pearce Cup player Jimad Khan has won the State Big Hits Contest Final with a huge 98 metre hit, edging out Black Cap Ian Butler who was second with 94 metres with Jacob Oram third with 91 metres.

The contest features contestants hitting a ball which is delivered as a lofted full-toss to give each participant the best chance of cracking a “big one”.

Jimad won the Wellington regional qualifying event and was subsequently invited to the “hit off” against the big hitters from the men’s State domestic teams and the Blackcaps.

Jimad, known for his big hitting ability, was cheered on by school children and following his victory, he was interviewed by TV3 and TVNZ.

Jimad Khan in action against Hutt Districts

NZPA Supplied Article
Peter McGlashan smacked successive sixes off the last two balls as Northern Districts beat Wellington by one wicket in a State Shield one-day cricket match. McGlashan twice swatted international fast-medium bowler Mark Gillespie over the picket fence at the Basin Reserve as Northern Districts chased down the home side's 289 for nine.

It marked an eventful end to an eventful final over which had started with Northern Districts requiring 10 runs and Wellington needing three wickets. Gillespie bowled Tim Southee and Trent Boult with his first and second deliveries before tailender Brent Arnel scurried through for a single off the next. McGlashan failed to get bat on ball to the fourth delivery but then hit the sweat spot twice in a row to finish the match unbeaten on 39 off 30 balls and ensure his team stay atop the standings through eight rounds.

The visitors' pursuit was given immediate impetus as Hamish Marshall struck 52 off 38 balls while his opening partner BJ Watling was more circumspect in making 63 off 85. Captain James Marshall's fluent 74 ensured Northern Districts remained within striking distance of the asking rate, and the equation improved further so when he took the long handle to Gillespie, hitting him for five fours in one over. But Gillespie had the last laugh, bending his back to induce an edge from Marshall's bat to leave Northern Districts at 248 for six in the 44th over.

McGlashan then saw the visitors to their target, a mighty achievement against an international quality attack containing the likes of Gillespie, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel, James Franklin and Grant Elliott. O'Brien worked tirelessly into a strong northerly wind to pick up three for 43, identical figures to those posted by offspinner Patel.

Gillespie, too, collected a bag of three but at some cost because his eight overs leaked 71 runs. Earlier, Wellington batsman Neal Parlane overcame an ankle injury to register his maiden domestic one-day century. The 30-year-old hit a career-best 105 to pilot Wellington to an imposing total. He spent a large chunk of his innings using skipper Matthew Bell as a runner before he was run out, the first of two such dismissals effected by Watling.

In his 96th domestic one-day match, Parlane chalked up his 14th half-century before converting it into his maiden century after being gifted a life on 76 when dropped at fine leg. Wellington slightly lost their way after reaching 220 for three after 40 overs as Northern Districts fought back in the latter stages of the innings, with young left-arm seamer Trent Boult impressing most to collect figures of four for 50.

Wellington had seemed poised to top 300 after Parlane and Elliott shared a stand of 162 for the fourth wicket at a rate of more than six runs an over. They had more than made up for Wellington's unconvincing start as they stuttered to 68 for three before Parlane and Elliott turned things around. Elliott's contribution was a feisty 78 off 71 balls, containing two fours and two sixes, while Parlane's runs came off 114 deliveries, 10 of which he guided to the boundary.

Parlane en route to 100 for Wellington

Dominion Post Article 29th December 2008, Written by Sam Worthington
Not many would have enjoyed being at work over the weekend but it was one to remember for Wellington Blaze medium-pacer Amanda Cooper (Onslow's Senior Womens Captain)

The 25-year-old returned the incredible figures of 9-9 over two games against Otago at Karori Park, taking 3-0 from 2.4 overs in a Twenty20 match on Saturday and 6-9 from 10 overs in yesterday's one-dayer.

The haul was her best in 82 matches for Wellington and the best in the one-day competition since Canterbury spinner Rebecca Steele took 6-8 against Auckland three years ago.

Cooper's heroics inspired Wellington to two comfortable wins. The Blaze, who won only three games last year, now lead both the Twenty20 and one-day competitions, winning all eight of their games this season.

"Not a bad weekend," Cooper said yesterday. "It was just my day I think, the pitch seemed to suit me. I bowled nice and straight and got a few through the gate for bowled and LBWs."

On Saturday, Megan Wakefield smashed 61 from 44 balls as Wellington scored 137-7 from their 20 overs before Otago were rolled for 68.

It was a similar story yesterday. Wellington underperformed with the bat, to be bowled out for 134 in the 48th over, but the modest total proved well beyond Otago, who slumped from 49-0 to 76 all out.

The Blaze play another one-dayer against Otago at Karori Park today and there are are two more triple-header rounds before the one-day final on January 24 and the Twenty20 final on January 25.

Wellington are sure to be pushed harder when they play closest rivals Central Districts and Canterbury. The form of Cooper, who also bats at three, and Wakefield will be catching the eye of the national selectors before the World Cup in Australia at the end of the season.

Blaze coach Mark Borthwick said captain Anna Dodd, medium-pacer Sian Ruck and all-rounders Liz Perry and Lucy Doolan were putting their hands up.

In taking 5 for 38 against Karori, Scott ‘Moose’ Rasmussen moved past 150 senior wickets for Onslow in his fifth season for the club. Scott relocated to Wellington in 2004 and joined Onslow from the East Coast Bay’s Club in Auckland. In his time at Onslow, Scott was selected to make his First Class debut for the Wellington Firebirds and before his enforced retirement he played in six first class matches taking 17 wickets at the healthy average of 25.52. He also played in 12 one-day matches where he took 10 wickets with a best effort of 3 for 39. In other notable career milestones, Neal Parlane’s stellar start to the season has seen him pass the 1500 run mark moving to a career total of 1653 and Liam Chrisp has passed the 1000 mark in his fourth season with a current tally of 1091. Glynn Howell and Jimad Khan will be the next past 1500 career runs with 6 and 217 runs to score respectively.

Rasmussen in action for Wellington

 

Dominion Post Article 15th December 2008, Written by Jonathan Millmow
The Aussie invasion continues. The Firebirds are coached by Anthony Stuart, Andrew Lamb is taking the new ball for them at the Basin Reserve this week, ant it may not be too long before all-rounder Steward Rhodes pulls on a Wellington sweater.

Rhodes, 22, scored an unbeaten 109 and took 3-3 playing for Onslow against Taita in the Dominion Post Premier competition on Saturday and, now that he has adapted to the local wickets, more success may be in store.

Rhodes played for Penrith in the Sydney first grade competition last summer and went on to make the combined Sydney first-grade side, but he’s come to the conclusion that, if he’s to play at first-class level, his only hope in the near future is on this side of the Tasman.

Rhodes said he spoke to Stuart about the opportunities in Wellington and was sufficiently encouraged to take the plunge and Onslow were the first to respond to his e-mail to Wellington clubs.

Onslow have employed him as their club professional and, after a slow start because of the unfamiliarity with slow, low pitches, Rhodes has passed 300 runs for the season and taken 17 wickets.

“Early on it was a bit interesting with the pitches not having sight screens, but gradually I’ve adjusted” Rhodes said. “On Saturday I had to guts it out early because the pitch was a bit tricky, but overall I was pretty happy.”

He would like to play for Wellington A this summer but has not though much beyond that. However, he hinted he is keen to return next summer and continue what he has started.

“I’ve enjoyed it so far. It’s obviously a lot different to Sydney first grade. Over there a good young player comes out of school and plays fifth grade, over here the good ones go straight into senior cricket.”

“I’ve had 2 ½ years playing first grade, scored a few hundreds, but I wanted a change and there was no way in the near future I was going to make the New South Wales squad”.

Onslow captain Glynn Howell described Rhode as “extremely competitive”, particularly when bowling his medium paces.

Rhodes scored his unbeaten 109 off 200 balls as Onslow reached 206-5 at Nairnville and then took 3-3 from seven overs as Taita slumped to 78-6.

[abridged]

The College Sport Wellington Awards were held on Sunday night at the Duxton Hotel with Onslow's Renee Moffitt picking up the Female Cricketer Award. Renee is currently at Onslow College but has been a member of the Senior Women's side for the past couple of seasons.

Renee was recognised for her performances for the Wellington Secondary Schools team for which she was an MVP as well as being a member of the Wellington Development team and making her Wellington Blaze debut in 2007/08.

The winter project of upgrading the club honoursboards is finally complete with the men’s and administration boards hung up last Wednesday night with the Women’s board not too far away from completion.

The boards were last updated at the end of the 2000-01 season which meant that there was a lot of work to ensure that recent achievements were recorded. Also, as the boards weren’t in the best condition, they were completely sanded down and stained with dark varnish which has allowed gold lettering to be applied making the boards more visually appealing and easier to view. The boards have been "future-proofed" to ensure there is sufficient space (particularly for Senior Men achievements) and that the same font is used at each subsequent update.

The main board features Senior Men 100's & 6-Wicket Hauls; Lower Grade 150's & 8-Wicket Hauls; Career 5000 Run & 500 Wicket Achievements; Club Championships Achievements; and Season 750-run & 50 Wicket Achievements. There are two small boards on each side – three administration boards (including life members) and one for representatives.

I’d like to thank you all those who contributed to the project, particularly Cam Small and Sam Hughes for their many trips to the sign writers and the Onslow Foundation for their funding assistance 

Cheers, Marek Matuszewski

Honoursboard achievements are also available for viewing here

The Old Boards – Hard to Read and In Need of TLC

The New Boards – Dark Stain, Gold Lettering and Future-Proofed!