Adelaide Grade Competition, 1997-98: Season Report

Adelaide Grade Competition, 1997-98

SEASON REPORT:
In a very close and enthralling season of Grade cricket,
University emerged as the dominant team. That they
made the final four was an achievement in itself, they
had to win their last match outright, which they did
against Northern Districts and then had to rely on other
results to allow them to get into the finals. They
completely overwhelmed West Torrens in the
Semi-Final, albeit with the luck of the toss and then
made only just over 200 in the final, which thanks
to great bowling by Michael Smith proved enough.
The batting was strong with State Representative
Darren Webber, when available, Simon Williamson
and Adam Kimber all making solid contributions when
required. Their bowling was carried by Smith, but Nick
Roberts with thirty wickets made up for the absence of
Paul Wilson, who was on State and International duty.

Tea Tree Gully once again had a terrific season achieving
their fifth consecutive finals appearance. The opening
combination of Martin Faull and Matthew Kelton was
the best in the competiton and their middle order was
solid with Michael Russack making back to back centuries
and Wes Thomas (354 at 29.50) making his maiden
century. Peter McIntyre dominated with the ball and
Kelby Pickering after a poor start finished with a flourish
after Christmas. Veteran wicket keeper Darren Hall had
a magnificent season with 35 dismissals and rarely missed
a trick particularly off McIntyre.

Adelaide made a great resurgence, coming from bottom
to finish minor premier. Bradman Medalist Ben Hook
was their dominant player, taking 21 wickets at 12.43
to add to his solid batting. He was rewarded with State
selection in Newcastle. Youngster Nathan Woods emerged
as a good prospect with nearly 500 runs and Ben Johnson,
when not on State duty performed superbly with bat (351
at 43.75) and ball (28 at 13.50). Veteran batsman Paul
Nobes, announced his retirement at the conclusion of
their three run loss in the semi-final.

Another team to make a resurgence was West Torrens,
who had a poor 1996/97 but finished the minor round
in second position. Ably coached by former Sturt legend
and State Representaive Darrell Scott, West Torrens
had great strength in bowling with Swain, Minagall and
youngster Daniel Lynch (26 at 19.77) doing plenty of
damage with the ball. Sadly no batsman averaged over
35 for with Ben Higgins (383 at 31.92) making the side's
only century.

Sturt missed out on the four, after being there for the
whole of the season. Captain Coach James Pyke (391
at 43.44) batted well, but on his negative captaincy on
occasions probably accounted for the fact the side had
two draws in games the team should have won. Pace
bowler David Ritossa and leg spinner Evan Arnold
(33 wickets apiece) did well as did medium pacer David
Heysen who collected 31 wickets.

The previous season's premier Kensington finished sixth
and can blame lean batting and the absence of left-arm
quick Andrew Watson (15 at 24.93) for their fall down
the ladder. Watson and medium pacer David Clarke was
dominant with the ball in 1996/97, with Watson's
absence most keenly felt. John Lee (467 at 35.92)
was the only batsman to stand up for the Browns.
Port Adelaide had a satisfactory season, but a poor
start ended any chance they had of making the four.
Chris Linhart, formerly of Tea Tree Gully made 360
runs at 45.00 and handled the wicket keeping duties
with aplomb. Young left arm speedster Joel Southam
(28 at 17.82) has a good deal of promise.

Prospect, at one stage in the four, faded badly towards
the end of the season. The team was held together by
Chris Underwood (485 at 44.09, 15 at 17.73). Apart
from Underwood, their batting was thin, but Brian
Quill (25 at 24.88), for the second season in a row,
bowled with good pace.

Last years' runner up, Glenelg had a poor season.
They missed David Fitzgerald (269 at 38.43) who
had a solid season for South Australia, but discovered
fast bowler Tarque Williamson, who will take over the
mantle left by Peter Gladigau who retired at the
conclusion of the season.

Woodville as usual promised much but delivered little.
In the four at Christmas, Woodville faded badly after
the break. State representative Geoff Parker started the
season well with 154, but made just 129 runs at 10.75
for the remainder of the season. Left armer Damien
West was a shining light with his 29 wickets.

East Torrens were another team around the mark at
Christmas, which faded badly after it. Their batting
was thin with only Joe Scuderi (232 at 38.67) troubling
opposition bowlers. Scuderi when fit to bowl
(21 at 17.81), did the most damage with the ball.

Southern Districts struggled along, having just three
wins for the season. They only had one century maker,
Paul Forster (405 at 28.93), and had to rely heavily on
the bowling of Phil Jeffrey (27 at 25.33) and Jason
Foster (24 at 23.58).

Northern Districts, the newly merged outfit of the
once powerful Salisbury and not so powerful Elizabeth,
started the season well and were severly hampered by
the untimely loss of fast bowler Craig Haines who
was murdered while working night shift at his parent's
petrol station during a robbery in October. The batting
was carried by Noel Fielke (536 at 35.73) with all rounder
Anthony Heidrich (446 at 31.86, 31 at 18.94)
doing best for the newly formed club.

 Contributed by Lawrie Colliver (colliver@ozemail.com.au)