Round 8 wrapped up over the weekend, and we’ve got all the results and match reports ready for you! Catch up on the highlights and standout performances from both our junior and senior teams.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side, and some of the weekend’s games were washed out.
On a brighter note, don’t miss Lasagne and Salad Night after junior training this Wednesday, thanks to Giants Pizzeria.
Plus, the Summers Ice Cream Van will be at training serving up slushies and ice creams—perfect for a post-training treat!
Looking for Christmas gift ideas? We’ve got Rovers kit bags $170.00, backpacks $60.00, and stubby coolers $10.00 in stock! To purchase, email committee@roverscc.com.au or see Sim North at junior training on Wednesday.
Enjoy your week, and happy reading!
We lost the toss but we were pleased to be put in to bat.
A great opening partnership from Captain Ian De Lange and Ben Wheeler set the solid foundation for a terrific innings of 9–157, with great contributions from Taj Walker (41 off 55) and Max “son of a legend“ Costello (24 off 33).
Mareeba got off to a great start to their 158 chase off 33 overs (run rate 4.8 required) before a great ball from Ian, caught by Brodie North , dispatched Mareeba’s star batsman. This was followed by a collapse of the Mareeba innings with the next 8 wickets falling for just 13 runs, great bowling contributions from the whole team. Taj (3/5 off2),Ian (2/3 off 2),Max (2/16 off 4), and Jack “I’m back” Mullins (2/4 off 2.2). A spectacular very late slips catch from Ian will be indelibly etched in our memory.
After a “tail wag“ from Mareeba, we eventually closed them out for 64 runs, giving us a good win.
A special thank you to Kelly for a great morning tea, to Sanet for scoring and Bernard, Marty and Dolf for umpiring.
A fun morning all around in Mareeba …beats a soggy day in Cairns any day!
Awards went to Taj, Max and Jack
With the clouds hanging low over head, Rovers won the toss and sent the opposition in – a decision that would pay off as our lads were once again able to chase down the target with plenty of overs to spare.
Norths started their innings well, and after 10 overs were 1/62. The only wicket coming the ball before drinks.
Our bowlers managed to slow the run rate over the rest of the innings, thanks mostly to economical bowling from Riley 1/5 from three overs, and Travis 0/6 from his three overs. Norths, in the end, limping towards a total of 152
Our batters got off to a solid start, and the elevation of Tommy up the order worked a treat managing a well paced 32* off 25 balls faced. Mitch chimed in as well, with 29* from 22. From here, it was a question of when not if we would get the result and the winning runs were eventually scored in the 20th over.
Players of the match were Riley, Tommy, and Mitch.
Big thank yous go to all of our parent volunteers who, without them, afternoons like this simply would not be possible.
The Green Machine continued to go from strength to strength as they comfortably ‘chalked up’ their third straight victory with a win over Mareeba. Winning the bat flip and batting, Rovers never looked back, making their best score for the season , 191, for the loss of only 3 wickets. Top scorers were Carter (38 n.o.), Will (28 n.o.) and Caleb (19 n.o.).
In reply, Mareeba showed some resistance, but when Caleb took 3 for 0, the game was ‘iced’. Other wicket takers were Joash, Kai and Sam. With 6 players either new to Tier 2 (from Tier 1 ) or new to the club, great to see the growth in the individuals and the team!
Awards went to Caleb, 3/3 and 19 n.o. and Carter 38 (n.o.)
In a game packed with drama, twists, and a storyline worthy of a blockbuster, Rovers Gold pulled off a thrilling win that had everything—except for an escape from Alcatraz!
Our innings began shakily, with 5 of our top 6 batters struggling to trouble the scorers. Hughie stood tall amidst the chaos, crafting a valuable 35 before falling just short of the first drinks break. At 6/79 inside 10 overs, things looked grim.
Enter Riley and Neil, who stepped up for the 7th wicket like gladiators ready for battle. Together with “The Wall” Ned at number 9, they turned the tide with grit and determination. Their partnerships added a massive 87 runs, dragging Rovers back into contention. Neil came agonizingly close to his maiden half-century, finishing on 49, with Riley contributing a crucial 24. Ned held firm, staying unbeaten with 7 off 19 balls—his best-ever display of crease occupation!
Defending 166, the Cyclones’ top order stuck around like the Cairns humidity, but disciplined bowling from Rovers kept their scoring below 3 runs per over.
When the moment called, the team delivered. Neil and Riley back again, continuing their heroics, claimed 2 wickets each to put the pressure on. After shedding his keeping gloves, Rocco joined the action with 3 wickets, and fittingly, Ned wrapped things up by claiming the final wicket to seal the victory.
It was a gutsy, never-say-die performance from the boys this week—a fantastic effort that exemplified resilience and spirit.
Player Awards:
Neil: 49 runs and 2 wickets—a standout performance.
Riley: 24 runs and 2 crucial wickets.
Ned: A wall with the bat and the match-winning final wicket.
Well done, team! Onwards and upwards!
Sadly the Gold Stars suffered a heavy defeat at Smithfield this weekend.
Captain Johno won the toss and bowled first. The fielding was good, however the narrow pitch seemed to put a few bowlers off resulting in 31 wides. Johno, Kitty and Isaak picked up a wicket each, Cooper L and Bradley were economical, both going at 4 per over.
At half time the team thought they were in for an easy win, however they were dealt a lesson in not getting ahead of themselves. The scoreboard tells the story, with 16 wickets lost throughout the Rovers innings. Barron had a great bowling lineup, and a few of our players struggled to get bat on ball. A few late partnerships involving Teddy, Cooper L, Johno and Isaak put some respectability in the scoreboard, but the damage had been done.
Players of the day were Johno for his 1 for 15 off 3 overs and 11 runs with the bat, and Cooper L for his 0 for 12 off 3 overs and 12 with the bat.
Also I big thanks to Lawso, James & Ian for looking after the team while I was away.
After losing the toss and being sent in to bat the green machine got straight down to business with young stars Ollie and Liam carving up the bowling to score 25 and 30 respectively from there we never looked back with all of our batters scoring well and making significant contributions.
On to the field we marched to face the hoards of flying bugs and a determined Barron River batting line up. Our team bowled tight and accurate to restrict the opposition to 105 runs with the highlights being a beautiful leg cutter from Ben caught magnificently by our keeper Josh bringing back memories of the great Lillee Marsh combination of the 70s 80s. Luca showcased his rocket arm with a brilliant run out from the boundary.
Our awards went to Ollie 25 runs and 2/11 and captain Charlie who led from the front with tight bowling, solid batting and his team first attitude
After a wet day, the Redbacks were super excited to get a game under lights at Mulgrave – and it turned out to be a nail-biter!
Captain Aadit won the toss and chose to bat. The damp pitch and an experimental ball made batting tough all evening for both sides.
We lost some early wickets but our middle order hung tough with Damandeep and Aadit making 21 each and Ryan 20. Aadit feasted on the short leg side boundary hitting 2 sixes in an over!
When it our turn to bowl the Mulgrave openers also took a liking to the short boundary and hit some great early 4s. Things changed for the Redbacks when Ryan took a great catch at cover – our best of the season – and Jacob effected 2 run-outs. All bowlers adapted well to the conditions and bowled tightly – Ryan finishing with 1-2 off his 2 overs and Shenuka 1-4 off his 2.
Jackson, the iceman, bowled a great last over and Mulgrave couldn’t quite manage the 6 they needed off the last ball.
A great experience for our young team.
A huge thank you to Isaak from Gold for helping us out with numbers – and his positive attitude and his wicket-keeping were tremendous.
We lost the toss on a toasty Sunday afternoon and were surprisingly asked to bat. Dayne (32) and Marty made a bright start and though we lost regular wickets throughout our innings, a positive mindset saw the scoreboard tick over as we amassed 189. Evergreen slugger Aaron Lock was best with 38 and Kael contributed a handy 27.
The rain threatened to halt the match in the mid innings break so we decided to open with Joel Sykes to wip through the overs – he did better than that taking a wicket in his opening over. Then the seamers took over and all were on-song – up-and-comers Tadgh 2-20 and Cody Peters 1-15 particularly impressive (Cody on debut). A great catch from Marty C saw the end on our opponents best bat and we sensed a victory was close.
Though they were 6 down, our opponents dug in for the fight. It was time to resort to our deep kit bag of tricks – and out emerged Pete “call me SK” Ferguson with some stunning leg spin snaring 2-2.
Then to the amazement and extreme disappointment to all in attendance, the skipper turned to Kael “Is that bowling or did I just witness a car crash” Newcombe. It was distressing to all that he delivered a Gatting ball early in his spell and a big Rovers win was complete.
A very satisfying team win
With clearing sky’s in sunny Mareeba the mighty 3rds made there way up the hill for a much needed win. Ferg called correct and we went out to put up a defendable total. With Marty going into beast mode the scoreboard was moving along rapidly. Archie provided a great supporting role and Marty continued to plunder a frustrated Mareeba attack bringing up a fine 100 before retiring ( 2nd wicket partnership 150).
Losing a few quick wickets in the last few overs slowed the rate a little but the boys where confident we could defend 192. Early wickets from the young quicks (Walker and Mc Davitt) tore the heart out of Mareebas top order . With a slight shower making conditions slippery, the spinners took the ball and continued to apply pressure and attack. Hodge, North and Costello bowling beautifully as a group and ripped through the middle order with some superb catching from Archie. Bowling support from Hodge senior and Ranjit put pay to Mareebas hopes and we bowled them out in the 32nd over. A great team effort with 6 players 15 or less the future looks bright. Marty Costello Player of the match with his 110 off 84
President – John Margiotta
Vice President – Darren Halpin
Treasurer – Noelle Halpin
Secretary – Mark Malone
Junior Representative – Sim North and Simon North
Players Representative – Andrew Lamborn and Aaron lock
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