Sawty Round Up 12

SAWTY CRICKET ROUND UP

ROUND 12

Bad news, Good news.

Unfortunately out Community Cup team were beaten in the semi final getting over taken in the second last over by the team that eventually won the competition, leaving Sawtell as equal 3rd in NSW. Solid effort. The lads weren’t on their best but were still able to almost get there. Excellent effort over the series with everyone doing something brilliant at some point.  With such a talented group at the top of our club the young players coming through will benefit and create a strong future for the club. We were the only country team in the finals. As Epping team said ‘Go The Saws’.

We have had an excellent year with raffles on  Friday nights at Sawtell Pub and the time folk give is much appreciated.  Every team has had at least one turn.

Ahead of us is the pointy end of the season with some teams glued to a finals spot and others with some battles ahead. Remember, the next ball is the most important one.

Committee meeting is Monday 9th February. Please contact a committee member if you have any issues we may need to discuss. Contacts are on the website.

Great to have our second U10s team up and playing. Welcome to the club to all the new families. Thanks to those helping out. Watching how your child develops over the years as a cricketer and as a human is a great joy.

Congratulations to Eva and her efforts in The All Women Northern Rivers Smash. Playing in 42c is tough. I play in 4ths with Eva and it has been great watching her develop as a cricketer, ripping in to bowl with a respectful dislike for batters.

Senior Presentation Night is booked for Saturday evening 28th March at Sawtell Hotel. Junior Presentation Arvo is looking like Sunday arvo 22nd March at Richardson Park. Please put the dates in your calendars.

Michael

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK- LEMON STREET

‘We create websites, logos, art installations, park maps, posters, business cards, social media templates and all sorts of graphic design projects.

Our projects have involved all types of clients:

Not-for-profits

Community organisations

Sporting teams

Tradies

Start-ups and entrepreneurs

Tourism

Real Estate

Financial

Health and Medical’

Kelly at Lemon Street has been the driver of our Club website. Personally I’ve found Kelly very good at helping boomers navigate technology. If you have the need for  professional technological help or graphic design please make Lemon Street your first phone call…… or online enquiry.

https://www.lemonstreet.co/work

PLAYER IN THE SPOTLIGHT!

Eva representing Sawty at the Northern Rivers Smash.

Eva is currently playing for the North Coasties side in the inaugural Northern Rivers Women’s Smash! A 2-day Women’s T20 Cricket Competition happening over 2 weekends in Casino during February 2026!

Eva only started playing cricket 12 months ago but has achieved a lot in that time - playing for Sawty in 12s, 14s and 4th grade, interdistrict for Coffs and North Coast at the January carnival in Newcastle.

This is her first all female competition and she has really enjoyed the experience. Two games were played on Sun 1st Feb in scorching conditions - even up to 42c at one stage of the afternoon. The North Coasties team won both games on the day with all playing exceptionally well. All teams played with great spirit and encouragement for each other throughout the day. Next weekend the last round game and then a final will be played to see who will become the first Women’s Smash champions.

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U10s Suns

After a bit of a bumpy start and a last minute relocation we saw some fantastic cricket. Losing the toss meant that we were sent out to field. From the first over it was on with Luca just missing a tough catch behind the stumps after volunteering to fill that roll. Gem clean bowled one of the Nana Glen kids in his very first over and was Mr Everywhere in the field, Linc snared another with a direct hit from a solid 30 m out. Immi was saving runs left, right and centre with some awesome diving fielding and Henry took a wicket, landed a direct hit on stumps and took a catch (our first this season?). All in all a great morning of cricket. Thanks to Nana Glen for helping us make up the numbers too.

U10s Stars

The Sawtell Stars burst onto the scene this week, and if this was meant to be a “first game nerves” type of outing… someone forgot to tell the players.

Jarvis, Archie, Lucas and Theo all played like they’d been pulling whites for years. The teamwork and confidence  was a joy to observe  — and even more impressive when you consider that **Lucas, Theo and Jarvis were playing their very first game of cricket ever. A remarkable debut effort that had parents, coaches and players feeling very proud.

A massive thank you goes to *Joel* for taking on the coaching role, and guiding the team brilliantly. Huge appreciation also to *Leighton*, who jumped in to coach the Suns while we got the Stars organised.

The excitement doesn’t stop there. We are looking  forward to welcoming *Oden  to the Stars next week, and anticipation is already building for the **Suns vs Stars clash at Jetty in two weeks’ time. It’s shaping up  to be a huge game — with whispers already circulating that **Australian selectors may have their eyes on the emerging Sawtell talent*.

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U12 Sixers

Sawtell Sixers U12s vs Diggers

Toormina Oval — Saturday 31st January

Sitting second on the ladder and taking on the unbeaten Diggers, the Sawtell Sixers knew they were in for a proper test on a warm Saturday morning at Toormina Oval. Diggers won the toss and elected to bat first.

Bowling & Fielding

The Sixers were excellent with the ball, delivering tight, disciplined bowling that kept scoring in check and saw wickets fall consistently.

Walter Martin delivered two standout moments in the field, nailing direct-hit run-outs that froze batters mid-pitch — and he very nearly had a third, denied by the finest of margins.

Run scoring wasn’t easy, not helped by the council mowers leaving behind more grass than Woodstock, with plenty of well-timed shots dying in the outfield.

Diggers were eventually restricted to 95, a total that reflected the sustained pressure applied by the Sixers throughout the innings.

Batting:

Chasing 95, the Sixers found themselves up against a composed and well-drilled bowling unit.

Diggers maintained excellent control, led by their main man behind the stumps — standing so close he may as well have been wearing them, lightning quick to a stumping, safe hands for a cracking catch, and animated enough that he nearly managed to land the overpassing 9:55 from Sydney.

The Sixers couldn’t quite find their rhythm at the top of the order, with early wickets interrupting momentum and making the chase a stop-start affair. Against a disciplined bowling attack, partnerships were hard to build and the pressure never fully eased.

What followed was a brilliant display of maturity from Huddy and Oaky, who both retired not out, running hard and even pushing through a three while clearly enjoying their time in the middle — proof that there are old heads on young shoulders in this group.

They were then sent back in at the end and began picking apart some wayward bowling, and if a third Weet-Bix had been eaten earlier that morning, a few more boundaries might have followed.

As the runs ticked down, the pressure shifted. Diggers were rattled, feeling the heat as the Sixers closed the gap late.

Adding to the drama, the match was scored in an old-school scorebook, which made for a fantastic finish — with players, parents, and spectators all counting the runs down in their heads as the game came to a close.

The Sixers finished on 85, falling just 10 runs short, but pushed the unbeaten competition leaders right to the end.

There was plenty to like in this performance, particularly the growth and communication shown in the middle as the game tightened.

Plenty to be proud of, boys. The gap is closing.

U12s Sloggers

12s Sloggers vs Bello. 31st Jan

First game back after the break and Sloggers took on Bello at Urunga. A top effort from all who played including the 3 who had never played a game before (Eli, Ashton and Violet) and Jas to help us to get a team on the park.

Sawty won the toss and elected to bat. Setting 66. Nate top scored with 29 off 25 including his first 6.

Sawty started well with the ball. Jas setting the tone with a maiden first up. By the end of the 4th over Bello were 3 - 12 with Eva nearly snagging a hat trick.

In the end the win was just out of reach with not quite enough runs on the board but great Sawty spirit shown by all.

U14s

DNP

U16s

Our boys bowled and fielded well, bar a couple of dropped catches

Chasing a modest total of 82 our top 3 walked back to the dressing rooms without bothering the scoreboard.

Middle order held strong and a courageous knock from Oakley getting us very close to home.

With scores tied the boys with no wickets in hand hesitated a desperate run in the final over to be run out scores level

A great lesson for all

Every run saved and taken counts 😀

Josh DeGroot 2 for 3

Busby and Oakley 24

Oakley not out

4th Grade Gold

4ths Gold Match Report - Sat 31/1/26

The sun was baking the mighty Jetty Oval as 4ths Gold took to the field against Coffs Colts. Our trusty captain Ned continued his strong run of form by winning the toss and electing to bat first.

Dynamic father-and-son duo Rod and Hunter strode out to open the innings and immediately set about building a steady, calculated partnership. Confidence grew, balls began to clear the boundary, cars were quietly relocated from the danger zone, public liability insurance policies were hastily reviewed — and yet Rod still managed to find a car across the road with an almighty six.

Hunter was eventually dismissed and we sat at 1–53 in the 11th over. Marto joined Rod at the crease and somewhere around this point our tail end began to settle more deeply into their chairs. Shortly after, Rod brought up a classy 40 with — what else — a six, before retiring not out.

Zach came in next and battled well alongside Marto before falling to a good ball. Verity followed and immediately showed her intent, finding the boundary with her second delivery. She put together a classy knock, eventually dismissed for a well-made 17 off 26.

Oakley was next and wasted no time, knocking the ball around before dispatching one over the fence. Jig then marched out with a look in his eye that suggested something was headed for the railway line. He and Marto kept the run rate ticking along until Jig was dismissed by a sharp catch near the boundary.

Lucas found the fence first ball and formed a solid partnership with Marto. Captain Ned followed and helped push the total along late. Marto brought up another elegant 40 with — again — a six, before retiring. Liam couldn’t add to the score, but Edyn chipped in with a handy six, leaving Ned 16 not out as we closed our innings on 195.

Powerade and hot chips disappeared at alarming speed during the break before we took the field to defend our total.

Edyn opened the bowling in her usual reliable fashion, striking with a plum LBW third ball. Liam matched her at the other end, also picking up a wicket. Tight lines and disciplined bowling saw Colts reeling at 2–4 after nine overs.

Lucas and Oakley bowled well against some determined batting, before Captain Ned entered the attack and delivered the breakthrough we were after, claiming a wicket in his first over. Ned and Oakley bowled in tandem, assisted by a few dropped chances that kept things interesting, before Captain Reliable struck again in the 26th over — removing both set batsmen.

Verity joined the attack and also struck in her first over. Jig rolled the arm over for a few handy overs, before Walter came on and sent the stumps flying with a beauty in the 34th.

Captain Ned volunteered to bowl the final over. Strong death bowling followed, producing two wickets: a sharp catch behind the stumps by Rod, and then a rocket-arm run out from Walter — his fourth of the day — to finish things off.

A commendable batting effort from Colts, but they fell short, all out for 167. Another strong team performance from 4ths Gold, who are playing their best cricket at exactly the right time of year.

Go Sawty!

4th Grade Blue

Sawtell Blue 4th Grade took on Nana Glen at Toormina.

Our regular side was nearly all back on the park this week.

Our previous match saw the team bowl really well but mostly let ourselves down with the bat which was  pleasingly corrected this week. This week we also welcomed Damo to the club.

Sawty won the toss and batted. By the 25th over we had managed to score at a run a ball to be 1-150 with retirements from Scotty, Paul and Dan and solid contributions from Hunter and Damo until that point. It was looking like a good total was going to be posted - with Max Neal coming in at six making sure of it. Smacking 87 off 36 with 9 x 4s and 5 x 6s. It was clean hitting with a fondness for hitting the ball into the bush on the eastern side of the ground. Off our 35 overs Sawty ended up on 2/253.

A good score on the board allowed everyone to get a couple of overs in. 2 wickets each for Paul (plus a run out) and Max, one for Damo, Coop and Hunter ensured a comfortable victory in the end.

This win keeps the blues in 4th place for now with 4 reg season games to go.  But the 4th grade table is tight and it will be a close finish to the end of the season to pick up semi final spots.

3rd Grade

In hot and humid conditions, we won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision was tested early as Bello produced a tight opening spell, making scoring difficult in the initial overs.

Momentum shifted when Denzel and Henry launched a positive counterattack, putting pressure back on the bowlers with aggressive intent and setting a strong platform.

The match-winning moment came through a superb 100-run partnership between Busby (56) and Casey (91), which was a joy to watch. The pair made batting look effortless, combining sharp running between the wickets with a steady flow of boundaries to take control of the game. James then added a busy and valuable contribution late in the innings to keep the momentum rolling, as we closed on an imposing 232.

Our bowling and fielding effort that followed was calm and patient, despite the weight of runs on the board. Ransom and Denzel bowled tight lines and extracted exceptional bounce from the pitch to apply early pressure. Toby impressed with his variety, and a classic slower ball provided the crucial breakthrough.

With the luxury of quality bowling options, Josh was introduced and showed remarkable composure—despite conceding consecutive boundaries, he responded by bowling the batter with the very next delivery. Henry picked up key wickets at vital moments, helped by a couple of outstanding catches from Charles. Fin and Busby also found success with the ball, each claiming important wickets during their spells to ensure control was maintained throughout the innings.

The fielding effort matched the intensity with the ball. Casey, despite batting for most of the day, was exceptional in the field, showing relentless energy throughout. Boundary-saving efforts from Denzel and Toby set a high standard and backed up the bowlers superbly. A particular highlight came when Josh, showing great awareness, avoided colliding with Casey to take a brilliant catch—an effort that summed up the commitment and cohesion of the side.

2nd Grade

BYE

1st Grade  

2Day match in progress

T20 Gold

Nana could think themselves unlucky. They  batted first cracking 156, including a 82 off 44 balls from D. Craig. Will took a handy 3 for 14. Unfortunately for Nana, Sawty Gold see big numbers as just another target.

Tyh had somewhere to go with 66 off 39 and he and Richie(25) constructed an 88 run partnership before any batters were troubled. Trent(37no) and Jesse (18no) pounced on the target in the 19th over.

Gold are definitely in the finals at the top of the table.

T20 Blue

Sawty Blue batted first and needed a win to stay in with a chance at a top 4 finish.

Everyone contributed a trickle with the best being Zac -28, Casey-17 and James-13. A modest 104 was set for the Woopi Rhinos.

The Rhinos were energetic until Elijah(1 for 16), Joshua (3 for13)and Denzel (4 for 6) took the game away from them.

The Blues have come from way back in the field to have a chance at a top 4 finish. Great effort fellas.

COMMUNITY CUP

Our NSW Community Cup team travelled to Cricket Central at Olympic Park Sydney, to play in the finals of the Cup. This is a world class facility and worth a visit if you go to the Big Smoke. It had rained all night but within 30mins of the rain stopping games were being played. With large electronic scoreboards, cameras and live commentary it felt like the real thing.

The lads were up against the Epping Bulls. A few Sawty folk had travelled down and a few ex-players came out to watch.

Batting first we were travelling well when Tyh (37) hit consecutive sixes over the pavilion. Unfortunately the wheels became wobbly, then very wobbly. Hope was renewed by the Bailey brothers (Toby-31 not out, Will-19) 40+ run partnership. Toby hit a cracking 6 over the fence towards Silverwater Prison and a new ball was required. A late flurry came from Flynno with a big 6 onto the roof, another new ball required. The 129 total was always going to be tricky to defend though.

The Bulls got off to a good start and kept ticking over the runs. Richie snagged a couple of wickets to give a glimmer but in the end the Bulls passed 129 with 12 balls left.

Our team wasn’t at their best in the bright lights but its obvious that when they are they could beat any team in club cricket in NSW. Amazing effort fellas. Only a few months until the next Community Cup begins.