The mighty Taipans

After what Terry and I described as a year of rebuilding (code for "we didn't do that well"), the board agreed to renew our contract for 2011.

Nedless to say their confidence has been repaid in spades with two wins from the first two games. The detractors are saying it's more good luck than good management but we have once again given an undertaking to step down if we fail to make the finals (top 4 play off in a 4 team comp, so we rekon we might be right).

Taipans go down in the semi

Well its all over for this season for the Taipans. After getting absolutely smashed by the Cyclones for most of the match we ended up needing 90 odd off the last 12 overs. We only had 9 players and looked gone for all money when the boys threw caution to the wind and had a "good old fashion slog". Basically the opposite to what I'd been telling them all season. The slogging seemed to work alot better than the straight bat I've been preaching and we ended up needing 20 off the last over. The first ball went straight back over the bowlers head for four and an improbable victory seemed to be in the offing. Alas the young fellas off stump was bent back with the next ball and they nurdled a few around for the rest of the over to leave us about a dozen runs short. All in all an honourable defeat and a good finish to a season that has been alot of fun.

The mighty Taipans

The Taipans u/13 cricket team got off to a shakey start this season under the watchful eye of Terry and myself. After three straight losses to begin with we were dreading the anouncement that we had the full support of the board - code for "you'll be sacked after the next loss".

Thankfully the boys stopped listening to us and have won the next two matches. One more home and away game and then it's finals.

I had pledged to resign if we didn't make the finals in my first season. Very brave since all four teams play off in them, however we have to start somewhere.

The boys have assured me that I am actually quite a good football umpire compared to my cricket umpiring.