3rd Edition - Nightcliff Cricket Club

www.nightcliffcc.org.au
THE GROWL
THE OFFICIAL NIGHTCLIFF CRICKET CLUB NEWSLETTER
3rd Edition of 2013 – Saturday, 3 August 2013
DARWIN CUP EDITION!
“AS OUTRAGEOUS AS EVER!”
MORE GROWL TESTIMONIALS!
“Cheeky!”
State of Origin III Streaker
“Comeback? I never really left!”
Kevin Rudd Nathan Lyon
“Twisted!”
Big Brother
“Just keeps on delivering!”
Australia Post
“Here comes a sting ray…There goes a manta ray!”
NCC Enigmatic Riddle Brad Rasool
AROUND TIGERLAND
The Dry Season is really with us in fits and starts at the moment – one moment we are turning of
all the fans and reaching for that extra blanket at the end of the bed and the next we are throwing
blocks of ice into the swimming pool seconds before tossing our selves in!
Firstly, on a tragic note, our hearts and thoughts go out to Peter, Jo and the Politis family in their
time of loss. George Politis was a credit to himself and to the Nightcliff Cricketing family in the
manner in which he conducted himself and he will always be fondly remembered by all of those
who were fortunate enough to have crossed paths with him.
We love our cricket and spending time with special people we meet around the Nightcliff Cricket
Club, but we ask all at Tigerland to spare a thought and a prayer for the Politis family at this time
and before and during our upcoming matches in black and gold. Rest in Peace, George.
There are pivotal games coming up for A’s and B’s in particular after the Bye weekend this
weekend and both sides will be looking to further cement places in the top-4 as we enter the last
month of the Home & Away series.
Junior Coordinator Chris Spurr is soon looking to fire up like Guy Fawkes with another
In2Cricket Program at the wonderful time slot of 5.30pm on Fridays, with his next Program
planned to kick off on Friday, 9 August 2013.
Remember Tigers, we play as we train, so keep putting in those training sessions during the
week, as even age-old skills like fielding (just ask Gary Joseph Pratt) can mean the difference
between victory and watching some other team enjoy victory, particularly come Finals time!
KEY DIARY DATES
Thursday, 1 August 2013
Happy Birthday Horsies! A happy birthday to all horses in
Australia and good luck to those of you running in the Darwin
Cup next Monday.
Sunday, 4 August 2013:
Darwin Cup Eve Cash Draw and Cup Preview – from 5.30pm
at the Nightcliff Sports Club - more details further on.
With Darwin Racing and tipping talisman Greg Aldam and a
glittering constellation of Racing and Media stars, including NT
News Racing experts, cash prizes, free Darwin Cup tickets - you
simply cannot afford to miss this Event!
“THEY SAID IT” - QUOTABLE QUOTES
"Even if he was standing right
outside the front doors, he
wouldn't have been let inside!"
NSC Bar Manager Adam after the June Badge Draw for $2,000
cold hard cash, drew out Member number 2139 - Sam Gibson! Our
Gibbo had over-celebrated the Keg for all Grades winning the
Saturday before and had reportedly not endeared himself to Bar
staff. At all. Luckily for us & Tom Opie, his Number wasn’t called
out, as we would not have been able to print Adam’s response here!
Sam Gibson. An instant multi thousand-aire in a parallel universe…
“These things crop up every now
and again. I'll make a phone call
because I know the guy who was
up there. I'm not going to blame
him. I think. Much."
A bemused Chris Rogers after being dismissed for a gutsy 84 in the
Third Ashes Test at Old Trafford, the next ball after having just
spent some time trying to have spectators moved from a pavilion
near the sightscreen. One of these people he recognized! His exPrahran teammate (and ex-Nightcliff CC player) Dan Salpietro
might be screening his calls closely for the next few days…
Salpietro. Another NCC ex-pat now having an ‘impact’ at Test level!
"He had blood on both hands and
both arms!"
A Labor observer on the 'Queenslayer' Bill Shorten, who switched
Rudd(er) at the last hour and ultimately determined the Labor
leadership vote, ousting Julia Gillard, who he had initially helped
to oust K-Rudd in the first place! K-Rudd might just do well to
keep Shorten well in front of him at all times and away from the
cutlery drawer for the next little while!
“I wish the circus could just stay
here all year long!”
An anonymous 7-year-old child wistfully looking out at a nowempty vacant lot on the corner of Bagot & Totem Roads, Coconut
Grove, which was host to the Circus recently. If only we could just
think of some way for a Circus to stay in Darwin permanently…
DARWIN CUP EVE CASH DRAW!
Like winning money? Like beer? How about winning several free tickets to the 2013 Darwin
Cup and getting all the ‘good oil’ from leading Darwin tipsters, trainers and jockeys?
Well party people, we just may have cobbled together the perfect social event for you!
Where:
When:
Cost:
Why?:
Nightcliff Sports Club, Camphor Street - in the 'Sporties' Bar (left as you enter)
Sunday, 4 August 2013 - from 5.30pm to 8.30pm
$50.00 a ticket ($25.00 a ticket if not drinking alcohol)
What do you mean why? Have you not been paying attention? Anyway, all the
cool kids will be there. As will Coen McKinnon. Hope to see you there too!
DID YOU KNOW? DARWIN CUP ‘FUN FACT’!
When the Michael Hickmott trained Activation won the Darwin Cup in 2009, it was widely believed
that racing history had occurred, in the first Darwin Cup winner who had also raced in the Melbourne Cup
(he ran a credible 8th in Japanese horse Delta Blues’ 2006 Cup win).
But wait, there was another. Scarvilla won the Darwin Cup back in 1987. And in a bit of a ‘Cinderella’
story for the owners, one of whom was the then Territory Administrator, Commodore Eric Johnstone ,
he then had a Rod Carter (‘tilt’) at the big Cup!
After winning the 1987 Darwin Cup (and surviving an epic 48-minute protest hearing!), Scarvilla was
transferred to Victorian Trainer, the late George Hanlon. Now Hanlon knew his way around the
Melbourne Spring, having trained three Cups winners, the most recent being Black Knight in 1984.
So Scarvilla’s trail-blazing run began, with a second in the Geelong Cup and a sound fifth behind Lord
Reims in a soggy 1987 Caulfield Cup. But he still wasn’t fully qualified for the Cup. He needed to finish
top-5 in the SAAB, a 2500m race at Flemington on Derby Day, three days before the Cup! In a
barnstorming finish he actually won the race. This Cinderella was now off to the Ball!
With a baby-faced 21-year old jockey aboard in his first Cup ride (Darren Beadman) the whole of
Fannie Bay went off like a frog in a cricket sock as Scarvilla turned into the straight with the leading
bunch. Alas he tired and finished 15th behind Kensei, however the legend of Scarvilla was born, the horse
that almost brought the Melbourne Cup to Darwin. That honour was achieved 12 years later in 1999 by
Rogan Josh, who won the Cup for Darwin School teacher, Wendy Green.
STAR STRUCK!
…but thankfully he escaped with minor bruising and a slight limp for a fortnight.
It is hardly surprising with the caliber of cricketers being attracted to play cricket during the
idyllic Dry Season in Darwin these days, such as Canterbury uber-all rounder Matt McEwen,
that a few other cricketers basking fleetingly in their Aura might become a little starry eyed.
Turned out young Tom Opie (pictured right) had quite the ‘crush’ on Matt though… Tom not
only approached Matt for bowling tips during the 2013 season, he also turned to him for some
technical assistance with his (duck for) cover drive…
Well that’s enough crazy fun for now – this iconic Newsletter is not going to compile itself. As
an aside for all you wordsmiths out there (a ‘cheerio’ to dual D-Grade Premiership all rounder
Cammo ‘the Ammo’ Collins), ‘starstruck’ is usually one word.
“Excuse me Mr McEwen, sir…um…can you please sign my copy of the Growl?”
BAAAAAAAAALL!
No, not the ritualistic catch-cry of the excited absolutely rabid AFL fan at the Caldron that is the
MCG on any given Saturday, but an exclamation about the upcoming corporate schmooze-fest that
is the Darwin Cup Gala Ball on the Casino lawns this Saturday night!
Preparations are underway, with a surprise Act performing at the Gala event. Our lips are sealed
(no, it is not Belinda Carlisle and the Go-Go’s)…but we will only say that it would be…Human
Nature to have an absolutely fat time there under the Stars!
$415.00 a ticket if you don’t mind Umpire…for the three or so unlucky individuals who have
actually parted with any money to acquire them!
May the Cup (Ball) Runneth Over…a spectacular night under the Stars…if the price is right!
NCC SENIOR CRICKET REPORTS
A-GRADE
The Premier side devoured space shuttle disasters Tracy Village like a blood-soaked kitten
thrown into a shark pool in their last game, before enjoying three weeks off by virtue of a Bye,
interspersed with the Darwin Show Weekend last weekend.
The Tigers’ next two games are against Palmerston (in a land far, far away) and Darwin (at BM
Insurance/the Den), which will answer the question if the Tigers can make up the 7.21 points it
needs to overhaul Darwin and sneak into third place. Word around the cricketing ‘traps’ is that
the all-singing, all-dancing (all-subsidised?) PINTs of Lager outfit secretly hopes this occurs!
Rohan Blandford…has been getting the runs like a home-brand stocking in 2013.
B-GRADE
The B-52s also launched their final months’ assault against crime scene victims Tracy Village,
who had to raid the glittering Pokies room (and the Janitor’s office) in the Death Star to actually
field a side after a few absentees/failed Bail applications in the days leading up to the game.
But they made hay whilst their Sun shone these Tigers and Mitch-slapped the Villagers all over
Tambling Terrace, carding a healthy 5/213 (B.Hatton 58*) before slicing and dicing the TV
Dinners up for a Scrabble score (59) with M.Hatton snaring a ridiculously handy 4-5.
Apart from the ‘Constant Gardener’ Henry Grover snaring the scalp of former Test Cricketer
Ritchie Robinson, which may well get itself a Guernsey at the 2014 NCC Quiz Night, the game
itself was also notable for the events of ‘Hatton-Gate’ and the unfortunate row that occurred
between spirited siblings, which caused a scene.
It is important to say that this matter has been dealt with internally and has not gone unaddressed.
It is also important to remind all players of your ongoing obligations when togged up (and
looking resplendid) in Nightcliff Gold, that you have behavioral standards to maintain towards
each other as well as your opponents and Officials. Your proud Club expects that these standards
are upheld, supported and maintained by all.
C-GRADE
Shannon Smith’s C-Grade (on loan from the otherwise engaged Alexander Tate ) have been making the
most of the cricketing Zombie land created by the brains trust at NT Cricket and are in a handy position in
their two-day game against PINTs of Lager.
After sound contributions by the recovering Michael Pearson (54) playing below his ‘pay grade’ and
Webmaster Benjamin Mitchell (58), Nightcliff artiste extraordinaire Pennyrose Wiggins chipped in like
Phil Mickelson on Red Bull with her…maiden 50 for the Tigers. The remaining Tigers’ batting line-up
decided to kick off the Darwin Show a week early and after a helter-skelter final hour, the Tigers were
dismissed for a still relatively healthy 238, which they will look to strongly defend this weekend.
D-GRADE
The D’s chalked up two more wins in the fortnight before the Darwin Show, against cellar dwellers
Palmerston ‘New’ (Panthers) and University, on the back of further stellar contributions with the ball.
The lads experienced an old fashioned Mulga Bill ‘narrer shave’ against Palmy New, as their lackluster
130 was not looking too Graham Flesfladar (flash) at 4-87, before stand-in Skipper Snell (3-7) skipped to
the bowling crease and restored some sanity to the day. Regular transmission resumed against Uni
however, with a menacing 280 (C.Parker with a sublime 84, C.Collins a belligerent 38no) before Uni
was stripped like a Porshe left overnight at Moulden shops for a paltry 61, with the ‘Sultan of Swing’
Nathan Jury snaring a ridiculous 5-3 off 7 overs.
But Besty’s D-Mob realise that like the boy pushing the barrow, the ‘job’ is in front of them, starting from
this weekend against perennial finalists and Arch-nemesis Palmerston Old (Maroon), as they prepare for
a red-hot assault on the 2013 Finals, with a spring in their steps and hope in their little hearts.
Nathan Jury…with 30 wickets at 5.87 apiece already, he has been scarily good in 2013!
E-GRADES: BLACK & GOLD
Tribe’s lads were lashed, no, narrowly defeated by top side and fellow Finals aspirant Southern Comforts
(7-175 to 163, Sean Pardy 46, S.Nicholas 37). Tribe’s Tribe remain in 4th place (8-5 for the season) and
a game clear of Darwin, knowing that their 2013 fate rests in their own hands. Geordie Ferguson’s foot
soldiers also suffered a narrow loss against PINTs of Blood, with their 9-166 not quite stacking up to the
207 they intently set out in pursuit of. Grant Ebbers’ top score of 79 would have been worth the
admission price alone if the golf shots we see him play in the nets of a Thursday are any indication!
VIVA NEPAL!
As the picturesque Nightcliff Oval was vacant over the Darwin Show weekend, the Nepalese
Association of the Northern Territory Inc (NANT) took the initiative to contact NCC and ‘tee
up’ a weekend game of cricket.
We have no idea who won, but cricket, Nightcliff and Nepal were the winning trifecta from the
weekend and a ridiculously enjoyable time was reportedly had by all. Well done to Christopher
of the Spurrs and Udara Weerasinghe for facilitating this fantastic day for the NANT crew.
If you find yourself with time and inclination at the same instance, go and check them out at
www.nant.org.au for more information about these cricket-loving cats!
Some fun facts about NANT and Nepal…

NANT was founded in 2007 and registered in 2008.

Nepal, a land-locked sovereign state in South East Asia, has a population of 27 million
people, making it the 41st most populous country on the Globe.

Eight out of the top ten highest mountain peaks are situated in Nepal, including the
highest of them all, Mount Everest, at 8,848 metres (which is 29,029 feet, John Tate)
above sea level at its highest peak.

The predominant religion of the Nepalese is Hinduism, with a record 81% practicing
within the Nepali population. ‘Daylight’ is second, with Buddhism coming in a distant
third at 9% of the population. Shiva is regarded as the ‘deity’ of the country.
Nepalese cricket on display in all its enthusiastic glory at Nightcliff Oval on Show weekend.
DARWIN CUP PREVIEW
It is that time of the year again and the ‘first Monday in August’ is almost upon us! The dirt has settled on
all the lead up races and the Cup field is settled. The raging favourite and the new ‘people’s horse’ is
Spartan Eagle , after consecutive lead-up wins, including a ridiculously emphatic six-length win against a
Cup-strength field in the Metric Mile (a traditional lead up race to the Cup) in pretty smart time.
However there are two concerns we have about this flying favourite. Firstly, he is ‘on trial’ at 2000m
having not raced this distance before. He has raced 4 times over 1600m for 2 wins and a place and has
built up quite an impressive ‘Mile’ record. But the list of ‘Milers’ who have failed to take the step up to
win at 2000m is long and names such as Helmet, Apache Cat, Red Dazzler, God’s Own, Palmyra Boy
and Divine Madonna spring to mind. His Sire Niello, who did win the Spring Champion (2000m) in his
own career, has predominantly sired winners over the 1000m – 1300m distances. Of the 28 horses that
have started at 2000m or beyond, only one has won (although 9 have run a place). The Jury remains out.
The second concern we have is that the Metric Mile was Spartan Eagle’s planned ‘Grand Final’. Of
course the Cup is now a logical after-thought after he won the Mile so emphatically and reportedly pulled
up a treat. However the fact still remains that he was specifically trained and prepared for that Mile event
as his final race. The question therefore arises as to whether there is any improvement left in ‘the Eagle’
or whether he has already ‘peaked’ in winning over his pet distance of 1600m.
Spartan Eagle is a deserved Cup favourite after absolutely dismantling a Cup-strength field over the
$1600, but we would not recommend ‘rushing in’ and backing it if it is less than $4.00.
The history of Darwin Cup winners coming through the Buntine Handicap (1900m) is not strong, but the
run of The Big Steel looked an excellent Cup trial, after he got back and ran on well in a sustained run to
win in a workmanlike effort. If he can be ridden in a slightly more forward position in the Cup, he should
be running on again and we just think he’ll be harder to hold out than Swine Flu in a Mexican Creche!
The decision to run Red Colossus over 1100m last week looked a curious one, however he ran on
brilliantly for 4th after being beaten for speed early. This run might just have been the track-familiarising,
sharpening up of the horse for a serious Cup tilt. He looks as though he needs clear running on the dirt
track to avoid copping any ‘back wash’ in the run though. He is proven over 2000m and certainly up to
the class, although he is weighted up to his best with a serious impost of 61kgs. Take on trust, but he
remains a chance.
Whilst Bolton is not traveling as well as he was pre Cup in 2012, his run in the Metric Mile was
‘serviceable’ and he will relish the rise up to 2000m. The 3YO Host of the Party has been impressive in
winning the Guineas and the Derby and should give his backers a great sight as he shoots for the ‘Triple
Crown’. Darwin Cup legend Hawks Bay finished 2nd in 2009 in his attempt at the Crown as a 3YO, but
he is clearly not going as well now and is anchored with the Phar Lap-esque weight of 65kgs. No from us!
The Growl’s proposed Cup wagers :
1.
2.
Box 5 Quinella – The Big Steel, Red Colossus, Host of the Party, Bolton & Spartan Eagle.
For a $50.00 outlay, you will have $5.00 Quinella bet on each combination, with only seemingly
limited winning chances in the 2013 edition of the Cup.
The Big Steel – one part Win bet & two parts Place bet. Each way all day on this Grey.
THE GROWL – IN THE KITCHEN
Duck! Our all-time favorite (non alcoholic) food groups of all time, in all its majestic dripping
flavorsome succulence and crispiness.
You can roast it if you have time and energies, but this absolute Ruth Cracknell of a cracker of a
recipe involves little time and skill in the kitchen (now we have your attention, Alexander Tate ) and
represents relatively little effort for exponentially great reward.
You will need a large Wok and about 15 minutes of preparation, with about 5-6 minutes of cooking
time in all, which is an Alex Jezaulenko-beauty for the modern time-pressed Tiger cricketing athlete.
THE GROWL’s OWN EXCLUSIVE DUCK STIR-FRY
2 large Duck breasts
(we buy them cooked from Fresh Produce Distributors, formerly Marty’s on Bagot Road)
300g Hoikken noodles
1 tablespoon (tbsp) vegetable oil & 1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 clove garlic & 1.5 tbsp ginger
1.5 tbsp char sui sauce (Chinese bbq sauce)
1.5 tbs oyster sauce & 1 tbsp soy sauce
½ tbsp of honey & ½ tbsp of sweet chili sauce
½ red capsicum, sliced
1 x carrot, peeled, julienned (cut into smallish ‘sticks’)
3 spring onions, cut diagonally
5-6 large flat mushrooms, sliced
handful of green beans and 1 bunch broccolini, trimmed & halved
Method




Slice up the Duck, which is cooked already, taking off the skin. Pour the flavorsome juices in
the packaging in with the duck meat, maybe siphoning off some of the fat. Combine with the
sauces above (not the oils) in a bowl, cover and refrigerate for 20-30m.
Heat up Noodles as per instructions (3-4 mins in boiling water), breaking up the noodles if
you wish, drain well and add the sesame oil to it and put it aside.
Using your trusty Wok, heat up the duck and sauces for about 90 seconds, with about a tbsp of
olive oil in the wok. Stir it as it cooks, then put it aside.
Cook the vegetables in the vegetable oil for 2 minutes (with lid on wok for about 1 minute).
Then add the noodles and the ducky meaty saucy goodness, cook combined for about 60
seconds and then you are done! Top with sesame seeds if that floats your boat, and enjoy!
Ducking brilliant! The flavour will hit you like a Mitchell Street bouncer on a hot 33C night!
ODD SOCKS
THE NCC COMMITTEE FINANCIAL TIP OF THE WEEK
Avoid accepting personal checks from people with more ‘Aliases’ than fingers.
ON THE REX HUNT
“I Punt therefore I Am”
(*Conditions apply and GAMBLE
RESPONSIBLY kids! If you have to
sell other people’s stuff to place a bet,
then find another hobby!)
$50.00 on Ess ($2.05)/Freo ($2.00) @ $4.10 =
$205.00
Well after a successful punting mission in securing a safe winning position in the First Test of the
Ashes, what has since occurred in the Series has been abhorrent from an Australian point of view.
There have been more ‘Nicks’ than a Greek Wedding from the Aussie top-6 and the batting line-up
generally (the tenth wicket partnership aside!) has looked as secure as a home-made bungy jump!
The one thing we do want to see before we flee English shores however is the bloke with the fake
name (Jackson Bird) getting a gig, in preparation for the real series back in the Land of Oz.
So we are going to steer clear of the Cricket for now and head back to the best game ever invented
by Gods or men – Australian Rules football! With one month to go before Finals, the cream is
rising to the top. Hawthorn is ridiculously good and well resourced across the field, Geelong
remains a constant force and those indomitable Swans just keep coming like the Taxman!
But it is the next ‘rung’ of teams – Fremantle, Essendon, Collingwood and Carlton in particular –
which caught the eye this weekend. We think Freo and the Bombers will at least etch in their top-5
credentials against the Blues and Pies this weekend in massive clashes, with both remarkably
starting as outsiders, at $2.00 (Freo) and $2.05 (Dons). We are confident in the class and depth of
these two sides, so we are even prepared to roll up the sleeves and take them in a double. The Blues
will be desperate, but Freo has more midfield class and defensive capacity to keep them to a score
lower than their own(!) The Dons copped a massive reality check against the Hawks, but an even
performance from their improved list (and J.Watson back) should see them account for a misfiring
Pies outfit, which struggled to account for GWS on the MCG last week, hardly stellar form coming
into this.
Dyson Heppell…has really been mopping up in the midfield for the Dons in Jobe Watson’s absence.
JOKES
A blonde was travelling on a Darwin bus.
She suddenly realised she needed to fart. Thankfully, she thought, the music was playing quite
loudly.
She let a small one rip and realised she could not hear it over the tunes. Then she relaxed a little
and started to let out quite a few more farts, trying as best as she could to time her flatulence with
the louder beats of the music.
When she stood up to get off the bus at her stop, she looked around and saw that every single
person on the bus was staring at her, including the driver.
It was only after she stepped off the bus that she remembered that she was listening to her Ipod…
‘RICHMOND – THE LOST YEARS’
When we first heard about this new Foxtel Series, we feared it might be some epic twenty-part Series, with each
separate Episode to be longer than ‘Dances with Wolves’ on long play. Game of Thrones with an oval ball!
There is seriously quite a time-span to cover though, as George Michael was ‘straight’ last time the Tigers were
legitimately competing in the AFL finals, as apart from a bit of a ‘dead cat bounce’ in 1995, the Richmond Football
Club has basically been missing like the Beaumont children since 1982! During that period the Tigers have also
mercilessly ‘torched’ 12 coaches , sacking every one of them, before handing Damien Hardwick the (poisoned?)
chalice in 2010.
The two-part program is basically a sporting ‘CSI’ Crime Scene Investigation or accident reconstruction to try and
unravel just how a VFL Powerhouse of the 60s, 70s and (early) 1980s became such an insipid (but yet so morbidly
entertaining) basket case since then. I imagine it will be a bit like watching a massive train wreck in slow motion.
Get that down to Forensics!
Yellow and Sack. The Paper Tigers have misplaced quite a few decades… as well as 12 ex-coaches!
LOOK-ALIKES
Can you spot the difference?
Shane Warne – seriously dude, what is going on with those chompers? And the Muppets' own Dr Teeth.
Tim Mohr of GWS infamy...and that guy (far right) on the Carlton Draught bank-robbery Ad. You know the one!
Our very own beloved Club VP & International Man of Mystery Jason Bremner...and Aussie actor Gary Sweet.
THE END. SIX LEGITIMATE DELIVERIES (OVER).