An ode to the NSW Possums XII of 2022

NSW Veterans Cricket | May 29, 2023

An ode to the NSW Possums XII of 2022 (by an interested onlooker)

 

Gents of the Mighty ‘Possums’ aka the ‘Blue Tongues’, aka ‘National 55’s Champions’... by now the team has said its goodbyes and travelled to different corners of the Great State of New South Wales, as we resume normal programming.

It would be wise to simply reiterate what other team members have stated about what a great week we’ve had playing the game we all love for NSW and bonding as teammates and fighting hard to be crowned Champions. In my experience it’s not a “given” on these tours and in these tournaments to all get along so well. Of course, winning medallions, corflute signs and trophies and the respect of peers outside the group helps. But it’s not everything. What really matters is the trust and comradeship that we all put in each other inside our group – sometimes against better or prior judgement (!!) and being prepared to work for each other through the tough stuff, through the self-doubt, self-loathing (!), the anxiety close games create and to put all that on repeat for 4 x 45 over matches. And all that, notwithstanding sore knees and shoulders, Achilles tendons and other nagging complaints that it’s absolutely natural to be feeling at 55 years +. That is what really matters.

The degree of effort and care we put in for each other carried the side in my opinion. Talent is only worth so much in life. Working harder, strong will, desire, respect for others and pride count for much more. A team sheet means nothing unless you’re prepared to put in for the next guy. So, thank you one and all for building that trust and goodwill within our Possums unit, with me and with each other individually and collectively.

I said in the change room after the GF win, how honoured I was to be selected alongside you fellas. I really meant that. It was an honour and even better still, it turned into a very great privilege. I will hold it very dear in my cricketing and team sports memories and look forward to taking the banter and friendship forwards with you guys whether as friends or foes in the future.

What occurred is ours to share and hold dear. It can’t be changed now. Yes, the results, but moreover the team chat in the huddles, the warm-ups, the notes of support and encouragement offered to each other. The listening, the learning. Thank you one and all Possums.

The NSW Possums side of 2022 were:

Michael Hall - Asquith and northern Sydney Shires legend and all-round great man. Cricket is in Hally’s blood and like many of us I suppose this started by getting dragged to watch his old man play cricket. I’ve never heard Hally blow his own trumpet or carry on in an unsportsmanlike manner. In those respects, he’s a far better person than this anonymous scribe... he put the team before himself in every sense, not using his batting skills on days 1 & 2 as he played as the non-batting 12th. A true man for others and a fine tactical skipper. Hally certainly epitomises the Latin, ‘Homines pro aliis’. Never seeking the limelight and carrying the burden of carrying other peoples’ expectations, hopes and dreams aint easy. Hally did this with skill, class and good humour. He also represented our woven yet successful group to opposition with sincere humility. Thanks Skip! It’s been a distinct honour to suit up with you leading us.

 

John Jewiss – A key driver of the Central Coast Cyclones ‘franchise’ and our own energiser bunny on roids! JJ is just 5 foot nothing of solid and uncompromising competitor. He never takes a backward step and is always at the opposition. He is also owed an incredible debt of thanks for being the glue that held the Possums together on and off the park. Literally not taking the p1ss and driving the bus takes far more moral fortitude than the rest of the Possums could muster. JJ’s confidence and positive aura is infectious and it’s not hard to see why the Cyclones are doing so well in Vets Cricket. Thank you, Johnny for everything and always being a positive force, an encouraging team man and such a fun bloke to play with. ‘Industria fons’.

Stuart Crisp – The quietly spoken medico from the Central West has a mighty reputation and is capped in Over 50’s for Australia. And isn’t it always when you’ve heard so much of someone that that when you meet the actual real deal, you’re underwhelmed and wonder what all the fuss was about? This notion cannot be applied to Crispy. After the Possum-batters had played so well, he won us the first game vs South Australia almost singlehandedly in one spell and never gave our opposition any respite (unless he was icing his ailments!). Truly a classy all-round cricketer and also a vital cog in team harmony using that dry British wit to good effect. A gift to watch such a fine cricketer doing his thing. I think we can apply the Latin phrase ‘Cura Personalis’ to Crispy. (DYOR Possums on all translations!!)

John McKay – I’ve watched John play cricket a bit the past few years and State tourneys etc., and always been impressed by his steady mood, calm in a crisis manner and jovial attitude. All the while his neat glovework, obvious ability with blade and/or seed in hand accompanied by his imperious sportsmanship. These are no easy traits to balance or manage in the hurdy-gurdy of competition cricket. It was a great honour and privilege to play with Macca and I hope it’s not the last time. An iconic Aussie poem springs to mind...

‘...I took a sudden notion, that a droving I would go; then a roving fancy took me, which has never since forsook me, and decided me to travel, and leave The Overflow...’

Alan Willmore – Al is a pleasure to play cricket with. All precision, timing and class with a wicked arm-ball that served us well in Adelaide. What we didn’t get to see is that Al is also a high-quality batsman. We had too many talented guys! An embarrassment of riches in some respects! Long may it continue for NSW 55s! ‘Quietam patrator’. But Al embodies the spirit and resilience that is required to compete well in Vets cricket. He is a beacon for less athletically able fellows in the squad (no names please!)... and has a style and composure that I respect immensely. Great to play together again Al.

Rowan Harry – A complete surprise packet. Confident yet not up himself. Knows his craft and keeps it really simple. Has a lovely rhythm and plays the game at his speed. Graceful. Seems not to be easily flustered. Looking at the numbers, Rowan just kept taking key wickets for the Possums and was extremely steady with the blade in hand in a couple of games especially the final where a key partnership with the Wagga Wagga agronomist sealed the match for the Possums. Not hard to see how Ro has played for Australia at 50’s level. ‘Gratia sub igne’.

 

Darren Smith – Some call Darren a riddle. I’m not sure that’s right. He loves the game and is passionate about a few things at least that I’m aware of. Cricket is one of these. Faith and moral fortitude are also a key rock for Daz. He was the elder statesman believe or not of our team yet bats bowls and fields in the top percentile. Darren has utilised his given gifts to the full and is a competitor. But at the end of the day, he observes studiously, he is happy to learn and to teach in equal measure. Daz’s spell in the final v VICs was quite mesmerising. It just blotted them right out the game. My forefathers came from Gilgandra and Tooraweenah and in all likelihood played cricket with his. That, and our National Champions status, make us brothers I suppose. Bad luck for you Daz... ‘Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam’

 

Garlo - Interested observer. Loved every minute of it and will be fitter for the run. Honoured to play with you bunch. ‘Doctrina praeclare’.

‘... we few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me, shall be my brother...’

Eric Koetz – Hailing from the mighty Riverina, from an area just bursting with sporting talent and also a place where this scribe spent some time growing up on a farm near Oura outside of Wagga. Eric was just the antidote we required to bring it home in the final at Grange. Meticulous with his shot selections and dispatching the bad ball, EK brought the Possums home. I won’t mention his wicket maiden, but I will mention his fielding and boundary riding, which were of a very high standard, constantly turning 2s into 1s and keeping opposition under pressure. Values his wicket and knows his game. A good fella in the shed with his dry humour and incredible without a shirt on... put it away Koetzy!!

David Glasson – Glasso proved to be the rock of the top order. Just a solid immoveable object prizing his poles and dispatching anything loose as he built a veritable mountain of runs. They couldn’t get him out in the first game and in the second, I jinxed him telling Mark Elia that “he doesn’t play get-out shots” just as a ball was landing in the fielder’s mitts on the boundary 5 feet away from us!!, Glasso was a huge part in solidifying winning totals for us, he also had the advantage of travelling with his own personal support staff! Just like EK, he was terrific in the field for a younger old fella and showed that years of playing against kids in the Central West can really keep you in good nick. Better than all his not inconsiderable cricketing ability, Glasso was a very warm and supportive teammate and has a great attitude to the game. It was a toss-up whether to call him Whispering Death or even The Silent Assassin, but finally I settled on a Latin phrase that perfectly sums him up: ‘Facta non Verba’.

 

Adrian Schwager – Three of the principal values of the Marist Brothers order are simplicity, love of work and presence – it’s fair to say Schwags has all of these values in spades... you certainly know you’re playing with Adrian. He gives everything in the field, he loves the hard grind of batting and working for runs and challenging the bowler to get him out and it’s surely not in dispute that he’s a simple soul!!! Schwags values his wicket and guards his territory like an American Staffy! I enjoy playing with him immensely in Sydney on a regular basis and with Port Jackson also. What’s not to love about an individual that gives 100% every time he laces up the boots. Schwags is great fun in the après-cricketing regard too, which gets a big tick from me. ‘In vino veritas’.

 

Doug Murphy – Murph is a delightful batsman to watch, carving up the meanest attacks effortlessly and with a smile to boot. Given he’d caught the eyes of selectors higher up the food chain, we were lucky to have him in the Possums. We were all disappointed that his Kombi-Van hairdo was removed, and he looked like a normal retiree in Adelaide. Murph got key runs for us and was outstanding in the field. He reads the game intricately as you’d expect for a man of his years and is always supportive with some indecipherable Kiwi words, which seem to be encouraging! A big loss to that wee country ‘over the dutch’, it was fab to be playing alongside Douggie again.

To all the NSW Possums of 2022, I simply say that’s it’s been a great privilege, pleasure and honour to play alongside some terrific fellows and cricketers. Let’s do it again!

Donec iterum conveniant