October was cruel month for the Butchers as they looked to get a good start into the new 2009/10 season. The first weekend of the season was washed out for the 2nd year in a row, debutantes 5th Grade White were asked to wait a week longer as Keira forfeited and in the opening SCG Cup match the Butchers were all over Kiama before the rain came, ending the match prematurely and thus ending the Butcher campaign due to lower seeding.
When cricket did resume, 2nd Grade put in a sterling performance; led by Graeme Sismey and wonderful fielding across the board which ensured the outright. 3rd Grade too started strongly against the Cougars as Matt Benstead ripped through the lineup in week one before Dave Joinking started a golden run of form with the bat the following weekend.
DJ, as he is affectionately known; then went on to record the first century of the season in a sparkling performance against Wollongong, ably supported by the ever-quiet Ryan Davidson who himself grabbed a career best 77. Rob Murphy returned from injury to trigger a Wollongong collapse that ensured the second outright in as many starts.
4th Grade went undefeated through the entire month with a solid opening win over Port, a drubbing of Dapto (courtesy of a Geoff Burton bag), a Greg Martin inspired victory over Helensburgh before finally suffering the forfeit blues themselves and gaining a week off against Balgownie.
5th Grade finally got on the park and enjoyed a sensational month. A thrilling one wicket win to White when Scott Perkiss and Renn Murphy somehow turned 6-56 into a 200+ score before the much awaited Blue vs White game ended in a comfortable win to Blue, though no less than eleven batsman and nine bowlers got amongst the runs and wickets.
1st Grade struggled against the reigning premiers but there was light in the situation; youngster Rhys Marsh showed the grit and steely resolve needed when digging in to avoid an outright. And while the batting continued to struggle in the next match against Wollongong, Jamal Banfield produced a cracking new ball spell to almost secure an unlikely first innings lead.
At representative level; Brett Murphy, Luke Coleman and Jamal Banfield were each picked to play in the Bai Med Physiotherapy North vs South Challenge Matches at Judy Masters Oval.
The month ended in a bit of a whimper, similar to the start as forfeits came into the picture again before Keira finally resigned themselves to withdrawing their 5th Grade side from the competition. 2nd Grade's excellent start was undone with a poor batting display at Dalton, though Jed Austin provided the only highlight and an early insight into why he is currently one of the clubs leading wicket takers.
The Month That Was is a collaboration of all articles posted to Butcher Cricket for the month, and is an attempt to give a one-page snapshot of the club for the particular month.
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