Andy gets another job with CSG

I spend the rest of the week looking for jobs and working on the van Homer2 is for sale and there are a few little jobs to be done. We advertise in the NT news that Saturday and get a couple of calls but not that much interest. NT news have a special on so there are lots of van for sale.
I got a phone call from Alison and arrange a meeting at CSG to discuss a possible return to work. The meeting goes good and CSG offer me another position. They don’t really have much on but have a couple of little projects on the go and want to hang on to me which is good. I have a week off which is good to finalise some work on the van. It goes very quickly and back to work. No one has touched my desk so it is really like I never left. A couple of days back and it is like I never left.
Sunday night we get a call from an interpreter to assist a deaf lady who is interested in the van. Many phone calls later and lots of SMS they are driving from Kununurra. They arrived on Wednesday with a bank cheque. I spend a fair bit of time showing them all the stuff. They stay until the weekend and seem very happy. So the van is sold it is gone and well we have nowhere to live so we bunk in at Brian’s until we can get a unit.

NCC August 30 - by John Fryar

We packed our lunches and water bags and ventured down the highway to North Katherine to take on Southern Districts.
Their initial request to bat first was declined and it was put to the toss of the coin - head 'em up, we'll bat first thanks!
With 5 runs separating them on the season batting aggregate, Alex Krepapas and Jason Hatton went out determined to each build a big innings in the last minor round game. Alex was out early, bowled for 4, giving Jason the chance to go past him on the leader board. Manish Bhatnagar came in at 3, and they took the score to 29. It didn't happen for Jason though, as he was given LBW for 6. Alex had kept him out - 409 runs for the season ahead of Jason's 406. A fantastic season for both of them.
Skipper John Fryar joined run-machine Chris Parker at 3/35 in the 9th over. Chris was 43 behind Alex on the season aggregate before the match. The bowling was reasonably tight and we were 3/72 at drinks. With scoring seemingly difficult, the Southern Comforts might've been thinking they were in with a show. Nope, sorry. The session after the break saw the run-rate accelerate dramatically. Parker and Fryar put on 142 in the next 14 overs. Their 179 run stand ending when Chris was out for a fine 77. This score saw Chris leap-frog both Jason and Alex to finish with 439 runs for the season at a phenomenal average of over 62!! Always a pleasure to watch (and bat with!), well done.
With Parker out, Southern breathed a collective sigh of relief - 6 overs left and surely they can't keep going at 10 an over? Ahh yeah - we can. Brad Hatton entered the fray, ripe for another of his cameos. Brad's 26 of not very many balls certainly kept the crowd entertained. Fryar was out in the last over for 111, and Michael Best and Andy Moore pushed right to the end. We finished on 6/279 off our 40. Another excellent effort from the guys.
We took to the field late in the afternoon, and Anthony Snell again did the damage early, taking a wicket in the first over. Moorey stepped up to take the new ball with Snelly and they bowled well without much luck. Snelly finished with 2/24 off his 8, and Moorey 0/34. Ethan Wake (1/26) and Adam Glover (1/29) were brought in to the attack and took a wicket each. With a too-bigger score to chase and a few youngsters in their side, Southern Districts were never really in the chase. But credit to their younger players who hung around and proved hard to remove. Michael Best again bowled well taking 2/11 off his 8, and Jason Hatton (0/8) helped push through the overs as the sun was setting. Southern's score at the finish was 6/134.
Well done to Brad and Anthony (and all the other bowlers too actually!). They finished with 30 and 27 wickets each and dominated most opposition top-orders all season.
We have finished the minor rounds undefeated and congratulations to all who helped us get this far. However, we need to win 2 more games and will each need to bring our best into the finals.
Always remember "a champion team will beat a team of champions". But we're a bunch of blokes who enjoy playing cricket together and do whatever we can for the benefit of the team. If we keep that attitude up for 2 more games, then we'll be hard to beat for the flag.
Eye of the tiger fellas, eye of the tiger!

NCC august 23 - by John Fryar

Played Tracy Village at the Village.
Won the toss and elected to bat.
Lost Alex Krepapas early, before Jason Hatton and Manish Bhatnager steadied the ship with a partnership of 75 against some tight bowling and cunning field placements. Jason made a well compiled 55 and Manish 41. Wickets tumbled regularly as we sought to build a big total. Chris Parker made 43 and Brad Hatton 29 (off 14 balls) as we reached 8/194 off our 40 overs.
Anthony Snell led the way again with the new ball. After an opening partnership of 40-odd, Snelly ripped through the top order, ending with 4/25 off his 8, and was well supported by Nathan Jury's 1/29. Another partnership of 40-odd was postponing the inevitable and Andy Moore (3/7 off 3 overs) and Michael Best (2/19 off 6) wrapped up the TV innings for 107. The fielding highlight was a fantastic running catch to Ethan Wake at mid-off.
A good all-round team effort.

The Kids in Darwin

We make it to Florence falls and guess what, yep put the tents up again. Jason made us lunch and then down to the falls for s swim. It’s is quite cool but nice when you swim around. Jason treats us to another masterful fall on the rocks, and even suggests he is going to start charging for his laughs soon. It is hot and we just bum around in the arvo waiting for the sun to go down and provide some relief. It is spag Bolag for tea tonight and we cook it on the fire and it turns out beaut. The camp site is full again and we are treated to some free TV form some local girls, who took some pleasure in annoying some foreign hikers, bit funny but cruel. It stays hot well into the evening but finally some relief once the sun goes down. Funny how we have noticed all the stars again, yes even in little old Darwin the stars are ruined by city lights. Collingwood knock of the Cats must our disgust and off to bed.
We wake up early and start that daily pack up routine, off to Dundee today so we pack up early have breaky and roll. We stop at Wangi falls which we thought was closed after the recent Salty find but it is open . Its only 10:00am but Kirsten and I jump in for a dip and it is surprisingly warm. Nice morning refreshing swim and a bit of a wash, well it at least feels that way after another dusty bush camping day.
We arrive at Dundee after stopping in to see Donna after who has just purchased the Dundee store which has not been open for any years now. We are keen to try and support her venture and will try to stop each time we pass even if only to spend $5 or so.
We arrive just early and arrange a fishing trip for the kids. Jan is going to stay behind as there will be 5 in the boat. Down to the lodge $30 Fuel $30 Bait $20 Tractor fees and $ 50 for a carton of beer. Better catch some fish for all that cash. It is a nice day and the GPS works, we think Brian might be a bit shifty and claims to take us to all these great spots where we don’t seem to catch any fish. Tina sits in Jan’s spot and hooks on quite regularly but not keepers. We hunt around all day for 1 parrot Fish, 1 jewie and a nice Salmon. Jason catches his first Shark. Its a light day but we got some big strikes that Tina, Kirsten or I were able to pull in. But practice is what I need this hauling in big fish on hand lines isn’t that easy. We get back for the traditional Dundee sunset which was spoiled a little by those dam clouds.
Fresh caught Salmon & Jewie for tea wow catch and eat em , well they only cost about $ 40 each. It’s a pleasant night and everyone except for yours truly has a sleep in. Up early looking for jobs, checking out all the overnight sports scores etc. We bum around all day just doing a few little jobs but I did get the DVD shelf up on the TV stand. We do a walk on the beach and prepare for the sunset which should be cloud free tonight.
We head back to Darwin and the kids spend the last night at Brian’s. We had a really good time and it was great to see them again.

NCC August 16 - by John Fryar

Took on Darwin at Nightcliff in what was expected to be a tough encounter. It wasn't.
Loss the toss and were asked to bowl.
Pressure was on Darwin from the first ball. Anthony Snell starred, taking an extraordinary 5/4 off his 8 overs! Snelly had the ball on a string and bamboozled the batsman with his variation. Brad Hatton chipped in with 2/18. A 9th wicket partnership of 54 pushed the total to an even 100. Andy Moore took a wicket and Michael Best wrapped up the innings with 2/7.
Aggression was evident in the chase. Brad Hatton relished the opportunity to open with brother Jason. The opening stand of 44 was broken with Jason out for 19. Brad eventually out for a fine 31. Manish Bhatnagar got right back into form with 30 no (off 27), ably supported with another cameo from Chris Parker (16 off 6). We ended up 2/107 off 18 overs.
A very good win by the fellas.

Litchfield NP

Back in the car and we drive down the Stuart Highway and turn off to Batchelor (well after we stop off at the Humpty doo hotel for a roadie) Tonight we are staying at the Litchfield tourist park. A swim in the pool and lamb chops for tea (yum yum), and the kids get that all important tent erection practice. It cools down quite nicely that night and it is, well nearly brisk in the morning. We use up more of the cyclone kit, and have chunky man in can for breaky. We are packed up charged up and watered up and ready for the journey onwards. We head down to Surprise creek for the night which involves a pretty decent 4WD track along with 4-5 water crossings a couple having a reasonable amount of water in them. Given as how we destroyed the last winch with water crossings we have decided to use the tarp theory and have this strapped to the Roo bar for crossings. Hope it helps. We stop off at Blyth Homestead were people actually though they could run cattle. Onwards to Surprise creek, where we stop to help some guys from Care-flight who’s Tow bar has fallen off the car. Lucky I have carried all those bolts ½ way around Australia not to mention I actually have spanners and sockets as well as opposed to Shifter spanners they had. ½ hour later and they are on their way again with the promise of the traditional NT payment of a carton of beer when I get back to Darwin. The kids get to put up tents again so they will get the hang of it by the time they go home.
We walk up to the falls in search of a swim, there are 3 pools at different levels which are all a bit cool but not cold. After the swim and a great swan dive and slide on the rocks by Jason we head back to camp. Tina is cooking a casserole for tea so we all chip in. It’s quite warm tonight and after tea we listen to the Mighty Blues knock off the Bombers for the first time in ages. Go Blues!!
During the night we open up the tent flaps to let the breeze in because it was hot, but then cools down heaps. In the morning it is quite hot early so after more cyclone kit food (this time SPAM) for breaky we pack up. It is hot early and Tina is driving us back this time. Not quite as fast but just as bumpy. She is a wiz with the creek crossings after a couple. It is a bit annoying getting out each time to put the tarp down but if it saves a $1000 winch it will be worth it.

NCC August 9 - by John Fryar

Won the toss and batted against Uni at Nightcliff.
Alex Krepapas and Jason Hatton started at a cracking pace, before Alex (37 off 35) started a mini-collapse had us 3-80 in the 16th over. Hatton and Fryar saw us to 3-118 at drinks. The partnership was broken at 203 in the 28th over, Fryar out for 71. Jason fell soon after for a great 80 off 84 balls. Some excellent aggressive batting, including 64 off 40 balls to Michael Best and 27 off 14 for Brad, saw us get to 7-317 after 40 overs. Our highest total of the season (so far).
Brad Hatton (3/36) and Anthony Snell (1/35) again made things difficult for the opposition top-order. Wickets fell consistently, Nathan Jury and Adam Glover bagging 2 each, a run out from a bullet like throw from Besty and Ethan Wake stepped up to claim 1/0 of 1.1.
A fantastic all-round effort from the fellas producing another great win.

NCC August 2 - by Anthony Snell

The Tigers travelled to M2 to play the unpredictable PINTS Dravidians side and won in a close photo finish after PINTS compounded in the straight as the fast-finishing Tigers swooped like Kiwi to maintain their unbeaten record in 2010. Some good PINTS bowling restricted the Tigers early and after J.Hatton (16) and Krepapas (16) produced a steady start, there was a trickling of wickets for the rest of the innings. A few bats made it to double figures but could not build on that. Chris ‘Charlie’ Parker (20-odd) and B.Hatton 28 managed to cobble together more than the other kids (apart from Xavier Tras with a whopping 41!), with the final output being 157 off about 34 overs. Snell finished on 0 no to remain undismissed in the 2010 season to date.



With the ball the Tigers tamed the PINTS bats early, with the Tigers openers snaring 3 wickets and drying up the runs (B.Hatton 2-13). But those wily Dravidians were able to make it to drinks 3 down for about 65, with the aid of a few edges and dropped catches by our heroes. Runs immediately began to flow after the break and it was left to Parker to pen an entry in the wicket column to make the vital breakthrough. But these Tigers would not be denied and some good defensive field-setting and tight bowling at the death followed, with Messrs J.Hatton (3 for about 15) and J.Fryar (1 for about 13) then really tightening the screws in a great tandem bike effort. They were aided by two great run outs including one from Jason “Damien Fleming” Hatton who knocked down the stumps on his follow-through and a second when a desperate (and ultimately dateless) Dravidian grossly underestimated the arm of “007” Moore from fine leg. In the end the Tigers were able to balance up after being challenged and pull out plenty to take the chocolates by about 15 runs.

Adelaide River Queen

Thursday morning we are up early and packed up, we need to pop into town to get some block ice from Brian, some Coles bread (it stays fresh the longest up here) and off course a McDonalds breakfast. We stop off at the Salvo’s to pick up some tops for Kirsten, she left them on the bed in Adelaide.


Then off to the Adelaide River Queen to see the jumping crocodiles. As normal they are out straight away to see us on the boat. It’s a pretty cool insight into crocodiles and we get to see both the big adult males that live nearby.


Kirsten loses her hat off the boat and the lady does a good job blocking of the croc with the boat, which has zoomed over thinking it is a feed. The hat rescued and a bit of a story for later on too. Kirsten picked up some great shots of the crocs jumping for a feed.

The Kids are Darwin Bound

Well it’s August already, and that’s exactly how I started last month’s blog. I’m unemployed and my care free attitude let to my recent cricket performance on the weekend .My worst this year and luckily although the rest of team were off we still scraped through with a win. Tuesday see’s Tina off to work while I venture over to the Airport to pick up the kids. It’s been too long again but it is really good to see them again. They have both grown so much it is amazing. We head off from the airport to pick up Tina for lunch at the Chook shed. It seems they may have brought some cooler weather from down south as it is quite pleasant.

We pick up some shopping we need for tea and have a swim at the pool. It’s homemade fish and chips for tea Cod & Jewie. Wednesday and Tina is off to work again we have a full list of things to do today. Shopping, Tax (good bloke that tax man, well this year anyway) and off to MVR to finally get my NT license. Yes it’s true I’m a Territorian, well at least according to MVR.
We call past the yard to catch up with Brian, he is decking out a shipping container as a kitchen and as we are keen to maybe build a container house we are always interested in ideas. Well we ended up doing all the jobs except for all the ones we need to get ready to go camping. It’s Wednesday so its walking night, the kids go too and Brian has organised a bike for Jason as the men folk cycle and the women folk walk. As usual I don’t go but I was making tea, roast chicken and veges. It turns out nice even if I didn’t make the cream gravy Brian wanted. Back to the park and packing up camping gear that night.