Welcome to the 'Imps Club News Centre. Here you'll be able to find the latest news regarding our club and its members.

"Welcome to all Members & Supporters on the eve of another new season.

Firstly, I would like to formally congratulate Glen Robson on his appointment as Senior Club Captain, an outstanding candidate. I have said on many past occasions we, at the ‘Imps, are pleased we have past leaders stay with us and Glen returns to the position. He is an outstanding cricketer, a fine tactician and strategist of the game. He has the respect of his peers and competitors. I know he is very excited and committed about what lies ahead.

We are delighted that Bevan Uren has joined us as Club Coach. Bevan has a lifetime of experience and knowledge of getting the best out of young cricketers. A fierce competitor, passionate and a fine leader, we are grateful Bevan has come on board and the Committee has been very pleased with his discipline and commitment.

Martin Bigmore will again steer the 2nd XI. Marto is now an accomplished and successful leader of the seconds. Marto often has a difficult job encouraging youth and also giving guys the opportunity to push up to the next grade. Marto is excited and looking forward to going the distance this year after narrowly missing out on a Grand Final berth last season.

Rick Wintle, a past 2nd XI skipper in darker days has been elected as 3rd XI Captain. Winto has been given a clear mandate of what the expectations are. We wish Winto well in his new role.

All of these Gentlemen are charged with running cricketing matters and have the full support of the Committee without compromise. There is no grey area on this. The buck stops with them on cricket.

I would like to welcome new and past players who have joined us, particularly the guys from Old Westbourne. I know first hand it is tough when your Club folds and you seek out a new cricketing environment. We are wrapped to have you, I am confident you will be made to feel very welcome and trust you will enjoy playing your cricket with the Imperials and on the special Fearon Reserve.

I would like to thank and recognise Farmer for his kind donation and sponsorship of a new flat screen TV for the Club and again for providing a motor vehicle for our visitor.

Owen Alsop is soon to join us from English Minor County Wiltshire. Owen is very much looking forward to spending a summer with us. Aside from playing 1st XI for Wiltshire he is also a member of the Hampshire County Cricket Club Training Academy and will be touring Sharjah for 10 days in February next year whilst with us. As always I have no doubt he will enjoy his time with us. Owen will be staying with Matty Whiting. Thanks Matty.

The Committee has again been very busy preparing for the coming season.  Gavan Flower has been very proactive identifying and securing new sponsors. Well done mate. Slatts has been working with Council to give the rooms a facelift and this should be happening soon. New training and casual apparel is not far away.

I would like to wish every player and member a successful and enjoyable season. To those who have been doing the hard work on the track I hope you are rewarded with good performances on match day. Enjoy the game of cricket, play hard and enjoy each other’s company.”

Derek Horsburgh
President

All sessions to be held at Western Region Cricket Centre, Brooklyn

$7 per session will be invoiced with fees at the start of the season proper.

Week 1  - Mon. 1/8 8.00-9.00
Week 2 -  Thurs. 11/8 8.00-.9.00
Week 3 - Thurs. 18/8 5.30-6.30 (2 lanes only)
Week 4 - Thurs. 25/8 8.00-.9.00
Week 5 - Thurs. 1/9 5.30-6.30 (2 lanes only)
Week 6 - Thurs. 8/9 8.00-9.000
Week 7 - Wed. 14/9 7.00-8.00

Week 8 - Mon. 19/9 8.30-9.30

Thurs. 22/9 5.30 @ The Fearon

Sat. 24/9 Practice Match – Details TBA

Week 9 – Mon. 26/9 8.30 – 9.30

Thurs. 29/9 5.30 @ The Fearon

Training will then revert to regular Tuesday and Thursdays at the Fearon.
Ifyou are unavailable please inform Bevan Uren (0427 031639) or Glen Robson (0400 501113)

The Club held its annual Presentation Night on Friday April 29th at the Steam Packet Hotel in Williamstown. It was pleasing to see a large number of members and past players attend one of the highlights of the club social calendar.

The night honoured our outstanding on field performers for the season and culminated in the presentation of the Eddie Marr Medal to Glen Robson, who was again voted A Turf Best & Fairest. Glen also picked up the A Turf bowling award for the 7th time. Ashley Royston went one better however, as he collected the A Turf batting honours for an th time.

The Kellett Family medal for B Turf Best & Fairest was won, in a close contest, by paceman Ryan Bonnici who was subsequently just pipped for the bowling award by Mick Skinner. Paul O'Keefe secured the batting award for the 2nd consecutive year.

Unfortunately no player qualified for any award in the 3rds, however Robin Leppatt recieved the inaugural Coaches award for Excellence having represented all three 'Imps sides with distinction this season.

The final honour went to Mick Skinner who became the latest 'Imp to be awarded an Honourary Life Membership.

Photos of all the winners can be seen here.

This year represents the 20th anniversary of the A Turf premierships that the Club won in 1990/91 and 1992/93 and we believe it is time that the members of the era were re-united to celebrate again.

On Saturday 19th of February 2010, our current A Turf side is playing Gellibrand at the Fearon in a 1 day game. The function will commence at 4.00 and take in the 2nd innings of that game, followed by a BBQ and drinks afterwards.

If you were a member, or know of any members, of the Club from that era who may be interested in attending, please contact Daniel Slattery on 0425 754418 or slatts28@hotmail.com by February 7 in order for us to make arrangements around numbers.

We understand that some people may have travel arrangements to make in order to attend, but we hope to see as many as possible in attendance. Families and partners are most welcome.

- Ladies Day that was scheduled for this coming Saturday has bee postponed until after Xmas. The uncertainty of the weather for the rest of the week is behind this decision.

- Whether we play or not on Saturday, the Trivia Night will go ahead on Saturday night as planned. $10 entry fee with drinks over the bar.

- The Xmas party is on Saturday 18th December. Raffle tickets will be out on Thursday night at training (see Gav) and I will post the hamper list for donations on the noticeboard. Santa will be in attendance so could all parents please get me a gift beforehand. We will do Santa as early as possible, but the 1s are away at Wyndhamvale during the day so obviously we need to wait for everyone to get back.

- The A Turf has been re-scheduled rounds 1 and 2. Round 1 v. Willy Colts away on Sunday 16th Jan. and round 2 v. GU away Sunday 20th Feb.

- Fees are now due for all players. The lack of cricket played has seen us relax the due date, but the bills still come in so we need all fees payed by Saturday 11/12. See Rowdy.

'Imps wicket keeper Ryan Hinton created history in todays Round 6 A Turf clash with Gellibrand by claiming 5 stumpings in an innings. The champion gloveman joined former Indian Test 'keeper Kiran More as the only other player to have caught as many batsmen out of their ground in an innings. Rhino's glovework contributed 5 of Glen Robsons 6 wickets (6/15) as Imperials cruised to comfortable victory, easily defending a total of 192 (A Royston 66). Gellibrand were dismissed for 95 in 20 overs.

Equally comfortable was the 'Imps B turf victory over the same opposition. Excellent bowling by Ryan Bonnici (2/23), Derek Horsburgh (3/16) and Jon Dunlea (1/16) restricted Gellibrand to 87, and in reply Paul O'Keefe set about the attack by scoring 61 not out as the 'Imps passed the total in the 17th over.

The clean sweep of victories was completed by the B Mats eleven who scored a much needed win over Caroline Springs. Cam Andrews starred (44) starred with the bat as a total of 9/110 was posted and the 'Imps attack showed no signs of fatigue from the long journey west by bowling the Springs out for 88. Adam McIntyre (4/22) was the chief destroyer

After what seems like the longest pre-season in living memory, the season finally began today for the 'Imps turf sides. Unfortunately the results were wildly different.

A Turf opened up their campaign with a comfortable victory over Point Cook. Debutants, James Bonnici (1 for 21) and Gareth Lawson (3 for 29), restricted the visitors with extremely tight opening spells and Glen Robson chipped in with 4 for 39 to limit the total to 117. In reply, Daniel Slattery top scored with 56 n.o. sharing a 3rd wicket stand of 57 with Ash Royston (27). The 'Imps finally securing the points with 5 wickets down.

B Turf suffered a humiliating beginning in their attempt to win back to back flags, going down tamely to Point Cook. After being bowled out for 63, they were never in contention, the only highlight being 3 wickets for Ryan Bonnici (3 for 28).

B Mats lost to Newport Digman despite Brendan Slattery's 5 for 39 helping to limit the target to 165. The 'Imps were 135 all out in reply.

Ryan Hinton continued his impressive stint in England with a second hundred of the season. Rhino plundered 106 against Ockbrook and Borrowash CC, in an innings containing 11 fours and 5 sixes. Currently Ryan has the four highest 1st XI scores for Ambergate this season and his average of 45 comfortably sees him at the top of the run charts.

Wiliamstown Imperials Cricket Club undertook its AGM on Monday 12 July at the Williamstown RSL. There was a good number of members in attendance and apologies were kept to a minimum.

President, Derek Horsbugh, began proceedings by providing the Presidents Report in which he thanked the contributions made by the committee and members over the previous year. The opportunity was also taken again to congratulate the Second XI on their Premiership.

The contributions of all sponsors, The Staggs's Head Hotel, Williamstown RSL, Suburban Accounting and Taxation Services and the Centec Security Group were all greatfully acknowledged.

Secretary, Daniel Slattery, emphasised the need for the club to look to encourage and develop young cricketers in order to ensure a successful future for the club. Special mention was also made to the volunteers, Pauline, Steve and Chris Slattery, who work to ensure matchdays run smoothly. Treasurer, Andrew Robbins, provided a positive financial picture of the club within his report.

The on-field leaders for the coming season were selected and the club can confirm that these will remain as follows, First XI - Dean Evans, Second XI - Martin Bigmore, Third XI - Matthew Smith.

The formation of the new committee was also ratified, and these officials can be viewed on the homepage of this site. In addition, Martin Bigmore and David Hatley were co-opted as Ordinary Members.

The meeting concluded with the publishing of the pre-season schedule and we now look forward to enjoying more success in 2011.

If any members, who were unable to attend, wish to obtain a copy of the Annual Report in PDF format please send an email to willi-imps@optus-net.com.au

15-5-2010 Rhino Smashes 133 in 109 balls.

'Imps keeper Ryan Hinton has made a blistering start to his stint as overseas player for Ambergate Cricket Club, in the Derbyshire League. Ryan recently blasted a 109 ball 133 against Duffield and having made two more half centuries is currently the clubs leading run scorer. Follow Rhino's destruction of the poms here.