The Buzzards - Dorrigo Cricket Club

30/11/2025

I really think it would be hard to top this absolutely cracking match report from our very own Micky Z! 😆 We are expecting Mick to be poached by a major news outlet at any moment but hope his budding career as a top bowler keeps him in the game! A fantastic game this week and another fantastic victory for the Buzzards! Cacaw!

👨‍🍳 CHEF FRIES WOOPI IN SIZZLING SHOWDOWN AT ROWE OVAL 🏏

There was plenty on the line at Rowe Oval on Saturday, with the Dorrigo Buzzards chasing three wins on the trot and looking to cement their spot in the top four. The gates were thrown open, the turnstiles clicked into action, and the crowd surged in… all three of them. Plus a dog.

The Buzzards were dealt an early blow with the in-form and very muscular Matt Moffatt a late withdrawal. Whilst he was off heroically fighting fires, the rest of the boys arrived looking like they’d enjoyed their Friday night a little too much. But against a backdrop of glassy eyed and somewhat disheveled mountain men, a heavenly figure appeared. Marcus “the Greek God” Dazos had returned to captain the side, fresh from being away saving the planet from invasive species of flora and wrestling feral pigs with his bare hands.

Dazos won the toss and chose to bat, prompting the crowd to cheer politely before returning to their conversation about rainfall totals.

The ruggedly handsome Ben “Sunny” Day and the evergreen Mick Kelsall came out swinging like a married couple trying the get some excitement back in their marriage. Day was putting low flying aircraft at risk as he cleared the boundary markers with ease. When Kelsall chopped on, it brought Adam “Uncle” Bailey to the crease. A handy partnership formed with the pair ticking the runs over like a metronome in a music shop.

But just as the parochial home crowd was dreaming of a monster first innings total…disaster struck.

Batsmen began disappearing like phone reception on the mountain, and before you could say “How long until drinks?”, the Buzzards had slumped to 6/100.
They were in more trouble than Mickey K’s dozer stuck in a dam.

Woopi players started celebrating early. A darkness fell across the mountain. Birds stopped chirping. Even Dangar Falls slowed to a trickle.

Just when all hope was lost, he emerged.

A Nepalese warrior.
A man who cooks the greatest curry this side of the Himalayas.

Bijay Thapa strode to the crease, bat held out in front of him like it was a kukri (that’s a Nepalese sword for the uncultured among us). He looked at his shattered batting partner, narrowed his eyes, and declared:

“Woolgoolga may have nice beaches…
but their real estate is ridiculously overpriced.
Over a million bucks for a fibro shack?
Turn it up.”

And turn it up he did.

He transformed into the Nepalese Travis Head, carving Woopi apart with shot after shot that even the Dorrigo Rifle Range would’ve applauded.
He cooked the bowlers like a Sunday lunch, serving up ten fours and a six on his way to a blistering 60.

By the time the dust and coriander had settled, the Buzzards had somehow, against all odds, posted a mighty 188.

Soon, it was the Buzzards turn to take the ball in hand as they set about their task of taking the 10 wickets required to win the match. “Shaun” Tate Bailey got the mountain men off to the perfect start taking a wicket in the first over to send the crowd and dog into hysterics. When Adam “Uncle” Bailey trapped another plumb in front, and Marc Harris skittled the next bloke, Woopi looked shakier than Deervale Road after heavy rain.

But then Harris pulled up lame, like a horse that’s realised it’s racing at Bowraville, not Royal Randwick. A forced bowling change opened the door, and suddenly the runs for Woopi started flowing like the Bielsdown during Cyclone Alfred.

At drinks, the tourists were in the box seat at 4/100 and strutting around with the confidence of a bloke who’s just reversed a trailer perfectly into a parking space on his first go in front of a crowd.

After the interval, Captain Dazos tossed the ball to Dorrigo’s current top wicket-taker, Mick Z. At the top of his signature two step run up, he paused. Nostrils expanding as he took a calming yet determined deep breath.

A low hush spread across the ground, the Rotary clock in the centre of town seemed to stand still, and not because it was broken again. He approached the bowling crease, and delivered… an absolute pie. The type of pie that Dorrigo Woodfired Bakery would have been proud of. The Woolgoolga batsman had enough time to laugh as he stepped down the pitch and walloped the ball towards the boundary. High in the air it sailed… only for it to fall agonisingly short and straight down the throat of Dazos out on the boundary.

The wicket not only broke the partnership, it also broke the hearts and the will of Woolgoolga. Mick Z and Adam Bailey cleaned up the tail, both finishing with figures of 3-for not many, wrapping up Woopi like leftovers in foil.

Woolgoolga were bundled out, the Buzzards soared home, and the sweet sherbets flowed at the Dorrigo RSL. Three wins in a row, top-four secured, and another chapter written in this beautifully chaotic season.

The Buzzards’ triumph capped off a dream day for Dorrigo cricket across all grades.

The juniors got the chocolates, with some outstanding batting, especially Patty Moffatt and Sky Kitley, who both piled on runs, and Conrad Gibson grabbing a couple of crucial wickets.

First Grade also claimed victory in a gritty, low-scoring arm wrestle, highlighted by Trenno “Jason” Statham returning to the big leagues in style. He bowled like the action man himself, snaring 4/25 off 8 in a match-winning, man-of-the-match performance.

28/11/2025

It's a home game day tomorrow folks!
1pm at the Rec ground get down and check out this highly skilled and greatly entertaining bunch of legends we proudly call the Buzzards!

24/11/2025

It was Dorrigo Show day on Saturday and after checking out the show the team took to the field against Sawtell.
A miscommunication had left Sawtell short of players but they cracked on with a team of 7.
Sawtell won the toss and opted to bat, with new recruit Trent Statham and legend Matt Moffat kicking off a blistering opening spell with lots of maidens and 1 wicket each - including an amazing caught and bowled by Matty M - bloody good cricket!
Sawtell battled on but felt the pressure early on, with Marc Harris taking 2 wickets with some fantastic bowling and 1 wicket each for Micky K, Micky Z and Geoff Tosio!
Sawtell were done for 68 as the clouds loomed and the Buzzards prepared to take the field.
With Micky Z gracefully retiring from opening to pursue his bowling career a new opener came to the front - young keeper Harry Kelly stepped up, at 12 years old it was his first time opening in 3rd grade and tensions were high, but the young fella took to it with an ease that would make Travis Head proud!
We lost Mick K early and Geoff Tosio came out, as the rain fell Geoff had an unfortunate slip on the pitch and was run out, and Ryan Miller came in, meanwhile Harry Kelly had been plugging away, hitting a very impressive 33 off 36 before a fantastic catch in the outfield from none other than our very own Mick K, who was filling in for the other team like a legend ended the innings for Harry!
Adam Bailey came out and with 2 quick 4s the game was won, with young Ryan hitting 14 off 19!
Great cricket all round, with Sawtell commenting on the comraderie on field between the Buzzards and how enjoyable it made the game.

23/11/2025

😆

Big thanks to Marc “Howie” Harris for snapping this cracking shot of Mick & Mick out in the middle for The Buzzards - Dorrigo Cricket Club

Got plans for Saturday? How good does sinking a few tins while watching The Buzzards, then rolling straight up to the Dorrigo Show, sound?

Come down for a laugh, some quality (third grade) cricket, and plenty of sledging (mostly aimed at us) as The Buzzards take on Sawtell at 1pm at the sporting hub of Dorrigo 🏏 🍻

23/11/2025

🏏

TRAVIS HEAD, YOU ARE RIDICULOUS 💯

Every other player who faced the opening ball of an innings in this Test match scored 0.

Travis Head, who wasn't the opener until minutes before the Aussies came out to bat this evening, just scored a 69-ball ton.

The third-fastest by an Australian EVER.

One of the most remarkable, game-swinging centuries in an Ashes Test you will see.

WOW >> bit.ly/3Kjhurl

09/11/2025

It was a scorcher in Urunga yesterday as the Buzzards took the field in what can only be described as a grudge match against old team mates/rivals the Bellingen 3rd grade Greens!
Buzzards won the toss and opted to bat, with Captain Ross Bailey opening and high scoring for the day, with his son Tate - bowling sensation, second high scorer!
Bello got off to a rocky start when Captain Matty B did a hammy in his first over, but there was plenty of great bowling to be seen by Bello green, getting the Buzzards all out for a fairly impressive but definitely chaseable 119!
Bello Green have some big hitters, The Buzzards were going to have to put on a good show in the field to keep the total down, and they didn't disappoint!
Team manager and all round legend Matt Moffat and young gun Tate Bailey opened the bowling, setting a blistering pace, and soon Bello were 4/20 - they rallied though and tensions were high - this was when Captain Ross decided to bring out Dorrigos secret weapon Micky Z - riding high on his very impressive 5/23 he took to the pitch with bowling first timer Bijay Thapa - a double spin partnership that spelt disaster for the tail end of the Bello squad - totally thrown by a very classy bowling and fielding effort by the Buzzards, Bello started dropping fast - Captain Ross taking 2 great catches and young keeper Harry Kelly taking one in the field and 2 behind the crease - not one catch dropped by the Buzzards and as we know - Catches win matches!
All told Bello were out for 89 and once again the Buzzards claimed victory and were flying high!
Thanks to all involved and both teams for a great day of cricket!

08/11/2025

An excellent take on yesterday's game! ! 😆

BUZZARDS CIRCLE OVER BELLINGEN AS BAILEY LEADS FLOCK TO VICTORY

In what was technically Bellingen’s home game, the Dorrigo Buzzards travelled down the mountain to Urunga for a fixture that will live on in the archives, and several embellished retellings, for years to come.

The match should have been played at Bellingen’s home ground. But unfortunately, the ground currently resembles a w**dy moonscape, reportedly due to a small collection of unwashed activists protesting the use of anything as scandalous as w**d spray. The result? A pitch that looks like someone tried to grow turf on the surface of the Sahara using only hope, dream-catchers and kombucha.

So off to Urunga they went.

Captain Ross Bailey set the tone early, winning the toss and electing to bat, which was the first of many tactical masterclasses he would unleash as the day unfolded. The Buzzards’ innings, however, progressed at the pace of an old camper van trying to get up Dorrigo Mountain. Runs were harder to find than a carpark on Hickory Street when the markets are on.

Bailey top scored with 25, while his son Tate aka “Shaun” chipped in with a handy 17.

Deep in the innings, Campbell Lowe swung the willow with the ferocity of a man chopping firewood in his favourite spot before it gets closed down and turned into a Koala park, adding some much-needed boundaries. He was supported by the youthful Finn Moffat who occupied the crease with the stubbornness of a goat refusing to leave a veggie patch.

But with a lowly total of only 119 runs, heads were dropped. Shoulders slumped. Hopes wavered. Most of the blokes sent messages to their wives saying they’ll be home early for dinner.

Just when things seemed like they couldn’t get any worse, star player Campbell Lowe chimed up with “Sorry boys, I’ve got to head off to my brother’s graduation party, good luck”. And just like that, your heroes in green and gold would have to play the rest of the match a man down.

But one man still had hope in his eyes.

Bailey rounded up his troops like a seasoned stockman bringing in cattle during a dry summer.

“We are men from the mountain,” he began, eyes aflame.
“Genetically, we are more talented and better looking than those from down below.”

The huddle tightened. Matt Moffat may or may not have flexed his impressive pecs.

“We are battlers, born of lumberjacks.”

“If Steven Bradbury can win Olympic ice skating gold from last, then by thunder, we can win from here!”

Moffatt, also known as Dorrigo Cricket’s Mr Everything, simply said:

“Give me the new ball.”

And good heavens did he mean it.

Moffatt and his opening bowling partner Tate Bailey began with a spell Harry Potter would have been impressed with. Tate was proving why his nickname is “Shaun”, storming in with express pace that will have the town of Bellingen waking up with nightmares. Before the umpire could even finish adjusting his hat, Bellingen were 4 for 20.

But Bellingen rallied. A solid partnership formed. The air thickened. Buzzard hearts fluttered nervously as Bellingen edged ever closer to the small total.

Enter Captain Bailey.

In a move compared to buying Bitcoin back when it was the price of a sausage roll, Bailey gambled all he had on a long shot and tossed the ball to the “one game wonder” Mick Z and first time bowler Bijay Thapa.

A combination so unexpected, so wild, that even the sporting gods would have raised an eyebrow.

Spin from both ends? Defending THAT total? Surely Bailey had lost his mind.

But Bailey was reading the match like a librarian.

Thapa struck first, thanks to safe-as-a-bank vault hands from young Harry Kelly.
At the other end, Mick Z, now proving that his previous five-wicket haul was not, in fact, a fluke, was spinning it better than a spider with a blow fly.

“The spin twins” (as absolutely no one else is calling them) took three wickets each, causing more havoc than a Bellingen swimming hole without any public toilets. Kelly kept superbly whilst Bailey was taking catches from all angles like he was plucking fruit at Boss Berries. The fielding effort from those in green and gold was nothing short of heroic as your men from the mountain once again proved why Dorrigo is the greatest place in the Shire, maybe even the world, to win by 33 runs.

In honour of the victory, rumours are already swirling that the entire council area may soon be renamed Dorrigo Shire, finally acknowledging Dorrigo’s rightful status as the superior township in the district. If the name change does occur, surely Ross Bailey is leading polls to become the new Lord Mayor.

*photo is an artist’s impression of Ross Bailey and looks nothing like the man himself

31/10/2025

It's a home game day for the Buzzards!
Will the weather gods smile down upon us? Possibly not haha, will this damped our enthusiasm? Definitely not!!
Come down at 1pm and support the team!
First grade are also playing, always worth a watch with some great local talent on show!

31/10/2025

The Buzzards were deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Ben Austin this week, a talented young cricketer just doing what he loved. Our hearts go out to Ben, his family, cricket club, and wider cricket community who have all been shattered by this loss

29/10/2025

It was a hard day on the pitch on Saturday, but a brilliant performance with the ball from our very own Mick Z lifted the spirits of everyone watching, and a bowling star was born! Love ya work Mickey!

Last weekend, history was made.

The Buzzards were taking on Coffs Colts in Coffs Harbour. The Colts were batting first and building what looked like a formidable total. Our pace men were running on fumes. Shoulders were slumped. Hope was fading.

Out of pure desperation, stand-in skipper Ross Bailey scanned his weary troops, searching for anyone who could take the ball. His eyes landed on Mick Z. Very reluctantly, Ross asked:

“Mate… would you like to bowl an over?
Actually… do you even know how to bowl?”

“I’ve bowled a bit in backyard cricket,” Mick replied.

But the town needed a hero.

With ball in hand, Mick wandered up to the bowling crease.

The umpire, doing his job, asked:
“Over or around the wicket?”
To which Mick replied:
“Which one’s which?”

The umpire and non-striker laughed.

Moments later, that laughter turned to utter disbelief.

What followed was one of the greatest spells of bowling seen since Shane Warne at the Gabba in ’94. David Copperfield couldn’t have conjured such magic.

Controlling the flight better than a pilot, Mick tore through the Colts batting lineup to finish with a remarkable 5 for 39.

A debut performance that will be remembered as one of the greatest bowling displays of October 2025, possibly anywhere in the world.

There is now a petition for a statue to be built on Hickory Street. Current signatures: 1.

In other news:
Mick backed up his 5-fa with a duck and has subsequently retired as Dorrigo’s opening batsman.

The Buzzards are back in action this Saturday at Rowe Oval, Dorrigo. Get down there for a few cold ones, plenty of laughs and some of the greatest (3rd grade) cricket this side of Thora.

23/10/2025

A great write up in the Plateau News about the Buzzards!

The Buzzards fly again! And we can feel the excitement!

Read the story here: www.dorrigoplateaunews.com.au/buzzards25

20/10/2025

As many of you will know we have 2 local legends on the team this year, with the 2 Micks from The Dorrigo Podcast joining the Buzzards! 🏏
There's alot of cricket talk in this episode, with local legend Finn Moffatt representing the Buzzards and doing an absolutely stellar job, earning himself himself the title of official Cricket Correspondent!
Onya Finn!! Love your work!
Follow the Dorrigo podcast for all the local news and exciting Buzzards updates!
Pictured- the 2 Micks breaking the 2025 Buzzards opening partnership!
It was a big ask but the lads made it happen! 💪 🏏
https://spotify.link/xbxk3IEGBXb