A great first day of the season with the Stags winning five out of five games against Blacktown (and 1sts and 5ths also securing a bonus point).
Plenty of excellent performances throughout the grades, with Ash Doolan, playing his first game for Gordon, scoring a dominant 87 in 1sts, which was well supported by Axel Cahlin.
Straight back down the ground. Controlled attack from all grades sees 128 Club Championship points for the Stags
Darren Jayasekera scored a brilliant century in 4ths and Elliot Richtor and Nick Miller both took impressive 4 fors.
The Colts begin their season on Sunday - also against Blacktown.
Before we go any further into the first wrap of the year, I'd just like to thank everyone who makes this possible. And also ask for any spectators who take photos (or could take photos) to send through their snaps. We've loads of ways to receive them, from social media and DropBox through to good old email --> webmaster@gordoncricket.com
Don't be shy - our stories are so much better due to the great photos we have.
1st Grade
Batting first at Joe McAleer, Gordon were in early trouble, slumping to 3-44 before Cam Eccles and Axel Cahlin turned things around. At Cam’s dismissal, Axel and Ash Doolan added 117 in good time and the game was turning around.
Cahlin salutes the onlookers, and those watching on the live stream, as he reaches 50 in the opening match
Axel was out for an excellent 72 but Ash continued to play most aggressively. He finished with 87 from only 80 balls – a terrific debut for the club. The final score of 9-270 was most competitive and a great recovery from a difficult situation.
The early Gordon bowling was tight and wickets fell regularly.
New recruits Ash Doolan and Adam Wasyluk alongside Els Richtor
Tym Crawford took two early and Adam Wasyluk and Charlie Stobo were miserly. Elliot Richtor ran through the middle order and Blacktown were never in the hunt, finishing their 50 overs on 9-159.
Charlie Stobo kept the pressure on for Els and Tym
A bonus point win for the Stags – great start!
Gordon 9-270 (Ash Doolan 87, Axel Cahlin 72, Cam Eccles 33) defeated Blacktown 9-159 (Elliot Richtor 4-24, Tym Crawford 2-28) with a bonus point.
2nd Grade
Seconds bowled first at Killara and they began well, having Blacktown 3-24 after 12 overs. They continued to bowl well and after 28 overs the score was 5-87.
Another new recruit, from North Sydney, Sam Baker, takes 3 wickets against the Warriors
Some aggressive batting took them to 180 before they were all out in the 44th over. Sam Baker was the best of the bowlers, supported by Will Phillips.
Gordon started well with Cam New and Scott O’Brien adding 33. Scott continued his trial form with a punishing 63. A few nervy moments followed but, with contributions from Will Phillips, Chad Soper, Josh Doyle and Max Newman, the winning total was achieved with the loss of 6 wickets.
A generally impressive performance.
Gordon 6-184 (Scott O’Brien 63, Will Phillips 33, Chad Soper 23) defeated Blacktown 184 (Sam Baker 3-25, Will Phillips 2-10).
3rd Grade
Gordon lost two early wickets before Liam McElduff and Dom Thomson began rescuing the situation. They added 53 before Liam was dismissed.
We're looking forward to Dom Thomson's performances on and off the field this year
Another wicket fell before Dom and Michael Roberts came together and took the score to 144. Dom was out for an excellent 65 while Michael’s 47 was a most important contribution. Gordon finished on 196 – quite a competitive total.
The Gordon bowlers started brilliantly. Nick Miller bowled particularly well and Blacktown were quickly 4-25 with Nick having taken three and Jack Skilbeck a brilliant caught and bowled.
Wickets continued to fall with Nick taking another and Chris De Krester a further two.
Michael Roberts in good early season form
When Adam Cubbage took one it was 8-73 and despite some solid batting at the end, Blacktown finished on 9-128. A very good performance by the bowlers with Nick outstanding.
Gordon 196 (Dom Thomson 65, Michael Roberts, 47) defeated Blacktown 9-128 (Nick Miller 4-16, Chris De Krester 2-26).
4th Grade
Fourths were sent in on a good looking Beauchamp wicket. Blacktown may have been regretting the decision to bowl as Mitch Kleem and Shayne Lin added 76 in less than 12 overs before the latter was dismissed. Mitch continued to plunder the bowling and carried on to 78 (three 6’s and eight 4’s) before getting out.
Darren Jayasekera - seeing them like watermelons early in the year
Darren Jayasekera was seeing the ball well and played some delightful shots. He added 65 with Rahul Krishna and 110 with Stuart Bromley as the score rose at a rapid rate.
Darren was imperious and he brought up an excellent century as the Stags moved towards 300. His final 110 (with nineteen 4’s) was a fantastic start to the season. A few cameos followed and Gordon’s final score of 7-323 was going to be tough to chase.
The Gordon bowlers (particularly Matt Keevers and Pat Effeney) made early inroads and, with Blacktown teetering at 4-49, thoughts of an early afternoon may have crossed the minds of the Stags players as the intensity died right down.
We've missed Mitch... like he missed this one
An excellent partnership of 130 by the next two batsmen meant Gordon had to stay out much longer and it became hard work as the bowling and fielding became very loose.
Eventually, an excellent catch by Hugh Sherwood saw the 5th wicket fall and the game then meandered to its inevitable conclusion.
A strong win with some really encouraging performances, but still lots to work on.
Gordon 7-323 (Darren Jayasekera 110, Mitch Kleem 78, Stuart Bromley 36, Shayne Lin 27) defeated Blacktown 8-240 (Pat Effeney 3-23, Matt Keevers 2-38, Dermott Beattie 2-53).
5th Grade
Blacktown batted first and were in trouble from the start. Vikrant Nehru and Sam Watts each took two wickets as the score moved to 4-54 after the first hour.
David Burk applies his trade at Whalan
Harry Middlebrook and David Burk then got into the act and, with one wicket from Dave Monaghan, the innings folded at 118. Harry was the pick of the bowlers but it was a good effort all round.
The thought of a bonus point was in the air and Jack Doolan and Ryan Tullia started briskly.
Jack was very aggressive from the outset and both Ryan and Steve Bristow ensured an early finish with the extra bonus.
Harry Middlebrook shows good early season form
Well done – a great opening to the season.
Gordon 3-122 (Steve Bristow 36, Jack Doolan 33, Ryan Tullia 31) defeated Blacktown 118 (Harry Middlebrook 3-17, Sam Watts 2-20, Vikrant Nehru 2-27, David Burk 2-28) with a bonus point.
And just to show we don't let the new guys off lightly... here is the end of Ash Doolan's innings.
With the unavailability of Chatswood, as announced by our President at the season's opening night, the club has been able to secure turf practice facilities at both Riverview College (Tuesdays at start of season till mid November) and Macquarie University (Tuesdays after mid November and each Thursday). We also now have back up wet weather hard wicket facilities at the Shore outdoor and indoor synthetic wickets. 
The GDCC is pleased to announce the addition of Smartline as a new Gold Sponsor for the 2016-17 season. Smartline are personal mortgage advisors who will look after your home and investment loan needs.
The GDCC is a premier cricket club on Sydney’s North Shore. Like all great sporting clubs, GDCC is faced with the challenge of balancing performance on the field with support off the field. In order to achieve a high standard of off field support, the club relies on the great work of volunteers.
