1st Grade Report vs Campbelltown-Camden - Round 14 - Day 2 |
First Grade arrived at Raby 1 with it all to do in the second half of this season defining clash. With 7 wickets needed for less than 120 and the prospect of another juicy wicket, there was a lot of possibilities in 96 overs. A bright note during the day: BMac congratulates Colley on a fantastic catch Upon arrival, all plans had to be immediately reviewed as the wicket presented could not have been more different from week 1. A hard brown featherbed was going to make the task very difficult. Indeed Campbelltown needed 10 points to stay in the running for the season and the wicket presented was certainly not conducive to that. We had been on the wrong side of conditions 5 or 6 times this season and triumphed and would have to do it again. On the plus side the wicket was so dry it looked like it might spin for Macdonald and Colley. Connell and Edwards bowled good consistent initial spells but were never really in the game with the lack of pace and bounce stifling their considerable efforts. Connell struck the edge a few times only to see the ball die a few metres from the bat. MacDonald appeared the only hope as he was brought on with out a wicket going down. He responded to the challenge, gaining some turn and consistently challenging the previously unhindered McKell and Croese. Unfortunately 2 catches went down, both from Brendan's bowling and it wasn't until the score was past 100 that he held onto a sharp shoulder high caught and bowled from the night watchman, Croese. Croese had batted for 80 minutes for less than 20 on a very good wicket, soaking up valuable time in the game. Mckell was holding the batting together but was getting very tired and began playing some loose shots.
Steve Colley extracts some turn out of a flat dusty deck The door was ajar at 6-140 with ten minutes to lunch. Ian Beverley then combined with MacDonald to dismiss Adam Coyte with the catch of the season. A low edge from the cue end of the bat was held only an inch from the turf. In a testament to Bev's technique and hard work throughout the season, it had all come together in one perfect catch. A great example for others to follow. At 7-143 at lunch it was game on for the six points. Gordon had done an excellent job to hang in the contest against the odds. Alas there was no more joy after lunch. Campbelltown mixed resolute defence with some attacking flair to peel off the runs relatively easily after the break. It felt like a long season of the bowlers getting the team out of trouble had caught up with them. They can't be expected to do it every week. Campbelltown declared straight away and Gordon set about trying to set some sort of target. Looking for about 150 ' 160 from 22 overs was always going to be tough. Due to the flat pitch and the time taken to earn first innings points, a ten point match was almost impossible. On that wicket, any small chase was always going to favour the batting side. Gordon couldn't get enough of a target with enough overs to bowl Campbelltown out, and despite the disappointment of Tony Clarke, the game was called off. This game was highlighted by some very good bowling by Brendan MacDonald, supported as usual by Dylan Connell and some good spells from Rob Edwards. Iain Beverley had a very good all round game and Cam Eccles burst back into form in the second innings with some crunching straight drives and pulls. This looks to be the end of the line for the first grade side. Only a miraculous result this week against cellar dwellers UNSW will see us progress to the finals. A very, very disappointing situation, given our dominance before Christmas. Unfortunately we haven't had enough consistent contributors this season. Too many relying on too few will not win you a flag Matt Nicholson Bombas supervises the 5th Grade warm-up: Not quite Merv Hughes & Bay 13
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1st Grade now need a miracle after loss to Ghosts
The new batter was state representative Scott Coyte, 3 men were immediately dispatched to the deep on the leg side. Coyte obliged by smashing his second ball high to mid on where Steve Colley took a great catch close to the fence. Colley and MacDonald were both turning the ball and causing problems, Adam Coyte and Mckell put together a partnership taking the score past 130, only 5 down. Nicholson came back into the attack and pre lunch the Stags needed something. McKell was very tired and helped Gordon by smashing a half tracker from MacDonald straight to Ben Garrett at mid on where he held a scorcher above his head.
