1st Grade Report vs Sutherland - Round 4 - Day 2 |
The boys returned to what was expected to be a very wet deck at Chatswood in the hope of adding to the lead of 65 in the hunt for that ever elusive white whale ' 10 points. However, Glen (our amazing groundsman) had different ideas, producing what certainly must have been the best deck in Sydney for the weekend. Good boy. Packman during his glorious century Bombas departed for 70 after doing the hard work yet again and falling short of an inevitable first 1st Grade hundred, leaving James 'I am banned from all TAB's in Sydney' Packman to put on a display that could only draw parallels to the delights of Miss Klum's efforts at this years Victoria's Secret Underwear show - Resplendent. After resuming the day on 19, 'Jammer' Packman played every stroke in his arsenal to post what can only be called the classiest of centuries. Straight drives and flicks over midwicket being a feature in his 110* that could only be stopped by 'Ghandi' Nicholson's declaration. The Stags led by 200 hundred, with Brendan 'you can't whine this week because you batted at 7' McDonald being the other not out batsman with 20. The bowlers set about their business and got an early one before a positive partnership of around a hundred tested the resolve of the boys. Some good bowling by Will 'I bowl with sunglasses on' Smith was rewarded when Cam 'I can sit on a fence' Eccles took a 'relieving' catch at square leg. Julian 'I look like the bandage man in chemist windows with my whites off' Stephenson bowled an absolute peach to remove the resilient Sutherland captain by cutting one back to have him lose his off pole without offering, before Julian had to leave the field with his 486th injury during his seven year tenure at the Stags.
3 for 140 at tea. The Stags hanging on in the heat with all bowlers pulling their weight, knowing that a massive final session was required. The boys celebrate after taking home 10 points Enter Ghandi our 'saviour'. Nicholson bowled with good pace and control in what was a dominant and match winning spell of bowling. He finished with 5/56, a result well deserved after weeks of consistency. Dylan 'I drop catches off McDonald on purpose just to stay ahead of him in the wickets tally' Connell picked up a further 2 to add to his 6 in the first innings, to top off another great game for the big bustling fast bowler. Sutherland all out for 214. It was a great effort by the boys and left 8 overs to knock off the remaining 15 for victory. Smith did just that in just the third over with a big six over mid wicket for what was a great TEAM win with many contributors. This group is having great fun both on and off the field and are a very tight knit side.
A good start boys, but with Uni, Penrith and Hawkesbury in the coming weeks we are certainly not done. Well done to all other grades in contributing to 1st place in the Club Championship. Let's do this!!!! "Ghandi" Nicholson bagging a "Michelle" Special Mention: It is great to see so many past legends coming down to show their support, tell their stories and sing the song with the boys. In a club with a very proud tradition, the boys cannot get enough of their stories and escapades of years gone by, and look forward to their continued involvement. Brendan McDonald |
Outright win places the Stags on top
Thanks to Kris Colley for fielding like a little champion all afternoon, not only are you clearly a better fielder than Jules but you are a better bloke, hands down!!!!
We have identified spreading around our match winners every week and not relying on one bloke as being the key to our season's fortunes. With Gordon currently having two batsman in the top 20 run scorers in the competition and 3 bowlers in the top 5, this couldn't be more evident.
