1st Grade vs Blacktown - Round 10 - 2011/12

Breaking news. The Buck (Steve Colley) has a girlfriend. More details in later match reports as the rumours continue to filter through.

But first, what a game of CRICKET! We arrived at Cheeeeeeyatswood determined to get our season back on track. After losing the toss on a pitch with a nice covering of grass, we were sent in to bat.

The author, Dan Smith, brings the team back from 5/19

Although quite green, the pitch was also quite hard, so it was difficult to gauge how the deck would play and what a par score would be. Eccles and “déjà vu” Lewis both departed early, while Steve “I always get out the same way as Ponting” Colley and Harry “18.7” Evans had their stumps cleaned up off some good bowling by Philipson and Collymore. Reece “I almost got fired but…” Bombas’ hard work at training this week did not pay dividends as he too fell victim to the seaming ball.

At 5 for 19, things looked grim. James “Race 4, Number 7” and Dan “Number 7” Smith then tried to take the attack to the Blacktown bowlers. Packers was timing the ball perfectly, while Smithy took full advantage of the gap between 2nd slip and 3rd man. Lucky Guptill wasn’t playing. Packers was particularly dominant against the Blacktown spinners, with the highlight of his innings being a sweetly timed flat six over cover. The pair put on 129 runs for the 6th wicket to give the Stag’s bowlers something to defend.

Packers and Smithy then departed in consecutive overs for 64 and 61 respectively, and it was left to Iain “I’m putting speed-stipes in my hair. Makes you go faster” Beverley and the tail to progress the score towards 174. Special mention also goes to Scott Heaney who is still yet to be dismissed this season.

Young Chad Soper makes the most of his return to 1st Grade, taking 3 wickets

Things did not start well with the ball, as Brett Collison took down the Stags pace bowlers. At 0 for 50, we desperately needed a breakthrough. Packer’s sent square leg back to the boundary, and after one or two mean bumpers, Scott “keaney” Heaney clean bowled the other opening batsman who was stuck on the back foot.

However, it was the introduction of Chad “pumped up kicks” Soper that turned the match around. From ball one, Chad was right on the money and before long he snicked off the no. 3 batsman. Packers then reintroduced James “we found love in a hopeless place” Kennedy into the attack. Many eyes were on “contacts” Kennedy, and he didn’t disappoint, forcing Craig Philipson into a rash shot that was comfortably taken by Scott Heaney. Big wicket. Good song as well.

Wedding at Forester’s Beach Resort?

Chad continued his good work with the ball and was again rewarded with another wicket – through the gate, top of middle – not a bad rock. He was well backed up by 'Harold' Evans who picked up the prized scalp of Collison for 60 off just 55 balls. The next over, Steve Colley then ran out Hodges and Blacktown had lost 5 wickets for just 7 runs. What was more astonishing, however, was the celebration of Steve after the run out, who remained motionless next to the stumps with his hands towards the heavens, not too dissimilar to a Freddie Flintoff celebration.

A small partnership then followed, but it was once again Chad who made the breakthrough. Shortly after, Harold clean bowled Tony Clark. One would think that Harry was bowling with a 300g rock the way the ball crashed into the stumps, but I can assure you he just bowls a heavy ball. Chad finished with figures of 3 for 22 (8 overs) while Harry finished with a tidy 2 for 8 (4 overs). The tail was quickly cleaned up and Blacktown were bowled out for 110, 65 runs shy of victory.

A great performance from the Stags 1st XI after a disappointing game last Saturday. Also, a quick mention regarding the first-class fielding display of Greg Lewis, Steve Colley and Harry Evans who led from the front. After the game, the Gordon song was sung loud and proud. I can also confirm that Reece Bombas never did a match report for the Eastern Suburbs game. Boo-urns!

Get Fah You Bah!

Dan Smith