1st Grade vs Campbelltown-Camden - Round 11 - 2011/12

Driving out to Campbelltown through quite a bit rain didn’t give me great hope for the cricket ahead but arrived at the ground to find not much rain about over Raby No 1. So after “the skip” Packman arrived late, but still getting stuck into Harry, and a short delay, the boys were ready to take on the “Ghosts”. The pitch looked like it was in good condition but a little slow so with that in mind James after winning the toss sent the Ghosts into bat.

Chad Soper on his way to 5 more wickets after his recall to 1st Grade

The openers got off to a solid start with 46 before Chad took a wicket in his first over. The runs were ticking over steadily until Chad again chimed in with 3 more wickets. Dan with 2 wickets, James with 1 wicket and Scott, who was unlucky not to take a wicket, all bowled very well and Harry & I helped out also with some tight bowling.

The bowling honours for the day went to Chad Soper with 5 for 44. The Ghosts finished up with 9 for 210. With the target set but, because of the slow wicket, not knowing how good a score on this ground it was, we had to bat sensibly and solidly.

Cam and I went out with a positive attitude to keep the scoreboard ticking over and to make sure we had wickets in hand at the end if they were needed. The Ghosts opening bowlers were quite tight and with the slowness of the wicket runs were not easy to get but we managed to be a hard fought 61 before Cam was out for solid 23.

Reece Bombas came to the crease and we knew that it important for us to continue building runs so our other batsmen could come in and be able to play their natural game. I was out next for 33 and Harry “always late” Evans came in and he and Reece took the score to 134 before he was out for a well made 32 which put us in a good position to win the match.

Reece continued on with Packers who pinch hit 21 off 17 and then Dan “Greyhound” Smith came in to finish off the match, hitting the winning runs, with 4 balls to spare. Reece finished with a good, patient innings of 69 not out.

Reece 'Bomber' Bombas demonstrates his maturity as he guides the side home

After the game there was a quality fines session with a few punishments handed out for previous offences!

Starting with JK receiving the packing of the kits for last week’s crime, then Packman drank 3 fingers of his beer for being late which he loved anyway and finally ‘Situation’ Lewis had to eat a meat pie for leaving early on Thursday night! This was a high carb and saturated fat punishment for the ‘situation’ which required a 5km run later that evening. It was a tight and exciting game and I believe the Stags worked really hard for this win, so let’s continue the good form against Penrith and Bankstown.

Greg Lewis