2nd Grade vs Campbelltown-Camden - Round 11 - 2011/12 |
Adair Durie continues to lead the attack for his skipperInstead of willow and leather colliding on the pitch, it was thunder and lightning from above, and rain pelting down. Possibly the supporters from the far western regions were not too disappointed, as their team holds the upper hand on the competition table. Prospects of play were not looking too positive as Chatswood Oval became water-logged, but after four hours of dressing room games and spectator ramblings of suicide like exploits on the F3, the rain finally eased. A start to play still seemed unlikely, but with Adair quietly encouraging the umpires to reluctantly leave their slumbering in the lounge area, and with the probable next curator at the SCG, Logan Weston, working magnificently on the super sopper, the umpires kindly deemed play to start at 2.45 pm with a 25 over aside game. Finally, the action we had all been waiting for was about to unfold. Campbelltown is sent in to bat and what a start, with Adair “Any One For Red” Durie snaring a wicket with the third ball of the innings. The Gordon bowlers kept it very tight, with accurate bowling backed up by energetic fielding and some top catching behind the wicket. The Campbelltown innings, with wickets falling regularly, was never allowed to get into full stride. The Captain rotated his bowlers well and Blair “AB” Lindsay helped out with some tidy overs. However, at 6 for 107 after 21 overs on a wet outfield, the Ghosts had runs on the board and wickets in hand for a final onslaught. Captain Ben “the bowler of the moment” Garratt had other ideas.
Benny Garratt, Craig Thornborough and James Campbell & Logan Weston all contributed heavilyAfter bowling three tight overs, B.G. had a wicket with the first ball of his fourth over, thanks to an outstanding running catch on the boundary by James “it’s all in the technique” Campbell. Next ball, Campbelltown’s top scorer got an edge and was caught behind by a smart catch to Craig “keeper” Thornborough, to bring his tally to two after his brilliant first diving catch off Adair. Two balls, two wickets. The pressure is on. Ben bowls and the ball is hit hard back high to Ben’s left: a return chance; Ben dives: juggles three times, finally snaring the catch. A hat trick!! Congratulations. The skipper has now taken 15 wickets from his last 17.2 overs. This is from a skipper who regularly needed encouragement to bowl himself in games. A great effort. Next over, Elliot Richtor bowls the final Campbelltown batsman. All out for 112. All bowlers contributed with fine spells with Adair Durie 3 for 22, James Campbell 3 for 13, Ben “hat-trick” Garratt 3 for 12, and Elliot Richtor 1 for 18, sharing the honours. A small total to get, a top batting line-up, get a good start and a win should not be a big problem, but with a wet outfield, dodgy batting conditions against a good bowling line-up, and Gordon 2’s penchant for the dramatic, nothing is certain. Gordon got off to a good start with Jordan Liddle and Brett “The Flasher” Rosen building steadily against tight bowling. An opening partnership of 31 off 6 when Brett falls. A solid start. Blair “Cuddles” Lindsay has a rare failure with the bat. No worries. Plenty in reserve. Justin Avendano, B.G. and Jordan after a well compiled 29, soon follow victims of good bowling and a pitch that is obviously bowler friendly.
The far westerners are starting to smile. Could be a long trip home south for others, Harbour Bridge closed, tunnel clogged, bugger it. Experience needed. Keeper in. A partnership please. Logan plays out a maiden. 5 overs left, 36 runs to get. Tension and runs steadily mount. James Campbell partners with Adair Durie to cause a top-order collapseAndrew Falk, a steady hand on the scoreboard, but I think I detect a slight quiver in the fingers though. A partnership at last, we reach 100. Sit still Manuel. Craig falls. Oh, why do they do it to us old blokes? Kurt is run out: 8 for 104. Mark “The Paparazzi” Weston is having trouble staying focused while, at the table, tiny pearls of sweat stain the scorebook as Dickie’s grip on his pencil tightens. J.C. comes in, a level head and a technique to match. Logan pulls, a certain boundary. Oh no! He has punctured the square leg umpire. One run instead of four. The umpire claims he has never been hit in 40 years of umpiring. Why now? 8 for 105. One over left. Curator, it is up to you. First ball: 4. Second ball: 2. Third ball: Logan skies it, fielder runs back and drops it. 2 runs and it is all over. A win that was never in doubt. Well played Logan. Congratulations again skipper. Well played Gordon 2’s. Can’t wait until next Saturday. The Spectator |
At Chatswood Headquarters, spectators and supporters from various parts: local, deep south, distant north, and far west, arrived looking forward to a relaxing day of socialising, as well as some entertaining cricket action, were disappointed that the only action was Gordon’s skipper, Ben Garratt, winning the toss.
5 for 73, no need to panic. Elliot Richtor is still there and batting well, and Logan “The Curator” Weston is coming in. Oh crap! Elliot is out. 6 for 77. 
