2nd Grade vs Randwick-Petersham - Round 13 - 2011/12

I am not greatly motivated to write this match report. I know the limit of my abilities and they can’t compete with the two greatest match reports ever written, those of 3rd and 2nd Grade last round. On the other hand, maybe if I miraculously write a masterpiece, I will find myself in 1st Grade…. which makes me wonder why Missy doesn’t find himself in 2nd Grade. Let’s face it, I would rather be reading a report written by him as well.

The purpose of this manuscript is to document for the future generations Gordon’s 2nd Grade’s effort and success against Randwick-Petersham, so I shall do so with the ideal of relevance being paramount.

The match was originally meant to be held over 2 days, and 2 weekends. Rain forced the SCA to make this a 1-day, 50-over match on the second weekend.

The pre-match hype was more animated than usual by the Randwick-Petersham website stating that Gordon 2nd Grade hadn’t beaten them for a decade. Such short memories…. we nailed them outright in last’s year’s semi-final! They were always destined to lose after publishing such absurdity.

Benny misses outie 

R-P won the toss and elected to bowl. We probably would have done the same as the tinge of green was enticing, although the wicket played very true. Any movement was due to the humidity and a touch of seam.

Jordie and Brett are becoming an imposing opening partnership. Jordie (488 at 34.86 in 2nd Grade this season) just needs a hint more focus to become an innings rock. His 38 was as comfortable as it was commanding until he was bowled by a pitched up offie.

Blair (462 at 38.50) played a much more subdued than usual innings for his 9, providing a base for Brett’s exuberance. His captaincy next week is no doubt in part a reward for the maturity he displays with the bat. I just missed Blair’s dismissal, but heard his wicket fall as I was returning from Chatswood Westfield’s food court.

With Justin at the crease, the pressure to push the scoring was not as great for Brett (256 at 36.57), but a “yes-no-wait” resulted in Brett being run out for 66. Excellent innings. Great natural batsman!

BG came and went quickly for 1. I long for the days when the foundation of Ben’s batting philosophy was that any delivery in the driving zone was carelessly lofted over cover or mid-off for 4 or 6. Ben missed a mildly out-swinging yorker, not for the first time this year. His season (305 at 23.46) is better than expected thanks to three half-centuries. Tough but true.

Justin played a typically aggressive innings. He made the impressive left-handed R-P opening bowler look very pedestrian, dispatching him to the boundary on numerous occasions.

Blair Lindsay looks to improve his bowling stocks 

The following over, after his batting partner crafted 5 runs off the first 3 balls, Justin (153 at 21.86) attempted to hit the offie for 6 on the last ball with the field spread out on the boundary. Justin always looks to be in a rush to dominate the bowlers, as opposed to accumulating runs at a slower pace in order to lower the risk of being dismissed. He was caught in the outfield.

Like most of the top-order, Logan (272 at 20.92) is continuing to improve as the season progresses. With 9 scores between 19 and 37, his 34 was his second top score of the season. Logan always looks to be in control… until he gets out!

Craig was run out by a freaky direct hit from the outfield, his 15 runs taking the team from 185 to 223, while Kurt was not able to chime in as we have come to expect, out for 2. Julian, on the other hand, ended the innings with great momentum, his 14 came mostly off the last over, out caught off the last ball of the innings. Credit must be paid to JC who ran like the wind during the last over, 0 not out. The final score of 9/236 seemed likely to be enough.

Only 4 overs were bowled to R-P before the rain, then thunder and lightning, stopped play for 90 or so minutes. During the break, R-P were most likely thinking that they were in trouble after two superb overs each from JC (26 at 17.5) and Adair (25 at 18.92). Unfortunately Adair bowled his worst 3 overs in the last 5 years after the break, giving R-P some hope.

However, this was quickly ended by JC, who continued with his mesmerising swing, and Julian, who replaced Adair. It is a pleasure watching a man with 91 1st Grade wickets on the comeback trail after working so hard to get there. Julian’s presence definitely raised the aura and the potency of the Wolf Pack.

Logan Weston guides one behind point 

JC finished with 2/11, Adair with 2/39 and Julian with the totally unflattering figures of 0/44, after being touched up by the R-P No. 10 when the game was virtually over.

Unlike BG’s batting, his bowling has improved to superlative levels of maturity, awareness and skill. His new level of triathlon fitness has provided him with an extra yard of pace. His skill and maturity has enabled him to bowl with both consistency, in terms of line and length, and variation, in terms of speed and spin. His awareness and maturity has enabled him to bowl this variation at the right times and without fear. His match figures of 2/17 are in no way due to luck, and neither are his season figures of 28 at 13.43.

Kurt only bowled one over in this match, for 17 runs! The club’s premier leg spinner openly admits he is not bowling at the phenomenal level shown in 1st grade earlier in the year. This is unfortunate as I am told he is bowling with exceptional consistency and spin in the nets. However, excellent form is only a spell away. Fortunately his gutsy batting and enthusiastic fielding provide significant contribution to the team’s success.

The 5th of the weekend’s bowlers, Blair, once again displayed his all-round cricketing prowess. His left-arm orthodox bowling was handy last year but has moved to consistently dangerous this year. Confidence and maturity seem to be the key ingredients to his 3/30 and season figures of 7 at 17.71. His flight and spin constantly tests the batsman’s nerve and skill.

Justin Avendano hits out

It is also important to mention that Craig once again displayed his consistent prowess with a faultless display behind the stumps, this round’s highlight being his swift stumping off Blair’s bowling.

So that is my brief summary of the situation in 2nd grade, in the context of primarily the last round and also of the season. Looking forward, a win against Parramatta virtually assures our place in the finals. A loss virtually assures our place out of the finals.

Adair Durie