3rd Grade vs Parramatta - Round 14 - 2011/12

After a short lay-off through injury, this scribe arrived at Merrylands Oval to be greeted with a slightly unfamiliar squadron of Gordon cricketers. Most notably, it was a far less intimidating 3rd grade line up in the absence of our hairy and hard-working hybrids - Little Lion Man (Effeney) and Little Bear Man (Cubbage). One was up. One was down. Neither here to amuse us.

Hey Missy, perhaps this was as better shot to play on 99?? 

On the flip side, the changing room bore a far less noxious odour. It was also flooded in one corner, but this was no surprise given the housing of Manatee over Saturday and Sunday. The reverse-inclining-pivot double-doored entry to our temporary abode was also worth a mention, although honestly it was too confusing to describe properly in words. Let’s just say it required a lot of effort to enter/exit this change room.

As it turned out, the toss was one of the few Ward Howitt has won this season (so I understand), or over his career for that matter. Inevitably, given his lack of experience in this regard, his election to bat was not great (we very quickly found ourselves 5/50 on the first morning). This, however, is very easy to say in hindsight, given the wicket looked reasonably batting-friendly. Further, the Parramatta quicks bowled with discipline, with one completing a hatrick with a ball that had one of the Kolley brothers (Dave?) shaping to leave, then decked to dislodge his leg stump.

The non-striker Higgins (who, by the way, is preparing to make his Hillsong radio debut after the success of his podcasts) described this ball as unplayable.

In fact that was really the story of Missy’s early morning. He was a spectator to the demise of our top order. However, slowly but surely he accreted runs, mostly with little tickles and flicks to the on-side (as he was constantly reminded by the intellects in the Parramatta cordon). In a display of defiance, Missy continued to 50 and then 80 with the support of the Mini Beaver. Tom Beverley played a very important innings in the context, taking singles here and there whilst occasionally branching out with a booming shot.

After he departed, Missy continued on his merry way but was incomprehensibly denied his hundred after he lobbed a ball to mid-wicket on 99. This was undoubtedly the worst ball of the day, and deceived Missy by its parabolic like qualities as it floated through the air. A fantastic innings all the same, which put Gordon in a commanding position going in to day two.

Let’s not forget Charlie “Billy Bongwater” Bangs’ contribution either. His 2 or 3 bombs at the end of the innings, which got progressively bigger in size, were awesome. One even interrupted the Under 8 swim carnival next door. Harry ‘Hooch’ Turner claimed it was 109m. Silliness. He was too busy downloading country and western tunes on his iPod in preparation for the night’s festivities. Gordon all out for 224, or thereabouts.

In the short list for photos of the year, Howitt is bowled neck-and-crop 

The short conclusion of day 1 was equally exciting, with T-jaard and Billy removing an opener a piece. The Roxy was surely heaving on Saturday night.

Day 2 was much more subdued. Reg even had time to let his new pet snake loose on the outfield for a while. Gordon slowly accumulated wickets throughout the day, albeit a couple of small partnerships. As usual, Howitt Jnr lead the charge, claiming 4 crucial wickets with his wily straight-ones. All the other bowlers also contributed and Alex ‘Lines of” Lines even snatched a cheeky run out in combination with “Fingers” Beverly (rarely has a quicker and more probing pair of hands been witnessed).

As was the trend throughout the game, this act by Lines cost Taity about $400. Gambling has been taken to a new (low) level by this two, and not an over went by without some sort of odds being thrown about.

In any event, the game was secured with an hour to go in the day. Another solid win, another step closer to the finals. An exciting few weeks ahead.

Will Sweeney