4th Grade Report vs UNSW - Round 15 |
The Gordon fourth graders travelled out to face UNSW for the final game of the regular season, chasing the minor premiership. After winning the toss we decided to have a bat on a good looking pitch and a short outfield. Before heading out to bat, we discussed the need to be selfish when you are batting and not giving the opportunity for someone else to score the runs, its up to the two men in the middle to do the job. We got of to a very good start with Pic hitting boundaries to all parts and looking like a big score could be had. However, through some excellent bowling, the Uni boys managed to take three quick wickets to leave the Stags at 3 for 40. Tait and Lin steadied the ship to get the side back on track. The bowling and fielding was very good and runs were very hard to come by and at the half-way mark we were only 100 runs. The loss of Lin sparked another collapse and in real danger of scoring less than 150. Adam Cubbage played a great cameo knock of 31 not out to guide us to a total of 170. Not very much could be said of the Gordon batting which a times looked like park cricketers trying to see who could hitting the biggest six, which resulted in some very ugly dismissals. The skipper, Lin, playing straight down the ground After the lunch break the Stags went out onto the field to defend 170 and claim the minor premiership. After a good chat before going out, all the members of the side were pumped up and full of energy. Mitch and Tim opened up and bowled very well restricting the run rate and applying pressure on the UNSW batsmen. Shenal replaced Mitch and continued the good work and was rewarded with the first breakthrough. As the runs dried up the wickets continued to fall. We knew at the start of the innings if we could restrict the runs and place pressure on the batsman the wickets would come. Tait and Pic continued through the middle overs and bowled very tidily with Tait getting a wicket and Pic get two for his work with the ball. At 6 wickets down we stepped up a notch, with Shenal back in the attack claiming the prize wicket of the UNSW skipper with a healthy edge through to the keeper. Whilst Shenal was tightening the screws at his end, Cubby was turning the ball beautifully and managed to pick up 3 wickets to go with his 31 not out. Shenal claimed the final wicket with another catch to Tait, his third for the day. Shenal collected four wickets in two excellent spells of bowling. The afternoon fielding was no doubt the best of the season with the intensity and not a quiet voice on the field. It is this intensity that we need to carry through the next three weeks. The bowlers again, as they do week in week out, bowled to the plans that were set out for them, it is now just a case of the batsman applying themselves and putting more runs on the board. 2008/09 has been a great year for the 4th graders claiming first place after the regular season. This is a great achievement and well deserved. We now look ahead to Saturday and face Penrith In the first of the final series. I personally am pumped and cannot wait to step out onto the field next week. Good luck to 3rds and 5ths next week as well and let's make it three from three. Shayne Lin |
4th Grade take home the Minor Premiership
