Colts vs North Sydney - Round 11 - 2011/12

Waking up to overcast conditions, I was not too worried about not being able to play, until I drove 200m down the road and it began to rain. “Oh well” I thought “I’m in Hornsby, could be all right in Chatswood.” Unfortunately I couldn’t have been more wrong...

A wet Beauchamp Park

Arriving at Beauchamp Park, I noticed the sight screens were up and a number of people gathered around the wicket, hope of a match remained... Despite intermittent sprinklings of rain the covers were removed to reveal a green deck, which promised some movement for the bowlers, if the ball didn’t get too wet from what was, at best, a damp outfield.

Dave Millar sent us for a warm up and possibly one of the most intense games of fielding soccer I have witnessed. Dom Thomson’s sliding tackle on Adam Aarons was a highlight…

Unfortunately that was the most exercise we got as the rain decided to come down in bucket loads. With the covers back on and the rain pounding the rooftop we were confined to the change-rooms until conditions improved.

They never did and at 12:30, after removing the covers to inspect the deck, the decision was mutually reached to declare the match as a washout. A great disappointment for all involved.

That wasn’t to say that the Gordon boys couldn’t make the most of things. A game of change-room cricket was just what the doctor ordered to cure the craving the boys had for a game of cricket. Despite Reagan Klemt’s ridiculous one-hand-one bounce rule, which brought upon the demise of many batsmen within their first 6 balls, there were flashes of brilliance: Dom Thomson occupied the crease for a long time, smashing anything full which made the game particularly perilous for those fielding in close.

Dan Stickland watches on before considering how to take each of the boys to the cleaners

Carl Kinghorne’s reverse leaves and Aussie batsmen impressions were exquisite and showed us all how to bat like a clown, yet stay alive! Needless to say, we made the most of what was a pretty grim and frustrating situation, and good times were had by all…except for those who got cleaned out during our poker game (sorry boys!)

So whilst this may be a useless report, as no real cricket was played, I figured I should write something as all the boys in the change-room made the day something, when we all could’ve just sat around staring at the rain or our shoelaces. And besides, it’s better than reading an Andrew Coleman report!

It’s great to be Gordon down Chatswood way….

Dan Stickland