 3rd Grade Annual Report
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ... a great year, with a lousy ending.
This team had a number of survivors from seasons past. And it was a group that sought redemption for its underachievement the previous season.
Captain Kelly in fine form
The irrepressible Holmes and the laconic Ling were together from the start of the season and they were supported by the hard-edged Dave Michael (probably the angriest but most well-read of the Michael clan) and the unknown quantity of Englishman Neil Longhurst, apparently not your usual product from "up North". None of this season's number failed to make significant contributions during the year.
The season could not have started better with a crushing win against the previous season's third-grade premiers, St George. St George's captain reflected after being passed one wicket down inside 23 overs, that this team was his early-season tip for the premiership. It was also the game that unveiled the new Ben Garratt, a player who hit with authority (some may even say disdain) over cover, anything on a length on or outside off stump. It was not quite the "shot heard 'round the world", but good judges were predicting big things for this team.
After a poor game against UTS Balmain, the team faced another big test in perennial third-grade achievers, Sydney University. Sydney Uni had two opening bowlers who had each played a significant amount of first grade in the last 3 years, but Gordon welcomed back James Hosking, who just wanted to "chill-out" a little and enjoy his cricket. It would be fair to say that James was enthusiastically welcomed by the side; and the captain knew that if he could make the experience enjoyable enough to encourage him to stay, this was going to be a pretty useful team.
With scores of 86, 103*, 79 and 66 in his first four innings, James appeared to be sufficiently enjoying himself. His first failure - against Parramatta - was a little unfortunate as both he and Sherman appeared to pay for a close 'not out' lbw call against Garratt. Some may call this a square up; but what a great decision by the umpire as Garratt, only opening in the last 10 overs of the day, after the captain suffered a bump on the knee, decided to ignore the captain's advice of playing for stumps and smashed 57* from 33 balls, including six fours and three sixes (all over cover). However, as Garratt was the designated player to go up to second grade the following week, the game (chasing 236) was still in the balance. Gordon need not have worried, as despite both Richtors feeling rather ill on the morning of the second week, following the Gordon DCC luncheon, each played very sensible hands to get the team home. Sherman, still seething at his decision from the previous week - and a broken pair of sunglasses - thought that the result was so safe that he determined it unnecessary to turn up to the ground until the job was virtually completed.
The victory against Parramatta followed the most dominant performance of the season - a thumping 2 point bonus victory on the back of an opening partnership of 163 between Garratt (86) and Sherman (97) at better than a run a ball and Hosking's 66 on Remembrance Day. The sign of the closeness of the side was demonstrated by the team dialing the captain (who was on holiday) into the team song. This team was playing well and they meant it.
The final piece in the third-grade puzzle fell into place, and I'm not talking about getting rid of Higgins for Makepeace. Having been told by his wife that she was tired of him being at home on Saturdays, Adair Durie made his first appearance in third grade for the season in round five. A genuine outswing bowler is a rarity in grade cricket, let alone in third grade, and with a bowler of his ability and experience, the "battery", which was already an attack the envy of most of our opposition seemed pretty strong. He took a little time to get into the season, but 5/69 against leaders Sutherland followed by match figures of 9/94 against Blacktown in the first game after Christmas in an outright win showed that he had hit his straps. He also kept the dressing room educated with his vinatorial lessons.
By Christmas, Chatswood Oval was the best lower grade ground in the competition; with a well-grassed, hard pitch and good outfield. It was not surprising that first grade returned in January. It was fantastic to see Gordon's top grade return to the Club's home, but it meant that we would have to leave. The only chance to return was to host finals cricket - a worthy ambition. Each of third grade and fourth grade were given the choice where to play their remaining home games. Fourth grade chose Killara; but as the third grade captain had both a dislike for Bingham's Ring and the best bowler in the world at Beauchamp, third grade chose Beauchamp.
 Ling did not disappoint, bowling some terrific spells, including the humbling of Mosman and Randwick-Petersham. Mosman made 122 off 45 overs with Ling taking 3/19 from 8. Randy-Petes were all out for 164, chasing, with Ling taking 3/14 from 8. Almost unplayable, but certainly impossible to score against. Holmes continued his development as a strike bowler and invaluable member of the side.
One of many for Josh Ling!
His 32 wickets for the season was a good return and his heart was epitomised by his 5/61from 18 against Easts on a flat and slow wicket whilst carrying an injury. The Club will miss Jordie Holmes when he is overseas in the coming season, but not nearly as much as the cops visiting the Oaks on a Friday night will miss him.
Jones joined the team after scoring too many runs to be ignored any longer and made some typically hard-hitting and important contributions. His 79 against Bankstown, after a middle order collapse, with the assistance of Dave Michael and Sweeney’s 59 was a terrific innings. This was also the innings that Sherman, having had a low-scoring season to that point (save for his 97 in the demolition of Wests), got back to the quality and consistency for which he is known. With scores of 54, 52, 55, 70 and 96 in the last 6 games, including the final, Pic was the team's most consistent batsman at the pointy end of the year and he deservedly passed both 500 runs for the year and 5,000 runs for the club. Congratulations Pic!
A special mention of Matt Makepeace, who was asked to do what he did not want to do, and take the gauntlets when Higgins moved up to second grade. Matty took on the job and without him we would have been in some bother. We all know that he has the ability to be a dominant higher grade batsman. Unfortunately his season did not return the kinds of results of which he is capable and being moved up and down the order cannot have helped. However, his thumping 70 against Bankstown and countless solid starts, whilst batting up the order in Hosking's injury absence, affirms that if he puts in the hard work, higher grade cricket is still his to take. A fantastic man to have in your team.
After some typical last-round shenanigans at other games, and a comprehensive routing of fierce rivals, Northern Districts, Gordon finished as minor premiers and the knowledge that if we kept winning, we would remain at Chatswood Oval.
Game 1 of the post season (I confess to not knowing its proper name) against UTS Balmain. Gordon lost the toss on a lively wicket and were sent in. A good opening stand of 80 and the chance to go into lunch at 1/110; but 15 minutes of madness saw the tables turned and Gordon were reeling at 5/126. The captain was not happy. However, the best innings of the season saw the coming of age of Elliot Richtor. His 114 (his first hundred for the club) took more than 4 hours of rain breaks and tough conditions and was a fantastic innings to watch. Interestingly, the first signs that a big innings was close, was the 16 he scored in the dark in an hour and a half against Randwick-Petersham. Hard work pays off. 307 was too many for Balmain to get in 60 overs with the quality of Gordon's attack. We had survived with (hopefully) our one bad batting period out of the way.
The semi-final against Western Suburbs was a dominant performance from start to finish, as it was during the rounds. Gordon's bowling was attacking and put the Wests batsmen under sustained pressure. Archer's best return for the season of 4/51 from 26 overs showed his true ability. Slow bowling can be a tough ask, but all were very impressed by the temperament and control that he demonstrated in his first full season. He will only get better with experience; and hopefully he can leave his shirt on more often in the future. On a good batting wicket Wests' 179 was passed for the loss of the two openers, who shared a hundred-run stand.
March 30. Were the stars in alignment? Was it to be a premiership? Sutherland. A lost toss - but by this stage losing a toss was welcomed by the team as a psychological advantage to allow the other team to make the mistake. Then the biggest wicket in the game, Matt Bradley gone for 1, after a Holmes' leg-cutter knocked out his off pole. It was looking good. We bowled well to restrict the Sharks to 250. And at 3/150, and Sherman tearing the attack apart, another good 45 minutes may have been all that was required to bring home the cup. It was not to be - another collapse - losing 7/50 doesn't win too many premiership deciders.
Finals are great days. Home finals are better. Chatswood Oval was fantastically presented, throughout the finals and particularly in the last game. It is a credit to Willoughby Council, the groundsmen; but also to the Club's committee and especially people such as Tony Wilson, Paul Stephenson, Andy Falk and Sam Buono. The level of support from our club mates was terrific. Many thanks and I'm just sorry we could not bring the trophy home to repay that effort and support. Thank you also to Michael Berman who scored at Chatswood in the early part of the season and especially to Bob Archer who kept the best book that I have seen in grade cricket. Finally a big thank you to Maria and Michael Michael for looking after the canteen, lunches and teas during the final; each of our finals' opponents conveyed their gratitude for the way that they were looked after.
 To have the top six batsmen in the side score more than 500 runs for the season is an incredible statistic. Congratulations also to Adair for passing the 40 wicket mark for the year. It was great to enjoy with Pic the achievement of reaching the 5,000-run mark for our great club, each in an innings of significance during the season. However, it is interesting that each of respective innings was the highest score in the game in which we lost. Damn milestones!
Elliot 'Emo' Richtor - one of the 500+ club
Third grade's season was built on the foundation of some very talented players, many of whom have now out-grown this level of competition, or others who could still be playing higher grade cricket. However, it was also based on the fact that the team saw each game as its "most important", worked hard and took nothing for granted. It was a pleasure to play with this group of players and accordingly easy to captain. I can honestly say that I had my most enjoyable season in nearly 20 years of grade cricket. This team is very special to me and I am indebted to you all.
Congratulations to Dave Millar and the sixth grade for the back-to-back premiership victories; and also to Dave Gray and the fifth grade team for a very good year.
Depending on negotiations, this may be the last time that I have the pleasure of playing with the Gordon DCC on a full-time basis. The experience is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.
See you from the stands.
Matt Kelly | 
