 5th Grade Annual Report
As we prepared for our first game of the season against St.George, the team included seven players from our Premiership winning Colts side from the previous year who had respectfully been rewarded by selectors. What would this season bring? Could we do it again, or was there a major step up in standard between the two grades? The answer ended up being little difference. Our overall performance was very consistent, with three losses in 15 games, but (1) outstanding team – Fairfield, and our result being one week short of the grand final.
Brett Marvell at Beauchamp
Our boys played with much distinction all year. They were a young team who committed strongly every week, regularly competing with teams that had far more experience. Despite this they still endeavoured to play hard aggressive cricket, but in good spirit, as acknowledged by many umpires throughout the season. The competition became a battle between eight clubs for finals contention with Fairfield the clear leader throughout with only one loss all season, and the remaining qualifying teams only being resolved in the final round.
Round one, a convincing win over St.George, with 50s from Kenner, Sunny and Andrew Plummer as we chased down 225 in 43 overs, a good confidence booster to start the season. We backed this up with another convincing win over Balmain in the next round thanks to an outstanding century from Craig Knight and excellent bowling spells from Mahaffey and Bourne.
Rounds three and four brought us “back to earth”, with a comprehensive defeat to a strong Sydney University side and then a disappointing draw with Hawkesbury, a game where we saw our first glimpses of a future talent in Steve Colley who scored a mature 59 in extreme heat.
In round five we needed success desperately and subsequently recorded our best win of the season against the undefeated and ultimate Premiers, Fairfield. Following a consistent batting performance with 6-228, and a delayed start on day two , we dismissed Fairfield for 195, with Rob Evans taking 5 wickets, supported by one of our better fielding displays of the season. The confidence generated from this result gave us an inner belief about the season ahead and this was demonstrated throughout the games to Xmas. A comprehensive win followed over Western Suburbs in a one day game where two bonus points were attained, thanks to excellent bowling from Mahaffey, Bourne and another talented new arrival Emile Van Schalkwyk This continued into the next round against Parramatta where outright points were achieved, with Mahaffey routing the opposition with 5-25 and Emile 3-12, followed by punishing innings from Weaver with 61 and Knight, an aggressive 79*.
 Our last game before Xmas was a crucial fixture with equal 2nd placed Penrith, and after being sent in on a damp wicket we scrambled 200 thanks to a magnificent 88 by Tim Fragogianis, and had the visitors struggling at 3-20 overnight.. Penrith batted out the second day’s play, finishing at 8-179 leaving the game to finish in a tame draw, an astonishingly slow and defensive approach leaving neither team with any points in a tight competition resulting in our positions dropping to 4th and 5th on the table.
The captain chases one across the surface at Beauchamp
As we entered the new year we lost our most successful and attacking batsmen, Craig Knight as he relocated to Perth , and Richie Kenner, who went overseas . A new combination of players was established for the 2007 portion of the season, with Charlie Lawry, James Kennedy, Adam Cubbage, Brett Marvell, Steve Colley and Charlie Turner all becoming permanent fixtures in the run through to potential finals qualification. This squad of players, with the exclusion of the captain, were all 19 or under as we began our post Xmas assault.
We began to play very good cricket and the immediate acquisition of the gifted Lawry was evident at Blacktown where he scored a majestic 79, which, in conjunction with the ever reliable Mahaffey who bagged another 5 wickets, steered us to a dominant victory. The following round was also a convincing victory over Eastern Suburbs with Kennedy and Cubbage the best bowlers, supported by aggressive 50’s from the promoted Weaver and Sunny.
Mosman was our next opponent and the momentum continued with Kennedy, Turner and Colley responsible for dismissing the opposition for 169 on a placid Killara wicket. Colley and Cubbage then steered us to victory with an unconquered partnership of 123 in reaching the target two wickets down (Cubbage 65*, Colley 58*). Bankstown next round and another strong performance. Wickets to Colley, Cubbage and Mahaffey, and then an outstanding partnership of 208 with Sunny 107* and Marvell 110* reaching the total at 2-264. We were now travelling well and in third position and playing the 2nd placed Randwick side in our next encounter.
Randwick was a very experienced, hardened grade side who outplayed us - much too patient in both their bowling and batting, a maturity demonstrated that was a good learning curve for the journey ahead. One game remaining and we sat in 4th place. A loss and we could miss qualifying, a win necessary to survive, as with our opponents Northern Districts. We won the toss on a wicket with a little moisture and a slow outfield and we ripped the opposition out for 89, with great bowling from Kennedy, Turner, and Cubbage with 3 wickets. After a middle order collapse with the consideration of attaining 2 bonus points, Marvell steered us patiently and maturely into the qualifiers with Gordon finishing in fourth place.
The quarter final against Sutherland, was the game that slipped away. After having the opposition 6-143 we were washed out at 3pm on day one and, following a delayed start on day two, we dismissed the opposition for 158 - Mahaffey outstanding with 5-23. Saturday’s rain had provided significant moisture with a little cover leakage on day two, but this was no excuse for being dismissed for 136. Lawry, with a good 49 supported by Cubbage with 28 were the only batsmen to stop the demise. A second chance was granted with both Fairfield and Randwick (teams 1 and 2) winning their quarters convincingly, setting up a semi against minor premiers Fairfield.
The semi final against the strong experienced Fairfield would be a TEST of character for this side. Team sheets reflected one player under 19 for the Lions, Gordon 10 players at 19 or under, anchored by Colley at 15.
We lost the toss and remarkably on a good wicket we were sent in to bat in perfect conditions. After a solid start, Fairfield put the brakes on with mature tight bowling and it became a game of patience. Unfortunately we lost Colley in the last over before lunch to be 3-75, meaning a crucial second session was required. Lawry batted beautifully after the break to score an impressive 58, while wickets fell whenever we looked like creating a reasonable partnership. Cubbage continued his good form with a solid 31 before we were all out for 199 with one hour to play.
Kennedy and Mahaffey bowled well without luck, consistently beating the bat and having numerous edges flying over slips for four but Fairfield finished the day at 1-60.
Day two was our last chance - could we build pressure and achieve an unlikely victory to reach the grand final or would this be our last day for the 2006-7 season? Unfortunately the last day, but not without a fight which typified our season’s mentality, “never give in, play hard”. Mahaffey bowled once again with superb line and length having the opposition 3-75 (Dan all 3 wickets), and then Cubbage obtained a crucial wicket (4-99) and then another (5-129). We were in the game, but then foiled by an outstanding partnership by two players who executed at a standard far beyond fifth grade to take Fairfield to the grand final and ultimately the premiership. We were gallant and the boys deserve special praise for their commitment and performance - a game the opposition was relieved to get away with.
In summary the season was very successful , our performances overshadowed by our two outstanding teams in 3rd grade and Colts, remembering we were one week away from attaining the trophy. It was a season’s experience which will benefit many of our players for the years ahead as they progress through the grades. Reflecting on the season and having the pleasure of seeing many of the players develop, my highlights were as follows:
- Sunny/Kenner – Opening partnership 125 vs St.George
- Mahaffey - 5-25 vs Parramatta
- Mahaffey - 5-23 vs Sutherland Quarter Final
- Craig Knight - 103 vs Balmain
- Craig Knight - 79* vs Parramatta
- Cubbage /Colley - 3rd Wicket Partnership 123* vs Mosman
- Sunny/Marvell - 3rd Wicket Partnership 208* vs Bankstown
- Tim Fragogianis - 88 vs Penrith
I would like to thank all the players for their fantastic support, loyalty and dedication throughout the year. This year will be a stepping stone for future success for many of the players and I wish you well. To fathers Cubbage and Kennedy for their tremendous support each week in taking responsibility for the scoring and other domestic duties at all home games, it was much appreciated. I can’t sign off without congratulating Dave Millar and the mighty Colts, not only on winning the premiership but completing the season undefeated – terrific! Also congratulations to Matt Kelly - while you will be disappointed, it was still a fantastic effort by you and all team members to make the Grand Final – 2nd is still a grand result.
In closing, my thanks also to the tireless efforts of all officials in this 2006-7 season, with special mention to Andy Falk, and selectors Wilson, Stephenson and Hickman whose commitment should never be taken for granted in what is a very difficult job.
Dave Grey | 
