 3rd Grade Report - Round 1
A nice little away trip to downtown Cook Park meant a ridiculously early start and memories of playing U12’s back in the early….. (you guess there!!).
(Keiran hits one into St. Mary's shops)
Having introduced himself to Sam Pearce, our new WA recruit, the skipper won the toss on a wicket without much grass and elected to bat. The early loss of Kleem and Colley saw Pearce (51) and Jones (73) come together and begin to build a “crucial” partnership. They were particularly harsh on the Penrith spinners, with Pearce bludgeoning 4 x 6’s before falling the ball after raising his bat for 50.
The partnership of 93 was highlighted by the way they both hit the bad balls into and over the boundary. Missy Higgins (23) joined Jones and kept the board ticking over before Jones wasted a century opportunity and was stumped (apparently he only needs one more ton to overtake John Cronin’s tally of centuries. But they include backyard cricket, so hardly think a very creditable challenge!!). Nick Cheadle(18) and Ed Howitt (23*) added valuable runs at the end of the innings, but the Stags made the cardinal sin of not batting the overs out and missed out on another 18 available deliveries.
 Although the wicket was slow at times, and batting not particularly easy early on, we put ourselves in a good position to score 260+, but constant flow of late wickets prevented this target being reached. A facet we need to learn from for future games.
(Howitt displaying his UK form)
However, the captain was happy with 238 and this was backed up by a very good opening spell from Umayr Amir (0/23 off 8), ably supported by Josh Ling (1/22 off 6). Both bowled good lines and built up early pressure and this contributed in Dan Mahaffey (4/42 off 10) picking up his 1st wicket in 3rd grade, off only his 2nd delivery. Dan also bowled one side of the wicket and he, with Howitt and Cheadle operating from the other end, helped send Penrith from 2/108 to 5/117 in 5 overs.
Gordon remained in the box seat from that point, and Cheadle (2/46 off 10) and Howitt (3/15 off 10) finished the Panthers off with a bonus point to take back to Chatswood. A good, very good actually, performance first up!! We bowled to our field and bowled very few boundary deliveries. Penrith were made to play well for most of their runs. Colley was excellent in the field and Higgins very tidy behind the stumps (apart from 2 byes conceded when a fizzing off spinner from Howitt beat him and the batsmen all ends up).
 A good day, marred only by the skipper forgetting to wait for Howitt Snr to join us for the song. Ling and Amir will be on time next game and am assured those without creams will purchase a pair ASAP. It looks village, as they would say in the UK!!
(Looking good Missy, one for the archives)
Hoppa | 
