 5th Grade in a comanding position
After stalling late in the game last week, the 5th Grade Jazz had refueled and were determined to go the distance against a North Sydney Bears outfit that collected maximum points the week before. Gordon won the toss and elected to bat on a good track, with a simple plan in mind “don’t lose early wickets and bat out the day” – runs will come easily after the tea break.
Jono Wigham smokes one through the covers
A steady start ensued, with Weaver and Martin displaying solid defense coupled with measured stroke play. At 0/44 a big score looked imminent, however the umpires earned their money and the Jazz had the shakes at 4/53. Enter Jono Wigham and Justin Avendano, who both showed confidence and maturity beyond their years. It wouldn’t be fair to classify Jono as the third embryo of the Jazz but, considering he is only 15, we will do it anyway.
 The pair put on 60, before Avendano was out for a well made 24, trying to pump the young North Sydney spinner into the Beauchamp sheds (in order to affirm that Justin is the premier spinning embryo in grade cricket). Wigham continued to punish the attack, with his colossal frame ensuring many powerfully struck boundaries along the carpet in front of the wicket. As Tim ‘dink and dabble’ Creed began to build a partnership with Wigham, the southerly buster struck. Cue the bending of the southern sightscreen, a flash of lightning with its clap of thunder 28.49712 seconds later and play was off for half an hour (damn 30-thirty rule).
Avendano tries to match Jono's effort
As the temperature dropped so did North Sydney’s heads. Creed and Wigham added 57, before Creed was dismissed for a crafty 26. Drinks came with Wigham and Millar at the crease. Jim “Catts” Catlin queried Millar (0*) on where he was going to find some runs. Millar responded accordingly with a swift 68 including two ‘flat’ sixes (please see D.Millar for further details including ball velocity, ball elevation etc – he is the actuary after all).
 In the meantime Jono ‘a ball will never bounce above my knee roll’ Wigham, had made an outstanding 99, before being unluckily caught down the legside. Millar was dismissed on the second last ball of the day, leaving the Campbell brothers at the crease. All money was on James “JC” Campbell to add valuable leg byes on the last ball of the day, having failed to use the willow on his last ten appearances at the crease, but it wasn’t to be. At the end of the day the score was 8/291, with many of the runs coming in the last session as predicted.
Ranney spends most of his time in the change room, having batted 4 times in 2 years at the club
Hugh “Huge” Selby | 
