 Massive win sets up 1st Grade!
The 1st grade side today really put the icing on the cake on a magnificent week-end for Gordon with an excellent win against a strong Syd Uni side in today's limited over game. It was a complete team performance that enabled the club to secure 174 Sat/Sun Club Championship points and move us to 10th overall in a tight competition.
Brad Rasool thumps Mo Matthews into the stands
Ed Zelma won the toss and as per plan batted on a very good deck that perhaps would wear a little as the match progressed. Casson and Simmons opened against a very useful Uni attack. Casson (31) and Simmons (52) put on a 73 runs for the first wicket to lay the foundation for a good 1 day score. Simmo in particular really punished anything loose and it is pleasing that he is now batting with the authority that we all know he is capable. Packers (27) played some delightful shots to carry on his excellent recent form. A big innings is just around the corner for this very talented bat.
 At 1 for 118, it was looking rather promising and then a temporary lapse saw us loose 3 quick wickets (Simmo, Packers and Zeddie). At this stage the true character of this side came to the fore. Rasool made an impressive 33 with some sweet, clean hitting. Rocket (23) and the Dazzler put on 61 runs and when Rod departed at 6 for 195, we still had a lot of work to do. Benny Garrat and BMac then played two delightful cameo knocks of 30no and 36no. They both came to the wicket with the Uni State rep Mark Cameron bowling his 3rd spell. He was lethal and definitely the quickest that this reporter had seen around the traps for quite a few years.
Adair "Teddy" Durie steps up to replace the unavailable Nicho
Again they both showed tremendous guts and determination to put on 63 to take the score to a defendable 258 for the loss of 6 wickets. To BG having only his 3rd dig in 1st grade, well done under extreme pressure. 258 was defendable (even at Chatswood), however they had to bowl a tight line and length and lift their fielding standards.
This they did magnificently.
Adair (filling the shoes of Nicho) and Dylan opened the attack and set the goals for all to follow. Dylan (1 for 20 off 5) bowled with much gusto, accuracy and pace. Adair (2 for 29 off 7) was superb and how good was it to see the lift that he achieved on a pretty docile deck. He is a captain's delight and bowled that 1 side of the deck throughout his spell. Welcome back Teddy.
 Uni were 3 for 18 due to the efforts of these 2 quicks. We knew then that the game would be won or lost with the effort of the spinners. After a very tidy spells from both Simmo (1 for 34 off 8) and Zeddie (0 for 7 off 4), the time had arrived for Beau and BMac. They did not disappoint. Beau (1 for 40 off 8) and Macca (4 for 44 off 9.5) bowled superbly and only Greg Mail (80no)was able to worry the scorer. Beau is looking like the future Aussie spinner that many believe he will be and BMac is now showing us the loop, line and turn that will secure him many 1st grade wickets.
"Buzz" Casson sends down a very tidy spell
It would be remiss of me if I did not mention the work of Iain Beverly behind the stumps. He is improving with each game and 4 excellent stumpings this weekend, put the seal on a very polished and talented keeping display. Uni were bowled out for 177 off 42 overs.
Gents, today was a super team effort. You played a complete game and there were some very proud supporters present at Chatswood. Well done.
Tids.
Extra photos from the reporter/professional photographer
Simmons belts one to the point boundary Brendan McDonald punishes the Uni bowlers
BMac performs equally as well with the ball BG plays one beautifully through midoff | 
