 Green Shield Report: Gordon v Bankstown 23/12/07
Before this report begins a big thanks has to go out to Michael Falk, Jim Catlin, Mark Carmichael and Paul Stephenson who put the covers on Beauchamp on Saturday, minutes before the downpour, saving our match. After the game the previous week was washed out, winning against Bankstown was crucial to keeping alive our goal of being premiers.
(Celebration after the final catch by Henry)
The match started well with our skipper, Henry Carmichael, losing the toss and Bankstown asking us to bat, a choice welcomed by the team. Our openers Chris Hulston (11) and James Ryan (19) survived the early pace onslaught and unfortunately both departed leaving the team at 2-48
Scoring was difficult in the long and moist grass but positive batting kept the runs flowing. A solid 29 by Tom Ledgerwood and 34 by Jono Wigham steadied us in the middle order and allowed the captain to come in and blast 34 runs which featured two stunning sixes (and no fours!).
 The standout of our batting, however, was Tom Lamont who smashed 46 off 38 balls. His innings which included three 4’s and two 6’s left Bankstown wilting in the scorching midday sun and unable to mount any counter to his powerful hitting.
(Tom Lamont hits one of his sixes during his 46)
Strong support from Michael and Dan in the lower order featured some great running between the wickets which complimented the brute hitting at the other end. All in all, our batting performance was pretty good in the conditions and we believed 9/196 would be hard to chase in the thick grass.
Bankstown is traditionally a powerful team so we knew our bowling and fielding had to be on song for us to win. Chad Soper lead from the front with spells of blistering fast bowling which earned him figures of 2-18 off 10 (3 maidens).
Our bowling however was a real team effort with Henry Carmichael 1 – 21 off 10 overs (4 maidens) and Dan Lake (0 – 31 off 12) both bowling very tight spells and maintaining the pressure. Tom Ledgerwod (1 – 43) bowled double the amount of overs he was allowed by his doctor in his inspiring 10 over stint.
 Although our bowling was spot on, Bankstown were batting well and it took a triple wicket maiden by our leggie Declan Jakrot 3 – 23 from 9 with 1 maiden, to turn the match back in our favour. His over featured the wickets of Bankstown’s two form batsmen, one of whom was removed by a Chad Soper classic diving effort. At tea Bankstown were 4 – 82 off 28 overs.
(Declan Jakrot during his important spell)
After tea Bankstown began to gain some momentum again. Their 63 run fourth wicket partnership was beginning to lower our morale but encouraging talk from the team and tight bowling kept Bankstown within reach.
The game changed again when Chad snared two batsmen with toe-crushing yorkers. Henry cashed in and removed another to leave Bankstown at 7-153 with six overs to play. More tight bowling kept the runs in check, but Bankstown were starting to accelerate. Two run-outs ( a direct hit by Henry and a relay by Justin to Tom) slowed them down, but at the start of the last over Bankstown needed two to win and only had one wicket to spare.
The ball was tossed to our youngest player, Darren Jayasekera who is nearing his eighth birthday in February (just joking!). With the weight of the team giving him arthritis, Darren ran in, bowled and yelled “catch” with everyone else, as our captain held onto the ball at cover. And that was it. Our defense of 9/196 ended in 59.1 overs with Bankstown all out 195. What a game!
 (A great stumping by James Ryan off Tom Ledgerwood)
Special mention needs to go to James Ryan, our keeper, who spent more time keeping at the stumps than he did standing back. Jimmy took two amazing stumpings including a tremendous piece of glovework off our first-change bowler. Also our “13th” man for the day Alex Shaw, kept our energy levels up with the drinks and his constant encouragement.
Thanks a lot to the supporters who came to watch. Your cheering really lifts the atmosphere and makes playing a lot more enjoyable.
The win places us in seventh position, a spot which reflects our performances this season. Rocket mentioned a need for improvement in the field which would complete our side and leave us in better position to attack the finals.
Michael O’Shea
(Some additional shots from left to right, James Ryan departs minus middle stump, Henry Carmichael, Chad Soper and Tom Ledgerwood)
(Photos courtesy Tony Wilson and the webmaster) | 
