Second grade report Day 1 vs Randwick Petersham
What better way to celebrate the Nation’s 220th Birthday than with a spot of cricket at the picturesque Coogee Oval - “for she’s a jolly good fellow indeed...”
(Ben Garratt during his century ...courtesy A.Wilson photographics Inc)
With some changes to the Reserve grade line-up (scorer included), the baton was passed to a new look contingent, and having penned ‘U/19’ beside six of eleven names, the caretaker captain was sure to rely as heavily on his strategic skills as those developed through his affinity for Babysitter’s Club novels.
With blue skies overhead and twenty-two F3 yards underfoot, the skipper won the toss (one from one) and had no hesitation in electing to have first use of the facilities. The task ahead for the Stags was clear: value your wicket, build partnerships throughout the day, and be there with wickets in hand at the end of the day to cash in and post 300+.
(Harry Evans during his innings ...courtesy A.Wilson photographics Inc)
The openers, Blair “In dire need of a nickname” Lindsay (72 off 135; 7x 4s) and Harry “H” Evans (70 off 112; 7x 4s), got the ship off to its best start of the season, combining patient shot selection with an excellent understanding between the wickets to post 148 for the first wicket. The pair worked with particular diligence in seeing off some effective new ball bowling and, having set up the day for the remainder of the side, would perhaps regret not having gone on to post what would have been most deserved tons.
(Reece Bombas during his innings ...courtesy A.Wilson photographics Inc)
As has plagued the Twos all season, a cluster of wickets followed, with the second falling with no addition to the score and in the space of 15 overs the scoreboard had hiccuped to 4/183. At this point the overdue Reece “Quality” Bombas (85 off 101; 10x 4s) entered the fray and set about stabilising the innings with a mature head, straight blade and some impeccable timing. At the other end of the wicket the “Babysitter” Garratt (106* off 166; 9x 4s) assumed the anchor role, delivering the ‘captain’s knock’ that has been sorely missed thus far in 07/08 (cheap shot I know – sorry Nick). The pair combined to add 160 runs for the 5th wicket in 33 overs (including 89 runs in the hour after tea) before Reece was adjudged LBW just short of what would have been a first rate century.
With Randy-Petes well ahead of the over rate and less than 40 minutes on the clock, the game ground to a near halt (with the exception of a streaker!), but this didn’t stop a cameo from Cam “E-Oh” Eccles (27 off 24; 2x 4s) who rotated the strike well, saw the skipper to three figures and plundered the loose balls in a 49-run partnership that lasted less than 7 overs and saw the scoreboard flow to 6/ 394.
(Blair Lindsay during his innings ...courtesy A.Wilson photographics Inc)
All in all, an extremely satisfying day for individuals and the team alike. Many thanks to Lenny Bombas for his inspirational stint behind the book, and also to budding photographer T. Wilson for his best efforts behind the lens. Particularly pleasing for the caretaker at the helm was the premium placed on each wicket and the responsibility shown by those in the centre to steer the ship in the right direction. The support from the sideline was strong throughout the day, and with the same work ethic and enthusiasm to be applied next week in the field, the B-graders are well positioned to bring an invaluable 6-points home to Chatswood (assuming of course that the returning skipper is not too hasty in declaring the innings closed!).
BG.
(Ben Garratt) | 
