 1st Grade vs. Blacktown (day 1)
After the disappointment of the Mosman debacle, the Stags premier side was looking to bounce back against Blacktown. With results going against us in the run towards the finals, an outright victory was suddenly needed to keep alive our slim finals chances.
The "D-Train" on his way to collecting 5 for the innings
Craig Simmons was once again in charge and won the toss, sending Blacktown into bat on a pitch that would give some assistance to the bowlers early, before flattening out in the afternoon.
Gareth “G-Banger” Wright took the new ball with the D-Train (Dylan Connell), in a role that is fast becoming a poisoned chalice and again bad luck struck. G-Banger having a reoccurrence of his back troubles at the start of his 6th over, ensuring that he did not bowl again in the innings.
D-Train shouldered the extra load taking 3 early Blacktown wickets to have them struggling at 3-10. Matt “Albi” Jones took the 4th, leaving Blacktown 4-19.
Some lusty hitting from Blacktown’s middle order and more dropped catches (1st Grade has probably only taken a third of their catches since Christmas) saw Blacktown recover. Brendan “BMac” McDonald once again bowled well, twice making the vital breakthrough, finishing with 3 wickets before the D-Train cleaned up the tail to finish with 5 wickets for the innings. Blacktown dismissed for 219.
The Stags had 34 overs left to face in the day. Needing to knock the runs off as quickly as possible to try and get a 10 point result next week, Simmons unleashed on the Blacktown bowlers, scoring 82 runs off 60 balls before being dismissed. Rasool and Packman fell whilst providing support, leaving the Stags 3 for 157 at stumps, with “Bomber” Bombas and “Rocket” Hokin at the crease.
The game was left positioned for some exciting cricket to be played on Day 2.
Scores
Gordon 3-157 (Craig Simmons 81, Reece Bombas 25*) vs Blacktown 219 (Dylan Connell 5-43, Brendan McDonald 3-70).
Dylan Connell
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