 A big day puts us in the semis hunt for firsts, seconds and fourths.
Dylan Connell takes 10 wickets in match, Dan Mahaffey 9 and James Campbell starts his spell with 6 overs, 6 wickets and 6 maidens.
(Reece Bombas brought his girlfriends down from the central coast to watch his innings)
The hospitality of the Blacktown club was at its usual highest standard however they weren’t able to pick up a win after giving it their all for both days of each of the matches against Gordon. It hasn’t been their best year at Blacktown this year, however they are a proud club that have a fantastic base of talented juniors who will start to see the results they deserve in the not too distant future.
The day was a roller coaster ride that ended with firsts and fourths picking up outright victories, seconds and thirds winning but unable to capitalise on first innings leads, fifths defending their score and Colts going down to Penrith.
 The player of the round was undoubtedly Dylan Connell who picked up 10 wickets with two 5 wicket hauls and hit the winning runs for the outright victory.
(Dylan Connell during his 5 wicket haul on Saturday)
First Grade
The first grade match was a big effort to first chase down 219 after losing 3 early wickets with Reece Bombas scoring his first 1st grade 50 and Iain Beverley showing great form with 35 not out just when a solid hand was needed. The bowlers then took over with Dylan taking early wickets and Brendan McDonald continuing his great consistency taking the ball from the 5th over and bowling the full innings from then on to collect 2.
The Blacktown side were bowled out for 126 and left Gordon with 124 to win from 28 overs. The innings stated slowly with Craig Simmons and Brad Rasool leaving early. Reece Bombas as he did in the first innings steadied the ship however was again losing partners. Enter Rod Hokin who with 15 runs needed from 10 balls decided the game was there to be won and dispatched the hard working Maher for two sixes into Orchard Road. The eighth wicket fell at the start of the last over, however Dylan stepped up and hit the ball high over mid off for the winning runs. Rod finished with 38 while Reece collected 35.
 Scores
Gordon 7 for 225, dec. (Craig Simmons 81, Reece Bombas 51, Iain Beverley 35) and 8 for 124. (Rod Hokin 38, Reece Bombas 35) defeated
Blacktown 219 (Dylan Connell 5 for43, Brendan McDonald 3 for 70) and 126 (Dylan Connell 5 for 41, Brendan McDonald 2 for 42, Craig Simmons 2 for 13) outright
(Ben Garratt acknowledges his 78 not out)
Second Grade
The seconds met a more determined side this week who took two early Gordon wickets in getting the 10 we needed to win and then batted with resolve and some luck to score 6 for 213 and set the 2’s 204 to win off 34.
The match had been delayed due to the overnight storms getting under the covers and leaving a damp outfield and some wet spots on the wicket. After getting the runs necessary for a first innings win, the boys set out to put some pressure on the Blacktown bats in search of 10 points. The breaks just didn’t come the way of the bowlers with several appeals and catches falling out of reach and Blacktown set out to compile a total that would give them a chance to get some points.
 The Gordon plan was to get a solid start and then accelerate later in the innings, however 4 quick wickets and the skipper was forced to bat out time and the innings finished early with no chance of a further result.
Jack Ritchie and Elliot Richtor picked up the wickets with 3 and 2 respectively in the Blacktown second innings.
(Not out Jules)
Scores
Gordon 7 dec. for 146, (Ben Garratt 78 not out) and 4 for 53 (Nick Dowsley 22 not out) defeated
Blacktown 136 (Adair Durie 4 for 24, James Kennedy 2 for 26, Julian Stephenson 2 for 21) and 6 dec. for 213 (Jack Ritchie 3 for 58, Elliot Richtor 2 for14)
Third Grade
After last week's great performance, hopes were high that the Stags could push for an outright win. Declaring at their overweek score, 27 ahead, the bowlers attacked but the Blacktown batsmen showed a lot more resolve and, despite good intent, Gordon were unable to take wickets consistently and Blacktown finished on 9-249. Dan Mahaffey was again the best bowler, taking another 4 wickets, and Captain Howitt snared 2. A convincing first innings win but unfortunately the end of 3rd Grade's semi final campaign.
 Scores
Gordon 3 for 158, dec. (Jack Hammond 51, Steve Colley 46 no) defeated
Blacktown 131 (Dan Mahaffey 5-34, Nick Medcalf 3 for 52, and 9 for 249. (Dan Mahaffey 4 for 33, Ed Howitt 2 for 30) on first innings
(Dan Mahaffey in action against Blacktown)
Fourth Grade
The 4ths travelled to a very damp Whalan Reserve to find one of the fields with large areas of water and an end of their oval very wet. A temporary boundary 20 metres in from the fence was agreed upon and James Campbell opened from the northern end. I think James would be the first to agree that there was some assistance in the wicket particularly at his end as he started with 6 for 0 in his first 6 overs.
The wickets kept coming from there for the other bowlers and Blacktown were all out for 53. Enforcing the follow on, Iqbal Ahmed saw the opportunity for an experienced spinner to have a go at James’s end and was quickly into the game with 2 wickets.
 The Blacktown team weren’t going to lie down however and in difficult conditions they didn’t let their heads drop and they started to work hard to get some runs. At 2 for 80, a recovery was taking shape however with the spinners now working from both ends wickets started to fall again and Adam Cubbage joined in with a good spell to take 2 wickets. In the end Iqbal finished with 5 and the match was won outright in the early evening.
(Iqbal Ahmed leads his team off at Whalan)
There is no doubt Gordon had the better of the conditions, however this happens in cricket and in a year of very difficult weather it has worked both ways for the teams. Importantly there is definitely an advancement from both the umpires and captains to play the game and take whatever comes and Blacktown are to be congratulated for their efforts.
Scores
Gordon 235 (Harry Turner 61, Hugh Selby 44 no) defeated
Blacktown 53 (James Campbell 6 for 21, Hugh Selby 3 for 13) and 118 (Iqbal Ahmed 5 for 29 Patrick Effeney 2 for 27 Adam Cubbage 2 for 23) Outright
 Fifth Grade
The game at Beauchamp was delayed for half an hour due to a wet patch on the wicket. However when play started it proved to have no effect on the game.
(James Campbell in action for 4ths)
Gordon needed early wickets and Matt Selby obliged, removing the opener in his second over. The Blacktown batsmen then made very slow progress and, with tight bowling, things were going well for the Stags. Justin Avendano was introduced early and had immediate success, taking two important wickets and bowling an excellent spell. Another wicket and a run out and Gordon were on top, with Blacktown staggering at 5-60. However the no.7 came in and started attacking, hitting several sixes and changing the mood of the game. The tea scorer was 5-102 - anyone's game.
Not anyone’s game however with a man like Michael Falk in your team to send down a mixtures of loops, darts, turners, straight ones, skidders, and slower balls to bamboozle the bats.
Straight after tea, however, two wickets felll quickly and, with Dan Lake also bowling a great line and taking a wicket, Blacktown were dismissed for 117. A very good result for the Stags, brought about largely through an excellent opening partnership last week and some very disciplined bowling today.
 Oh Yes, Michael finished with 4 for 26.
Scores
Gordon 188 (Mayur Kulkarni 44, Sunny Sajdeh 26) defeated
Blacktown 117 ( Justin Avendano 2 for 31, Matt Selby 1 for 13, Michael Falk 4 for 26, Dan Lake 1 for 33).
(The great man bowling a slidding straight one)
Colts
The Colts arrived at Rance Oval to find a wet field after the storms that covered all of Sydney overnight. With Penrith in a strong position for the semis in Metropolitan Cup and needing only 70 or so to win, it was decided to wait for the track to dry. The game started at 3.45pm and Penrith advanced to 5 for 122 passing the Gordon first innings. With late start the match was completed and everyone went home much improved in their poker skills and some without their lunch money.
Scores
Penrith 5 for 122 (Sam Ranney 2 for 20, Mayank Rasotra 1, Karan Anand 1 Kamal Sattar 1) defeated
Gordon 121 (Mike Weaver 39, Mayant Rasotra 25) | 
