 1st Grade vs. Blacktown - Day 2
Cricket is a great game. We all love playing it and we put much into playing for many different reasons but one thing is for sure the game always give you back much more.
Dylan picks up 10 for the match - Congratulations
The First Grade side had an outstanding outright win last Saturday against Blacktown. If ever the character of the team was called upon, it was last match. The team got the result that was needed. We remain in the hunt for the finals and with a strong performance against Manly next week it gets us that much closer to meeting the team’s first objective set at the start of the season, to make the play offs.
For the past 3 seasons we have worked as a unit, last weekend’s result is a culmination of that work. The team lacked some of the usual suspects, however through maturity, learning and growth as a unit, the team again demonstrated that they can perform at critical moments without the need of the old crabs. A benchmark of teamwork. Watching from the sideline I am proud in the players and the journey they have taken.
There were outstanding individual performances.
- Craig Simmons captaincy. Simmo has the competitive drive of Lleyton Hewitt and the cricket acumen of Ian Chappell. He directed the players around the park precisely, the bowling changes, the batting order. And he led from the front with 81 off 60 balls.
- Dylan Connell 5 for 43 in the first innings and 5 for 41 in the second. Dylan has shouldered the fast bowling responsibilities in the absence of Nicholson and myself. A competitor to the end, well done mate you deserve these results with more to come.
- Brendon MacDonald bowled 43 overs for the match taking 5 for 112. Brendon has evolved this season, He has listened, learnt and unrelentingly endeavoured to improve his game. Come on BMac another good one this weekend.
- Reece “Bomber” Bombas batting at No.3 scoring 51 off 126 balls in the first innings and 38 in the second innings. Reece is a First Grader always has been, like some of us all it has taken time and hard lessons for this to register. His return to First Grade with a patient and disciplined innings is only the first step.
 Ian Beverley steering the mothership home with Bomber with 35 runs when we lost early wickets. Good one Bevo, Marcus and I will treat you to lunch this Thursday.
A big performance by Bevo to get the side the 1st innings points
- Rod Hokin knocking 38 off 27 rocks to get us home for the outright. With some batting coaching from Dylan, Rocket picked the right ball waited for his zone and pirouetted 3 zacs over midwicket.
- Chris Archer taking his first scalp in First Grade. Welcome aboard my friend the first is always the hardest.
- To Marcus, Melanie, Kate & Michael. Your laps around the oval helped get us our wickets.
The catching this match was much improved. Gareth Wrights catch on the fine leg boundary was a standout as was the slips catching. The fielding had more intensity than seen of late. The key is to stay in this zone.
On to Manly. To all the players in the finals hunt keep up the effort and intensity, don’t look beyond your next performance, train hard this week with a focus on the next round.
Not "good luck" to Second and Fourth grade, for you have come this far with hard work and endeavour, but rather just know that First Grade is supporting you and willing you on.
Regards
Zeddie
Scores
Gordon 7/225 dec. (Craig Simmons 81, Reece Bombas 51, Iain Beverley 35) and 8/124 (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
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