 1st Grade vs. Blacktown - Day 2 - Dazzler's Story
The Stags went into the game against Blacktown needing ten points to keep our finals prospects alive, in the 07/08 season of 3 captains. Our third skipper, the “Big Ship” Craig Simmons, won an important toss and sent our opponents in to bat on a good looking wicket. An important decision as an outright victory was mandatory. The “Big D” Dylan Connell bowled like the star he is after softening up the umpire at the start of his spell – something to do with his luck all season…and shaking his head… Macca – Brendan McDonald - , now ‘the Big Crab’, bowled just as well as he has all season. These two bowling in tandem played a fundamental role in our twenty wicket surge.
The "Big Ship" that partners Rasool at the top of the innings
The Arch (Chris Archer), who is swiftly learning his slow left arm trade in 1’s, collected his first pole. A big lbw shout. We were so stoked. Matt Jones, our coastie with a Caribbean flavour also chipped in again. Gaza Wright, making his debut, unfortunately, slipped a disc in his back but he remained on the field to take a ‘he’s caught it’ catch on the backward square leg boundary. (He made it look easy!) Blacktown were all out for 221. The Big D must be praised for a superb effort of fast bowling. Well done mate (he loved it…and so did we…). Macca – imagine if you took this game a bit more seriously… you are the goods! Big D – 5w. Macca – 3w. Jonesy – 1w. Arch – 1w.
With a considerable session of play remaining in day 1, Gordon strode to the crease. We witnessed a daring batting exhibition of flair and arrogance as the big ship went to party on their quicks- (I say quicks as the ship ‘quickly’ sent them over the Chatswood fence.) He compiled 81 in no time… “Bomber” Bombas batted with purpose and looked steady and in control at no.3. Rodney Hokin later joined him and the pair saw out the day. Gordon 3/160 odd. Casualties: Rasool 16, the Big Ship 81, Packman 25.
The following week the players knew that part-2 of our ten point mission was in our hands. The first task was to knock off the 65 runs and collect our 6 points. We made a meal out of the simple job, but hey, it’s our style… Bomber continuing from the previous week ‘coolly’ accumulated his maiden 50 in the top grade. A great effort bud and you are showing promising signs not only with your technique but mentally too. Iain “Bevo” Beverly stepped up when needed and joined Bomber to see us past Blacktown. They talk about dynamite in small packages. This man showed us why…Under pressure he calmly stroked boundary after boundary through the off side to finish unbeaten on 35*. The declaration came at 8/224.
With 25 minutes before lunch we had a short burst at the Blacktown top order. The Big D was spot on again, hitting that zone of uncertainty with pace and movement. Macca came on early and held up the railway end. At lunch Blacktown were 2 for very little. We got stuck in to Linda’s chicken and mayo rolls which would then line the tummies for the big afternoon session. And that’s what it was. Top, intelligent bowling combined with miserly fielding, some brilliant turned controversial catching (love you Mac) and efficient bowling changes saw the stags take the bite and bowl out Blacktown again.
 Big D again (its becoming a cliché I know...but he is the big D) bagging another 5 wickets in the innings, getting himself 10 wickets in the match! But he’s done that before apparently. Macca grinded well and picked up 2 big scalps. Bomber at mid off contributed with a superb diving run out. Pretty slick. And the big ship picked up 2. At tea Gordon required 123 for an outright win, exactly what we had set out to do some 172 hours prior.
Big D on his way to 10 for the match
Brad Rasool was consistent again (consistently not in runs) and Simmo fell soon after in Brad-like fashion. Bomber consolidated the scurry and compiled a solid 35. Rodney Hokin left the fireworks late but he did it in style. With the Stags rallying at 6/105 and requiring 18 runs from 12 balls, Rocket patiently waited for his ball in his hitting zone and when it came he calmly hit their best quick, over deep midwicket, off the back foot, for back to back maximums. Note: this shot was played to rather full pitched deliveries. Moral: But he knew what he had to do and he did it, without letting the pressure of the occasion get to him. Beautifully played Rodney.
What is a memorable Gordon victory of late without unleashing the Big D Train to hit the winning runs..?? And that’s exactly how we tailored the script. Scores tied, he strode to the crease, helmet in D position, took guard, always knowing he needed one ball. That delivery came down and he stroked it, on the up, over mid off, for a boundary… some call it arrogance, we call it D-power!
Gordon 10 points Blacktown 0
As planned.
Brad “Dazzler” Rasool
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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