 First grade on top after amazing day
Fourth grade with a fight on their hands
How do you describe a day of cricket when 1 wicket falls for 147 runs and then 17 wickets fall for a further 162 runs. The answer is simply…Craig Simmons.
This was Craig’s day as he started the innings facing test bowler Stuart Clark and scored 113 with 101 of them scored before lunch. The score at lunch was 1 for 135 with Craig on 101 and Reece Bombas on 26.
(Craig pulls Stuart Clark for four)
Craig played a faultless innings until he was caught for 113, with smashes over cover, over point and over mid off. There was no stopping Craig after Gordon were sent in by Sydney Uni after inspecting a wicket that had been under the covers for a day or so, had a good covering of grass and was holding moisture.
While Craig was attacking the bowling, Reece Bombas was displaying great courage against a strong attack and was making sure someone stayed with Craig.
 Unfortunately after Craig was dismissed a flurry of wickets fell with Gordon losing 8 wickets for 60 runs against the very tight bowling of Tom Kierath and then Stuart Clark.
Matt Nicholson remained not out on 25.
(100 before lunch...here's the evidence. 12.26 pm and the match started at 10.30am)
Was this going to be enough? The Gordon attack had to stand up and be counted and right from the first over when Brendan McDonald caught Greg Mail for a duck off Matt Nicholson, they meant business.
Nicho was at his best on a wicket that was now drying out with excellent line and length and great speed that kept the Sydney Uni bats on the back foot from the start.
Wickets kept falling and with masterful bowling changes all of the bowlers contributed with Nicho finishing with 4, Brendan McDonald with two important early wickets and Beau and Dylan one each.
Opener Ed Cowan showed great resistance to be 65 not out at stumps, however he is running out of partners with the score at 8 for 97.
The match continues on Sunday with a lot more cricket yet to be played.
 Scores
Gordon, 209 (Craig Simmons 113, Reece Bombas 38, Matt Nicholson 25 not out) vs
Sydney University, 8 for 97 (Matt Nicholson 4 for 24, Brendan McDonald 2 for 25, Beau Casson 1 for 12, Dylan Connell 1 for 28)
(Matt Nicholson has 4 wickets so far to his credit)
Fourth Grade
Under cloudy skies, Randwick-Petersham had first use of the excellent batting wicket at Coogee Oval. Progress was slow for the first session as the openers made sure a solid base was formed. After lunch the scoring rate accelerated with one batsman particularly taking toll of any loose bowling.
It was very hard work but finally Chad Soper broke through. In a terrific spell he took two wickets and really put the pressure on the batsmen. However the Randy-Pete opener continued to play well and got to 148 before being dismissed. From this point, the pendulum swung and wickets started to fall more regularly. James Campbell got into the act, snaring four and troubling the batsmen.
 He was well supported by Chad, who took another one and Adam Cubbage who took two. Las Kannangara also performed a direct hit runout. So the Minor Premiers were dismissed for 280.
(Adam Cubbage at Coogee)
Unfortunately in the short time Gordon had to bat, a wicket fell. However, on such a good batting strip, the desired total is quite attainable. Concentration and determination will see the Stags still around next weekend.
Scores
Randwick-Petersham 280 (James Campbell 4-28, Chad Soper 3-63, Adam Cubbage 2-51) vs Gordon 1-3.
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