 First grade report vs Randwick Petersham.
Zeddie (Ed Zelma) made a welcome return to the team for the last 4 clash against Randwick after passing not his own fitness test this time around. Nicho (Matt Nicholson) led the troops in oracle – like fashion (our Socrates), reminding the boys that it is just a game of cricket and that we should tackle the game with just that mindset; to apply our skills with nothing but positive intent, and to leave everything out there during the match. Each stag walked onto the field, knowing exactly what was required of them. It was a good feeling.
(Simon Katich departs with a happy Brendan and Rocket)
Randwick elected to bat on a hard, flat wicket. With Chatswood known to do a bit in the first session of play, it was vital for our bowlers to hit the right areas, and for our fielders to back them up quicksmart. Nicho and Dylan (Dylan Connell) steamed in for a lethal opening partnership (Not the ideal new rock attack for any opening pair to face up! - just getting it out there…). It was our top dog Nixon who grabbed the first pole, caught Bombas in the slips. D-train (Dylan) backed up with the second scalp of Khawaja. 2 for not many.
 The stags buzzing on the field, while Randwick buzzing not as great, in the away sheds. Enter Simon Katich. Feeling our intent and energy in the field, the Record breaker did not look too comfortable. Having had enough of our heat, the test star knicked off to a great piece of bowling by the D-train, with Macca “the President of the Rat Pack” (Brendan McDonald) snaring well to his right at 2nd slip.
(Matt Nicholson at the start of the innings)
Exactly as envisioned in my dream on my Tuesday night sleep… i'm talking about the catch of course… Nixon “the Oracle”, then put the breaks on Dylan, and introduced Casson into the game. Beau, backing the Oracle’s call up, hit damage with his first ball, caught Iain Beverley). (I didn’t just dub him ‘the Oracle’ for nothing) Randy-Petes now really buzzing not so great. Nathan Hauritz and his mate see out lunch. 4/60 odd.
Note by this time, The Stags army, are now accumulating well at third man and getting into gear for the afternoon session (look out… The Count…)
The second session started well for the stags and that is as far as my memory serves me. Beau Casson ‘the new spin king’ held up the Artarmon end collecting clams in the process. What I then recall is the visitors retracting at 8/108. This is where cricket becomes an interesting game… Ceteris paribus, you would expect the innings to be wrapped up in a timely fashion - Emphasis on that word expect. But cricket is not about ‘holding all else equal’.
 (Beau in action with Nathan Hauritz looking on)
It takes just a Partnership; Or, two partnerships for that matter: An intelligent batsman to back himself and the no. ten and jack to hold their ends respectively. This is what happened. Nathan Hauritz did exactly this. He tallied 122, and pushed his team toward a defendable 220 run total. It is not to say that the Stags let loose of our hold on the game. No, not at all. This merely exemplifies cricket as a sometimes interesting game…
With a bit more time than a late arvo terror session for our top order batsman to stick out, Nicho cooled off the lads with some inspirational words…
Iain Beverley, our new recruit, and Craig Simmons, aboard the big ship, set about to sea - off the first day. There’s some poetry for you…
Simmons fell soon thereafter, ‘over-cooking’ (quote Mr. Simmons) a short ball to deep square leg. Bomber (reece Bombas) took guard and steadied the ship. It must also be mentioned at this time that Burt Cockley is throwing figs at 145km per hour from one end, while Pic is playing his part at third man, acquainting himself with a certain distasteful English nobleman...
 (The Bevo cover drive)
Zeddie, playing the night-watch-man, took to the crease for Bombas who pinched a well- timed nerve in his neck. Bevo after showing some great gusto stuck it out until the second last ball of the day. Beau Casson saw off the day Matrix-like. Gordon 2/65.
Day 2 saw the boys assemble for Marcos-Mania, as our frontman/13th man celebrated his birthday. He wasn’t going home empty handed. Casson and Zeddie both played themselves in, but a double breakthrough loomed soon after the drinks break. It was left to Jamma Packman and Nicho ‘the Oracle’ to see us out until lunch. James, unfortunately fell just on lunch. (Imagine, then, eating your chicken roll. Not too tasty…you would have to think) Stags, 5 down at lunch. Some 80-odd required to win.
Nicho, in his reassuring tone, again calmed the lads in the dressing room, installing a quietly confident belief within each of us. It is truly great having this Socrates-like figure on your side in such a high-pressure game/situation. And this is not just me talking. I speak on behalf of the whole team…thanks Nixon.
 (Matt Nicholson during his innings)
After the luncheon walk-a-bouts and talk-a-bouts, Nicho ‘the Oracle’ was joined by Rodney, Rocket – the Smokin’ Hokin. A good name for a band perhaps..? But this tall, unassuming lad came to the crease with such a purpose, he left many who witnessed the remainder of the match with a memory they won’t easily forget. The knock that he played was simply put, Cameo, personified. Or let’s say Cameo personified cum matrix. (***I can confidently say that Rodney pulled off the greatest re-enactment of the blockbuster scene with cricket gear on, EVER! - he evaded a beaming bullet from Big Burt, saving his own life in the process! It should also be noted that after Cockley’s third beamer of the innings he then became Burnt Cockley.)
Back to Rod’s Cameo… He took on Nathan Hauritz from the start and didn’t look back. Getting down the track repeatedly and lofting the ball over the in field, into the fence. This partnership with our skipper Nicho took the game right away from the opposition, if ever they had a grasp at it. Rod was then untimely dismissed for 49 in an attempt at hitting the winning runs… Some whisper at him doing it purposely to get a personal ovation, but never you mind. Nicho ‘the Oracle’ was smooth as silk in his compilation of 48* to see us home. A true, what they call – captain’s knock.
 (The ball flys over cover during the Rocket "Cameo")
STAGS 6/223 and VICTORIOUS... Get fah yah bah…(VB, VB, VB, VB….)
We have one game remaining in the competition, that’s all it is. If we win, we win, and we are Champions. If we lose, we lose and we come Runner’s Up. That’s all there is to it. But be assured the Stags won’t be leaving anything to the imagination, come this weekend.
Bring on the Saints… and in the words of ‘the Oracle’ – Good luck to ‘em!!
Brad Rasool | 
