 Podivan Gray Annual Report
The PGs’ season of 2008/07 promised much. However, the team’s performance was indifferent to say the least. The team on paper exuded potential, but what the team consistently produced in play paralleled a full time footy score after 10 overs. Our season could be summed up by the ratio 5/30 (the Gordon PGs’ ‘golden ratio’) – ask the handful of our supporters who managed to put up with it each week.
Nick Cheadle plays one watchfully back down the deck
We were consistent but not for the right reasons. As the responsible captain this frankness does not sit too comfortably on my shoulders. What I would like to expand on are the positives: We managed to win 2 games. We lost 5. If there is any consolation, 2 of our losses were against the grand finalists.
Nick Cheadle literally won us the opening game by himself against Bankstown (they call him a leg-spinner). His all or nothing 134, off about half that number of balls, was an amazing piece of batsmanship. But let’s not forget Will Sweeney who formed the game-turning partnership with him. Gordon victorious from a conservative bookie’s odds at about 500/1. P1 W1, and talk of Gordon in the finals… funny how reality can differ so much from speculation. This would be the last song sung until our victory at Sydney Uni. Down in Newtown, we batted first, and true to form, Gordon were rallying at 5/30. Jack Ritchie went against the grain this time, compiling a solid 60 runs at the Gordon PGs’ crucial number 7 position. Elliot Richtor formed the other half in that vital partnership. These two helped us post a defendable score. Our bowlers won us that game, and how well they bowled in the inclement weather. This summed up the positives as a team from a results perspective.
What let us down entirely throughout the campaign was our batting. It’s easy to speak in retrospect so I will - had our batting posted average to above average scores on each account, I feel that we could have bowled our way to success - that’s how well I thought we bowled. All of our bowlers put their hand up when called upon. Chris Archer, I feel deserves a special mention for his consistent slow left-armers. He was our best bowler by far and can hold his head high despite the team’s unfortunate season. James Kennedy with the right nurturing could become a quality first grader in the near future. He is one to watch. James Campbell, swung the new ball with great control and could be a key in 08/09 for early lbw shouts to slow starting right handed batsmen. Elliot Richtor is an all-rounder improving all the time. I expect a big campaign from him next season.
 Matt Jones is an example of natural talent and he promises much excitement for the future as he is only 17. Nick Cheadle, our second highest wicket-taker, should work on his confidence in starting spells. The key for his success I feel is bringing it to the batsman from ball one, and ripping it with full confidence (watch B-mac).
Matt Jones dispatches one somewhere into leafy Killara
Reece Bombas becomes the senior batsman next year and we all know what he is about. I look forward to monitoring his progression in the years to come. Blair Lindsay, an unassuming left handed talent with a great eye, also looks destined to fire bigger next campaign. Steve Colley should slot in comfortably after his numerous tastes in the competition. The excellent keeping of Harry Evans in all seven matches was a bonus and his ability to work with and encourage the bowlers was a highlight.
Finally, I would just like my team mates for some great off-field laughs - try and mix that with winning! The beer, the steak, everything is just so much sweeter. It has been great to watch you guys progress as cricketers and as people over my time in the team and I hope we can maintain the friendships that have been built. To coach Ed Howitt, thanks for your Sunday mornings and the effort you put in trying to getting the most out of our boys. To our manager Tony Wilson, scorer Bob Archer, and Jim Cattlin and everyone else behind the scenes, thanks for your contributions and support. I’m certain the package will fire in 2008/2009.
Brad Rasool | 
