Gordon Blue Under 13 Premiers 2005
Championship Final Vs Lindfield Healy
Gordon Victory Revives Memories of Benaud's '61 Ashes Team
The day dawned cloudy with a hint of moisture in the air, not dissimilar to the one which greeted Richie Benaud and his Australian team at Old Trafford on the final day of the Manchester test in '61. Like the Australians of that time, the men of Gordon knew that a season's work was on the line, and they were determined not to be denied.
The Toss and First Use of the Wicket!
Paddy dealt a huge psychological blow when he called correctly and invited Healy to bat. Getting away to a good start was critical and Dan and Nick didn't disappoint bowling 4 overs of sustained pace at a cost of only 6 runs.
 (Keeper Patrick Francis chases a wide one)
This meant that Healy were immediately under pressure, and the introduction of Tom "Mr Reliable" Stobo brought results when he bowled their opener with his third ball 1- 8.
Sam was introduced in a double change and his probing leg spinners maintained the pressure with his two overs costing only 2 runs. "Mr Reliable's" accuracy was suffocating the batsmen and they tried a suicidal single. Working the ball backward of square leg the batsmen set off only to see Henry swoop in and make a direct hit - 2/10 off 8 overs! This was pressure of the highest order.
Another double change and the pace barrage returned when Henry and Dominic attacked trying to force another breakthrough. Although over stepping on a few occasions Henry's pace certainly unsettled the batsmen. At the other end Dominic was the perfect foil bowling 2 overs for 3. Healy were struggling to score as the total was only 23 after 12 overs.
Hugh Cutcher almost turned the game in two deliveries, as both batsmen swung at his well flighted leggies. As luck would have it the two very hard chances (probably only our team would have got hands to them) went to ground, and Hugh was again the unlucky bowler! Roman came on from the northern end and again the pressure was fantastic. Two excellent overs at a cost of only 5, showed was a good bowler Roman is.
 (Hugh Cutcher bowling his leggies)
At the drinks break (half way) Healy were 2/43 and were pleased that they had survived thinking that they were well positioned to attack in the latter half of the innings. This however was the moment that Gordon turned up the pressure.
A double change brought Joel on and he immediately broke through with a clever caught and bowled. At the other end George "Buckets" Wilcox turned the game when with a subtle change of pace he induced a false shot from their danger batsmen. The ball floated high to mid on where Roman positioned himself beautifully and held a good catch. Healy had slumped to 4/53!
Worse was to follow when Dan returned bowling down wind, and in his first over induced a cover drive from the new man. Although well hit the batsmen watched in dismay as Joel held onto a head high catch at cover - 5/57 the game was swinging to Gordon. All the while Paddy was giving a superb exhibition behind the stumps which added to the pressure.
Over 22, Joel's third may well be remembered as the critical one. It started somewhat inauspiciously with 5 wides, then a beautifully pitched yorker went through the batsmen and at 6/62 Healy were in big trouble. The new batsmen flashed hard at the next ball and it flew to backward point looking all the while headed for the boundary.
 (Daniel Lake is after a run out)
However Henry had other ideas and diving up and full length to his right held onto a screamer!! The crowd erupted as the joyous Gordon team gathered around the catcher, keen to force home their advantage -7/62 with Joel having 3/7
Lindfield would not lie down and some probing offspin by Mike Porter was defended grimly. A determined partnership of 25 was broken with return of Nick to the bowling crease giving Henry another good catch at square leg. Eight down quickly became nine when Roman fielding at extra cover made a very difficult catch look easy of Nick's bowling. It is worth noting that this catch typified the season, making something that was hard look easy! Roman was in the action again next over when he calmly hit the stumps with a smart underarm return from mid on to secure the last wicket, quite appropriately with a run out. Lindfield had crashed to be all out for 94 in the 31st over - their lowest score all season.
The Chase - Are We Good Enough?
Winning finals is all about holding your nerve, and the nerve of the boys would be sorely tested in the next 90 minutes! Paddy, who after a faultless exhibition behind the stumps bravely volunteered to open and fell to a very good delivery.
 (George Wilcox troubled the batsmen)
This brought Dan and Jono together and in the next 8 overs through good running they built the score to 25, before Dan on 12, nicked one behind and was well caught. 2/25 quickly became 3/26 when Jono on 4 attempted to work a ball to fine leg and received what could only be described as an unlucky LBW decision. To Jono's credit although disappointed he accepted the decision and left the field, where the Lindfield boys were still asking "how was he out?" Curiously Henry who was the non striker and had attempted the run with Jono, faced the next delivery not the incoming batsmen - unusual that!
At this point the game was evenly poised with Henry yet to score and Joel coming to the wicket. The Gordon crowd although confident were somewhat subdued as the pressure began to build. The atmosphere was added to when Joel on 3 looked to pull a short ball. To the dismay of the Gordon fans he was caught at square leg and we were 4/33 and looking down the barrel!
Enter Nick "Big Both" Burnell, who immediately took the attack up to the bowlers. At drinks we were 4/51 with Henry and Nick looking solid. Over 18 may well have been the turning point as "Big Both" Burnell hit consecutive boundaries followed by a huge six onto the roof of the pavilion! 14 in three balls and we had raced to 67. Henry was batting beautifully of the backfoot picking off the singles and hitting the loose ball for 4.
The running between the wickets was a feature as both boys kept their cool. Lindfield tried multiple bowling changes to try and get back into the game, however it was all to no avail. The unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 63 was enough. The men of Gordon could not be denied, and when "Big Both" Burnell smashed one to the boundary the title was theirs with Henry and Nick both 30 not out.
(Michael Porter attempts to take a high catch in the outfield. Unfortunately it was a six)
With 5 overs remaining and six wickets in hand it looked on paper an easy victory, however the scenes of jubilation as the players raced onto the field to congratulate the batsmen and the Lindfield boys showed that this was indeed a great final.
Congratulations boys on an excellent season capped off with a victory in the final. Winning a premiership is always hard and you should feel very pleased with your achievement. It was a team effort.
Thank You to
Coach -Richard Stobo, whose work with the boys has not only improved their cricket but built a wonderful team spirit among the boys
Manager/Scorer/Umpire - David Trevor for all his work through out the year
Scorer - Michael Dagg, so good having you there - with help from Richard Burnell
Parents - a great group who make operating the team a pleasure
Boys - Champions!!!!!!!!!
Presentation Day Sunday April 3 at Artarmon Reserve at 11.30am District Presentation - As the boys have won a final they will receive an award at the District Presentation afternoon which is also Sunday April 3 at 4.30pm Gordon Club Chatswood. Hopefully everyone can make it.
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