 Five runs chases as Penrith put runs on the board
Gordon bowls in all five grades to give the bats a target for next week
(Anyone for a catch, Nicho sets an attacking field with some swing in the air)
In varying conditions on the foot of the mountains and in the north, the Gordon bowlers toiled hard to put all grades in a position to win next week. You might say some harder than others, but all achievable.
In first grade it was one of those decisions a captain prefers their opponent to have to make, with an excellent wicket prepared by Glen, however overcast conditions to bowl in. Nicho decided on the bold action and sent in Penrith and at 7 for 149 his decision was vindicated. With Penrith however, pushing on to 263 for 9 declared, the batting will need to be on song next week to keep the Penrith bowlers at bay. The openers held out for the four overs to be none for 17 at stumps in reply.
 Nicho started well with a wicket on his first ball, however from there the Penrith bats resisted until their 4th to 7th wickets fell within 10 runs to have them looking like a score under 200. The wicket was playing well, however some persistent line and length from Nicho and some good swing bowling by Jules who constantly beat the bat kept the Penrith bats in check. Jules second spell included an inswinger to the left handed David Taylor who shouldered arms and watched his off stump disappear.
(Nicho in action against Penrith)
Dylan kept his wicket tally ticking over with the important wicket of their number 3 and Brendan continued his good form with two wicket in two balls to send the middle order into a spin. The Penrith lower order than made a stirling fight back with Luke Morrissey scoring a patient 64.
The unfortunate news was that Rob Edwards had a recurrence of his hamstring strain during his fifth over after looking in excellent touch. We wish Rob all the best in his recovery which hopefully will be soon.
With Will Smith and Cam Eccles holding out till stumps, the chase will be on to keep our heads in front on the table against a very competent Penrith attack who have bowled very well during the season so far.
(Jules Stephenson picks up an edge aginst Penrith)
First Grade Scores
Penrith 9 dec for 263 (Matt Nicholson 3 for 55 (off 20), Jules Stephenson 3 for 75 (off 23), Brendan McDonald 2 for 48 (off 19), Dylan Connell 1 for 55 (off 20) vs Gordon 0 for 17.
 Second grade
After a 1 hour delay, due to heavy overnight rain, Ben Garratt won the toss and sent Penrith in on a deck that had some odd damp patches evident.
(Its not hard to pick out James Kennedy)
The quicks did the early job in overcast conditions and Penrith laboured to be 79 runs at lunch off 39 overs, but most importantly without losing any wickets.
Campbell, Kennedy, Medcalf and Michael all toiled hard maintaining a good line and length on a deck that was naturally flattening out. Cheadle was introduced early and bowled 22 handy overs straight, which was really welcomed by this young leggie, who has had limited opportunity to date.
Wickets were hard to come by on the flat slow deck and Penrith bats, with wickets in hand began to quicken the run rate. At stumps they had lost 6 wickets for 321 off the 96 overs bowled. Gordon bowlers and fieldsman really put in and deserve high praise for sticking to their task, throughout the day.
The chase is on next week and although the pendulum is slanting a little to Penrith with good runs on the board, the Gordon bats are definitely up to this task.
 Second Grade scores
Penrith 6 for 321 off 96 overs. (James Kennedy 2 for 29 off 17 overs, James Campbell 2 for 39 off 17 overs, Matt Michael 1 for 79 off 19 overs, Nick Cheadle 1 for 89 off 26 overs).
(James Campbell against Penrith)
Third Grade
Penrith won the toss and batted on a wicket that had a little bit of moisture in it and gave some early assistance to the bowlers. Penrith were soon in trouble with Dan Mahaffey and Chad Soper taking three wickets in the first 40 minutes.
Progress was slow as the Gordon bowlers dominated the first session. Ed Howitt began his spell with a lazy 7 maidens on the trot. All bowled well and the visitors found themselves 7-87 after 53 overs.
A good partnership followed and the batsmen, on what was now a very flat wicket, played sensibly, pushing the score over the 150 mark. Hoppa made numerous bowling changes but to no avail until, as all captains have the right to do, he brought himself back on with immediate success.
The Gordon Cricket Coaching Manual. The art of off spin bowling, pages 24 to 26. Illustrations of Club Coach Edward Howitt Junior)
The last 3 wickets fell relatively quickly with the skipper taking the figures but all the other bowlers showing excellent control. A long, slow day but overall a pleasing result for the Stags. Good batting must follow next week.
 Third Grade scores
Penrith 179 (Ed Howitt 4-15 from 20.3 overs, Dan Mahaffey 2-21, James Ledgerwood 1-18, Elliot Richtor 1-30, Iqbal Ahmed 1-36, Chad Soper 1-46) vs Gordon.
(With the wind in his hair Elliot Richtor returns to the bowling crease)
Fourth Grade
The stags were sent into the field on the first day at Cook, with the wicket looking flat but the overcast conditions providing some hope for the bowlers. There was some early movement, however, with the ball getting wet this disappeared quickly and conditions were very favourable for the batting side.
Due to some consistent bowling and the Penrith bats not really looking to force the run rate, what proceeded was a long, slow day. The Stags picked up wickets intermittently and once again Cubby proved his worth to the side, extracting some good turn which rewarded him with 5 wickets. Shenal was the best of the quicks taking 3 wickets having bowled a good line all day. The scene is set for a challenging run case next week.
 Fourth Grade scores
Gordon v Penrith 9-198 (Adam Cubbage 5-80 Shenal Siriwardhane 3 -34) after 84 overs
(Adam Cubbage picks up fve wickets against Penrith)
Fifth Grade
The fifths arrived to a large wet patch at Rance that delayed the start for two and a half hours and sent in the Penrith boys after winning the toss. James Kidd and Pat Effeney started well with a wicket each, both clean bowled, to have Penrith in trouble early.
Will McKeith and Justin Avendano then picked a couple themselves before a fifth wicket partnership saw Penrith recover to reach their 100. With the fast and medium pace bowlers restricted from bowling due to "bad light", the skipper had his hand forced on a deck that was offering plenty to the quicker bowlers. Sajdeh was brought on and applied the pressure from ball one. This led to an important wicket that then fell to Justin, with James Kidd taking a spectacular catch at mid off.
This wicket, however, saw the umpires decide the light wasn't good enough to have the spin bowlers operating and Penrith finished the very shorterned day on 5 for 105.
Fifth Grade scores
Penrith 5 for 105 (Justin Avendano 2 for 37, Pat Effeney 1 for 13, James Kidd 1 for 16, Will McKeith 1 for 24)
(Justin Avendano, Will McKeith and James Kidd in action at Rance. Sorry Pat will get one next week) | 
