Blues Rain Supreme and More Match Reports
The spirited U13 Blues charged into the Championship final after a pulsating game in the rain on Saturday. A soggy pitch and outfield greeted the Gordon Juniors for the sem-final against third-placed Lane Cove.
Despite some heavy showers, play got underway just after the scheduled start of 2pm with unflappable
James Dow and smilin’
Doug Oxenham opening the innings for the Gordon boys.
With the ball skidding along the damp pitch, concerted concentration was required if the Blues were to post a competitive total. Runs in the book
were always going to be an advantage in the trying conditions.
Lane Cove struck early dismissing Oxenham and the Kieran Dean – the K-Man unfortunately picking out a lone fielder at short fine leg.
All Smiles: The U13 Blues and furry friend Clifford celebrate after booking a place in the Championship final on Saturday
In strode rampaging
Raymond Su for an innings that would eventually take him past 300 runs for the season. Su quickly settled in to his innings, which was needed as the Blues lost Dow with the score on 16 and then elegant Angus Chitty on 21.
Reliable
Reeve Cocks joined Su and the good ship was steadied. The ship then really took off when slammin’
Andrew Earlam replaced the retired Cocks. Earlam and Su cracked the damp ball across and occasionally over the soaked outfield.
When Su retired on 36 not out, the rest of the Blues batsmen all chipped in despite the occasional showers.
Oliver Clarke, Charlie Bibb, Daniel Hall, Oliver Cameron and
Tom Hampson should all be congratulated for doing their bit for the team.
In the end, the Blues were dismissed for 129. While it was a competitive score in the conditions, it was now time for Gordon to perform in the wet and wild fun park.
Fired up by inspirational words from the supercoach, the Blues struck early. The first wicket fell to a Su and Earlam combination run out while the second and third wickets were both clean bowled by Cameron. The Lane Cove side was reeling at 3 for 6.
But Lane Cove fought back with solid batting in the middle order to tighten the game and raise the tension on the boundary. Oxenham then struck to claim the fourth wicket – caught and bowled - with the score on 43. But still the Lane Cove batsmen continued to build their innings.
Then with the score on 84, the game suddenly changed. Chitty charged in to claim the 5th wicket with a sweet delivery that struck middle stump. With the score still on 84, Daniel Hall also hit the woodwork. Lane Cove now 6 for 84.
But the game’s big turning point came when
James Dow pounced in the field to claim a run out and the 7th wicket with the score on 100. From then, Lane Cove were bundled out losing their final four wickets for just 10 runs.
In the end, the Blues won by 19 runs.
Victory propels the Gordon U13 Blues into the final – reward for a fine season of teamwork, application and good attitude from every single player doing their bit for the team. Regardless of Saturday’s result, this has been a remarkable season for an outstanding group of young men who have become good mates and have proudly represented the club.
As always, the players would like to thank supercoah Mark, manager to the stars Bryan, umpires Craig and Tim and scorers Neil and Clare.
See you on Saturday.
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Match Reports
Rajeev – a member of Gordon U10 Blue - and his father Raj got the shock of their lives when they bumped into the cricket legend at Kingsgrove Sports in Artarmon.
Three pieces of outstanding skill, great determination and a never say die attitude were all on display in another fantastic round of cricket for the Gordon Juniors.
