Red Bats Best Yet in Good Win 
  The best batting performance of the season lifted the U12 Reds to a very good win on Saturday.
Coach Andrew Chitty drilled the players at practice to find the gaps in the field to pick up the easy runs and keep the score ticking over – and that’s just what they did!
The motto is not every ball has to be hit for six. Some deliveries can be pushed into a gap for two easy runs. Find the gap and run hard is exactly what the U12 Reds did.
Tom Hampson (right) leaves the field after a masterclass in shot placement
Sent in to bat, openers Henry Howard and Tom Hampson got the innings off to a solid start before Howard fell with the score on 18.
Angus Chitty joined Hampson and the pair sweetly stroked the ball around the ground, finding the gaps and running well. Coach Chitty described the partnership as a masterclass in batting and running between the wickets. A quick look at the scorebook reveals the singles and twos Hampson and Chitty compiled. In the end, they added 41 runs before Hampson fell but the innings had been set up nicely.
Angus Chitty (right) bowled the Reds to victory in a close finish
Lachlan Irving was playing his first game after a spell injured but it looked like he’d never been away such was his touch. When Chitty retired on 21 not out, the inform Charlie Bibb came to the crease and the Gordon Reds were flying along. Irving and Bibb hit the ball strongly and upped the run rate. Irving retired on 19 not out and Bibb retired shortly after on 24 not out.
The lower order then took over as the Reds ended on 4 for 146 after 32 overs. A very good performance by the batsmen and more impressive than the bigger scores earlier in the season.
Exhausted Reds (right) relax after a great fielding performance
The question now was could the Reds bowl themselves to victory by keeping a full and straight line and length in the growing heat?
It started well with early wickets to Hampson and James Miller and the Lane Cove side were 4 for 41. But then some wayward bowling took the pressure off the batsmen and Lane Cove started to recover.
The Reds were paying the price for not taking enough wickets. But the overs were ticking over and the fielding was excellent as every ball was chased all over the field. The throwing was spot on and the backing up first class.
It all came down to the final overs and to Brae Mason and Angus Chitty to bowl the Reds to victory. The young men showed great maturity as they brought the Reds home for a well deserved victory by six runs. Lane Cove finished on 8 for 140.
Chitty was particularly impressive at the death as he calmly finished with the figures of 2 for 9 from four overs. Ned Vandermark also struck form with the ball with season best figures of 2 for 5.
Hampson picked up the Personal Best award while Vandermark won the Good Sportsmanship award. The Gordon boys should be congratulated for their outstanding good sportsmanship. They have set the standard for others to follow.
Overall, a great batting performance and a never say die attitude in the field meant a terrific win for the Reds. Well done, fellas! Keep it going.
Next Saturday is against the Roseville Rattlesnakes at Artarmon Reserve.
See you all at training this Friday.
Go the mighty Gordon Reds.
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