High Scoring Reds Learn Lesson 
  The Gordon U9 Reds once again came up against a St Ives team at Thompson Reserve, Artarmon, last weekend. After missing a game due to rain, the boys were keen to get on the field. Rowan Betts was captain and, after winning the toss, sent the opposition in to bat.
Rory Chitty watches the ball as square drives to the boundary
Jack Irving opened the bowling. The first three pairs were all good batsmen and the boys produced some tidy bowling. However, it was not until the 10th over that we saw our first wicket. Oscar “the Big O” Platt fired an accurate delivery down the pitch hitting middle stump. The boys were ecstatic! Finally a wicket. St Ives were now 1 for 66. We desperately needed more wickets if there was to be any chance of a win.
Jarrod McCabe lashes out as he hits another four
Not sure what our boys did the night before, as they were not fielding at the same standard we’re used to seeing. Catches were missed, there were too many over throws and not enough talk. The coaching leadership of Kelini, Kate and Dawn were sending messages out via their runner Jamie to get some spirit in to play!
There was some accurate bowling from Finn Mason and serious pace being sent down by Tom Wright. However, it was not until the final over that we got another wicket. Tom bowled a nice ball to not only hit the stumps but knock them to the ground. A well deserved wicket. St Ives finished their innings with 2 for 100.
Archie Bibb was rewarded for his enthusiastic running between the wickets
Time for the Reds to bat. Jack Conoplia and Charlie Toepfer opened the batting. There was some good calling and running between wickets. Jack was unlucky to be run out by an accurate throw from the field. Already one wicket down, the boys could not afford to lose another early wicket.
Unfortunately, by our 10th over we had lost more wickets and with no bonus runs being awarded we were 4 for 44! Our undefeated record was definitely at risk of being taken away.
The last three pairs needed to fire. The coaches gave them some encouragement and the boys responded. All of them hitting boundaries. The St Ives fielders could not believe what was happening, sometimes being woken up by a ball screaming over the heads. There were some nice shots. Jarrod McCabe led the scoring hitting five 4s. He was well assisted by his partner Rowan, the two boys scoring a total of 51 runs after getting bonus runs for defending their wicket.
The Reds finished their innings with a credible 160 runs. Surely this was enough to go home with a win?
Unfortunately due to losing four wickets, the final score was 33 to 32. St Ives just managing to win over our Reds based on averages. A tight one.
Our Personal Best Award this week went to Archie Bibb for his excellent running between wickets and tidy bowling.
The Sportsmanship Award was not presented this week as the coaches did not see enough spirit in the field from any of the players. Something that will need to be worked on next week!
We’d like to thank St Ives Clarke for the game and we wish them all the best for the rest of the season.
Here is a link to more photos from the game.
Next week the U9 Reds play St Ives Hussey at Thompson Reserve, Artarmon.
|
