Something happened on Saturday... |
Something Happened on Saturday (by captain of the undefeated 3rd grade Premiers, Nicky "Noodle" Paterson) Before Saturday becomes a distant memory I thought I'd recap exactly what happened ' as if any of you could really forget (except, of course, Erin, Steph and Ema who weren't actually there!). I'll try not to get too sentimental and blub all over the keyboard but I am still on Cloud Nine. I bored everyone at work today with 'high fives' and stories of our amazing 3rd Grade Premiership win. I've lost count of how many times I told people that we are champions. That, of course, was in between limping and stretching inappropriately whilst looking after my patients. I really don't know why I am so sore (Ed: might have something to do with scoring 70 runs?!) but I don't really care ' I am a CHAMPION!! Warning ' this is a long 'summary'!! So, to set the scene''leading into the Final we were Minor Premiers and unbeaten this season. We had successfully conquered our nemesis 1 and a ' times (it would have been twice had the rain not spared SGS 'A' an embarrassment in Round 15). We needed to win the final round to remain at the top and that we did. There was a little interruption for three weeks (affectionately known to some as the Women's World Cup) but we returned in the Semi-Final to successfully and confidently beat Sydney. Of course there were nerves ' who wouldn't have butterflies ' but they were different nerves. They were champion butterflies that seemed to know their destiny already and with every flap of their little wings brought strength, focus and a promise of success. During our warm up the team and I discussed whether or not we should bat/bowl first. I decided that we should bowl and hit SGS 'A' hard. Emma Sherwood never enters the discussion as it is always 'bat' first in her opinion. As I tossed the coin Donna (SGS captain) yelled 'tails'. Heads lost and we were sent in to bat. Needless to say Em was delighted. As a team we weren't overly excited when Jess 'El Prez/Fingers' Henry received a beauty of a delivery in the first over and the ball removed the off-stump bail. Gordon: 1 for 2. We were less than thrilled when Anns received a ball that seemed to climb on her and the catch at gully was held. Gordon: 2 for 2 after 2 overs. It was my turn to take the field and with the thought to consolidate whirling around my head I hit the second ball for 6!! I must look up the meaning of that word actually. For some reason my bat was in sync with our fate and the runs came easily. Em and I put on 68 before she was caught for 23. Unfortunately Hankers fell soon afterwards when the ball came off her bat onto the stumps. Gordon: 4 for 72. Charu and Davo got the momentum going again putting on 31 runs before Davo was run out for 10. With no change to the score Charu was out shortly afterwards, caught for 15. Gordon: 6 for 103. Despite their best efforts Ramya 'Swing' Rajkumar, Sarah 'Sez' Thompson and Lisa 'Jackie' Chan fell for 14 runs. Gordon: 9 for 117. Enter Katey 'Griffo/WK of the Year' Griffith. I think our bats had been talking somewhere along the way because Kate was a woman possessed. As I was able to bat again after retiring I felt it would be a more sensible option for me to hog the strike. Kate had other ideas and confidently showed that she was more than capable of driving the wedge deeper into SGS's side ' how frustrating when a tail ender smashes your opening bowler!! Kate and I put on another 30 runs with Kate reaching her PB of 17 runs and I am happy to say my PB of 70 not out. Gordon: a very respectable 147 to defend. We took the field knowing that in order to win we needed to do exactly what we had done all season ' something that had almost become second nature to us now. Bowl well, field well and above all enjoy the game and HAVE FUN. What better way to start than claiming a wicket with the opposition on zero thanks to a brilliant delivery from Davo and a safely held catch by Hankers. SGS'A': 1 for 0. Swing continued with her brilliant and accurate pace removing the stumps for the wicket. SGS'A': 2 for 3. Davo continued her accurate line and length by dislodging the stumps for the 3rd wicket. SGS'A': 3 for 10. The 4th wicket pair were a bit more resilient and put on a well played 52 runs before Hankers ruined their party by also upsetting the stumps. SGS'A': 4 for 62. Hankers ended with wonderful figures of 1/27 off her 8 overs. Jackie Chan came into the attack and I wasn't sure how far I could really push her shoulder. Quite far apparently as she snared the 5th wicket with a ball lofted to Davo at point. Jackie actually bowled 8 in a row with brilliant figures of 1/25. Davo claimed her 3rd wicket thanks to a catch by Charu and simply amazing match figures of 3/8 off 8 with 5 maidens. SGS 'A': 6 for 65. A great chase to long-off and an accurate throw from Charu resulted in a run out and the 7th wicket fell at 79. With Davo at square leg a quick single was never really an option and with one stump to aim at Davo demolished the stumps. SGS'A': 8 for 87. With Swing back into the attack I knew her pace would certainly trouble the tail. An attempted flick off the pads gave Em a catch at short mid-wicket and Swing brilliant figures of 2/10 off 6 with 2 maidens. SGS'A': 9 for 90. With about 5 overs to go and an in form batter at the crease it really still was anyone's game. We needed that last wicket to claim the Premiership we felt we deserved. Enter the 3rd Grade Bowler of the Year ' Emma 'Norma' Sherwood. A superbly unplayable delivery, an appeal from all corners of the ground, a nod from the umpire''.we did it!! SGS'A': All out for 104. Gordon 3rd grade, unbeaten in season 08/09, were Premiers. We had reached our destination, having begun our journey after being comprehensibly beaten in last year's final. Congratulations Team on a simply unbelievable effort all season. Thank you for the most amazing and memorable season. Thank you for your commitment, dedication and spirit. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of our team throughout the season. Thank you to everyone who supported us, especially on Saturday, when your cheers of support and encouragement helped us realise our dream. I am the proudest captain alive and I am honoured to have a team like you. How 'bout we do it again next season hey''.? Cheers for now, Noodle J |
