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Hardball
Match reports for 2008/09 season are provided below:
| Rd1 |
25 October 2008 v West Pennant Hills Red:
West Pennant Hills Red 4/86 (Ellen 3/5; Thea 1/17) defeated Gordon 7/81 (Ariella 15; Sarah 13no).
A hostile start had us 3 down for 4 runs, before digging in to scrape out a very respectable 81 runs thanks to rear-guard action from Nicola, Ellen, Sara and Ariella. Despite some consistent bowling and exceptional ground fielding, we were unable to stop WPH's steady march towards our total. All in all a good performance against a classy opposition and we'll be better off for the experience. Great to see our new team members playing so well and all having a good time.
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Rd2 |
1 November 2008 v Castle Hill
Castle Hill RSL 3/87 (Georgia 1/5; Sarah 1/10) defeated Gordon 3/58 (Lauren 20no; Georgia 15no; Rachel 10no).
Batting first, we met our initial objective of getting through the first 6 overs only one wicket down. Unfortunately scoring runs thereafter was difficult, and were 3/8 after 10 overs. 50 off the next 10 overs was OK, but we missed many opportunities for quick singles and air-swiped numerous deliveries down the leg side. Georgia impressed with 3 fours at the finish, and Lauren retired with a well compiled 20no. In reply, Castle Hill's first 4 batters showed us how to pressure the fielders and run the singles, passing our score in the 12th. Our bowling was generally pitched too short and the ground fielding was no-where near the previous week's standard. Ellen at fine leg showed us good attacking fielding, and Rachel improves every time she pulls on the gloves.
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| Rd3 |
8 November 2008 v Hornsby
Gordon 5/77 (E. Dobrijevic 22ret, L. Cambitzi 21ret, M. Bishop 3/3) defeated Hornsby 5/73 (J. Reid 17ret-o, M. Bishop 13n.o., G. Smith 1/6).
We finally broke through for our first win of the season - well done girls.
It was good to bowl first and the Gordon girls were much more effective, with less no-balls and generally fuller deliveries, which gave the opposition much less opportunity for easy runs.
Wickets were taken by Lauren, Georgie and Nicola, who also took a well judged high ball catch at mid on.
The highlight in the first half however was watching the wonderful ground fielding by Ariella, who was rewarded with a brilliant direct hit run out from deep fine leg.
In reply Gordon suffered a mid-order collapse, but were saved by a fluent 21no by Lauren and 22no by Ellen, and a nice cameo by Sarah at the finish. The running between wickets was much better this week, and we passed Hornsby's score with about three overs to go.
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| Rd4 |
15 November 2008 v West Pennant Hills Red
Gordon 9/105 defeated West Pennant Hills Red 6/104
A tremendous victory to the Gordon girls today, whom successfully chased down a large total; winning the match in the last over against WPH Red at James Henty.
It was a match with many twists & turns:
In the first innings, Gordon had WPH in all sorts of trouble with 4 early wickets, only to see the opposition recover strongly to post a good total of
6 for 104 off their 20 overs. Good bowling from Jess with 3 wickets and a run out. Ariella was once again the impressive boundary rider, holding a good catch at fine leg and stopping several potential fours.
In reply a solid 2nd wicket partnership by Sarah and Nicola (21) had us well placed at the 10-over drinks. Although we kept the run-rate on target, our wickets fell steadily up to the 18th over, leaving Ellen on her own to score
14 off the last two. With a cool head and a couple of crisp hook shots, she took us to victory with three balls to spare. Well done. It was a very solid batting performance from all the girls and the running between wickets was much improved.
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| Rd5 |
22 November 2008 v Manly Warringah
Gordon def Manly Warringah by forfeit.
We mixed up the teams evenly and then played 7-a-side 'Blue vs Red'. Reds batted first and made 84 after 20 overs, Lauren 21ret, Ellen 14. Blues chased it down competently in the 18th, thanks to some big hitting by Mel 34.
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| Rd6 |
29 November 2008 v West Pennant Hills Red
West Pennant Hills Red 3/53 defeated Gordon 8/42.
Gordon batted first and were rolled out quickly for 42 runs due to some excellent bowling from WPH's Felicity Tran (3/9) and some disappointing running between wickets (3 run outs). Georgie was the only one to shine with a blustering 20.
In reply the girls fought hard, but couldn't stop the inevitable WPH victory, whom passed our score in the 10th over. Thea's bowling continues to improve and was rewarded with the fine figures of 3 wickets for 5 off 2 overs.
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| Rd7 |
6 December 2008 v Hornsby
Gordon 1/96 defeated Hornsby 2/93
It was good to bowl first and chase a known target in the second half.
Hornsby got off to a slow start (34 off 10 overs), but finished strongly and posted a total of 93 by the twentieth. Georgie and Millie both took a wicket each. Our batting was perhaps the best I'd seen so far this season. Sarah (13) and Millie (11) took many well-judged quick singles and were both retired hot after the 10th over, having taken us to 45. Georgie required only 6 scoring strokes to reach 20 and Rachael chipped in with 10. Thea (11) & Ellen (5) finished the job with 2 overs to spare.
The running between wickets was positive and committed (complete opposite of the previous week) and I hope to see further pressure on the fielders in the upcoming matches. Our win loss is now 4 & 3. Well done girls!
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| Rd8 |
13 December 2008 v Manly Warringah
With 5 girls unavailable for this pre-Xmas fixture, we were staring down the barrel of forfeit, until rescued by Lucy Moore, whom agreed to step up from the incrediball side, allowing us to field the minimum 6 girls for an official match.
Somewhat surprisingly, Warringah presented a full side of 8 opponents and the match took place in hot and windy conditions on Saturday afternoon.
Gordon bowled first and with the assistance of two additional Warringah fielders, restricted the opposition to 72 off 20 overs.
A fine bowling performance from Jess (0/7 off 4) at the finish when an established batter was attempting to smash quick runs. Lucy (1/18) took her first hardball scalp and Millie a difficult catch behind the stumps. Thea (2/4)also bowled very effectively, supported well by Lauren (0/17).
In reply, Jess (11) and Millie (3) gave us a start by seeing off the good bowlers and posting an opening partnership of 23 runs. It was then Ariella who stepped up to show what she was really capable of, finishing with 20 retired. Lauren (4no) and Thea (7no) polished off the total with 3 overs remaining.
In those conditions and with players short, this was a very good victory. We go to the mid-season break with 5 wins and building confidence. Well done girls. Have an enjoyable holiday and get in plenty of beach cricket practice over the break.
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| Rd9 |
31 January 2009 v West Pennant Hills Blue
Gordon 3 / 97 def. West Pennant Hills Blue 3 / 95 at Thomas Thompson. On this small ground WPH Blue batted first, scoring 95 from their 20 overs.
Wickets were taken by Ella, Georgie and Nicola.
In reply, Gordon coasted to a relatively easy victory with 6 overs to spare.
Thea belted her first 6 of the season, retiring quickly on 20. Ellen also reached 20 (ret) and Ella backed up with a smooth 16. Sarah, Rachael, Georgie S & Georgia H finished them off. |
| Rd10 |
7 February 2009 v Hornsby
Match abandoned.
With Sydney under the influence of heat-wave and bush fires in Victoria dominating the news, we fronted up to Warrimoo with eskies full of ice, drinks and water spray.
The media had beat up the prospects of a scorcher and we were prepared for the worst, with many emails circulating in the days before discussing under what conditions girls should not be forced to play cricket.
Warrimoo was definitely hot, however a slight breeze gave us some hope that play might be possible in the conditions.
With the thermometer tipping 42 degrees Celsius, it was deemed too oppressive and potentially dangerous for the girls to play and the match was abandoned without a ball bowled. |
| Rd11 |
14 February v Castle Hill
Match drawn (wash out).
After the heat-wave cancellation the previous week, it was somewhat of a surprise to have wet and cool conditions for this match against competition leaders Castle Hill.
Under threat of grey skies, we lost the toss and were sent into bat at Warrimoo. After a solid opening by Ariella and Sarah, and consolidation by Thea and Emma, Georgie Smith entered to blast out an impressive 21 (ret). A total of 58 runs from 10 overs at the break had us very well positioned for a big score. However the conditions deteriorated in the 2nd half and in teeming rain, the skidding ball became much more difficult to strike. In the end it was left to Ellen and Emma (18 no in her first innings for the club) to push us slowly towards the century. We completed the 20 overs on a very respectable 99, but the rain persisted heavily and we were forced to abandon the match before play could resume for the reverse innings. |
| Rd12 |
21 February v Manly/Warringah
Gordon won on forfeit at Warrimoo.
What looked like being a useful friendly was washed out half an hour before the match with a torrential downpour turning the normally resilient Warrimoo outfield into a swamp. The girls have had bad weather luck at Warrimoo; first the heat-out of the bushfires weekend, then the single-innings washout last weekend, and then the complete washout of Saturday. Better luck for the final Rounds game next weekend! |
| Rd13 |
28 Feb 2009 v Castle Hill
Castle Hill RSL 1/66 defeated Gordon 6/64
With the full squad (12 girls) available for the last competition round and a semi-final spot already secured, it was time to give as many girls as possible a batting & bowling opportunity. Castle Hill won the toss and sent us into bat, also agreeing to bend the rules and allow 12 hitters.
With a re-shuffled batting order, Gordon were in trouble early at 5 for 12 off seven overs, unusually losing two of these to run outs. Emma (12 ret) and Georgia Honey (5 ret) steadied the ship; Thea, Jess, Ellen & Georgie lifted the run rate and completed the twenty overs. However it was a disrupted innings, with the later girls being retired just as they were getting settled. A modest total was set at 6 for 64 off twenty.
In reply, we gave the Castle Hill openers easy early scoring opportunities with some wayward bowling. In particular, almost a dozen over-waist full tosses conceded simple sundries. Our opponents coasted to victory within 12 overs, with the balance of the afternoon allowing all the girls to have a bowl. All in all, not a particularly good indicator of form leading up to the semis and we'll be looking for significant improvement next Saturday afternoon against West Pennant Hills. |
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