CLASSICS ROUND 3: CCNSW vs STRATHFIELD AT CAMPERDOWN OVAL. CAMPERDOWN , ON SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER 2023: REPORT BY ED CROSS
Camperdown Park was a sight to behold as we turned up for the second Classics match of the year after a disappointing loss in the first game. Due to the recent good weather, the outfield was green with a good grass covering, and we were pleased to see a new wicket had been prepared that was hard with a nice covering of grass ensuring a more consistent bounce. The team was aware that a much-improved performance in all areas was required to see us home against a Strathfield side also coming off a close loss after scoring in excess of 200 runs in the first game.
Skipper Scott Wells duly won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. Mike (Punter) Pinter and Ed Cross were given the task to get us off to a good start and Mike took full advantage with a cover drive to the boundary first ball of the day. The scene was set for a bright batting performance. Mike and Ed continued to bat well, but watchfully, and the score ticked over at just under 4 an over early on.
By the 12th over the score had moved on to 57 without loss when Ed suffered a calf tear and was forced to retire on 28*. This brought Paul Nash to the crease, who looked determined to play well. He and Punter kept the scoreboard moving along with Punter soon retiring on 30* after some lovely cover drives. Andrew Dawson replaced Punter and the scoreboard continued to tick over as both batters played some beautiful shots. At the twenty over break, CCNSW were 0 for 101 and looking good.
Unfortunately Andrew Dawspn was adjudged lbw when on 20 and CCNSW lost its first wicket with the score on 111 in the 23rd over. A big score was still on the cards when Scott Wells joined Paul and the boundaries started to flow. Both Paul and Scott played some glorious strokes and soon both retired after reaching 30* runs in quick time. 4 retirees by the 27th over.
Craig Kitson and Andrew Davis were the next pair to bat, and both looked good trying to lift the scoring rate further. Unfortunately Andrew Davis departed for a well-made 15 trying to accelerate. He was replaced by Andrew Bachelard, who despite a big hitting innings last game, soon departed trying to hit a straight ball to the boundary. Craig Kitson continued to look good with a flurry of boundaries that saw him retire on 30* in the 35th over. The last 3 batters, Mick Tarrant, Sherville (‘Wes’) Hall and David Craig continued the run accumulation in style, hitting numerous boundaries before the retirees returned to finish off the innings. CCNSW compiled 7 for 258 in 40 overs. Our first task – to improve our batting performance – had been achieved.
Our second task for the day was to serve a much-improved afternoon tea, as prompted by Punter midweek. While celery was nowhere to be seen, the spread prepared was a big improvement on previous efforts and was enjoyed by all. The home-made marinated chicken wings were a big hit.
We knew the next step for us was to bowl and field well. Stuart Ridge got us away and was rewarded with a wicket in the first over with Strathfield’s opener having his castle disturbed without troubling the scorers. ‘You beaut’ – 1 for 0. Mick Tarrant started strongly with the new ball from the southern end without the same immediate success. Strathfield’s batters obviously thought the best form of defence was attack and during the subsequent overs started to hit the boundary and get the score moving.
Persistent good lines and lengths led to success for Mick Tarrant when he bowled Strathfield’s number 3 in the 8th over leaving the score 2 for 45. The fightback in the field had commenced and the ground fielding was excellent, further restricting the Strathfield batters. Success again for Stuart Ridge in his 5th over saw Strathfield in a bit of trouble at 3 for 51, still more than 200 runs short. However, their opener, Stanley Sebastien, was still travelling well and retired on 31* which included 7 fours.
A double bowling change by skipper Wells saw Andrew Bachelard and ‘Wes’ Hall into the attack. Both bowled strongly and were rewarded with a wicket each just before drinks. David Craig was brought into the attack for some leg spin in the last over before the break and removed the dangerous Bob Egerton who had scored 23 solid runs. 6 for 87 at the break, with batters 8 and 9 at the crease.
After the break, Wes and David continued the attack. David, in particular, was landing them well and got a further reward with a wicket in the 25th over. Andy Davis was brought into the attack to replace Wes and picked up a wicket in his first over with Strathfield now 8 for 112. However, Strathfield’s number 8, Greg John, was batting well with little support and retired after reaching 30* allowing Stanley to return to the crease. He wasn’t there long, becoming David’s third wicket with the score at 9 for 116. Greg returned to the crease and continued his fine batting until he became David’s fourth victim when on 46. Strathfield all out 136.
A comprehensive win by CCNSW with a much-improved overall performance. Paul Nash and Scott Wells were the pick of the batters, with David Craig the pick of the bowlers returning the figures of 7.4–0–26. All that was left to do was to crack a few “winners” ales and finish off the chicken wings and cheese and crackers. All agreed we had achieved our goal of improving in the 4 aspects of the game – batting, bowling, fielding and catering.
The Team was (playing 12): – Mike Pinter 34, Ed Cross 28* (ret hurt), Paul Nash 37* , Andrew Dawson 20, Scott Wells (c) and (w) 37*, Craig Kitson 30*, Andrew Davis 15, Andrew Bachelard 0, Mike Tarrant 13, Sherville Hall 12, David Craig 15, and Stuart Ridge dnb
The Result was: –
C.C.N.S.W.: 7 – 258 (40 Overs) (P. Nash 37*; S. Wells 37*; C. Kitson 30*)
Defeated
Strathfield CC: – 10-136 (33 Overs) (D. Craig 4-26)
By 122 runs
FoWs: – 1-111 (A. Dawson); 2-196 (A. Davis); 3-196 (A. Bachelard); 4-218 (M. Tarrant); 5-232 (S. Hall); 6-249 (M. Pinter): 7-253 (D. Craig).
The Bowling was: – S. Ridge 7-0-35-2; M. Tarrant 7-0-26-1; A. Bachelard 2-0-16-1; S. Hall 5-1-19-1; D. Craig 8-0-26-4; A. Davis 4-0-12-1
The Fielding was: –
Stumpings: – Nil
Catches: – one to each of A. Davis and M. Pinter
Run outs: – Nil
Player points (awarded by umpire): 3 points to P. Nash; 2 points to S. Wells; one point to D. Craig