THE FINAL AT THE
A dreary overcast day
greeted us as we left for the S.C.G. to
make sure we were on time and as it was a weekday and as we had no idea of the
traffic conditions we left nice and early,
We thought we were
early but some families were that early they went away to McDonalds for breakfast and were still, too
early.
So into the ground
and down to the members pavilion to look around, it was still too early as the
players could not get into the dressing room so an anxious wait in the archway behind the pavilion until Dave
came running back saying the doors were open then a mad grab for the cricket
bags and into the visitors dressing room.
This what the boys
had dreamed of all season, to be at the Sydney Cricket Ground and to wander around the visitors dressing room
reading all of the famous names ,signatures and scores written on the wall ,
Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman Anil Kumble and many more then into the massage room
where Roystan decided to try it out.
This is the dressing
room where some of the greatest names in cricket had changed the
A talk from the coach
Tim Curran then onto the playing area for a training session, stretching on the
fence and getting to feel the atmosphere of this great ground.
There was even time
for a short session in the nets then Hodgo , who was already in his whites was
called for the toss with the captain of
Chris tossed and
Nathan called and we all wondered would we bat or field both captains were
smiling and then
whilst walking off Hodgo did his impersonation of a forward
defensive stroke and we all knew we would be batting.
Irrespective of who
won the match the ultimate achievement had been reached we were playing at the Sydney Cricket
Ground.
Another great memory
for the boys to remember is walking down the steps where so many great names
had walked before them and onto the ground.
So at 10.a.m. on a
wet and dreary day we commenced our innings.
Openers Royston and
Scott reached 22 runs before Scott was bowled for 8 Brett joined Royston and a
very steady partnership began which lasted
until the 31st over when Brett was bowled for 33, the partnership
was a very handy 86 and the score 108 for 2.
Hodgo joined Royston until Royston was caught after scoring
62 runs, in came Mitch and was batting
well until he was caught for 15.
Hodgo was the next to go caught for 21, then a
mini stand of 33 between Elliot and Andrew got us to 194 before Elliot was caught
for 23, Andrew for 16 and Sagi went in the same over
We were then 206 for
8 and we finished our 60 overs with a score of 217
for 9..
Then the rain which
had been falling lightly began to get heavier and out came the covers.
It seems silly to say
this but I am glad we lost 9 wickets because this meant that all of our batsmen had a chance to go
onto the ground and have a bat.
Commiserations must
go to the 12th man
Dave Cullan who, because the match was
abandoned did not have a chance to have a bowl on the S.C.G.
What a wonderful way
to end the final season in junior cricket for the boys, memories that will live
with them forever so when they are sitting in a rocking chair and a program
comes on about the S.C.G. they can say to their grandchildren “ I played at the
Sydney Cricket Ground”
Even if the grandkids
say “pull the other one Pop” or “and did you also walk on the moon”
“Pop” you can then
put on the video that I did for every player and say “ sit
down and watch this”
Thanks to the
District Cricket Association and the S.C.G. Trust for allowing this match to be
played there in the centenary of District Cricket.