THE GRAND FINAL! – 5th Grade v St George @ Hurstville Oval

We made it! The Grand Final! This is the 6th occasion in our 16 years that 5th Grade have played in a Grand Final. We won in 2005-06 under Dean White and 2007-08 when Darren McCoy captained the side. We were runner-up in 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2008-09. All those 5 Grand Finals were in our first 8 years. It’s been a long 8 seasons but we’re there again. Now to add to the club silverware!!

THE GRAND FINAL!

5th Grade v St George @ Hurstville Oval
From 10.30 am Sat. and 9.30 am Sun. (end of daylight saving)

We made it! The Grand Final! This is the 6th occasion in our 16 years that 5th Grade have played in a Grand Final. We won in 2005-06 under Dean White and 2007-08 when Darren McCoy captained the side. We were runner-up in 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2008-09. All those 5 Grand Finals were in our first 8 years. It’s been a long 8 seasons but we’re there again. Now to add to the club silverware!!

While the forecast is not all that promising with showers predicted both days after heavy rain Thursday, going into the match we are the form side. Ignoring the washed out Qualifying Final when not a ball was bowled, we have won our last 5 matches. Last week’s Semi-Final win against Gordon was outstanding. In that match:
• Gordon were bowled out for 25 after being 0-14. They lost 10-11. Their no. 3 bat made 13–more than half their score. This was the lowest score by an opposing team IN ANY GRADE in our 16 years and stands as a club record
• The outright win by 10 wickets equalled the team’s record winning margin against Bankstown in 2014-15
• 16 year old wicket-keeper Kel Mullins took 7 catches in the match—5 in the first dig and 2 in the second—a new record for 5th Grade!

That’s great form for a big match like this. But St George will be a tough nut to crack. They won 10 of the 15 rounds this season—more than any other team. And they lost just 3. They finished second behind Gordon. We won 9 and lost 6 in finishing fourth.

Just like Gordon last week-end, we did not play St George this season. So we are an unknown factor to them as they are to us. But as they finished ahead, they don’t have to win. A draw will do them while we HAVE TO WIN. Being the “under-dog” however, can be a big plus just like it was against Gordon.

Last weekend Saints defeated Penrith 250 to 134. Interestingly, Saints, who batted first took 117.3 overs for their 250. The way our boys are bowling they won’t get that many next week-end! In fact this may be a battle of the bowlers based on the competition statistics as 4 of the top 5 bowlers will be in this match. Nigil Singh is the leading wicket-taker with a brilliant 52 wickets-the first time he has exceeded the half-century in his 20 seasons. The second and third places are taken by Saints’ Paul Francis and Paul Witherly who both have 30 while our Sam Boyns is just behind in 5th spot with 27.

Over the years we have had the better of the results with 7 wins to their 3 with 2 drawn. Last year it rained both days and not a ball was bowled. The previous year however, we won a tight match 151 to 140 at Kenso after being sent in. Nigil Singh played in that match and took 2-21.

The 5th Grade trophy is the DAVID SHERWOOD CUP and there is plenty of sentiment attached to it. It was presented to the Association by Randwick CC in 1985 in memory of David Sherwood who had been a scorer with the club for 59 years—52 of them in 1st Grade.

Selectors have named a very talented squad which is: Nigil Singh (capt.), Savio Gracis Flor, Vishwas Saini, Dylan Powell, Chris Hart, ,Matt Hilder Jack Standing, Ben Montedoro, Kel Mullins, Sam Boyns, Mac Waugh, Alex Deller, Mitchell O’Loughlin. Three of those players-Jack Standing, Ben Montedoro and Mitchell O’Loughlin—are sons of former Randwick players. A great record for the club.

Follow the boy’s progress on the week-end on the club’s facebook page. Go the Randy Petes!

Lyall Gardner