Gordon DCC Fourth Grade Premiers 2004-05 and something about a Ferrari
Gordon District Cricket Club | July 10, 2025
4TH GRADE PREMIERS 2004-05
Standing: Michael Bourne, Reece Bombas, Richard Stobo, Marty Reynolds (c), Anthony Edington, Nick Medcalf, Mark Wiese
Kneeling: Will Sweeney, Dave Michael, Alastair Fitzpatrick
Sitting: Ben Garratt, Dave Parfett
A 4th Grade premiership in the centenary year of this proud old club. Happy days. Having been so close in 2003-04, it was a just reward for Captain Reynolds to lift the Reid Cup at Killara Park on 3 April 2005. And the crushing victory in the Final – by nine wickets – underscored the fact that this was the best performed side in the competition all year. Only one loss was recorded, to Bankstown in Round 7 in a one-day game, while the runners up, Randwick-Petersham were defeated by Gordon twice at the business end of the season.
It was, on the whole, a very good performance. The Ferrari did the job.
It is also notable that only 26 players represented Gordon’s 4th Grade during the season. Such stability allowed a wonderful team spirit to build, and the selectors, Messrs Hickman and Wilson, must be commended on that. It was never better illustrated than in the field on the first day of the Final, when the team fielded magnificently, taking every chance and effecting two run outs. Randwick-Petersham’s 2-92 became 140 all out, setting up the victory and the Premiership; a truly impressive performance given the placid nature of the pitch.
The team was superbly captained by Marty Reynolds. The oldest player at Gordon, and one of the older citizens in the district, Marty was playing grade cricket at Gordon before virtually every other player in the side was born. Nevertheless, he still bats with rare assurance and his stroke play remains almost second to none in the Club. Fortunately Marty was not required to win games very often this year, but his 87* against St George dug the team out of a very deep hole and, with Anthony Edington, ensured a five wicket win. However, while Marty was the leading run scorer in the team with 458, perhaps it was his slips catching that really marked him apart. To bowl with Marty at first slip is to know that chances will be made, and taken. And they regularly were. He also took a wicket against Campbelltown-Camden, but it’s better not to dwell on that. Finally, Marty’s captaincy was first rate throughout. He reads a game particularly well, but his preference was clearly to attack. This largely explains why other teams could average only 16 runs per wicket against Gordon throughout the season. Pre-match talks by Marty were always worth listening to (“we must make sure that we pick up all seven points from this game …”), but there was never any doubting his passion for his Club, and his desire to show the younger players what it means to be part of a winning team. He certainly achieved that, and no player deserved this premiership more. Well done, Marty. Mission accomplished.
Now for the rest of them.
Dave Parfett came into his own at the season progressed. A terrific player to watch, he makes batting look easy, although his evidently relaxed approach occasionally contributed to his undoing. His confidence grew in every game. His 95 against Hawkesbury included some coruscating stroke play and, in partnership with Bombas, it was a delight to watch. However it was Dave’s contribution to the Final that was most memorable. His 88* mixed patience with some delightful boundaries; his bowling was excellent; he took two very good catches; and he effected a fine run out. Well played. One of the few in the team with common sense, he should set his sights high for 2005-06.
Reece Bombas came to the Club from the Central Coast this season, and what a terrific asset he proved to be. An incarnation of Archie Jackson, he grew in stature as the season progressed. His cover drive is second only to Stobo’s, and his late cut is to die for. Always good for at least 20, he showed as the season progressed that he was increasingly unsatisfied with that, and he now sets his sights much higher. Surely his 71 against Hawkesbury was a sign of the future. But perhaps the most impressive thing about Reece was his ability to fit in so well with a team of older fellows. He is a fine lad, and he put up with the ribbing that tended to flow his way with good humour, earning the respect of all. I would very much like to be there for his first century for the Club next season.
At this point I should also mention Reece’s father, Len Bombas, who is a truly fine man. Any father that is prepared to drive from Tunks Park to Green Point to retrieve his forgetful son’s cricket kit from the garage, or who is prepared to sit at Cabramatta Oval for two days watching possibly the dullest cricket game in the history of the universe, is simply a legend. It was great to have Len on board the Ferrari, and we hope that he enjoyed the winning runs as much as we did. I have a sneaking suspicion that he did.
Ben Garratt came into the side mid-season, as the result of a form slump. He is a very good player for 4th Grade, although it took him a little while to find his feet again. His feat of four catches against Mosman was rather extraordinary, although for some time I felt that he must have been picked in the side for his fielding. However his batting class was clearly evident as the season progressed, and his innings of 40* in the Final was mature beyond his years. Ben is a terrific fellow to play alongside. And despite hailing from the Central Coast he proved to have a sharp mind, and a fine sense of humour. Anyone who spent much of his time driving down the F3 with Reece Bombas in the car would probably need one.
Al Fitzpatrick crossed over to the Ferrari from Mosman last season, having won the Reid Cup with the Whales in 2003-04, scoring 50 in that Final. Despite a slightly odd haircut – very un-Mosman, one would have thought – he was a delight to play with. Certainly he didn’t do himself justice with the bat; he is a far better player that his figures indicated, but that is often the way with a new club as it can take a season or so to make the adjustment. It was interesting that his best innings of the season was a fine 63 against … Mosman. Two Fourth Grade premierships, in two years, and for two different clubs. Extraordinary. Now, Al, with me, and with gusto: “It’s great to part of the Gordon CC/We’re fond of Bacardi …”
Nick Medcalf is, by and large, rather soft, but that withstanding he had a very good season. Indeed, his innings of 57 in the second semi-final was arguably the most important one all year. With the Ferrari in trouble at 6-160 just after lunch on the second day, and well over three hours to survive, Nick’s determination and application, along with that of Mark Wiese, allowed us to scrape through to the Final. This followed his 45 in the first semi-final, and I think it marked a significant step up for him as a batsman. Nick is a bustling medium-pacer (is there any other sort?), making him a genuuuiiinne all-rounder, and he plays with passion. Definitely another player to watch for the future.
Dave Michael is an angry young man. I’m not sure why. The friendly disposition is only a façade. Tim, his brother, was a member of the 2003-04 Ferrari, and he was an angry young man too. Very odd. Dave’s not in the same angry-league as Tim, but he’s a little bit angry all the same. But what champion fellows to have in a team. Dave came into his own in the latter part of the season. He was the side’s only century scorer, with his 103* (including an ‘8’) against Campbelltown-Camden in Round 14, and his bowling improved markedly as his confidence developed. His return in the Final of 20-10-3-36 was quite magnificent, and turned the game. Finally, Dave’s fielding was second to none, not only in the team, but I would suggest in the competition. I was often puzzled by the batsmen that took a chance on Dave’s arm in the covers, and a few certainly paid the ultimate price (well, not actually the ultimate price, because I suppose that would be death). Dave’s value to the team went well beyond the field; he understands team spirit and club spirit, and his contribution to both areas was highly significant. He made it his mission to keep Stobo in his place, and to control the controllables, which is wise advice for any young aspiring cricketer.
Mark Wiese joined the team midway through the season, and got the time for his first one day game wrong. However, he quickly proved to be a real asset, both with the gloves and, in the second semi-final in particular, with the bat. His mature, balanced, thinking approach was invaluable, and contributed greatly to the atmosphere of the changing room. So too did his cigarettes. Mark had never previously played in a grade final, but now he has, and he thoroughly deserved to be part of the side’s success. There are few better clubmen on the planet.
Michael Bourne. What more can we say about this man? Michael Bourne. Cool as a cucumber, dry as the driest thing you can think of. His uncomplaining, unflappable approach is as constant as the northern star, and invaluable for any team. Michael Bourne. Wickets did not fall for Bourney as regularly as he would have liked this season, but rarely did he bowl a bad ball. For a leggie, his accuracy is quite remarkable. However, a memory that looms large is Michael walking out to bat in the second semi-final, nine wickets down, three overs to play, a season in the balance. What better man to have walking through the gate in that situation? And, of course, he did the job. Michael also vied for the catch of the season, with his extraordinary effort against Manly in the first semi-final. I have played with few better team men than Michael Bourne. Legend.
Will Sweeney has talent. He also has a great attitude. Will Sweeney can play. Arriving after the HSC and all of the palaver that follows, he quickly showed that he had a place in this side. He had an uncanny knack for producing a wicket-taking delivery early on and, as a result, opening partnerships were quickly broken. He has good pace, and good ticker; the DNA of a good quick. He also has a sense of theatre, which was evident in his decision to take the Sydney Uni game down to the wire, by letting deliveries pass through to the keeper at the pointy end of the game. An interesting tactic, but all was well in the end. And if I ever see a better catch than his effort at backward point against Randwick-Petersham – and I doubt that I will – I know I will die a very happy man. Put simply, it was a blinder. I’m not even sure that he knows how he managed to hold it. Will, great to have you at Gordon.
Iqbal Ahmed. Iqqy. The Iqster. Extraordinary. The thinking man’s Shane Warne, Iqbal’s bowling was largely responsible for defeating North Sydney and St George. Indeed, I can’t recall a finer spell of leg spin bowling in 4th Grade than his spell against St George. Ten overs, five maidens, two wickets, eleven runs. Outrageous. Furthermore, Iqbal’s innings of 54 was crucial in the win over Manly in Round 8. But Iqbal’s value to the Ferrari can’t be measured by figures. There is no number to measure humour, good will, and team spirit. I am sorry that Iqbal wasn’t on the field in the semi-finals, but he must know that he was a big part of the side.
In the same way that it was a shame that Iqbal couldn’t take the field in the finals, so too was it the case with Anthony Edington. Anthony is yet another great team man. His calm, measured approach to cricket is exemplary. To bowl with Anthony at mid-off is to know that you will not only get great support in the field, but also an astute feel for the game. He did not have the happiest season with the bat, and a gammy shoulder prevented him from bowling; however Anthony’s contribution was another who must not be measured in numbers. Rather, it should be measured by the fact that 4th Grade won the competition.
Tim Packman. Who’s your daddy??!! A modern day Adonis at the crease. His cameos were quite remarkable on a number of levels. Not only did he perform well with the bat, but he did so with absolutely no practice. However the lack of practice was evident in his bowling. Every ball was an adventure, but it was helpful to discover how the nearby wicket for the following game would play. It must be difficult, of course, bowling with lats like bat wings. Certainly an inswinger is out of the question. Tim was a fantastic, if only transient, member of the Ferrari. Good humour, exciting batting, and a soft target. Who’s your daddy??!!
David Thomlinson only played a handful of games before heading off to 3rd Grade and then, rather more extravagantly, the UK. He proved to be a very useful offie, and bowled us to victory against Manly in Round 8. He also bowled a marathon spell of 27 overs against Fairfield, and showed terrific control and patience. A good lad who clearly inherited his common sense from his mother.
Clint Ratatagia appeared at Gordon some weeks in to the season, and it was clear that we had an exciting quick on our hands. Raw and aggressive, Clint did the very thing that teams need: he took the game up to the batsmen. He has the ability to bowl unplayable deliveries, and is prepared to charge in at every stage of the day. He also brought an unpredictably to the team that was very refreshing. When Clint was bowling – or batting, for that matter – the game was well and truly alive, and exciting to watch. He is from a bygone era of quicks, and for him the game is very simple: charge in, let the ball fly, and when you’re batting, you take no prisoners. And that’s a good thing. It also goes without saying that he averaged fifty for most of the season with the blade.
Dean Goldsmith. What more needs to be said? It was like having Dickie Knee in the team for three games. Sadly, it was a dickie knee that finished him off. Sliding for a ball that had, for all intents and purposes, stopped. Inexplicable. Dean certainly brought an extra dimension to the side, although I’m not quite sure what it was. Neverthless, it certainly was good fun while it lasted, and I’m very sorry that it couldn’t last for a little longer. And, of course, his batting and slips catching were first class. A great fellow to have on any cricket field.
Other players were in the Ferrari for a bit: Sunil Sajdeh, Josh Ling, Las Kannangara, Mitchell Kleem, Josh Ling, Stuart Orr, Adair Durie, David Millar, and Stuart Slocombe. All good men and true, and all contributed to the team’s success. Each fitted in easily, and added to the side both on and off the field.
Michael Berman’s help as uncomplaining scorer was invaluable. He is a great asset for Gordon in so many ways, and we are very grateful for all of his efforts. He is a man with a good heart, and we are glad that we were able to reward his efforts with the win at Killara. Thank you, Michael.
The coaches, and in particular Michael Falk, put in time to help us, and hopefully they will feel that their efforts were justified. To have Steve Smith, Matt Nicholson, and Steve Thomlinson all on board can only be a good thing. It is hard to imagine a better group of men to have guiding the players in a club.
Of course, the General Committee’s role should always be recognised, as with that of the selectors, Geoff Hickman and the enigmatic Tony Wilson. In particular the contribution to the Club by President Ian Carroll and Secretary Andy Falk over a number of years now has been simply outstanding, and it is pleasing that they could celebrate the Centenary Year with a Premiership; certainly they both deserved to do so. [An aside: the Centenary Dinner at Darling Harbour was a wonderful and memorable evening. Well done to all concerned.] Andy spent the week before each of the semis and the Final working on the ground at Killara to ensure that we had the best wicket possible, regardless of the weather. All of his work is appreciated tremendously.
Finally, it is also impossible to quantify Paul Stephenson’s contribution to the success of the team by way of the website. It allowed the Ferrari to develop a life and spirit of its own. It mattered enormously.
It was, therefore, a very fulfilling season. Exciting wins were recorded over St George, Sydney University, and Randwick-Petersham during the competition rounds. The outright win over Parramatta, with time and overs against us, was terrific, and important in the context of the season as a whole. And the fielding in the two games against Randwick-Petersham was almost beyond belief at times. But perhaps the tenacious draw against Western Suburbs in the semis best showed the real character in the side. All of this demonstrated that, when the pressure was on, this team would stand up to the test.
It is hard to imagine a more enjoyable or rewarding season than the 2004-05 one with the Ferrari. Well done, boys.
Author: Richard Stobo
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