James Packman remembers a star-studded clash at Chatswood Oval
Gordon District Cricket Club | January 31, 2026
James Packman – former NSW batsman. Third in career club First Grade batting records – 6705 runs at 28.78.
Match: 2007-08 Semi-Final v Randwick Petersham
Featuring: Beau Casson, Matt Nicholson and James Packman for Gordon and Burt Cockley, Nathan Hauritz, Simon Katich and Usman Khawaja for Randwick Petersham
Contest: Randwick Petersham batted first, scoring 220. Gordon went to lunch on Sunday 5-140. After lunch, Burt Cockley was removed from the attack by the umpires after his third “beamer” of the innings.
The victory against Randwick Petersham back in 2007-08, when both teams were full strength with a number of first-class players in action, stands out. The match came down to the wire, neither team willing to give the other an inch. I remember we had a great start and then lost a cluster of wickets to be in trouble chasing the total in the second innings. The shadows coming across the ground from the pavilion created a tricky light to negotiate but the boys held their nerve to win. Post-game celebrations were memorable in the changeroom afterwards, supporters and those within the club also joined us for a very loud rendition of the club song, followed by a cold beer. Sitting in there with your teammates – it doesn’t get better than that!
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