Tym Crawford reflects on playing at Chatswood Oval
Gordon District Cricket Club | February 28, 2026
Tym Crawford – former First Grade captain. Australian club First Grade batting record – 1303 runs in season 2023-24.
Match: 2020-21 T20 Cup Gordon v Manly Warringah @ Chatswood Oval
Result: Gordon 7-175 (N Doyle 45, D Hunter 40, O Davies 3-15) defeated Manly 128 (C Merchant 40, J Saggers 3-17, R Meppem 3-32)
Cricket is a team sport and although I have many great individual memories, reminiscing about outstanding team wins brings the greatest enjoyment. One victory that sticks out in my mind was a T20 fixture vs Manly Warringah in 2020-21. If you haven’t been to a First Grade T20 match at Chatswood Oval, you’re missing out. Our home crowd support is by far the best in the competition, and it was no different on this day.
We were up against a highly touted opponent which included six first class cricketers and four T20 Big Bash players. Gordon batted first and compiled a fantastic score of 7-175. Every shot that ran to, or over, the boundary brought a raucous cheer from our loyal supporters. These supporters were mostly club players who came to support us in the stands at each game.
By the time the second innings started the boys had their voice boxes adequately oiled and primed. They saved their biggest roar for early in the second innings, when the opposition’s most hyped batsman edged a ball which flew down to third man and was caught on the fence. The noise that came out of the pavilion was what you experience at bigtime live sporting events. I have a vivid memory of looking up at the stands and seeing everyone jump to their feet, hands and liquid being thrown in the air. Following this, we coasted home, winning by 47 runs and moving into the semifinal.
After the match, all our supporters piled into the changeroom and joined in singing the team song. There were approximately 40 Stags, including past players, belting out the lyrics. The culture during this period was at a high point and it was a great reflection of the strength of the club.
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