Fairytale finish to Richmond revival

By FLGOFF Stuart Scott

The victorious team. Back: WOFF N. Stringfellow, FLTLT S. Scott, LAC B. Boatswain, LAC P. Moore, FLGOFF S. Carroll Front: LAC A. Gawthorne, LAC M. McGowan (Captain), SGT M. Thornley (President), CPL A. ELms, LAC S. Millard Kneeling: LAC M. Jones, LAC I. Smith (Vice Captain).

Like Lazarus the RAAF Richmond Cricket Club has been resurrected and achieved outstanding sporting success when the Cricket Club won the 3rd Grade District Premiership in its inaugural season.

The club was “reborn” for the season. Over the years posting cycles and operational tempo had seen the once strong club dwindle away.

When former member Leading Aircraftman Ian Smith was posted back to No. 37 Squadron, he became determined to reactivate the club.

The club played as part of Windsor Leagues Cricket Club (WLCC) in the Hawkesbury District Cricket Association 3rd Grade competition and fi nished minor premiers.

The semi-final against Schofi elds Cricket Club was a close-fought affair. Richmond won the toss and sent Schofi elds in to bat.

It was a smart tactic as team captain Leading Aircraftman Mark McGowan unleashed a stunning bowling attack that had Schofields reeling at 6 for 13.

The middle and rearguard held on and Schofi elds walked off on the last ball of the day all out for 128.

Rain came overnight and Richmond discovered very quickly the true meaning of the term “sticky wicket” as it struggled against the opposition and the weather for five hours.

Leading Aircraftman Andrew Gawthorne proved the lynchpin as he dug in for an impressive 44.Rain finally washed out the game.

Richmond was 5 for 105 and, as minor premiers, progressed to the fi nal against the Pitt Town boys.

In that game, Richmond won the toss and sent Pitt Town in to bat on good, but grassy pitch.

Pitt Town astonished with an extremely slow batting display and at the end of the day was all out for 109 off 66 overs.

Again, LAC McGowan showed no mercy with the ball, taking 5 for 28.

In the two overs remaining that day Pitt Town unleashed a fi ery challenge, however, Richmond was setting form at 0 for 13 as the stumps were pulled.

On day two Warrant Of- cer Norm Stringfellow and LAC McGowan set the pace with a solid 43 and 33 respectively.

Richmond was all out for 132, taking the first innings honours. Undaunted and with nothing to lose, Pitt Town came out swinging in the second innings and sent Richmond’s bowlers all over the field.

Richmond felt the pressure in the fi eld but maintained the standard and discipline that had taken them from the cradle to the minor premiership.

Pitt Town was dismissed for 105 runs off only 18 overs, with Leading Aircraftman Matt Jones and LAC McGowan turning in a stunning 6 for 52 and 4 for 42 respectively.

Richmond had 82 runs to chase for outright victory or 21 overs to survive for first innings victory.

Richmond opened with caution against an aggressive Pitt Town attack, which featured plenty of short deliveries.

Richmond was equal to the task and some smart work with the bat meant the stumps were pulled with the team at 4 for 75 and therefore the 2003/2004 3rd Grade Premiers.

Leading Aircraftman Peter Moore opened the batting, and, despite losing four defi ant partners, finished 26 not out.

Outstanding player of the match was captain LAC McGowan, who was awarded the Bradman Medal from the umpires.

Richmond Cricket Club would like to recognise the work of two individuals who made the club’s return to competition possible – LAC Smith and WLCC President Peter Lea.

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