Almost a year ago, Macarthur’s premier cricket club, Campbelltown Camden Ghosts, were struggling without a single win after 10 rounds of the Sydney premiership.
A week later, on Saturday, January 21, the Ghosts got the monkey off their backs when they defeated Mosman at Raby in round 11.
After some soul searching and a lot of tough decisions, the Ghosts turned it all around this season.
The first grade headed into its round 10 two day match against Parramatta on Saturday full of confidence.
And why not? The Ghosts had been undefeated in nine rounds and leading the competition when they won the toss against Parramatta.
Skipper Jarrad Burke, who returned to the Ghosts this season as part of the makeover of the club, decided to invite the visitors to bat first at Raby #1.
It was not a good move and by Sunday night the Ghosts had recorded their first defeat of the 2017-18 grade season.
Indeed this was the first time this season Burke did not make a major contribution.
That’s not to say he had a poor game – far from it.
But it’s noteworthy that the first loss in 10 rounds comes when the skipper is not picking up a swag of wickets or hitting a stack of runs.
The Ghosts had their chances – at one stage Parramatta were 4 for 64 – but the visitors regained their composure to post a huge total of 370.
Sam Skelly was the pick of the Ghosts bowlers picking up three wickets for 44 from 16 overs.
In reply the Ghosts were 1 for 125 at stumps on Saturday, with opener Aaron Yabsley undefeated on 84 and first drop Phil Wells on 20.
Wells came in after opener Mitchell Carruthers was caught for 20 when the score was 64.
On Sunday, despite Yabsley scoring a big hundred (135) the Ghosts just could not reach the Parramatta total.
They were all out for 313, still 57 runs short of the target.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]Maybe it was the loss they had to have.[/social_quote]
In some ways this defeat may be a blessing in disguise if it serves as a reminder that all 11 players have to contribute instead of relying on Burke to weave his magic with bat or ball.
Despite their loss, the Ghosts still lead the competition with 44 points, but have powerhouses Sutherland and Sydney University breathing down their neck a point behind.
This Saturday in the round 11 match against UNSW at Alan Davidson Oval the Ghosts will get the chance to bounce back from Sunday’s defeat.
How they respond may well determine whether they are capable of snatching their first ever premiership in 34 years.
