GORDON paceman Chad Soper hit an unbeaten 50 to save face for the Stags against Eastern Suburbs – a day after he finished his HSC.

Chad Soper in action. Photo: Alex Wisser

“The top order all got themselves out. It was horrible,” Soper, 17, said with a chuckle.

“Then the captain, Beau Casson, said I had a good opportunity because the team was 8-81.

“And I took it – and played well.”

Soper and No 11 James Kennedy (30) put on 61 for the last wicket.

The Stags were bowled out for for 166 at Waverley Oval on Saturday, with Eastern Suburbs 0-92 at stumps.

At Waitara Oval, Northern District are 1-44 chasing Parramatta’s 217.

North Sydney hit 213 against Randwick Petersham at Coogee Oval, with the home side 0-54 in reply.

Soper, who lives on the Central Coast, said he was loving his time with Gordon.

“I came to Gordon a couple of years ago to play Green Shield and make a name for myself,” he said.

“Then I got picked once last year in first grade, when a bowler was injured.

“(Former Test fast bowler) Matt Nicholson was the captain then and to play alongside him was amazing.

“Now I’ve got Beau Casson as captain, so I’m really enjoying my cricket.”

Soper said batting for more than two hours on Saturday and hitting his highest first-grade score took its toll.

“My bowling wasn’t too good – I could hardly walk after I batted for so long,” he said.

“But it’s OK, because they were happy with my batting.

“I hope I stay down the order though – I don’t want to face the new ball.”

At Waitara, Northern District had Parramatta struggling at 5-33 after Andrew McLean tore through the top order.

But Aaron Govorko and Vilen Sithloo hit 71 and 66 for Parramatta to resurrect their innings.

McLean finished with 4-52 from 13 overs while captain Dominic Thornely took 3-34 from 15 overs.

District opener Rob Watts was bowled out on the second ball but then Jonathan Whealing, (22) and Ahillen Beadle (20) steadied the ship and they will resume at 1-44 this weekend.

At Coogee, North Sydney’s 213 included 93 from Sebastien Reid, who hit 14 fours and a six.

The Bears were 3-37 when Reid arrived at the crease but he and Joshua Kentwell (46) put on 116.