The Waratah’s take on UNSW in a two day away game commencing this weekend. We will be without some of our players due to representative carnivals, however the final details of who can do what on day 1 are yet to be finalised so the exact make up of the side is yet to be determined.
The ‘Tahs will be looking to extend their improvements following their comfortable win last weekend v Fairfield. Unsure why we were so kind to Fairfield by drawing stumps with so many overs to go, SOK obviously doesn’t have the same long term memory as the author of this ramble. I know a good 96 over dig would have been on the cards.
First grade are moving through the gears to 10th spot on 18 points not far away from the top 6 whilst the Bumblebees, who held on for a good draw v Sydney Uni last round, are well placed on 26 pts in 3rd spot. The depth of UNSW’s batting last weekend was highlighted with a strong mid to lower order performance ensuring they got away with the draw. The Manly boys will need to be on their game for the fall of all 10 wickets to give themselves a good chance.
At the time of writing it is unknown if Jack Edwards will be playing following his Sheffield Shield game due to end on Friday in Perth. We should have Ollie Davies available but Joel Foster may not be able to bowl. All three, if they play, will be day one only.
The game will be a tight one with UNSW proving to be a consistent, if not exciting, side who won’t lie down. They, along with Syd Uni, are the only sides to have not lost yet this year. This provides a great opportunity for the ‘Tahs to test themselves out and to see where they sit as the season approaches the half way mark.
2nd grade’s season is hanging by a thread following their close loss last weekend. On top at the fall of the 7th wicket they just couldn’t finish off Fairfield who limped across the line. In 18th spot on just 8 pts they are against UNSW who are in a similar position on 7pts in 19th. Patience and boring cricket are the keys to this game. If either side bats for 80+ overs they’ll go a long way to winning. Manly need to find who the grinders are who can defend their wicket and set up a match winning total. Yet to score 200 this year, the reasons for their poor position are obvious.
3rd grade were denied a win last week and took away just the point for the draw leaving them in the mix on 14pts in 11th spot. UNSW have the one win only and are in last place. Manly will be looking to for a big win to give themselves a boost of confidence.
4th grade are travelling nicely in 4th spot on 24 pts with UNSW 14th on 15pts. Another game where the Manly boys will be looking to win and further their claims for a top 6 spot. A strong bowling performance last week got them the points in a low scoring game so another game where the side who bats longest will probably win.
5th grade are doing the club proud. After a horrendous start to the year the boys have pulled themselves together to collect 17 pts in their past two games and giving everybody a reminder who won the comp last year. Their bounce back can’t turn into a dead cat if they want to keep on moving through the field in what will be an intriguing game against the well placed UNSW side.
From a club championship perspective Manly have steadily improved to be currently 12th with UNSW 14th. Not a lot of points separate Manly and about 8th spot so a couple of solid weekends of cricket should see us move even higher.
Warren Evans
