It was a weekend of ups and downs for the Tahs, as the girls registered a clean-sweep going 4 from 4 to kick-start their season, while the boys had some frustrating results despite thrilling wins in M4’s and M5’s.
The Belvidere Cup competition kicked off for our M1’s side, facing arch-rivals North Sydney at Manly Oval. Off to a tough start losing two early wickets after being sent into bat, Joel Foster (125*), Joel Davies (31) and Jay Lenton (34) rebuilt the innings with some excellent batting, before a late cameo from Ryan Farrell (26 off 18) helped the Tahs post 7/253 off 50 overs. Special mention to Fozz who batted through the whole innings with exceptional composure and patience to finish 125 not out. North Sydney were off to the dream start in the run chase, passing 100 for no loss, before three quick wickets to Foster, Bertie Foreman and Josh Seward brought the Tahs right back into the game. Lachlan Ford landed a triple blow late to have the contest on a knife’s edge, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be, as North Sydney passed our total with three balls to spare.
M2’s were at Bon Andrews Oval, winning the toss and bowling first, skipper Andrew Jamieson struck early in an economical opening spell with Tom Kaye. North Sydney consolidated, however an important wicket to Michael Counsell, along with a tight, wicket-taking 10 over spell from Isaiah Vumbaca (4/40) kept the run rate in check throughout as the home side posted 6/221. Lachlan Barnsley (50) and Ned Hole (39) started the run chase positively with an 89 run opening stand, before both fell in quick succession. Ben Bryant (58) and Ahillen Beadle (42) steadied the ship and looked destined to see the team home, but unfortunately, a nightmare middle-order collapse occurred, the Tahs losing 7/20 in the space of 6 overs to fall short in the chase, ending on 9/215.
Skipper Sam Hole returned to lead the M3’s side in their first home fixture of the season at Grahams Reserve. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Tahs struggled to find any consistent momentum throughout the batting innings, despite the best efforts of Sam Webber (30) and Preston Lee (26), and late runs to Evan Dunnachie (33) and Fraser Noack (24), to finish all out for 163. While we took wickets relatively consistently with the ball, a few missed chances and ultimately not enough runs on the board cost us, North Sydney successfully chasing our total for the loss of seven wickets.
M4’s ventured to Tunks Park, and after being sent into bat, were in some real strife early at 3/13 on a very slow outfield. Keelan Mendel (29) combined with Josh Coyte (52) in a steadying 84 run partnership as Keelan rotated the strike while Josh counter-attacked to put pressure back on the home side. A mini-collapse followed, before Jack Donnan closed out the innings smartly with 39no, as we reached 8/171. North Sydney were off to a solid start in the run chase, before skipper Andrew Rochford (3/40) and Mendel (1/29) struck in quick succession. The home side regained control, before an exceptional spell in the middle overs from the spin duo Cumming (1/22) and Josh Cooper (3/25) turned the game back in the Tahs’ favour. Rochford and Mendel closed the game out to seal an 18 run victory.
Mike Pawley Oval hosted M5’s, as the Tahs bowled first. Julian Osbourne produced an early breakthrough, before North Sydney batted with strong intent throughout the remainder of the innings to post a very competitive 6/260, the wickets shared between Osbourne, Beau Kelley, Simon Waddington and Matt Evans. A shaky start to the run chase as the Tahs lost early wickets, before Kai Croft (37) and Jack Melchiore (22) helped rebuild. North Sydney looked well in control as the required run rate climbed. Enter Brodie McDowell. The boy from Pottsville delivering one of the greatest match-winning innings in recent Manly history, 134no with 9 fours and 9 sixes, guiding the team home with 3 balls to spare, superbly supported late by Will Matheson (34) and Kelley (16*).
W3s kicked off their season on Saturday at fortress Balgowlah Oval. New skipper Sallie Molyneux won the toss and chose to bowl, regular wickets helping the Tahs restrict opponents Sydney to be all out for 114, wickets shared between all bowlers, Sophia Chick and Jasmin Wilson picking up two apiece. Club captain Emily Hatfield (25) and returnee to Manly, Sienna James (50*) began the chase positively courtesy of great batting, before Daisy Addison (32 off 23) and Sophie Beukers (21* off 15) combined for a flurry of boundaries as the Tahs finished with 3/188 off 35 overs to secure a bonus point victory.
Records were broken on Sunday as W2s made the trip to Raby Oval to face Campbelltown. On club debut, Elizabeth Cambridge played a phenomenal innings of 77no off 67 balls, combining for an unbeaten 162 run partnership with Hannah Moss, who also batted superbly with 55no off 59 balls. The Tahs posted 0/162 off 20 overs, a record partnership in the history of the Women’s program at Manly. In reply, the Tahs bowling was relentless with 3 wickets each to Lara Hughes (3/8) and Erica Sharma (3/14), supported by consistent bowling from Darcey Whiteley (0/6 off 3), Molly Kidd (0/7 off 4) and Cambridge (1/8 off 3) and some great team fielding with three run outs. Campbelltown all out for 47 inside 18 overs.
Our U18 Brewer Shield side faced off against Sydney University at Marrickville Oval to get their season underway. Batting first on a new wicket, Kaya Punter was the mainstay of the Manly batting innings with 36 off 30, well supported by Arabella Handley and skipper Sophie Lowry, as the Tahs concluded the innings with 8/107 off 20 overs. With the ball, Punter was again the standout with 2/15 off 4 overs, while the rest of the wickets were shared between Charlotte Allen (1/16), Olivia Champion (1/9), Lily Crabbe (1/8) and Keira Terrey (1/13). Sydney University ending up with 7/84 as the Tahs recorded a 23 run win.
W1s were final game of the weekend, with skipper Saskia Horley winning the toss and batting first at Marrickville Oval. Horley (41) and Lara Graham (17) began steadily, before Lauren Kua completely shifted the momentum with 45 off 32 balls, in a 76 run partnership with the skipper. Katie Letcher ended the innings with a quick-fire 17* off 5 balls to take the Tahs to 5/145 off 20 overs. Mia Phelps struck early in the bowling innings, before Sydney University wrestled back momentum. The big breakthrough came courtesy of Lauren Kua dismissing the set batter for 65, followed by three wickets apiece to Kristie Crawford and Ebony Hoskin to secure the game for the Tahs. Ebony in particular bowling brilliantly to finish with exceptional figures of 3/4 off 4 overs on debut for Manly.
A great start to the season on the Women’s side, while the Men’s had an overall disappointing weekend despite two nail-biting victories. Onto next weekend, where the boys take on UNSW in another round of one-day fixtures. W3s are away against Gordon, while Sunday sees a triple header at Manly Oval with Brewers, W2s and W1s facing off with Northern District.
