The weekend just gone saw the Men return to red-ball cricket with Day 1 of two-day fixtures against Randwick-Petersham, with most grades in the balance at the close of play. Meanwhile, the Women had a thoroughly successful round of results with a clean sweep amongst some exceptional individual efforts.
W1s continued their winning form with a tense final-over victory at home against Sydney University. Fielding first, the visitors started aggressively and despite wickets to Ebony Hoskin, Eliza Henry, Kristie Crawford and Lauren Kua, it was Sydney Uni that had the ascendancy for the first 35 overs. This was until Kua broke the big partnership before Hoskin turned the screws with a probing spell picking up three crucial wickets, followed by late wickets to Crawford and Chelsea McLerie, to restrict the visitors to 212. The run chase began shakily with an early wicket but Alana Horsfall (25) and skipper Kua (51) consolidated with a composed partnership. But it was ultimately Shivani Mehta that was the star with 68* off 84 balls in a patient, match-winning innings, supported by contributions from Elizabeth Cambridge, Henry and Crawford, the Tahs victorious by five wickets with five balls to spare.
Old Parks hosted W2s as they recorded a comprehensive bonus point victory over St George Sutherland. Winning the toss and batting, Emily Horstead (37) and Steph Hughes (25) made a cautious start with an excellent 50 run partnership. This was followed up by counter-attacking innings from Isabella Zovi (56) and Mia Nel (35), both who changed the momentum of the game to lead the Tahs to 6/195 from 50 overs. Club captain Sallie Molyneux led the way with the ball early on with two wickets to kick-start proceedings in the field, before a steady flow of wickets from all bowlers throughout the remainder of the bowling innings. Run outs to Horstead and Brooke Frew, along with two wickets apiece to Erica Sharma and Sophie Lowry, and further wickets to Molyneux and Molly Kidd, as St George Sutherland were bowled out for 115.
W3s solidified their spot on top of the ladder on Saturday with a crushing win over Sydney University at Fortress Balgowlah Oval. Stand-in skipper Sienna James won the toss and chose to bowl, with Jasmin Wilson validating the decision by picking up three early wickets to have the Tahs on the front foot. The skipper followed suit with 3fa of her own, while all bowlers chipped in with wickets to Sophia Randall and Cam Pryor, along with a sensational double-wicket maiden from Emily Hatfield in her first over for the season. Sydney Uni all out 51. The run chase was relatively steady after an early hiccup, with Sophie Beukers (23) and the returning Ash Karcher (27*) leading the way, well supported by contributions from Mia Waddington and Hatfield, as the Tahs finished with 4/98 from 20 to secure a bonus point win. Special note of thanks from Head of Women’s Cricket, Duncan Kerr, to the W3s side for wearing black armbands in memory of Duncan’s mother, who sadly passed away recently. Duncan is away this week in Scotland for the funeral, but he wishes to pass on his appreciation for the support of him and his family at this time.
Manly Oval welcomed M1s for the first time in 2024, for Day 1 vs Randwick. With skipper Jay Lenton on the early morning flight back from BBL coaching duties, vice-captain Ryan Hadley won the toss and elected to bowl, he and Tom Kaye making the most of the new ball with two early poles each, including Hadley with the big wicket of Sangha (confirmed jaffer – see Waratah TV). Randwick fought back with a strong first hour after lunch, before Josh Seward broke the dangerous partnership thanks to a ripping catch at point to Lachie Coyte. From there, Hadley, Kaye and Bertie Foreman tightened the screws to have Randwick all out for 197. With 20 overs left in the day, Matt Brewster (24*) and Joel Foster (39) took the attack to the Randwick bowlers with 60 runs in the first 10 overs, before a nasty blow to the helmet forced Brewster to retire hurt, which was followed by a quick succession of wickets. Coyte and Ned Hole (16*) then safely navigated a fiery spell of bowling late in the day to see the Tahs 3/90 at the close of play, requiring a further 107 runs.
M2s were at the picturesque Coogee Oval, with skipper Andrew Jamieson winning the toss and choosing to bat first. After a solid start from new-look opening pair Andrew Boulton and Zach Trewartha, a few quick wickets halted the Tahs’ momentum, before Ben Bryant and Lachlan Barnsley consolidated until lunch with a patient partnership. The loss of Barnsley post lunch saw Brynn Mendel (68) come to the crease and play in his traditional counter-attacking fashion, putting the pressure back on the Randwick bowlers with some crunching boundaries. Isaiah Vumbaca (52*) provided great support with a classy unbeaten innings, but unfortunately, after a strong fightback led by Brynn and Isaiah to be 6/200, the final wickets fell relatively abruptly as the Tahs were bowled out for 221. Randwick survived the final 6 overs of the day without loss to be 0/13.
Sam Hole’s M3s side arrived at Atmosphere Park, the Tahs fielding first after losing the toss. Josh Lawson continued his wicket-taking form with a smart caught and bowled to kick-off the bowling innings, before the great man Josh Coyte began his charge with the first of his five wickets. Coytey bowled with exceptional control and skill across 16 overs to pick up his maiden 5-wicket haul for the club, leading the Tahs’ attack in a well-rounded team effort. Lawson returned to dismiss the set bat for 34, along with important wickets to Evan Dunnachie and Fraser Noack, as Randwick were ultimately bowled out for 147 after some lower-order resistance. Unfortunately, the remaining 27 overs didn’t go to plan, as Randwick’s bowlers took advantage of the new ball to have the Tahs’ in some strife at 5/58 overnight. But with Sam Webber (8*) and Noack (2*) not out, and plenty of batting to come, belief remains strong.
M4s made the trip out to Petersham Oval, skipper Adam Parkinson winning the toss and choosing to bowl first on a wicket that looked conducive to seam bowling. After a fast start from the home side, a run out to James Waddington off his own bowling stemmed the flow of runs, and brought about a steady flow of wickets. Waddo struck again, before the Dubbo boy, Will Skinner, broke through after a patient spell. It was then Ryan Bishop-Perrett and Kai Croft who combined with excellent partnership bowling, building pressure and forcing Randwick’s batters into false shots. Further wickets to Skinner, RBP and Waddo seeing Randwick all out for 124. With 23 overs remaining, Jayden Kennedy and Nick Rigg began positively before both fell in quick succession, leaving Ollie Melville and Josh Cooper to consolidate. A couple more late hiccups sees the Tahs 4/70 at stumps, with Croft (10*) and Keelan Mendel (4*) to resume next week.
The high-flying M5s side were dominant again in their return to Mike Pawley Oval, sending Randwick into bat after winning the toss. Julian Osbourne kick-started the flow of wickets courtesy of a great low catch from skipper Simon Waddington at slip, before Chris Halloran, Jordy Brewster and Luke Watts joined the party with wickets of their own. The Tahs kept the foot on the throat despite a stubborn innings from Randwick’s #3, as wickets continued to fall at the other end, courtesy of Waddington and a run out and wicket to Lukas Overhoff. Followed shortly after by Osbourne cleaning up the tail to finish with 4/14 from 11, Randwick all out 76. Jack Melchiore (48*) and Reiley Dunlop (22) took a large chunk out of the deficit with positive batting, before contributions from Jake Hutchings and Overhoff put the Tahs in the lead. Melchiore to resume with debutant Ollie Goldsworthy (4*) next week, the Tahs 5/107, leading by 31.
Crucial weekend coming up as the Men resume Day 2 against Randwick, and with such close tables in each grade and the overall Club Champs, every match is of huge importance. W1s make the trip to Penrith, W2s host Sydney Uni, and Brewers are back in action away to Blacktown, all in one-day fixtures. Meanwhile, W3s are at Balgowlah once again to host Bankstown, as the Women look to maintain their Club Champs lead.
Until then, up the Tahs.
