Here come the Tahs. History this weekend across both Men’s and Women’s programs. The Men securing back-to-back club championships for the first time in the club’s history, on the back of another Saturday clean-sweep. Meanwhile, the Women secured the club’s maiden W3s premiership in a see-sawing affair, and while Brewers didn’t come away with the chocolates, they too made history with their first grand final appearance in the grade.
W3s are PREMIERS! The big day arrived, Fortress Balgowlah packed to the rafters with dozens of supporters there to cheer the Tahs home. Sent into bat first, two relatively early wickets had nerves building, but this is where Mia Waddington stepped up, with a composed, ultimately match-winning innings under enormous GF pressure, with 52* from 77 balls. Well supported in solid partnerships with Natalie Jonkers (12) and Grace Pike (14), before a crucial late boundary-hitting cameo from Jasmin Wilson (20) took the Tahs to 7/145. St George-Sutherland began strongly in the chase and formed steady partnerships, but the Tahs refused to give in, skipper Sallie Molyneux with the opening breakthrough, before regular wickets just when they were needed. Cam Pryor with two big wickets, including that of the opposition captain and competition leading run scorer, and one wicket to Wilson. Despite this, the Slayers looked in control at 4/104, until Waddington again proved decisive with a game-changing three wicket spell. Sienna James with two wickets of her own, before Sophia Chick took the final wicket, to which grand celebrations ensued. Well done all – a huge achievement!
Brewers were on the road early Sunday morning to Mereweather’s Townson Oval, to take on Greater Hunter Coast in the GF. Skipper Sophie Lowry won the toss and elected to bowl, the Tahs off to the perfect start with two early wickets, one apiece to Darcey Whiteley and Lily Crabbe, to have the home side 2/10. Unfortunately, that’s where the ascendancy shifted, but credit where credit is due. Greater Hunter’s young superstar Caoimhe Bray with one of the more remarkable individual efforts under pressure, posting 202 from 134 balls, only dismissed on the final ball by Eve Burke. The Tahs didn’t waver in their effort, two wickets each to Charlotte Croll and Annabel Kyme, but ultimately, Greater Hunter Coast posted a formidable 8/295. Croll provided some resistance in the chase with 39, however, it just wasn’t to be for the Tahs, bowled out for 96 in reply. Nonetheless, a phenomenal season from Brewers, one all involved should be proud of. A maiden GF appearance in the grade is a huge achievement in itself, so credit to Billy McLerie and the team.
Penrith resumed 6/74 in M1s in reply to our 105, and the game looked gone when they added a further 20 for no loss. Enter Bertie Foreman. Our Pommy with three brilliant wickets in the blink of an eye (to finish with 7/38), backed up by the final breakthrough to Tom Kaye, to secure first innings points. Tahs batting again, Matty Brewster off to a flyer with 38, with strong support from Ahillen Beadle (32). But it was Joel Davies that was the man of the moment, continuing the momentum with his maiden 1st grade hundred in a brutal, classy innings of 114. Jay Lenton (29) and Ryan Farrell (38*) also with important contributions to take the Tahs to a 263 run lead when the declaration came, 51 overs to go. Penrith attacked early, but Michael Counsell picked up the important opening breakthrough, before Foreman was back with two quick wickets. Penrith fought fire with fire, with a counter-attacking 61 run stand, until that man again changed the game with three wickets in four balls, backed up by two to Davies, to ice the game. Foreman with the final wicket to make it 13 for the match, and lock in 10 points for the Tahs.
With first innings points already secure, M2s went about extending their first innings lead on Day 2. Unfortunately, our batters struggled to gain the ascendancy early, only an entertaining and ultimately crucial cameo of 33 from skipper Andrew Jamieson leading the Tahs to 110, with a 60 run lead. It was then the skipper again who led the way, taking the opening four wickets of Penrith’s second innings. Matt Sunshine continuing his own strong form with two important breakthroughs, to go with an excellent direct hit run out to Andrew Boulton. A further two wickets to Isaiah Vumbaca, before the skipper picked up the final breakthrough, making it 11 for the match, and leaving the Tahs 59 to win outright. And it was completed with only one hiccup, Zach Trewartha (40*) and Ben Bryant (18*) comfortably guiding the Tahs to maximum points.
M3s had also locked up first innings honours last week, resuming 2/125 in reply to Penrith’s 110. Skipper Sam Hole passed 50 and looked solid before his dismissal, paving the way for Ellis Raymond to go absolutely berserk with some incredible ball-striking on his way to 62 from 44 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes. Josh Coyte chiming in with a quickfire 18, before the Tahs declared 9/241 with a 131 run advantage. Penrith began their second innings steadily, until George Cumming gave the Tahs hope of an outright with 18 straight overs for a return of 4/38 in a proving spell. Josh Cooper also with a breakthrough, the Tahs would have to settle for 6 points, Penrith 5/139 when captains shook hands.
Minor premiership secured for M4s with another impressive victory, at the foot of the mountains. Penrith resumed on their overnight score of 4/82, a wicket relatively early to James Waddington keeping the pressure on, before skipper Jayden Kennedy brought himself on for a seldom trundle. And after the performance he produced on Saturday, he might get a few more opportunities. Jayden had it on a string with his leggies, picking up 5/23 from 8 overs to be the catalyst for a lower-order collapse, Penrith all out for 147. The skipper himself (25) was off to flying start in the run chase, before Ollie Melville (17) and Jake Hutchings (33) continued the momentum in strong partnerships with the main man, Keelan Mendel, who anchored the Tahs chase with a classy 57. A few late hiccups, but Luke Watts sealed the deal with the winning runs, Tahs winning by four wickets late in the day.
M5s resuming 7/189, Josh Wigney (46*) and Chris Halloran (36) adding a further 30 runs, to make their partnership 77. The Great Wall of Wigney showing all the hallmarks of his 2020/21 finals series batting with a composed 46no to anchor the innings. Late wickets seeing the Tahs bowled out for 228. With the ball, it was clinical despite a new-look bowling attack, wickets falling steadily. Debutant Zac Buchanan getting things started with a direct hit run out, before two quick breakthroughs to Wigney had Penrith 3/15. Buchanan couldn’t stay out of the game, picking up the next three wickets in an excellent spell on debut, before fellow debutant Harley Cruickshank chimed in with his first wicket for the Tahs. Preston Lee closing out the innings with the final two wickets, Penrith down to ten batters and all out for 89, the Tahs victorious comfortably.
Finals cricket begins now for the Men, with all 5 grades earning the right to host Week 1 across this coming Saturday & Sunday, fixtures as follows:
M1s vs Gordon @ Manly Oval
M2s vs St George @ Coogee Oval
M3s vs Parramatta @ Graham Reserve
M4s vs Bankstown @ Mike Pawley Oval
M5s vs Sydney University @ Blacktown International Sports Park (No.2)
Another huge weekend coming up, with the Tahs looking to set the foundations for more success, and hopefully march into semi final fixtures.
As always, up the Tahs!
