A weekend headlined by M1s skipper Jay Lenton’s simply sensational double-century, to go with an abundance of runs across the grades, ultimately seeing the Tahs book five home semi finals. M1s and M2s batted for over a day each to progress as the higher placed team, while M3s-M5s all had excellent victories on the back off top-shelf batting and bowling efforts.
M1s hosted Gordon at Manly Oval, with the Tahs sent into bat. A wicket first over was consolidated by Ahillen Beadle (34) and skipper Jay Lenton (211*) who built into their work. Beadle’s dismissal bringing Ollie Davies to the crease, picking up where he left off from the final Shield game, with an innings of complete brutality, 122 off 112 balls, dispatching Gordon’s bowlers to all parts of the ground, and combining with Lenton for a partnership of 154. Strong contributions from the middle order, Jack Edwards (20), Joel Davies (43), Ned Hole (22) and Bertie Foreman (43), all forming substantial partnerships with the skipper, who was on a planet of his own. 211* from 373 balls, an enormous display of patience and concentration, combined with phenomenal stroke-play. The Tahs batting for 132.2 overs, posting 7/496, when the captains shook hands, Manly progressing to the semi finals.
Coogee Oval welcomed M2s, with skipper Andrew Jamieson winning the toss and electing to bat first. Matt Brewster (45) and Lachlan Coyte (17) making a strong start on a batter-friendly wicket, before both were dismissed in relatively quick succession. Ryan Farrell (25) looked solid in his innings, a 50 run stand with Ben Bryant (67) steadying the Tahs’ innings. But it was Bryant and Jordan Daly (67) who led the way on Day 1, batting for 211 and 141 balls respectively, to wear down the St George attack, both posting classy half-centuries. Sunday was for the man of the moment, Isaiah Vumbaca, resuming overnight on 46* after some hard yards late on Day 1, before reaping the rewards of his efforts on Day 2. With support from Lachlan Ford, Jamieson, and Matt Sunshine, the great man complied a composed, pertinacious 100* from 221 balls, to anchor the Tahs’ innings. The game declared at draw when the captains shook hands after 149 overs, Manly 9/393.
Another captain’s knock was witnessed at Grahams, with M3s batting first after skipper Sam Hole won the toss. Despite the loss of an early wicket, Hole (105) and Andrew Boulton (43) calmly navigated a challenging new-ball spell from Parramatta, with a 79 run partnership. It was then Hole and Cam Merchant (77) who locked in to the zone, putting on 113 for the 3rd wicket with a resolute partnership. The skipper continued his dogged effort well into Day 2, bringing up his first hundred of the season, before his gutsy vigil came to an end after 370 balls. Sam Webber with an important innings, along with Evan Dunnachie who launched 5 sixes in a 50-ball 54 to surge the Tahs’ score forward. Lachie Trewartha and Josh Lawson combining for a crucial 87 ball last wicket partnership to take further time out of the game, Tahs bowled out for 336 in the 150th over. With 42 overs remaining, Parramatta were aggressive to start, but Dunnachie (3fa) halted their momentum. An epic run out on the boundary (and a wicket) to Zach Trewartha, backed up by 3fa to younger brother Lachie, and 2fa to Fraser Noack, as Parramatta were all out for 122.
M4s made Mike Pawley Oval their home for the weekend, skipper Adam Parkinson winning the toss and electing to bowl. After a fast start from Bankstown, it was James Waddington who bowled three genuine jaffers, two knocking over middle stump, while the other broke the off bail in half, to have the Tahs on the charge. Will Skinner with a wicket to continue his good form, before Ryan Bishop-Perrett was at his metronomic best, picking up two important wickets into lunch. After the break, Parkinson dismissed the opposition skipper courtesy of a sharp stumping from Brodie McDowell, before a ripping caught and bowled in the same over. Wickets to Skinner and Josh Coyte to close out Bankstown’s innings on 111 after 48.3 overs. Jayden Kennedy began in his usual positive manner despite a wicket in just the second over, with a quick-fire 25, but the Tahs were under some pressure at 2/31. Josh Cooper (80*) and Jake Hutchings (16) steadied the ship momentarily, but it was ultimately the 165 run 5th wicket partnership between Cooper and McDowell, late on Day 1 and well into Day 2, that put the game beyond doubt. The former even-tempered in his unbeaten 173 ball innings, while the latter mixed patience with some phenomenal ball-striking. Manly 5/238 when the game was called, first innings win for the Tahs.
Potentially the furthest home game in history, M5s hosting Sydney University at Blacktown International Sports Park of all places. Skipper Simon Waddington electing to bat first after winning the toss, but the Tahs were under immense pressure at 3 down for not many. This was until a match-defining partnership, worth 165, between Ollie Melville (88) and Reuben Kapoor (131), resurrected the Tahs’ innings before surging forward with the ascendancy. Melville with 11 boundaries in his level-headed 145 ball stay, while Reuben notched up his second century of the season with 8 fours and a six across 234 balls of steadfast determination. Small contributions from Kai Croft (15) and Waddington (18) but a flurry of wickets late on Day 1 and early on Day 2 saw the Tahs bowled out for 305. Sydney University began the chase steadily and looked to be in a solid position at 1/82, despite an earlier Chris Halloran wicket, before the breakthrough from Keelan Mendel was the catalyst for a tremendous collapse of 9/40. Mendel with 3/10 from 6 overs, Julian Osbourne continuing his superb form with 4/8 off 12, with further wickets to Halloran and Waddington as the Students were all out for 122, a massive victory for the Tahs.
It has been a phenomenal effort from all grades thus far, but the hard work doesn’t stop now. Semi final cricket this weekend with all five grades earning the right to host, in what will be five huge fixtures across Saturday & Sunday.
M1s vs Northern District @ Manly Oval
M2s vs Western Suburbs @ Coogee Oval
M3s vs Eastern Suburbs @ Graham Reserve
M4s vs Western Suburbs @ Mike Pawley Oval
M5s vs Gordon @ Blacktown International Sports Park
Exciting times, up the Tahs!
