Saturday fixtures:
M1s resumed 3/41 chasing 202 for victory at Howell Oval, skipper Jay Lenton (17) & Bertie Foreman (28) at the crease. Both began the day steadily, however, Penrith’s bowlers were disciplined & the loss of one wicket quickly turned into a regular flow of wickets. Jacob O’Sullivan (19) offered some resistance but the Tahs unfortunately just couldn’t string together a substantial partnership to get back into the game, the final few wickets falling in quick succession, Manly all out 103 to fall to first innings defeat. With plenty of overs still remaining, the Tahs’ bowlers had a crack at knocking over Penrith cheaply to potentially set up a reverse outright victory. Tom Kaye gave the Tahs a glimmer of hope with an excellent 3 wicket spell in quick time, but it wasn’t enough as Penrith steadied until tea, time running out & captains shook hands.
With first innings points secured last week, M2s returned to Manly Oval in search of outright points. Penrith 0/4 in their second innings. Michael Counsell & Matt Sunshine started the day strongly with a wicket each, the latter courtesy of a superb catch at mid off from sub-fielder & club great Andrew Hicks. Penrith fought back either side of lunch with a considerable partnership, moving the score to 2/95 before the Tahs really took control of the game with the ball. Roop Dhillon breaking the dangerous partnership, before the Trewartha brothers combined, caught Zach, bowled Lachie. From there, it was a steady flow of wickets as Roop continued his fine form to pick up his 3rd 5fa of the season. Another wicket each to L.Trewartha & Sunshine, Penrith all out 143. Leaving the Tahs 142 to win outright from 43 overs. It was clear early that the overs wouldn’t be an issue, Brynn Mendel (36 off 22) off to another entertaining start. Post tea, the Tahs continued the charge, led by Henry Rogers (54* off 39) who belted an unbeaten half century. Contributions from Ryan Farrell & Jordan Daly leading the Tahs to an exceptional outright victory, 3/142 from 19 overs.
Resuming overnight 3/39 in reply to Penrith’s 126, M3s were in need of a steadying partnership to get the run chase back on track. Reuben Kapoor & Jake Hutchings resumed & looked to dig in for the Tahs, but the Penrith bowling was on song, building consistent pressure & resulting in a flurry of wickets in the first session of Day 2. At 8/73, it was always going to be a tough ask. Josh Cooper (28) providing the only real resistance for the Tahs, the final wicket eventually falling on 97, a disappointing first innings defeat. With time still remaining, Penrith batted again, Will Skinner & Julian Osbourne striking early to give the Tahs a boost. But it wasn’t to be, Penrith grinding out through the afternoon session to finish 3/95 in their second innings when the captains called the game.
Grahams had M4s continuing their fixture with Penrith resuming 2/22 in reply to Manly’s 261 on the back of skipper Jayden Kennedy’s incredible hundred last week. James Waddington backed up his 2 late Day 1 wickets with another early on Day 2. Penrith steadied momentarily with a moderate partnership that was broken by a Keelan Mendel run out. Another wicket shortly after to Kai Croft, Penrith 5/61. From there, the Tahs’ bowlers were disciplined & took wickets at regular intervals just as partnerships began to build. George Cumming was economical across 22 tidy overs to take 3/34. While skipper Jayden Kennedy & his leggies made a rare appearance but were equally effective with 2/24 from the best part of 11 overs. The two of them combining for the final five wickets of the innings. Backed up by some sharp work behind the stumps from Brodie McDowell. Penrith all out 146 in the 77th over, a great first innings win for Manly.
Out west at Rance Oval, M5s resumed their first innings 3/64 in reply to Penrith’s 98. A wicket relatively early on Day 2 wasn’t going to stop the Tahs’ intentions of quickly narrowing the deficit before trying to build a considerable lead. Bill Martin (101*) & Adam Searle (60*) combining for an incredible 141 run partnership to take the Tahs to first innings points & well into the lead. Martin crafting a classy maiden hundred for the Tahs, 101* from 159 balls with patience & ease. While Searle showcased his power with an entertaining half century. Manly declaring 4/208 with a 110 run lead & 50 overs remaining in the day. With an outright on the cards, the Tahs’ bowlers ripped through the Penrith top order once more. Will Matheson the chief destroyer with 3 early poles. Penrith dug in with a few partnerships to take time out of the game, but wickets to Chris Halloran, Jordy Brewster, skipper Simon Waddington & Searle gave the Tahs a red hot crack, Penrith 9 down with a couple of overs left. Unfortunately the quest for outright fell agonisingly short, Manly settling for a strong first innings win.
W3s travelled south-west to take on an always strong St George-Sutherland side at Gannons Park. Losing the toss, the Tahs were sent into bat first and found it very tough going against a consistent bowling line-up that built pressure resulting in regular wickets, particularly early on. Emily Hatfield (15) top scored for the Tahs, providing some resistance with Bella Bursill. But ultimately the St George-Sutherland bowling attack was too good, Manly all out for 50. Was always going to be a tough ask to defend, and the opposition opening batters made light work of the run chase with a dominant opening partnership to win by 10 wickets. A heavy defeat for the Tahs, but onto next week to bounce back.
Sunday fixtures:
Sydney University hosted W1s in a T20 on Sunday at their main ground, Tahs skipper Lauren Kua winning the toss & electing to bat first. Saskia Horley (30) made a positive start setting the foundation, a handy contribution too from Alana Horsfall (16) helping the Tahs into a decent position just after the halfway mark of the batting innings. Some tight bowling & a few quick wickets halted the momentum, despite an excellent 19 ball cameo from Katie Letcher (24). The Tahs scraping to 9/102 from 20 overs. With the ball, early wickets were going to be important & the bowlers deliverer, Chelsea McLerie with two & one to Darcey Whiteley to give the Tahs’ the perfect start. Consistent bowling brought about regular wickets from that point on, shared between Eliza Henry, Mia Waddington & Kristie Crawford, to go with three run outs. Sydney Uni 9 down however a late partnership took the game right down to the final two overs with all results still possible. The Tahs held their nerve, a fourth run out, this time from Horley, securing an 11 run victory.
Sunday also saw a T20 double-header at Manly Oval, Brewers kicking things off in the morning with a grand final rematch against Greater Hunter Coast. Bowling first after losing the toss, the Tahs made an excellent start with both opening bowlers, Charlotte Allen & Lily Crabbe, taking wickets on their first ball, courtesy of two superb catches from Eve Burke at slip. Another wicket to Crabbe & a run out from Keira Terrey having GHC 4/2 early on. The Tahs’ bowlers continued to be disciplined throughout despite a few steadying partnerships from GHC, causing two more run outs on the back of some great team efforts in the field. Greater Hunter Coast posting 6/69 from 20 overs. In reply, Burke (15) & Willa Pearson (21*) began the chase aggressively, supported later by Terrey & skipper Saoirse Ford with important contributions. Pearson leading the way & hitting the winning runs to secure a 6 wicket win for the Tahs in the 17th over.
The second game of the Manly Oval T20 double-header saw W2s hosting rivals North Sydney. In the field first after losing the toss, the Tahs bowlers were sensational throughout the whole innings, building consistent pressure with tight bowling that was backed up by some strong fielding efforts. Despite a steady opening partnership from North Sydney, the run rate remained low and brought about a flurry of wickets in the second half of the innings. Lara Hughes the pick of the bowlers with 3/8 from 4 overs, supported by a wicket to Mia Nel & two to Molly Kidd. To go with 2 run outs & some excellent catches, and some great wicket-keeping from Annabelle Croll. North Sydney posting 8/67. The run chase was led by Charlotte Camburn (26*) who anchored the Tahs’ innings with smart batting. A few quick wickets steadied by Camburn & Steph Hughes (19*) who saw the Tahs’ to a 7 wicket victory in the 16th over.
Another big weekend of cricket coming up. The Men take on Gordon, M1s hosting a Saturday/Sunday fixture at Manly Oval, while 2s-5s have one-dayers, with M3s & M5s also at home. On the Women’s side, W1s take on NDs at Waitara Oval, W2s host St George-Sutherland at Grahams, & Brewers are away to Gordon, all in one-day fixtures. Meanwhile, W3s return home & to T20 mode, hosting Parramatta at Balgowlah Oval.
Until then, up the Tahs.
