It was a rain affected Saturday as M1s, M3’s & M5s had their Day 2 washed out, resulting in draws. W3s also had play abandoned due to the rain. But there was still plenty of cricket for the Tahs with M2s & M4s defying the wet weather to get their fixtures completed, while W1s & W2s had a T20 double-header at Drummoyne on Sunday.
Men’s 2nd Grade:
After a three hour delayed start to Day 2 due to the wet weather, the Tahs resumed at 2/54 chasing 263, but things didn’t start well as NDs big quick struck twice early, followed by an unfortunate mix up for a run out, to have the pressure right on the Tahs at 5/83. Henry Rogers (87) was holding steady, and built a few small partnerships with the middle order, but unfortunately, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals just as partnerships were getting set. The Tahs unable to establish any substantial momentum, despite a superb fighting innings from Rogers, who compiled a classy 87, but just couldn’t find consistent support. Some late hitting from the lower order, Matt Sunshine & Nick Toohey adding consolation runs but too little too late, the Tahs bowled out for 191, falling short of the NDs target.
Men’s 4th Grade:
Once the rain cleared Saturday morning, you wouldn’t have known it rained all week as Grahams looked a picture. M4s resuming Day 2 at 2/20 chasing 138. George Cumming (32) & Axel Karlsson-Lacy (20) started positively with a few early boundaries, before George & Liam Dinan (27) built into a strong partnership worth 50. Both mixing patience with some lovely timing & boundaries to put the Tahs in a strong position at 3/90. A middle order wobble in the half hour before tea made things interesting, as the Tahs slumped to 7/113. But the youth of Jake Hutchings (19) and experience of Ryan Bishop-Perrett (10*) kept calm under pressure after tea, safely navigating the remaining runs with a composed partnership. The Tahs winning by two wickets to move into 3rd place in the 4th Grade competition, heading into the back half of the season.
Women’s 2nd Grade:
Returning after the Christmas break, W2s kicked off the day at Drummoyne with their T20 vs Sydney, who won the toss & elected to bowl. After an early wicket, the Tahs steadied the ship with a positive 38 run partnership between skipper Gabby Dunnage (16) & wicket-keeper Annabelle Croll (20). Both rotating the strike well combined with the odd boundary. A couple of quick wickets halted momentum & slowed the run rate, before an important run-a-ball innings from Arabella Handley (24) regained some ascendancy. Unfortunately, a late innings collapse saw wickets tumble including a few run outs, the Tahs restricted to 9/92. Handley struck early with an excellent catch to Croll behind the stumps, but Sydney fought back with a couple of decent partnerships, separated by a Lara Hughes wicket after a typically economical spell. Sydney looked to be in control of the chase at 2/85, but the Tahs fought to the very end, an excellent spell from Mia Nel & wicket to Darcey Whiteley leaving Sydney 5 to win in the final over. Scores level with two balls remaining, but Handley executed well, supported by two run outs to wicket-keeper to force the match into a rare super over. Tahs bowling first, Nel executing with two wickets in the first two balls, before restricting Sydney to just 2/2 in their super over. Skipper Dunnage calmly icing the game with two 2’s as the Tahs won a thriller with 4 balls to spare.
Women’s 1st Grade:
The afternoon fixture saw W1s back on the paddock after the Christmas break, skipper Lauren Kua winning the toss & electing to bat first. Ella McCaughan (15) & Anika Learoyd (15) started the innings steadily with a 31 run opening partnership, navigating a tight opening spell from Sydney but boundaries were hard to come by in the powerplay on a slow outfield. A couple of quick wickets slowed things slightly, but Kua (23) & Georgia Adams consolidated with another 30 run stand, before play was forced to be delayed due to an unfortunate injury to a Sydney player diving for a catch. Rain also came down, meaning the match was reduced to 19 overs per side. When play resumed, it was the innings from Hannah Darlington (20 off 13) that shifted the momentum in the Tahs’ favour, with a late contribution from Eliza Henry pushing the Tahs’ total to 5/102. With the ball, economical overs to start led to Sam Bates taking the big wicket of Johnson, before Darlington struck in the next over. From there, the Tahs’ bowlers executed superbly and were backed up well in the field. Darlington, Bates & Adams each taking two wickets, to go with one to Chelsea McLerie, after they all built consistent pressure. An excellent bowling & fielding effort restricting Sydney to 8/68 and seeing the Tahs victorious by 34 runs, booking a spot in next Monday’s T20 semi final.
Upcoming fixtures:
Saturday sees the Men commence two-day fixtures against Sydney, with M1s, M3s & M5s at home, and M2s & M4s on the road. Meanwhile on Saturday, W3s return home to Balgowlah, hosting Gordon in a T20.
Sunday has W1s & W2s playing one-day fixtures, the former hosting Sydney University at Manly Oval, while the latter are away to Campbelltown at Raby.
And Monday, the Australia Day public holiday, massive day. W1s in action again, up against Sydney in the T20 semi final at Drummoyne at 1:30pm, and if successful in that match, the Tahs would be featuring in the GF a few hours later under lights at Drummoyne. Fingers crossed!
Big weekend of cricket ahead, up the Tahs.
