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The battle of the Spit Bridge took place on Saturday as the Men took on Mosman in one-dayers. Meanwhile, the Women had a mixed weekend against some quality opposition.
Saturday fixtures
Men’s 1st Grade:
On a traditionally flat & small AB Oval, Tahs skipper Foster won the toss & elected to bowl. What ensued was an absolute onslaught as Mosman’s top order put the Tahs’ attack to the sword on a favourable batting wicket. Off to a flyer & that continued throughout the innings, but the Tahs managed to claw things back slightly through the middle when Mosman looked on track for a 400+ score. Wickets hard to come by, but Evans finishing with 4fa, Boulton 2fa, and 1 each to Toohey & O.Davies as Mosman posted 8/378. It was a mammoth ask, but the Tahs started superbly in reply as Brewster (61) teed off hitting the first two balls of the innings for six, before hitting another five maximums in his 32 ball stay. The brutal hitting of Davies (83) on full display again throughout his 40 ball clinic, while Boulton (65) crafted a positive half century to have the Tahs right on track at 2/213 from 25. Unfortunately, when the set batters fell, wickets tumbled quickly, a late cameo from Toohey (22) not enough as the Tahs were bowled out for 319 in the 45th over.
Men’s 2nd Grade:
In the field first after losing the toss, it was a similar story for M2s as Mosman took advantage of favourable batting conditions to put the Tahs bowlers under pressure early. An ill-disciplined start with the ball capitalised on by Mosman’s openers, putting on 83 in quick time before Lawson struck first. But another couple of strong partnerships, particularly for the 3rd wicket, had Mosman in complete control. Skipper Trewartha stepping up through the middle to late overs with 4 crucial wickets, backed up by 3 to Vumbaca & 1 to Searle as the Tahs were able to somewhat claw back the total to 275. It would take a serious effort to chase, and unfortunately the Tahs struggled to gain any momentum early in the run chase as wickets fell regularly. Daly (56) providing some resistance with a gutsy half century, but he just didn’t have enough support as the Tahs were eventually bowled out for 154.
Men’s 3rd Grade:
The Tahs were sent into bat first on a scorching day at Rawson Oval. The loss of an early wicket consolidated by Melchiore (19) & S.Hole (47) as the two batted positively in the powerplay. Mendel (29) building a decent partnership with Hole as the two set a strong platform, while McDowell (19) also contributed. A middle order stumble halted momentum, leaving the Tahs 6/160 from 38. Skipper Webber (53*) stepping up at a crucial moment, compiling an unbeaten half century, running superbly between the wickets in the blistering heat. Clutch cameos late from Cumming (22) & Kerr (27 off 16) propelling the Tahs to 8/248. Skinner started well picking up 2fa in his opening spell, but Mosman fought back until a Karlsson-Lacy run out shifted the momentum. A strong 4th wicket partnership then had Mosman in control of the run chase at 3/160, but that’s where the Tahs clicked into gear. Cumming with a match-defining spell taking 4fa, while Dinan chipped in superbly with 3fa as the Tahs clawed the game back to win by 23 runs.
Men’s 4th Grade:
Bowling first at Grahams after losing the toss, the returning Walker started strongly with an early breakthrough, the first of his five wickets. A couple of strong partnerships had Mosman in control at 2/103, before the Seward changed the complexion of the fixture with a superb 10 over spell taking 3fa & slowing the run rate considerably. Mosman fought back with a good 6th wicket partnership, broken by skipper Parkinson, before further wickets to Jenkins & Walker, as the latter picked up the final three for 5fa. Chasing 206 to win, the Tahs struggled to find momentum in the run chase as wickets fell steadily despite starts from Melville (29) & Gatehouse (18). Seward was holding strong at one end, but at 8/127 needing 78 off the last 9 overs, it looked a mountain to climb. But Seward (70* off 78) and the Wagga boy, Jenkins (33* off 27) timed their run superbly, mixing some terrific running with regular boundaries to take the game deep. A few terrific shots before Seward iced the game with five balls to spare for a memorable 2 wicket win.
Men’s 5th Grade:
Sent into bat first at Balmoral Oval, the returning duo of Martin (38) & Overhoff (23) steadied the ship after an early wicket, to have the Tahs in a good position at 1/62. Unfortunately a middle order collapse saw the Tahs slump to 6/93 as Mosman’s bowlers built pressure, leaving the game on a knife’s edge & the Tahs in need of a partnership. Coy (28) & skipper Waddington (21) combined momentarily for 40 runs to steady the ship slightly, but there was still work to be done at 9/162. That’s where an ultimately match-defining partnership between Graham (35*) & Buchanan (26) hoisted the Tahs beyond 200, with a 51 run stand including some powerful hitting to propel the total to 213 when the final wicket fell. With the ball, Graham struck twice early, before Mosman consolidated to have the game in the balance at 2/71. But when J.Brewster broke the threatening partnership, wickets tumbled steadily, Brewster leading the way with an excellent 5fa, to go with wickets to Kelley & H.Matheson, restricting Mosman to all out 168.
Women’s 3rd Grade:
At Fortress Balgowlah, W3s skipper S.James won the toss & elected to bowl against an always tough St George-Sutherland opposition. The Slayers began strongly with the bat as one of their openers was particularly dominant with a number of boundaries early. When Bursill broke through for the opening wicket, continuing her good form, the Tahs were able to turn the screws slightly & regain some momentum. Wickets to Wright, Randall & Gillett seeing the Slayers fall from 0/45 to 4/63 quickly, before Champion picked up 3fa in an excellent spell at the death to restrict St George-Sutherland to 7/96 from 20. The run chase was pretty clinical to put it simply, as Wilson (30 off 21) blasted three big sixes, along with a strong innings from Hough (31* off 23) as both carried on their good form to set a great platform. A few late wickets fell but the Tahs had done enough for a 6 wicket win in the 18th over.
Sunday fixtures
Women’s 1st Grade:
At Manly Oval once more, the Tahs were asked to bowl first after losing the toss. L.Hughes started well with an early breakthrough, but from there, Campbelltown-Camden were able to build consistent strong partnerships to have the Tahs under some pressure in the field. Breakthroughs hard to come by throughout the innings, with wickets falling at irregular intervals, shared between 2 apiece to Crawford, Henry & K.Punter, as the spinners combined for economical spells to keep the score relatively in check. Campbelltown-Camden eventually posting a strong 7/260 from 50. After the loss of an early wicket in the run chase, Cambridge (18) & Henry (50) consolidated momentarily, as the latter compiled a positive half century to provide the only real resistance for the Tahs. But unfortunately wickets fell regularly from then on, as the Tahs were eventually bowled out for 109.
Women’s 2nd Grade:
Taking on Gordon at Beauchamp Oval, the Tahs were fielding first after losing the toss. Opening bowlers Allen & Nel started well restricting Gordon to just 15 in the powerplay, before the home side found some rhythm with a few regular boundaries flowing. It wasn’t until Terrey came into the attack that the first breakthrough was taken at 61, followed by three more wickets to Terrey who bowled a terrific spell, supported by some excellent catching from skipper E.James. The Tahs fought back strongly in the late overs as Frew & Nel closed out the innings well, to go with a couple of run outs restricting Gordon to 8/106 from 20. Unfortunately, the run chase was a struggle against a disciplined Gordon attack, with starts from Dunnage & Frew not enough to build any real momentum. S.Ford (21*) batted positively in a tricky situation, but wickets fell regularly to see the Tahs bowled out for 68 in reply.
Brewer Shield:
Tahs skipper Addison won the toss & elected to bat at Grahams, as the in form opening partnership of Terrey (32) & Brown (61*) picked up where they left off building another terrific platform for the team. Both batting with great intent resulting in regular boundaries, but their excellent running between the wickets was more the feature of a 77 run partnership to have the Tahs in a great position. Jayakody (23) continuing the momentum hitting a number of boundaries as Brown brought up a classy half century. Some team oriented batting in the final few overs seeing a few wickets fall late, but a strong total posted of 5/137 from 20. With the ball, the Tahs were pretty clinical, as Crabbe struck early, before Brown showed her genuine all-round capability with 2fa. Wickets also to Jayakody & Terrey continuing their strong days, as all bowlers chipped in to restrict Blacktown to 7/86, for an excellent Tahs win.
Upcoming fixtures
Another huge weekend of cricket coming up, as the Men take on Hawkesbury in one-day fixtures, with M2s & M4s on the road to Bensons Lane. PGs are back on the park come Sunday hosting Blacktown at Manly Oval. W1s travel west to face Penrith, while W3s have the bye. Sunday also sees a T20 double header at Birchgrove, with Brewers & W2s up against Sydney.
Until next time, up the Tahs!
