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It was time for all Men’s grades to kick off their seasons as M2s-M5s took on UNSW in T20 fixtures, while M1s continued their T20 Cup campaign & PGs were in action once more.
Men’s 1st Grade:
Game 1 vs Penrith (Sat)
Manly Oval hosted its first fixture of the season as skipper Foster won the toss & elected to bowl. A superb start as Osbourne struck first ball, as disciplined bowling from the Tahs kept Penrith’s top order at bay. Evans & Hole particularly effective with 2 wickets apiece as the Tahs remained economical, until a late surge from Penrith’s middle order took them to 5/139. But the chase was ultimately relatively smooth sailing, as the skipper Foster (45) & Brewster (35) were off to a ripping start in a 76 run partnership as both found the boundary with ease. Before Lenton (26no) & Boulton (27no) finished off the chase with class, an 8 wicket win inside 18 overs.
Game 2 vs Randwick (Sat)
Later that afternoon, the skipper again won the toss & chose to bowl against white ball powerhouses Randwick Petersham. And boy did they show their class. Off to a flyer as their openers took the game on, before Dhillon brought things back with a couple of important wickets. But some simply incredible ball striking from Randwick’s No.4 saw them seize back the momentum & charge forward, despite Dhillon’s best efforts in a strong spell taking 4fa, while Evans chipped in with two. Hole also economical in an excellent spell but Randwick managed to post a formidable 7/207. The Tahs chase was far from pretty to start, as the top order fell in quick succession to be in big strife at 6/55. While it’s easy to roll over in these situations, Searle (50no) & Dhillon (40no) showed some immense character to keep fighting in an unbeaten 84 run stand, as the Tahs ultimately fell well short in the chase despite the best efforts of the two.
Game 3 vs Fairfield (Sun)
Washed out.
Men’s 2nd Grade:
Skipper Vumbaca won the toss at David Phillips and chose to bat first, as a couple of relatively early wickets stalled the Tahs momentum up front. The Kapoor brothers, Myles (27) & Reuben (34) steadied the ship with a proactive partnership as both were busy to keep the scoreboard ticking. Daly (30 off 15) with a crucial cameo to lift the tempo significantly in the latter part of the innings, which then paved the way for Vumbaca (24no off 13) & Kaye (22no off 14) to finish the innings with some great hitting to propel the Tahs to a very competitive 5/172. With the ball, Pryke began superbly with a wicket second ball followed by another soon after, before UNSW threatened with a substantial partnership. Debutant Seward standing up under pressure with two crucial wickets of set batters, as the game went down to the closing stages. Kaye & Pryke executing well in the death overs as the latter finished with 4fa, securing a 18 run victory.
Men’s 3rd Grade:
Up against UNSW on their home turf, the Tahs were sent into bat first, as McDowell (30 off 15) & Melchiore (35 off 29) were off to an excellent start with some strong hitting in the powerplay. A 50 run opening stand to set the innings up, before a big clump of wickets halted the Tahs’ momentum. Skipper Webber (25) & Cumming (23no) steadied the ship with a busy partnership headlined by strong running & a few boundaries to the skipper. Before some late hitting from J.Brewster (14no) helped the Tahs post a strong 6/149. The bowling & fielding effort that followed was pretty much faultless. Cumming with a wicket first over as he tightened the screws early, Skinner with two shortly after in his four straight overs up top, as all the bowlers settled into their work with discipline & backed up superbly in the field. Jenkins the pick of the bowlers with 3fa, while Brewster also took two in an economical spell. Before the returning Beatty picked up the final wickets, UNSW all out for 87 in reply, and a big win for the Tahs.
Men’s 4th Grade:
The new season for M4s kicked off at Mike Pawley Oval as skipper Parkinson won the toss & elected to bat. The skipper himself making a positive start, but it was the young talent of Gatehouse (67 off 60) that shone through to form the backbone of the Tahs’ innings. Gatehouse mixing patience, composure & controlled hitting to compile an excellent half century, ably supported by the returning class of Gainsford (24) & Ritchie (27no). The Tahs posting a very competitive 4/152. UNSW were off to an absolute flyer in the chase, taking on the new ball to charge to 0/80 & then 1/109, looking in complete control. But the experience of Gainsford (3fa) & skipper Parkinson tightened the screws to turn the game on its head. Before Gainsford & Coyte (2fa) closed out the innings superbly under pressure to secure a 6 run victory.
Men’s 5th Grade:
A youthful 5th Grade side led by the experienced Matt White kicked off the day at Mike Pawley Oval as the new skipper won the toss & elected to bat. A strong start from debutant openers Jayaram (22) & Cole (20) setting an early foundation before even contributions across the board followed. B.Moran (33) the mainstay compiling a busy innings, supported well by Horstead (21), before debutant Rulli (17no) ended the innings positively, as the Tahs posted 6/133. UNSW kicked off the chase in steady fashion to be in a strong position at 0/55, before the Tahs bowlers shifted the momentum. Rulli with a couple of important breakthroughs separated by two run outs, before the skipper White & young spinner Godwin struck to have UNSW 6/94. A late partnership not enough for the visitors as the Tahs were victorious by 16 runs.
Poidevin Gray Shield:
On a gloomy Sunday morning at Manly Oval, skipper Boulton won the toss & elected to bat. McDowell (34 off 22) off to a flyer with some powerful hitting up top, combining with M.Kapoor (66no off 53) for a 73 run opening stand in quick time. Skipper Boulton (30) chipped in, in a further 58 run partnership with Kapoor, who was busy by compiling a classy half century that set the Tahs innings up superbly. The Tahs 3/147 after 18 overs when rain hit & unfortunately no further play was possible, match abandoned.
Upcoming fixtures:
This weekend sees M1s commence their one-day campaign, on the road to take on Penrith. Meanwhile, M2s-M5s are up against Penrith too in T20 fixtures, with M2s & M3s hosting at Manly Oval.
See you next week, up the Tahs!
