With the Waratah’s off to a flyer after round 1, we were looking to back up with some similar performances this weekend against opponents North Sydney. The opening days play has seen some dominant scores posted once again and some real fighting spirit showed by all grades to give the Manly boys the upper hand leading into day 2. With all 5 grades poised well after the weekend, could we see another big statement made by the club on the competition next weekend?
4 Pines Player of the week – Aiden “Flat” Baker (172)
A few notable contendors for the player of the week after day 1 versus North Sydney, J.Ritchie (97), B.Qureshi (85), L.Grant (4/46) and D.Reynolds (68) all with solid performances across all grades.
Nevertheless, taking his side to a dominant 345 decleration with a score of 172, it was hard to go past Aiden Bakers superb knock in 5’s this week. “Flat” coming into 5’s as a “Friday fill-in” with a niggling groin injury, put on a glorious batting masterclass for all that attended the match at Mike Parley Oval.
It was unsure whether “Flat” would be making an appearence for the Tah’s this season, due to injury and other implications, but being a Manly boy at heart “Flat” stepped up when he was needed producing a dominant return to the Tah’s this season. For his sheer class with the willow this week, “Flat” wins the award.
1st Grade – Manly 273 (J. Ritchie 97, T.Cruickshank 85) vs North Sydney 0 for 10
First grade missed an opportunity to really take a stranglehold on the game with the bat yesterday. After winning the toss and batting on a flat wicket with a fast outfield, Crossy was removed with the score on 26 however the Manly boys consolidated to be 1-190 just before tea with Shank scoring 85. Unfortunately we then collapsed to be bowled out for 273 which was obviously very disappointing.
We had six overs at the North Sydney side but were unable to take a wicket as they finished the day on 10 runs. We will have to be very disciplined with the ball and in the field if we are to come away with six points next weekend, however after our performance in round 1 we are all very confident we can achieve this.
Jack Ritchie
2nd Grade – Manly 273 (B.Qureshi 85, J. Walter 70 & S.Webber 39) vs North Sydney 1 for 2
The day started with the usual game of touch footy with the bottom 5 racking up another victory over the top 6, yet again in controversial fashion. Sam Webber coming off his 50 in his first grade debut came down to captain the side (That will be a fine) after the recent injury to Ryan Bonner. He won the toss and elected to bat.
The main objective for the day was not to lose wickets in pairs. We did this considerably well as after losing a wicket we were able to recover and not let the other team gain any momentum. The main highlights in our batting was Walter’s 70 in the early part of our innings, who looked very solid from the onset and demonstrated some great drives before playing the hook straight down fine legs throat. My new favourite player Bilal Qureshi was the key to our end total of 273. From ball one against his former team, he showed brilliant timing in both his cover drives and cut shots. His partnership of 76 with Webber was much needed and put the game back onto an even playing field and for anyone’s taking. The 10th wicket partnership of 44 between Qureshi and Dizzy added valuable runs that could be a match winner come next weekend.
With three overs remaining in the day new recruit Nathan Buck bowled absolute rapid heat which sent the cordon back 10 metres after ball one. He picked up a wicket in his first over after the batsman gloved one to gully, where Bilal took a sharp one handed grab.
Promising signs for next weekend. Go Manly
Ralphy
3rd Grade – Manly 1 for 37 vs North Sydney 205 (L. Grant 4 for 46)
Third Grade turned up to Atmosphere Park to a bright, sunny day with a slight NE breeze blowing across the ground. We lost the toss and took to the field on a flat batting deck. After Arshdeep got one of the openers early LBW, the other opener came out swinging scoring a rapid fire 40. He took his team to about 1/70 until Genie nicked him off.
From here wickets fell at a steady rate due to some extremely accurate seam bowling from Luke Grant who finished with 4 for 46 off 14 with Genie and Sammy Alexander also chipping in. Brad Wilson bowled well late in their innings to get 2 wickets and Sammy Gainsford took the final wicket after a long 40 run final wicket stand.
With 14 overs to bat we unfortunately lost Matty Cole who chopped one on after hitting some lovely straight drives. Gumms is looking good after a couple of cracking pull shots and third grade will come back next week, 1 for 37 over night and look to chase down the total, dominating the North Sydney bowling attack. Go Manly!
James Boyer
4th Grade – Manly 182 (D.Reynolds 68) vs North Sydney 7 for 50 (N.McCallum-Toomey 3 for 20, P.Lindsay 2 for 18)
Won the toss on a well grassed, hard wicket that had 520 runs scored on it last week in 130 overs. Ross (19) and Bill D’Arcy (unlucky 8) opened up and looked comfortable before Bill was given out LBW to a ball that hit the edge. Bad luck mate, you were looking good. Boss (1) went a bit too eagerly at one and snicked it and Ross did likewise a bit later to make it 3/35. This surprised everybody as the old fella was looking settled.
Toby(8) and Tom Kelly (12), both late inclusions, then started to steer us back but it was tough going up against an accurate attack on a wicket with a bit of life. Toby too went a bit hard and thick edged it to gully and Jacob soon followed with a leading edge to mid on. 5/50. Pete Lindsay (26) then played positively and wrestled the momentum back but just when he looked like properly settling in he lost his middle stump. A reminder that there was still plenty going on. Evans (27) then joined Tom and on the bell at tea time Tom missed a straight full toss and was LBW. Tom did a very good job. Although a bit slow the situation required someone to take the shine off the ball and prevent a total collapse. This was vital to allowing the lower order to get some runs.
Tea 7/85. Josh Petersen (2) was given out caught by short mid off. The fieldsman claimed it but without certainty. I thought he didn’t but Josh took it on the chin and departed without argument. Good one mate! It was tough to do because my instinct told me it didn’t carry.
Danny Reynolds (68) comes in at 8/90 and is lucky to survive the first ball. Once he got that nervous twitch out of his system he proceeded to play a hard hitting innings with cricket shots to all parts of the ground. His running between wickets was exceptional – a very intelligent innings. Evans wasn’t middling a whole heap but produced a 50 run partnership with Danny before he chased a wide one and snicked it. Nick Mcallum Toomey ( a valuable 0no) then joined Danny and ensured the running between wickets remained excellent and a crucial 30 runs was put on. Well done Nick, I know you want to make a move up the order and it’s stuff like this that captains will remember. Danny holed out for a great 68 and we had 21 overs to make inroads with 182 to win.
Nick (3/20) and Danny (1/10) opened up and bowled beautifully, exploiting anything in the deck with pitched up, accurate bowling. Producing swing Nick got two early ones care of a snick to Petersen (4 catches in a great display of keeping) and Bossy gobbling one up at 2nd slip. Danny then trapped their opener in front. Pete (2/18) bowled an untidy first over but soon got some rhthym and two snicks. Evans (1/0) got one as well and Nick got an LBW. After 21 overs of fine bowling and catching Norths are in all sorts at 7/50. With some good fielding sessions this week I can’t see why we can’t make a great day of it next week.
Well done on fighting back boys.
Warren.
5th Grade – Manly 6 (dec) for 345 (A.Baker 172, J.Trickey 68, G.Boyer 41) vs North Sydney 0 for 20
After a great start to the season last week, the 5th grade lads were pumped for the local derby against the Bears. Some new (& old!) faces arrived at MPO for the first home game this year with Hayden “Mum forgot to pack my lunch!” Patrick, James “The Bomber” Trickey, Aiden “That’s not a Groin!” Baker and David “Do you like my Cowboy legs?” Gainsford all making their first appearance for the mighty fives.
Stand in skipper Butch “The Skins Man” Boyer ensured he got another invite to the Two-Up at the Diggers next April by winning the toss and deciding to bat on a grassy but solid MPO pitch. Unfortunately Will “Hooters” Outred snicked off in the first over to his arch nemesis Willy Bonkers but that was the end of the celebrations for the Bears on October 12, 2013. Enter Bakes for the start of a batting master class for all the 5th grade players and supporters. Ably supported by Joey “I can’t run in these flippers” Graham (25) and The Skins Man (41), Flat batted with maturity and dominance that was admired by all and sundry (including the opposition). Considering he was coming into the game as a Friday fill-in and has a groin that has by-passed his thighs, knees and calves to be now connected to his big toe, his efforts were sublime. A chanceless knock of 172 took the game away from the Bears and ensured their trip back over the Spit Bridge was a quite one. After he departed with the score @ 4-287, “The Bomber” Trickey took over the mantle and started pasting the bowlers all over the park. One North’s bowler was so concerned about skin cancer risk that he was seen putting sunscreen on the roof of his mouth as the balls kept flying upwards and onwards in a great display of power batting by The Bomber. “Do you like my Cowboy legs” Gainsford and Nick “I’ve lost my watch!” Williams finished the batting day with a flurry and the Manly boys declared at a score of 6-345. No wickets lost by the Bears in the last 5 overs but good signs for next week with turn and bounce in the wicket…..but remember boys, the job is still only half done.
Special mention to Bumps “have you got a spare hamstring?” Farrell and Hamish “Bugger the HSC” Ferguson for their great support during the day and also to Ian “I baked this myself!” Ferguson for another batch of scones that caused Dollars to salivate profusely at his favourite time of the day.
It’s showing that our batting wizards of Winga, Skid, Crossy and Bobby “I’ve got a Platinum Pension Card” Rowlands is paying early dividends for the Waratah’s with 5th grade now having scored 700 runs in the first 2 rounds (with only 12 wickets lost). Go you good things!!
Cheers,
The Dougy McGrath impersonator
