Huge weekend has Tahs set-up successful round against the Warriors – Monday News RND 11 (D1) vs Blacktown + PGs, Green Shield and Brewers

It was a weekend to remember for the Waratahs with some outstanding week 1 performances across the grade. Having it already secured 1st innings points in 1st, 2nd and 4th grades, it has set us up for a potential season changing end to Round 11.

Add that on-top of our U16 Green Shield victory and our U21 Poidevin-Gray win yesterday, and we have a weekend to really celebrate.

1st grade were able to put themselves in a fantastic position to take maximum points next weekend by already securing a 1st innings win. Michael Visser, Mickey Edwards, and the swing bowling of Tom Kaye was too much for the Warriors batting, while a bludgeoning 141 from 116 balls from James Crosthwaite took the game away from the opposition.

2nd grade also had a big victory thanks to a great bowling effort across both innings, with an outright victory wthin the Tahs sites.

3rd grade did well with the bat, especially at the top and bottom of the orders, while 4th grade was way to good for Blacktown and are also in prime position to take the full 10 points next weekend.

5th grade match is in the balance however 2 late wickets to Jarrad Ninnes has put the match slightly in the Tahs favour.

Our PGs team defeated Parramatta in a top of the table clash to take out the Minor Premiership, while Green Shield won their Quarter Final win over Bankstown to secure a Semi-Final clash with Gordon on Tuesday

SO the weekend has set us up for a potentially season defining weekend coming. With some potential big wins on the cards, it could catapult us up the ladders in a lot of grades.

With us currently 120 points behind Club Championship leaders Parramatta, sitting in 3rd spot, it may make the upcoming rounds very interesting.

Go Manly!

A real tough decision this one after some outstanding individual performances. Sam Alexander took 5/11 in 4th grade, and Jake Carden’s 64 in 2nd grade in a low scoring match could have both been chosen., However we have gone for James Crosthwaite and his 141 for the 4 Pines Player of the Week.

With Blacktown being dismissed for only 146 after 40 overs, so 1st grade had an opportunity to gain 1st innings points on day way. James came up with the goods, blasting 141 off only 115 balls, including 17 4s and 2 6s. His innings not only got us 1st innings points on day 1, but also set the team up for a big push for maximum points next weekend.

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ts always a nervous Friday when you get the weather forecast and it’s 36 degrees and you have to play cricket in Blacktown. This is why we love the game.

The excitement of gaining back the myth, the man, the legend Mickey Edwards into the XI was hard to contain. It gave the squad a great boost after 2 outstanding wins after the Christmas break. To add to Mickey’s selection was the 2 day debut of Tom Kaye after Ahillien Beadle strained his hamstring. 

The Manly boys arrived at Blacktown to a green but hard wicket. After some debate internally on the decision to bat or bowl Captain Cameron Merchant made the bold decision to bowl first and this turned out to be a great call. 

With a new ball and a green wicket Michael Visser teamed up with Edwards to destroy the top order of Blacktown and have them in serious trouble at the first drinks break with the score on 5/28. Both Edwards and Visser were outstanding with control and pace totally outclassing the Blacktown top order.

Blacktown had a counter attack just after drinks to drag them back into the game until the last over before lunch the debutant Tom Kaye took his first wicket in his brand new baggy Manly cap. At lunch we were in total control at 6/97.

After the lunch break Kaye continued his excellent day swinging the ball both ways and causing another 3 more wickets to fall on his way to 4/9 off 9 overs on debut. A last wicket stand of 42 from Blacktown pushed them up to 146 before Joey Graham grabbed a run out to end the innings. An excellent performance with Edwards taking 2/21 off 11 and Visser 3/70 to go with Kaye’s 4.

Batting in the second session of the day with 54 overs to bat there was a real possibility to set up a 10 point game. James Crosthwaite and Ryan Farrell went out to bat the  8overs before tea. This is where James took the game on. We came off 0/50 at tea with plenty of overs to play. The game plan was clear, to pass the total by the close of play. Farrell departed just after tea and the Crosthwaite brothers began to put the plan into action. 

James was devastating and totally overpowering to the Blacktown attack who had no answers. James was savage on anything short which he pulled to the fence hard and anything full seemed to go back over their head to the boundary. 

The Apprentice took the game away from Blacktown as the Master joined in on the damage as they kept the score board moving. Manly passed Blacktown’s 146 with only 1 wicket down. The destruction continued as a lead was quickly built as James and Adam kept hitting boundaries and pushed the game forward. 

James’ 100 coming in style as he brutally took down another boundary. This 100 was James’ 7th for the club in 2 and a half seasons. James pushed forward making 141 off only 116 balls including 17 x4s and 2x 6’s. 

Together the Crosthwaite brothers took the score to 224 off 41 overs. Adam ended up on 69 not out as Captain Merchant declared the innings closed after the Crosthwaite partnership of 167 in 29 overs. 

Manly took a lead of 78 into the second innings with 6 overs to bowl. Edwards and Visser bowled well and bowled fast. Visser made the break through and Blacktown went to stumps 1/23, Still 55 runs behind. 

A very important Saturday awaits the first XI as we welcome back Captain Chris Green and Jay Lenton from Thunder duties to assist in closing out the 10 points and putting Manly back into the top 6. 

Adam Crosthwaite

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he 2nd grade boys turned up to Manly Oval with the sun absolutely baking.

We found the wicket had a little green tinge to it, but the boys were pumped and ready to go from the start, all team on deck and warm up was buzzing.

Skipper Gainsford won the toss and decided to bowl first with Nicko taking the first rock, back from a ew weeks off and lead from the start. He took 3 quick wickets, making the ball do all sorts and just hitting his spots.

Then Sam Webber took an absolute specky going horizontal down leg side of White to continue the momentum.

Jamieson and Carden then took control and were absolute ruthless, mesmerising the Blacktown batsmen with the ball.

All the boys fielded the house down backing up the bowlers, with Jacob O’Sullivan executing an unbelievable direct hit run out. We gave it every thing and rattled Blacktown for 59, bowling them out before the first session was over.

But that was only half the job down as it was the men in blue to bat on the green top with the ball zipping about.

Every one put their head down but the stand out with Carden getting another 50 under his belt and then once he got past the total himself and Nick McLachlan opened up and got us to a quick 120 odd before Gainsford threw the call out for the boys to come in and have another crack at the Blacktown bating line-up.

We got out there and the boys started off from where they finished first innings and Nicko got two quick wickets and Jamo bowled the house down once again, doing his thing and hitting pads everywhere. I think he lost his voice from appealing.

We left Blacktown 6-88 and the end of play at day one. Good effort lads was awesome to see!!!

Matty White

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he main grade welcomed back Skipper Javed Badyari in this rounds clash against Blacktown, thankfully winning the toss and batting on an extremely hot day out west.

Sam Hole and Dom Wheeler opened the innings, fighting hard to get on top of the opening quicks finding it difficult with the large boundaries at Jim Hershaw Oval. Sam looking in good touch while Dom unfortunately was trapped in front early in the day.

This brought the 3rd grade debutant Jack Pickering to the crease. Both batsmen looking comfortable and ran hard, producing a fantastic 2nd wicket partnership, putting the Tahs in a very good position at tea only 1 down.

Shortly after tea Jack mistimed one to mid-on, dismissed for 75 with Sam falling shortly after in similar fashion for 64.

Zach Trewartha then took the reins, a mixture of fast feet and incredible timing saw him keep the pressure on the opposing side.

A slight mid order collapse saw Vumbaca and Hicks fall for not many between them, bringing Matt Brewster into the game. Matt showed his class with the bat hitting with power and accuracy to keep the runs flowing.

Zach then fell for a well-crafted 38, Badyari and Brewster continued to tick over the score until Javed lost his wicket, one keeping low bowled by the spinner.

Late in the day saw Ryan Bishop-Perrett and Brad Wilson both hit the ball well, adding 30 between them with the days play ending at 9/268.

A great batting display in some tough conditions sees Third grade in a very good position for next week, looking forward to a wonderful bowling performance from a talented line up.

Jack Pickering

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he Manly 4^th grade side arrived at Grahams Reserve greeted immediately by team manager Alan Wright. The 4’s boys love having Wrighty around and are so appreciative of his work so selflessly done each week.

The early observations were of a beautiful sea breeze offsetting the forecast of extremely high temperatures. A great day to be in a grade that was an even number.

‘El Jefe’ Adam Gummer lost the toss and the Blacktown Skipper decided they would bat on a now ‘Typical’ Grahams’ surface, that I will not elaborate on.

Former Manly First Grade fast bowler Michael Counsell (Sam Groth lookalike) managed to strangle the first wicket early. Max Burgess had returned to take an incredibly impressive catch in the gully to complete a Jacob “I have no energy; I’ve had Gastro all week” Graham wicket. In all seriousness, Yak toilet (toiled) all day, doing everything skipper Gumms asked of him; despite stating he had eaten 3 meals in the last 5 days because of how severe the gastro was. Everyone was impressed but also come to expect this of the tough Yak.

Enter the man of the moment, the much maligned yet incredible leader of morale; Sam Alexander. He seemed hydrated, he stayed hydrated. Smoss bowled left-hand spin mixing up his pace and length expertly to draw loose shots. He bowled so well that five of the Blacktown batsmen lost their wicket to him.

Sam has fought his way back after a tough period in other areas of the game. To see him put in a match winning bowling performance at a time like this was ‘Tom Brady esq’. Smoss showed he is still a bowler who could do great work in a higher-grade side and has every bit of skill that earned him all those 2^nd grade Pfeiffers not so long ago.

Sam Alexander finished with the unbelievable figures of 5-11! The media are reporting Sam is now the lower grade Michael Visser.

With this, Blacktown fought hard but were rounded up for 68.

The batting innings begun with a bang with Nick Cohen and El Jefe dealing in boundaries.

El Jefe Gummer batted very well, applying himself for 37, batting for most of the innings. Evergreen Ross Trewartha with a celebrity appearance came to the crease and looked in all time form, smashing some boundaries to push the lead into the 20’s. At this point El Jefe decided to give our fast bowlers an opportunity with 5 second innings overs at the Blacktown batsmen.

Michael Counsell bowled an impeccable line and length to finish the day with another 3 top order victims in the 2nd innings. Michael may not be the fastest fast bowler, but all in 4^th grade know his experience (playing first grade, big bash and earning a NSW contract) and bowling nous make up for speed. Michael will be integral in  4^th grade going forward so we would like the whole club to disregard him bowling close to 140’s.

All are excited for another big day next week for the now momentum full 4^th Grade side.

Jarrod Walter

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anly 5th grade made the trip to Blacktown with a forecast of temperatures over 40C !!

Luckily skipper Dylan Marshall won the toss and elected to bat. The Manly innings got off to a sure and steady start with openers Oscar Lucius and Hitlon Ovenden getting us to the first drinks break with 45 runs on the board. Ovenden was the first one to go, bowled for a well-made 41 and ended a good opening partnership of 50 odd with Oscar.

Joel joined Oscar at the crease but Oscar departed shortly after, fired out by the ump for a defiant 15. Dylan made 9 before being caught at short cover. Aidan was bowled for 2 and then Lachie’s day in the middle was cut short by an ordinary LBW decision.

Joel was the next one out, going the same way as Lachie for 38.

Ben Falconer was the only other batsman to put some good runs on the board, making 40 and helped Manly reach a total of 179.

This left Manly 8 overs to bowl in the day and Jarrad Ninnes made the most of them, sending both openers back to the sheds, with Blacktown 2-15 at the end of the day.

Joel Davies

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fter the demolition in 2s the day before, with 25 wickets falling during the day, we knew the first period with the new ball was going to be a challenge for whoever batted first. But we knew once the new ball was seen off, it would be easier to capitalise later on in the innings with the older ball.

We ended up losing the toss and being sent into bat which tuned out to be the best option in the long run with Manly posting an above par 218.

The innings was set up with a hard-fought partnership between Vumbaca and O’Sullivan in the later overs. This was after no one in the top order went on with their starts.

Vumbaca went onto bring up his second fifty on the trot for the Manly boys. His innings was similar to the game before, with Manly in a tough patch, which at one point looking like only going to bring up 170.

Jacob showed his patients with the bat, sticking through a tough period, to bat alongside Isaiah setting up the middle part of our innings.

The opening bowlers bowled well with no result, building pressure as much as they could, unlucky not to snare a wicket early on. Their openers got off to a strong start being 0/50 at one point, but Manly showed some fight sticking to the plans.

Alex Bain showed his class with coming on as the first change bowler and getting the required break through. He went on the take 3 wickets to keep Manly in the game. His dominance was backed up with strong spells from all the other bowlers and some quality fielding.

Manly went onto bowl Parramatta out with a game that went a bit closer than we would have liked.

Non-the less, with this win it has guaranteed us a home semi. We played nowhere near our full potential and still beating the top side Parramatta, which is great signs seeing how strong our side is.

If everything comes together during the finals campaign, we will be very hard to beat.

Will Akhurst

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 Green Shield Quarter Final does not come around every day, so a home quarter final against Bankstown was enough to get the team pumped for an important day, with a semi-final spot on the line.

Skipper Brynn Mendel won the tos and chose to bat, however we lost openers Lucius and Osborne, who has been the rock of our batting line-up, very early to be 2 for 12 of 7 tight overs.

However, Joel Davies and Hilton Ovenden were keen to not let the innings fall away, and produced a fantastic 110 run 3rd wicket partnership to set up the end of the innings.

Hilton was especially impressive, getting through the heat well and scoring to all areas of the ground.

An Aidan Bennett 32 at the end got us to a very defendable 203 off our 50 overs, and with our attacked we were confident of victory.

We opened well with the ball, Josh Park and Lachie Molyneux, who have been our 2 best bowlers, both taking early wickets. However, similar to our innings there was a big 3rd wicket partnership, with Zeeshan Ahmed from Bankstown batting well for 69.

However, once Josh Seward took Ahmed’s wicket, well caught by Molyneux, the Bankstown batting didn’t show much more fight.

Joel Davies ripped through the middle order with his left arm spin, while Molyneux and Seward both cleaned up the tail to get the Tahs home by 47 runs.

Great victory against an always strong Bankstown. it set’s us up for a Semi-Final against Gordon at Killara Oval on Tuesday 23rd January. The boys are on a roll and confident of victory.

 

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 home game at the picturesque Weldon Oval, the U17 Brewers team were playing Penrith, who were coming off a week long tournament in Orange and were Match ready.  Manly lost the toss and fielded first.

The girls looked a bit rusty after the Christmas break for the first part of the game.  The bowling and fielding not as tight as the coaches would have liked.  Gemma and Chloe opened the bowling, and Chloe got and lbw in the third over.   Robyn came on first change, and bowled their first drop, and Penrith were 2/32.   The next partnership proved hard to break, and Penrith put on 88 runs before the next wicket fell.  A few dropped catches and some loose fielding did not help.  Genevieve bowled some nice leg spin and took two wickets (including a great stumping by Hannah), Robyn ended up getting her second wicket, and the girls got into their groove in the field with a great catch by Jasmin at fine point and a sharp catch by Robyn at mid-off.  Sienna and Amelia also bowled some tidy overs. 

Manly opened with Genevieve and Natalie, who looked confident against some very tight opening bowling.  After seeing off the opening bowlers, Genevieve got out with the score on 16 to a Penrith girl who would end the game with 9 wickets.  A collapse then followed, with Sienna, Robyn, Amelia, Jasmin and Mia all out without troubling the scorer, and Nat run out for 10.  The score went from 1/16 after 9 to 7/23 after 15.  Chloe then came in, and after playing herself in, played the innings of the season so far, ending up with 46, including 6 well hit 4’s.  She was supported well by Mia who scored 10, and Gemma, who scored 8 off 3 balls.  Chloe was last player out.

The girls sound some glimpses of what they are capable off, and will get their chance to show their improvement in the coming weeks, with the girls back into their twice a week training routine.

Shane Guyot