Brewer Shield Grand Final:
The big day arrived for Brewers travelling to Port Kembla to compete with the Southern Swans for the major prize. Bowling first after losing the toss, wickets early to Allen & Burke gave the Tahs an ideal start, before the home side consolidated with a strong partnership. One more wicket apiece to Terrey, Brown & Allen through the middle overs helped keep the run rate in check, despite the opposition captain compiling an important innings. Some economical bowling at the death restricting the Swans to 8/166 from 50. A shaky start to the run chase ensued as the Tahs lost three early wickets, but Ford (33) was patient in rebuilding the innings to steady the ship. However, another flurry of wickets left the Tahs well behind the eight ball at 7/89. But Allen (43) would give the Tahs a chance with a super innings changing the momentum of the game, before Bland (17) & S.Punter (12*) moved the Tahs to within sight of a comeback victory. Unfortunately though, with 12 to win from the final over & only one wicket in hand, a close run out saw the Southern Swans victorious by 10 runs in a thrilling Grand Final. Nonetheless, a season that coach Bill McLerie & the team should be immensely proud of.
Men’s 2nd Grade Quarter Final:
Taking on their final round opponents once more, the Tahs were sent into bat first at Raby. The batting innings however struggled to gather any momentum, Mendel (39) offering the only real resistance as the Tahs were bowled out for 99. A few early wickets with the ball gave some hope, but Campbelltown took control late on Day 1 with first innings points. But the Tahs would fight back strongly on Day 2, 5fa to Dhillon leading the way as Campbelltown were bowled out for 201. Needing to build a lead quickly to set a target, Brewster (82 off 70) & Coyte (45 off 28) started superbly with some phenomenal hitting. Before Rogers (70 off 42) showed his class with a brutal innings. Late runs from Vumbaca (20*) giving the Tahs a 153 run lead with 52 overs left. Lawson, Wigney & Osbourne struck early, and the Tahs fought tooth & nail to steal an unlikely win, 2fa to Vumbaca, Dhillon & Lawson having Campbelltown 8 down with 4 overs remaining. Unfortunately, bad light spelled an end to proceedings, Campbelltown winning on first innings, but the Tahs progressing as the highest placed losing team to the semi finals.
Men’s 3rd Grade Quarter Final:
Travelling out to Harold Fraser, the Tahs won the toss & chose to bowl, backed up by an early Counsell breakthrough. St George however took full control from that point onwards, with a huge 2nd wicket partnership. But the Tahs’ effort never wavered, wickets shared between Croft, Dunnachie, Cumming & Counsell as St George went to stumps 7/340. On Day 2, the Tahs stuck at it with the ball, Croft leading the way with 4fa across 26 gruelling overs. Chasing 420 to win off 61 overs was always a mammoth ask, but Croft (101) & skipper Webber (42) were off to a great start with an excellent 99 run partnership in quick time. Croft compiling a brilliant 101 in sweltering conditions, Kapoor (30) chipping in too. But it was simply too big a run chase to conquer, the Tahs’ batters going down swinging, bowled out for 221 to bring their season to an end.
Men’s 4th Grade Quarter Final:
With the opportunity to host at Manly Oval, skipper Parkinson won the toss & chose to bat. Karlsson-Lacy made a counter-attacking start with some lovely drives, but it was Wheeler (50) & McDowell (90) that headlined Day 1. The former at his patient best while the latter feasted on any scoring opportunities in an 85 run partnership. McDowell falling just short of what would’ve been a deserved hundred, but Kennedy (32) continued the platform that had been set, before Searle (102) & Parkinson (75) took the Tahs to stumps 6/282. Their partnership continued well into Day 2, ultimately combining for 126 as Searle compiling a classy patient 102, while the skipper took the attack to the bowlers with a flurry of boundaries. Lower order contributions from Waddington & Bishop Perrett seeing the Tahs reach 460 from 143 overs when the final wicket fell. Penrith to their credit didn’t back down quickly, batting positively to be 2/116 off 25 overs just before 4pm on Day 2 when the captain’s shook hands, match drawn, and the Tahs locking in a home semi final.
Men’s 5th Grade Quarter Final:
At Grahams, skipper Waddington won the toss & chose to bat, but the Tahs were in a spot of bother early after both openers were dismissed to the new ball. But that just paved the way for a couple of remarkable individual efforts. Mendel (134) leading the initial fightback alongside Dinan (30), as the former compiled a classy hundred. Later on Day 1, it was Overhoff (117) that stole the show with a superb innings, before bringing up his maiden hundred for the Tahs on Day 2. Contributions from Martin (24) & Watts (22) helping the Tahs to a total of 376 all out after 128 overs. Fairfield came out swinging in the run chase but after a fast start, Walker broke through leading to a regular procession of wickets. Pryke continuing his strong form with 4fa in an excellent spell, while Walker & Waddington picked up two each, and Donnan one. Despite a few chances going down in the field, the bowling remained on song, Fairfield all out for 133 to see the Tahs book a home semi final.
Upcoming fixtures:
After all that, we now have 3 Men’s grades competing for Grand Final spots this weekend, Saturday/Sunday fixtures as follows:
Men’s 2nd Grade vs Sydney University @ University Oval #1
Men’s 4th Grade vs Parramatta @ Manly Oval
Men’s 5th Grade vs St George @ Grahams Reserve
Massive weekend coming up across Saturday/Sunday. Up the Tahs!
