Manly clean sweep local rivals to take out the Club Championship – Monday News RD15 vs Mosman

Coming into the final round of the season, the Manly boys needed a dominant weekend to come through with the prestigious Club Championship Trophy. A clinical weekend from the Tah’s saw our club walk away with their 3rd Club Championship in the last 7 years.

Our First Grade side led the way with a convincing, bonus point victory over a strong Mosman lineup. Our bowlers led the way early with openers Mickey Visser (3/27) and Joel Foster (3/42) knocking over their top order. The remainder of the bowling group chipped in nicely to see Mosman all out for 188. With a bonus-point needed to keep First Grade’s season alive, it was going to take something special to ensure the chase was successful. James (72) and Adam (48) showed their class yet again and both capped off strong individual seasons with the bat. After the brothers were dismissed Ollie Davies (44*) continued the charge and finished the job off with 26.5 overs to spare. Unfortunately other results did not go our way which means our First grade premiership campaign has ended, however their bonus point victory was incredibly important to the club championship success.

Second Grade enjoyed a convincing win at Alan Border Oval with another strong team performance. Jarrod Rawlings enjoyed a return to form posting a patient 62. Ryan Farrell came in a tore the hearts out of the Mosman bowling attack, putting on a batting display for the ages. His innings of 147 off just 107 deliveries included 11 bombs some of which are probably still travelling. His video game-like performance was then topped off with a match defining spell, cleaning out the Mosman mid-to-later order, taking 5/35 off just 7 overs. Mosman were dismissed for 223, with second grade now hosting the same side next week in the quarter final at Manly Oval.

Third Grade had a close win, finishing their season a great note. Club favourite Sam Webber was the star of the day posting his maiden ton for the Tah’s, something that has most definitely been a long time coming. Sammy was well supported by Daly (44) and Vumbaca (28) as the main grade posted a solid 5/235 from their 50 overs. Jacob ‘Yak’ Graham (5/30) took yet another big bag of wickets to lead the boys to a 32 run victory.

Fourth Grade entered the final round with the Minor Premiership on the line. After being sent in on a tricky wicket, they got off to a tough start, losing wickets consistently to be bundled out for 116. Jack Pickering posted the only notable score of 33. The bowling unit stood up, and ripped through Mosman, bowling the home side out for just 58 runs, taking out a valuable bonus point victory.

Fifth Grade also had everything to play for, with their finals hopes resting on a victory. After being sent in to bat, the innings got off to strong start with openers Mendel (63) and Cohen (35) leading the way. The rest of the batting line-up all got starts but no one went on to get any more than 20. The wickets were shared amongst the bowlers as the game came down to the final over with 8 runs needed, 1 wicket in hand. Green Shield Co-Captain Aidan Bennett was the man chosen for the job, and despite his youth, bowled an over with composure well beyond his years, ensuring the boys got over the line. A great win for 5th Grade as they keep their premiership hopes alive.

Overall a memorable weekend, with plenty of outstanding performances. The club couldn’t be more deserving of the Club Championship Trophy and a fitting reward to all involved. From the Committee, to the volunteers, coaches and players, the hard yards, passion, support and love for the club got us over the line. Our club’s culture is of the envy of many others around the Grade Cricket scene, and with our 3rd title in the past 7 years, it’s easy to understand why. Hopefully, this is only the first piece of silverware for the Mighty Manly Boys in 2017/18.

Well done to all involved, an incredible season!

This week’s 4 Pines Player of the Week is probably one of our easiest selections since the weekly award began. Ryan’s video game-like performance was one for the ages, and quoted by club coach Shaun Bradstreet as “one of the best innings he has ever watched”. His 147 off 107 proved to be the difference in the game. Not only was his batting display superb, Fazz battled through pretty severe cramping to rip through Mosman’s middle-to-lower order, taking 5/35 on a ground most spin bowlers would have nightmares about. A truly remarkable performance from the great man and is a true testament to the hardest trainer in the club.

Well Done Faz

Special mention to Sam Webber who brought up his maiden ton for the club and also could’ve quite easily been nominated as our player of the week, if it weren’t for Ryan’s superhuman efforts.

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he Manly boys turned up to Manly oval needing a bonus point win to keep their final hopes alive.

Nappa won the toss and elected to bowl first, giving us the biggest opportunity to win the game with a bonus point. The boys got off to a great start with Visser taking two big early wickets putting the team in a solid position. Mosman’s 3rd wicket was starting to put on what looked to be strong partnership before Joel Foster, first ball after drinks, dismissed the batsman and then collected another three balls later. The bowlers stuck to their lines and lengths throughout the day and were able to dismiss the opposition for 187 on what seemed to be a true Manly wicket. Michael Visser (3-27 off 10 overs) and Joel Foster (3-42 off 9.2 overs) were the pick of the bowlers allowing the Manly batsman to have a crack at the bonus point win.

It was the Crosthwaite show for the Manly batting line up with the two putting on 114 within the space of about 12 overs. After the talk during the break of having a steady start, the two decided to get it done as early as possible. James Crosthwaite (72 off 43 balls) and Adam Crosthwaite (48 off 38 balls) put on a batting clinic, hitting the ball to all parts of the ground. They were then both dismissed within quick concession before Ollie Davies and Jay Lenton scored the final runs in the 24th over. Even with the strong bonus point win, it just wasn’t enough to slip into the top 6, however it was a very strong win for the boys to finish off the season with.

Ollie Davies

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econd Grade entered the weekend’s fixture with a lot on the line. Sitting in 4th place, coming up against the 2nd placed Mosman side, the boys would need a win to lock in a home quarter final. Skipper Gainsford won the toss and elected to bat on what looked to be a cracking batting wicket.

The Mighty Mortons got off to a strong start with openers Jack Ritchie (27) and Jarrod Rawlings (62) putting on 63 for the first wicket. Ryan Farrell replaced Cubby and he and Jarrod both ticked over the score quite frequently before Jarrod was dismissed for a well-made 62, with the team score on 149. Tom Kaye (35) was the new man in and he and Farrell both continued to pick up singles on offer before Farrell decided he was sick of running between the wickets. Fazz brought up what was a well-deserved ton and his first for the season. Fazz’s innings set us up for a mammoth first innings total as he blasted 147 from just 107 deliveries including 11 sixes. His innings gave everybody a reminder of how special a talent he is. He was eventually dismissed in the final over which saw Ashdeep Virdi come to the crease, who hit his first ball straight back over the sightscreen in pure Deep style.

With 300 on the board, a home final, and club championships on the line, the boys went hard at the Mosman batters from the outset. Defending this total was always going to be a challenge on the small ground, which has been filled with runs all season. The ever consistent Andrew Jamieson, Nick McLachlan and our Papua New Guinea import Andrew Hicks got us off to a great start, picking up key early wickets. They were then well supported by Wigney, Kaye and Farrell who all continued to squeeze the Mosman batters out of the game. Fazz capped off a phenomenal day taking 5 wickets to finish off the game with Mosman being bowled out for 223.

Overall a very dominant performance from the Second Grade outfit, who are playing some quality cricket of late. A great team performance, highlighted by a very special day from Farrell. However, we are sure Mosman will come back bigger and better next week and its a challenge all of the boys cant wait to endure.

See you all on the hill!

Tom Kaye

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anly arrived to a typical Grahames reserve pitch, knowing that although finals were only a faint hope for us, the Club Championships were on the line. Once again Javed one the toss and opted to bat. The two Sams (Webber and Hole) started brilliantly, knocking it around and batting with excellent intent. On an outfield that was generally quite slow, their running between the wickets was exceptional and got us off to a great start of 0-48 before we lost Sam Hole just before drinks. Billy D’arcy joined Swebs at the crease and consolidated well until Billy misread a straight one that cannoned into the top of off, departing for 6.

This brought the in-form youngster Jacob O-Sullivan to the crease. Sully’s had a breakthrough year this season and has been a fantastic asset to 3s all season. He started positively and was looking in good touch until he was trapped in front by their wily medium pacer for 2. Things were looking a little dicey at 3-60 when Jordan Daly joined Sam at the crease, ready for his first innings since December. With Sam ahead of Jordan by 4 runs in the 3rd grade run tally, both batsmen knew there was a lot more at stake here than a measly 6 points, finals or a club championship.

The remainder of the session saw a gradual rebuild as both batsmen knew another wicket here could be very dangerous. Their pace bowlers kept it tight from both ends, giving little away. Swebby continued as before, pouncing on the looser balls with excellently-placed strokes that manipulated the field and allowed runs to be scored with minimal risk. Jordan was gradually remembering how to bat as he knocked it around and attempted to keep up with Sam’s athletic running between the wickets. Their left-arm ortho came on and bowled excellent lines to a tight field that were difficult to combat, restricting the run rate somewhat. Some aggressive lofted drives against the bowler from the other end by Swebs ensured that things didn’t get too tied down, however going into the second drinks break things were poised evenly at about 3-140.

After a positive start to the final session, Jordan fell to an awful half-tracker from their part-time offie for 44, ensuring Sam Webber would be the top run-scorer for 3rd Grade for the season and bringing Isaiah Vumbucca to the crease. From 4-154 Issy batted with brilliant intent from ball one to actually increase the run rate at the fall of a wicket, as he and Swebby began to accelerate nicely. Eventually Issy tried one too many big shots and fell for a vital 28, bringing the big left-hander Matt Alexander to the crease for the final handful of overs. With Swebby on 86, requiring 14 from the last 4 overs for his maiden grade hundred, the team was almost more fixated on this than the team score.

The 47th and 48th over saw Swebby tick along into the 90s and a few to Mattoes as he got his eye in. the 49th over saw Swebby needing 5 with Mattoes on strike… Dot, dot, SIX straight over the sightscreen, dot, dot, single. Toes retains the strike in the last over with Sam needing 5 and things looked grim. Mattoes gets a single. Sam gets a single. Mattoes gets another single. Sam leaves one that clips his thigh pad and they set off for two only to stop at one when they realise the umpire has called dead ball. But wait, the umpires never signalled it to the scorers, who are unsure what’s going on and the Manly boys tell them they’ve got to score the runs to Sam. Before things can be clarified, the (presumably) 4th ball of the over is re-bowled and Sam whacks it into the outfield, but has hit it too well for two and only gets another single. The scorers now have Sam on 99*, but everyone is fairly sure the ball was rebowled and were mainly joking when they said ‘give them to Sam’ but it’s the game goes on – Mattoes on strike, two balls left, Sam 97*, scorers perplexed, the bowler bowls a wide and the keeper fumbles. Even after 49.4 overs of haring between the wickets Sam has backed up rapidly and could practically have whispered ‘yes’ into Mattoes’ ear as the pair scoot through for another run. Now it’s game on, Sam back on strike with (we think) two balls still to go, probably on 97*. Full, straight and heaved into the onside, straight between the two boundary riders! Swebby’s off like a rocket, and the boys don’t know whether to watch the runners to make sure they get through for two or the ball as it races to the boundary pursued by the Mosman fielder coming around from midwicket. He dives and flicks it back in from somewhere but it’s too far away to see whether it went for four or if it was stopped, either way SWEBBY IS BACK ON STRIKE AND ON 99*.

Last ball of the innings. Swebby 99*. The field is up. Mattoes at the non-striker end. Not renowned for his speed between wickets. Maybe it’s his toes. Swebby sizes up the field. Bowler charges in and it’s on his pads YOU DON’T GET ON SAM WEBBER’S PADS BECAUSE HE’LL FLICK YOU DOWN TO FINE LEG AND BRING UP HIS MAIDEN GRADE CENTURY!!!! The boys are all on their feet and form a guard of honour to clap him off. A brilliant innings from Sam and thoroughly well-deserved. The excellent 48-run opening stand with the two Sams, an important partnership between Jordan and Swebby and cameos from Issy and Mattoes has got us to 234 – a very competitive total on a decent-sized ground with a slow outfield.

LUNCH

It doesn’t matter how slow the outfield is when the ball travels most of its distance in the air. This was the tactic Mosman applied for pretty much their whole innings. Matty White and Ryan Bishop Perret started with neither bowler at their accurate best. That said, one Mosman opener went hard at everything and only a tight set from Isaiah Vumbucca began to lower the run rate beyond 6 an over. They‘d got off to a flyer. Jacob O’Sullivan, who’d been warmed up since round 4 was finally given the nod, and after two wides started to really trouble the batsman, inducing an edge of their big-hitting opener that went low and to the left of Billy at first slip who couldn’t quite hang on. When Issy also had a tough chance put down by Matty White in the deep soon after, things looked very grim. This was when the tahs really started to ramp it up. Knowing it was probably our last match of the season the boys dug deep and lifted the intensity in the face of the rising scoreline. Invaluable pressure from Issy’s end eventually translated into Sully nabbing the vital wicket of their big-hitting opener, which brought their captain to the crease. He followed the same game plan, swing hard and often.

Things kept ticking along with boundaries struck frequently and at 1-113 off 26, despite Manly’s excellent energy in the field, they were in the box seat. Then Sully struck again with Matty White taking a tough catch running backwards at point. It was starting to swing in the favour of the Manly boys but with Mosman bang on track for the run rate and still with 8 wickets in hand we knew we’d have to fight. Javed came on from the top end and just when we needed a wicket he grabbed one, first ball after drinks – 3-138 off 30. Matty White and RBP gave it their best but to their credit Mosman were batting well and through some excellent cricket shots continued to find the boundary when they needed to. Enter Jacob Graham. Bowling from the top end, Jacob began to bowl to his plan, full straight and with his boundary-riders well placed. He frustrated the batsmen and brought errors that pegged a wicket just as a batsman began to get going.

The wickets kept falling but the runs kept coming, a number of extraordinary lofted drives from the remaining batsmen meant Mosman kept themselves in it! Jacob Struck: 4-150 off 34. Runs runs runs then Jacob again: 5-172 off 38. Still going at five an over before Jacob again 6-182 off 40. It was only in the 42nd over with 41 runs required – still very achievable – that Jacob got their last recognised batsman. Then when RBP took two quick ones to leave them 9 down it was only a matter of time before the final wicket was taken. Fittingly by Jacob to have Mosman all out for 202 in the 46th over.

A phenomenal win over a quality team playing finals cricket, who are satisfyingly now only a rainy weekend away from being knocked out. It was a shame that we let ourselves down in the middle part of the season as the way we played on Saturday and throughout the season was a level that few 3rd grade teams and even many 2nd grade teams wouldn’t be able to match. I have no doubt that if we were in the finals we would take home the premiership. But we’re not. So we won’t. We haven’t performed consistently enough so we don’t get the privilege of finals. I can only speak from my half a season, but it has been some of the most enjoyable I have ever played. Javed was an exceptional leader and a indominable force of positivity on the field. He was a major factor in our success this year. I think a lot of the younger guys who played in 3s this year learnt a lot – Jacob O’Sullivan, Jack Pickering, Will Akhurst and many others who were moving between grades and unsure where they stand, really earnt their stripes this year and proved they’re good enough to play 3s and above. They should take that confidence and use it next season – who knows what they could do. Same goes for Sam Webber – 57* and 100* in the last two rounds… Take that belief, that feeling and bottle it. Once again you’ve shown you’re good enough, just don’t forget it!

But at the end of the day, we won club champs!!!! The best bit about club champs is that every individual who helped win a game all season – one catch, one innings, one run out, one wicket – is responsible for the success that we achieved as a club this year. But this in itself is a testament to all the coaches, volunteers and other support staff we have at this amazing club. It’s truly telling how lucky we are as players to have these people when you consider that we’ve won 3 in the last 10 years and the team we pipped – Parramatta, who had been leading all year – haven’t won it in 40 years. That’s a great club.
Go Manly

Jordan Daly

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he 4th grade boys arrived at Balmoral Oval knowing a win would secure the minor premiership, a home QF and help the club go a long way to claiming another club championship. A small outfield awaited us, and with two synthetic pitches within the boundary we knew it would be a tough grind.

Skipper Jarred lost the toss and we got sent in on a green deck with a lot in it for the bowlers if they hit the right lengths. Dom and Jack got us off to a strong start, making use of the small boundaries before Dom fell. Jack batted well for his 33 however soon followed Dom. Jarred showed a lot of fight for his 20 but the tail could not wag until our big hitting number 11 Micky Counsell swung the willow and added 15 valuable runs to our total. The manly boys bowled out for 116 inside 40 overs.

A big job with the ball was needed and with the minor premiership on the line and valuable club champs points, the boys came out firing. Brad and Micky Counsell opened up and soon had rewards with the big city councilman rattling the stumps and Brad finding the edge. Brad produced a moment of magic to run out their number 3 from fine leg and then went bang bang with the ball to have Mosman reeling at 5-28. Jimmy and Alex came into the attack and both soon had rewards with Jimmy getting their skipper and Alex getting number 7. Jimmy got another before Alex claimed the last two in two balls with the manly boys bowling Mosman out for 58 to secure the minor premiership and a bonus point win that went a long way to us claiming the club championship.

Special mention to Lozza for being there all day with us, we appreciate your work a lot! Also praise deserves to go to our bowling group with the boys providing yet again, wickets shared with 3 to Wilson and Bain, 2 to Jimmy and 1 to Counsell. The boys will be looking to continue their fine form this weekend against Sydney Uni at Graham’s in the QF. Come down and support the 4th grade boys in their efforts to reach the SF!

Alex Bain

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n overcast Mike Pawley oval set the scene for the fifth grade boy’s final round clash against Mosman. A win would cement a finals appearance for the lads and a loss would leave us relying on other results to fall our way so motivation was definitely not in short supply. After the boys pulled the covers off we were met with a hard wicket with an even coverage of grass on the surface. With the last few rounds revealing a few demons in the pitch we knew we had to play smart, tough cricket to come away with the desired result. After the Mosman captain (also the world’s biggest human) informed captain Isaacs he’d send us in and push for a bonus point win, the boys went out and had a stick first.

Openers Cohen and Mendel walked out and looked to grind away a partnership on a bit of a two paced wicket. The boys went about their business pushing singles and dispatching the bad balls as they settled in at drinks at around 50 for no loss. With a lengthy outfield we understood the value of runs, and continued on their after drinks, cruising to 83 before Cohen snicked off for a 36. Brynn then took control and brought up a well-deserved 50 before taking on the long on fielder and hitting it straight down his throat for 62. The boys then had a bit of a collapse as we lacked partnerships in the middle to late overs, with only Franks (17), Bennett (14) and Davies (11) managing double digits. After the 50 overs the fellas had compiled 192 runs – but definitely worth more.
Bowlers Archer and Falconer took the new pill showing their class early with Archer 3 grades too good for their openers with his line and length and Falconer back to his best swinging it around corners. Archer was unlucky to have hit his 43rd catch of the year put down but looked likely at all times in his first spell before Falconer made the important breakthrough up the other end bringing one back to the opener, kicking a half volley. Brewster and Ninness were then introduced first and second change and Ninness was the man to take the second wicket as the Mosman number three decided to late cut a rising ball straight to Marshall at first slip. Brewster took another soon after and the boys were fired up. Marshall and Bennett toiled away giving away very little but a partnership had built before one of the Mosman bats got bored and hit the cherry straight to mid off from the bowling of little Joel Davies. Annoying partnerships followed but we never lost sight of the victory and tightened the screws with each bowler returning and taking wickets at important times.

After the second drinks break the lads continued grinding away as Dylan was reintroduced to strangle the opposition and finished his 10 overs with 3 vital wickets, including the dangerous number 4 for 51. Openers Archer and Falconer took one more each wicket each, leading to the penultimate over as Isaacs threw the ball to Bennett to get the lads home. Mosman crept to within 8 runs for victory 9 down. Bennett’s death bowling strategy was a unique one – starting with a wide, and a no ball early in his over before beaming their behemoth of a captain and getting away with it. The young fella remained undeterred however, before the number 11 decided to run himself out with 2 balls remaining. Game over – Manly win by 4 runs to secure a brilliant win and a finals berth against Penrith next weekend.

Great work lads, world club champions!

Nick Cohen

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he team travelled out to St George for a T20 double header.  The games were against the two grand finalist of the recently completed 40 over competition.

Manly batted first against St George, with the parents speculating that 90 would be a par score for the game.  Manly got off to a solid start, being 2/24 after 6 overs, with Sienna falling after hitting a lusty 4, and Nat out for 9.  Robyn and Mia came together for a great middle-order T20 partnership.  Mia played her innings of the season, hitting 22 off 31 balls, and Robyn retiring n.o. on 30, which set up a solid score of 89.   The girls bowled solidly, but St George-Sutherland would pass the score in the 17th over, and played on for bonus points eventually ending up on 95.  Sienna, Robyn, Chloe, Kate, Amelia and Jasmin all had good spells.

In the second game against Gordon, the winners of the 40 over competition, the team put on one of their best fielding display this season.  4 run outs and 2 catches had Gordon scrambling for runs.  Gemma, Robyn and Mia bowled very tidy spells, with Robyn having 2 for 4 off 3 overs.  After this mornings batting display, the team were quietly confident.  With it being the last innings of a long day, the coaches mixed up the batting order a little.  Hannah looked strong at number 3, holing out for 7.  Unfortunately for Manly, Gordon bowled a very tight off stump line and the girls could not put on a solid partnership until Jess (23 n.o.) and Robyn (12 n.o.) came tother for the 8th wicket stand.  The team finished 13 runs short of the required total, 7/62.

All-in-all a very solid display against the two top teams, with Manly in with a chance of a win in both games.  It was the first T20 game at this level for most the team, and a great learning experience.

Shane Guyot