Manly Well-placed for Points Against the Students – Weekend Wrap Round 3 (Day 1)

This week’s 4 Pines Player of the Week is Ollie Davies for his century in 1st grade’s dominant batting display against Sydney University. Ollie came to the crease at 2-81 and departed with the score at 364. His clean striking was on display from ball one getting off the mark with a boundary and continuing to reach the fence with fourteen 4s and seven 6s to his name before being dismissed for 165. He amassed a memorable 6^th wicket partnership of 151 with Ryan Farrell who also went on to post a century.   

Oli is an exciting prospect and has been earmarked for higher honours throughout the season. With performances like this, it’s not hard to see why he has bowling attacks worried all over NSW!

The day didn’t start off on the best foot with opener Logan Weston receiving a cracker first ball, but a good 81 run partnership between Jack (33) and Jay (54) had us back on track. Then came to the crease Ollie Davies to compile some of the best composure and ball striking most have seen. A few of the boys chipped in around Ollie (Beadle 22, Merchant 14) until Ollie and Faz came together to compile a 151 run partnership constantly putting the bowlers under pressure and putting us into a commanding position going into the last session. Davies then dismissed for 165 and Farrell still going. Some amazing ball striking from Ryan had us in a position where we could declare with the team on 461 (Farrell 126 not out) and have 9 overs at the opposition team to try and get a break through. Both Michaels opened up for us and on a flat wicket we had no luck in those 9 overs with the students finishing 0-29. Very successful day for the Tahs with some brilliant batting displays and easy viewing for the spectators at the ground. Big day ahead next week to try and get 10 wickets and with morale high in the group I’m sure we will be up for the occasion.

Joel Foster

Manly lost the toss on a very flat wicket and were asked to bowl. Taylor started us off early with a wicket in his first over. Sydney Uni put on a partnership for the second wicket Tommy Kaye (1-15 off 7) came into the attack and was successful in breaking that partnership. Sully with good match awareness getting a run out soon after. Uni putting on another strong partnership Beatty (1-42 of 14), Jamison 0-24 off 10) , Wilson (1-25 of 11), Herd (2-38 off13), Hicks (2-34 off 13) all bowled well then Gainsford (1-37 off 13) with good accuracy and consistency managed to break the partnership, getting the batter out caught behind just before Tea. After tea is where the plans came together. Having Uni 4-174 on a wicket not offering much. Tahs stayed consistent and bowled to their plans getting wickets in quick intervals, taking catches and another brilliant run out by Sully at point with 1 wicket to aim at. Sydney Uni could only get to 222 in 80 overs.

With 13 overs left in the day Webber (2) and Herd (42*) opened the batting for the Tahs. Herdy scoring quickly showing his class and aggression early getting off the mark with a SIX! Hicksy (1*) came in as a nightwatchmen has big opportunity to bat all day next week. Tahs are 1/47 chasing 222

Ashdeep Virdi

Third Grade Match Report – A Day in the Dirt.

A 10 part Odyssey of Round 3, Day 1 in the Sydney Cricket Associations 3^rd Grade Mitchell Cup. MWDCC v SUCC at LM Graham Reserve.

• Where to begin?

Context:

1. The Inaugural Golf Day.
2. Indulgent Tea.
3. Bailey’s Barometer.
4. Handshakes
5. Headwinds
6. Local Vagrants
7. Griffin Dug a Hole.
8. Everybody cheats*
9. George Costanza

• The main grade go about their processes in a special way. This week, for some, these began to take shape as early as 6am on Friday morning. Hacks and thieves of past and present of the MWDCC converged on Long Reef Gold Club for the Inaugural Manly Cricket Club Golf Day. 18 holes of longest drives, nearest to pins, 8 irons on par 5’s an overly relaxed license check on buggy rentals. An exceptional day made possible by local Hops man Adam Gummer with many funds raised for the women’s program. A big thanks to Morne Morkel for sharing his time and stories with the esteemed crowd. The Snorkel spoke eloquently however most of his content had to be redacted from this article, no further comments. Carrying on (as several players were) from the gentleman’s 18 and a lunch that offered little stalling our glorious club captains momentum, an unfortunate misinterpretation of the BOM saw several younger players travel further north in hopes of re-hydration. Views from The Collaroy balcony by 6pm confirmed this to be a tragic oversight given the day ahead.
• Game day: isn’t she lovely, isn’t she wonderful?

  Several debutant handshakes and applause coupled with the sight of a low, slow and overall sad looking deck at fortress Grahams proved enough of an excuse to avoid addressing the elephant on the field in the previous days activities. These boys have got a job to do. Warm ups, hot. Ground prep, tick. No signs of young gun Will Gustafson, we’ll allow it – Will spent all morning compiling his own unbeaten innings before spending his afternoon managing the grounds and supporting the team. He may well be the first to ask the last batsman out why they didn’t do something differently, but he’s also much better than us on the BOM whether required or not, so thanks again Will!

  With not a single cloud across the country, 28⁰ come kick off and a thick gale from the North described by the lethargic slips cordon as ‘Nice’, finally – some cricket. McLachlan loses the toss as you can literally pinpoint the exact moment M. Counsell’s heart breaks. Inversely, a spring was reported in S.Hole’s step. The ecstasy and agony.

• The key to the Waratah’s day was always going to be to respect the deck. Lea and Counsell settled in with the new ball and saw as many runs of the face of the bat as occasions which they saw the ball swing. Skipper McLachlan showing his experience with a pre-game ankle injury after seeing the deck on Thursday night was restricted from new ball duties. Some have called this suspicious, however Nick could not be reached for comment. Newly accredited Dr Beatrios will be required to assess whether a slide down the order may be required for the skipper. Disciplined consistency from Griffin saw some bails sent to New South Wales and a maiden 3^rd grade wicket for the young man. Handshakes all round and more to come!
• After going to war with a gentle breeze and coming off second best, the young top bunk Trewartha (Lachlan) was tossed the ball (well, well before thoughts crossed the skippers mind to toss it to his older brother). Lach settled in for a great afternoon of tempting tweaking, constantly tossing it up and causing trouble for batsman twice his age, both in their head and off the pitch. Whilst not a debut, definitely the biggest chance Lach has been given 3’s so far and one well taken, starting his day with 4 maidens and barely giving up a run all day.
• At some stage amongst the dots, someone managed to convince Griffin he might be tired, but with 3-18 to his name, poor Alex Bain was staring down the barrel of another TFC. As is customary when the chance comes, The Pod threw down a 4 ball, 4 dots, another 4 ball then took a wicket. You’ve just got to get that first over right and ease off on the MAYO.
• The mighty 3^rd grade 6 prong attack interchanged throughout the day, much like cyclists in a Sunday morning peloton. The promising young offies in Davies and Trewartha bringing maiden after maiden from the South, regularly disrupted by a smorgasbord of patisseries and pastries  from McLachlan (even the inanimate off stump bail refusing to budge for some time after being rudely disturbed by a ball that had no right in contacting any woodwork with the exception of the meat of the willow and perhaps a fence paling on it’s way down). Meanwhile Lea took the occasional breather to allow a similar rotation policy from the North amongst Counsell and Bain. With the day slipping away like sands through the hour glass, these were the days of our lives
• An absolutely clinical first ball from the young man Davies saw a crucial break through in what was one of few productive partnerships of the day. Another debut wicket for a man that threatened to possibly never take one in the grade with the trajectory he is travelling on. Jeez he is talented. Wonderful to treat ourselves to another round of handshakes and a quick lesson for Bain in how to bowl your first ball. It goes without saying the Joel also picked up the coveted Chicken Shack fielding award of the week for his flawless performance throughout the day, outstanding action despite having the smallest hands in the team with the exception of our first choice gripper. Rumours have it previous winner Counsell is going to take Joel up the beaches one afternoon to claim their prize. A mutually beneficial agreement, Joel can provide much needed insights on how to Bat, Bowl and Field, Counsell to impart wisdom on reverse parking and checking blind spots for motorcycles.
• As with many high profile international events, the bright lights and a chance for 15 minutes of fame always brings a few bad apples to the surface. Unfortunately play was briefly delayed in the mid afternoon while a few absolutely horrifically dressed hooligans paid no regards to the picket fence which separates the athletes from the dog walkers and usually, the dogs themselves. An alleged association to the home side saw umpires step in as their behaviour became less than social, before well known Alpha Sam Hole put the situation to bed with a quivering lip and a bellowing voice. True top bunk behaviour from the man and play was allowed to resume once the stray dogs disbanded.
• From here it really is the GRIFFIN LEA show for the second time in 2 rounds. Much to Griff’s confusion, The Cowboys have spent the last 6 month’s licking their wounds from the effects of going toe to toe with some sort of 1 man non giving up run scoring and wicket taking guy. The thin line between disdain and admiration has been danced across on many occasions. Long have we wanted our own moustachioed man’s man, the answer to all our post season dreams <3 Griff hung his boots for the day with 5-35 off 26 next to his name. What will the big ol George Costanza do next? Tune in next week to find out.
  
• After the adrenaline of the day has worn off, getting through our allotted 80 with less than 150 on the board and only 1 student scalp left to take, The Cowboys have primed themselves to dig in and take the spoils next week with another 6 points and extend the undefeated stretch at Fortress Grahams well beyond 12 months.

Go the Tah’s , up The Cowboys.

Michael Counsell

The 4^th grade boys rocked up to St Pauls oval pretty optimistic of a good day’s cricket. St Pauls oval offering short boundaries, fast outfield and the M4 to bat on. Unfortunately, we lost the toss and bowled. The lads toiled hard in the first session with good tight bowling from Seward and Wigney, with Seward collecting the first wicket. Brewster and Kerr came on first change with no luck. Uni started to get on top of the 4’s boys and headed into tea looking the favourites at 1-160. After an abysmal feed from the hosts the 4’s boys came out firing with Lachie Kerr picking up 3 wickets, Jake Osborne burgling 2, as well as 2 for Seward. They declared on 271 and proceeded to send us in with 4 overs to face before the day came to a close. Jake Osborne and Nick Cohen opened up with an annoying task of facing the last 24 balls of the day. Unfortunately, Osborne shnicked off followed by Kerr, the night watchmen, meaning manly ended the day on a rough looking 2-1 off 4 overs, chasing 273 to win. Notable performances; L.Kerr 3/43, J.Osborne 2/61, J.Seward 2/21, Cohen 1*

Jordy Brewster

The 5’s boys rocked up to the mighty Mike Pawley oval on Saturday. Another successful toss win by Rochie, and the decision was to send Sydney Uni in to bat. The first session was a very good one for the manly boys, it consisted of tight bowling from Ned Healy, Rochie and Toby Laughton who got us off to a good start as well as the breakthrough of the opening partnership which was taken by Dazza Buchanan. We had Sydney Uni 1-39 at the first drinks break. The plans were clear for after the first drinks break which was to restrict the runs and the wickets will follow. Dazza and Liam Dinan started us off after drinks, the pair followed on to continue the trend of the first session with tight lines with Dinan picking up a wicket. Melville showed what being consistent is all about with his 0-5 of 6 overs, which applied pressure onto the opposition which alternatively put the mighty 5’s boys in a very strong position coming into tea having Sydney Uni 2-79 after 39 overs. We knew that at the completion of the tea break that Sydney Uni would come out with the intent to score runs quickly as they had wickets in hand. Healy and Laughton commenced after the tea break, and just 4 overs into the the 3^rd session Healy made the breakthrough, this wicket created a domino effect for the Sydney Uni batting line up. Rochford and Morley into the attack produced a 7-wicket bowling partnership, Morley (3-50 after 15) and Rochford (4-51 after 20). This bowling duo capitalised on the solid foundations that we had formed in the first 2 sessions leaving Sydney Uni scrambling for runs. The manly boys bowled Sydney Uni out for 219 after 73 overs. A very good effort from Manly. This left 5 overs until stumps, openers James Buchanan and Jack Melchiore looked calm and comfortable closing the day out, leaving Manly 0-8 at stumps. All in all a very successful day out for the 5’s boys which leaves us in a very good position for day 2 next week.

Sam Barnett