Another massive weekend of cricket just gone as the Women came away with 2 from 4 semi final wins, Brewers and W3s securing grand final berths. Meanwhile, the Men kicked off the final round of their regular season with Day 1 of two-day fixtures against Penrith, M2s and M3s already collecting first innings honours.
We’ll start with W3s who booked a home grand-final after a topsy-turvy fixture against North Sydney at Fortress Balgowlah. Skipper Sallie Molyneux won the toss and elected to bat, Sienna James (16) making a strong start before Mia Waddington (35) led the way with a crucial innings. A few little contributions from the middle order however a late flurry of wickets saw the Tahs all out for 96. Dream start with the ball as the skipper picked up an early breakthrough followed by a run out to Sophie Beukers, UTS 2/0, before the visitors fought back with a couple of decent partnerships to be in control of the chase at 3/47. But once Jasmin Wilson picked up the big wicket of the set batter, the Tahs were on a roll, 3 wickets apiece to Molyneux and Sophia Chick as all bowlers did their job, North Sydney bowled out for 56.
Brewers also had a heart-stopping win away from home to lock in a grand-final berth. Facing Northern District at Asquith, the Tahs were asked to field first. The home side were off to a steady start, before Kaya Punter got the ball rolling with a run out. Charlotte Croll then stepped up to lead the way with the ball, taking 4/29 from the best part of 8 overs to stem the flow of runs. Important wickets also to Lily Crabbe and Punter, seeing ND’s restricted to 140. Croll (14) and Isabella Zovi (21) made a composed start to the run chase with a 33 run opening partnership, their momentum continued by Darcey Whiteley (15). But a nervy middle-order collapse saw the Tahs lose 3/0 to be 4/54 and in need of a partnership. Kaya Punter turning the game on its head with an excellent 39, supported strongly by Saoirse Ford (20) in a match-defining 55 run partnership. Eve Burke (18*) and skipper Sophie Lowry (5*) then calmly iced the game, Tahs winning by four wickets with 11 balls to spare in a tense fixture.
W1s unfortunately bowed out of the competition with defeat to a strong Sydney side at Drummoyne. Fielding first after losing the toss, the home side began strongly and were on top at 0/88, before quick wickets to Kristie Crawford and Eliza Henry shifted the momentum. Sydney continued though to build strong partnerships through the middle despite 4/38 from Ebony Hoskin and an economical spell from Chelsea McLerie, pushing their total to 7/230. The Tahs fought valiantly in the run chase, Lauren Kua (53) top scoring with a classy innings, supported by contributions from Shivani Mehta (21) and Alana Horsfall (31), but ultimately it was going to be a bridge too far, Sydney victorious by 64 runs.
Manly Oval hosted W2s semi-final against Gordon, the Tahs asked to field first. Gordon’s opening batter playing an extraordinary innings under pressure with 104, but this didn’t deter the fight from the Tahs throughout the middle overs after a strong start from the visitors. One wicket apiece to Molly Kidd, Erica Sharma, Lara Hughes, Mia Nel, Brooke Frew and Emily Horstead, as all bowlers were resilient to restrict Gordon to 8/213 after the visitors were 2/154 at one stage. Horstead (22) and Elizabeth Cambridge (25) began steadily in the run chase, before Gabby Dunnage (41) and Annabel Hutt (30) gave the Tahs a chance with a positive 46 run partnership. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough, and despite the best efforts of Nel (32*) and Laura Judson (11*) late, the Tahs fell 22 runs short.
Saturday’s overcast conditions were catalyst for quite a ridiculous day of cricket for M1s at Manly Oval. Sent into bat on a tricky wicket, starts from Matt Brewster (19) and Joel Davies (15) meant the game was in the balance at 3/52, with skipper Jay Lenton (44) holding the innings together. However, this is where it all turned, Penrith’s quicks taking control and knocking over the Tahs’ middle-lower order, despite Jay’s fighting knock, Manly all out for 105. With conditions still favourable for bowling, the Tahs wouldn’t back down, tight opening spells from Kaye and Seward allowing Bertie Foreman to wreak havoc with 4/24, backed up by crucial wickets to Davies and Michael Counsell. Stumps with the game in the balance, Penrith 6/74.
Another remarkable day of cricket transpired with M2s at Howell Oval. Skipper Andrew Jamieson winning the toss and electing to bowl, and then bowling the absolute house down with his relentless lines and lengths. Jamo with the simply superb figures of 6/10 from 14 overs. Matt Sunshine continued his excellent form with 3fa of his own, while Isaiah Vumbaca chipped in with a wicket himself. Penrith all out for 50 inside 36 overs, after being at one stage 7/15. Never judge a pitch until both teams have batted on it, and this was the case as the Tahs’ top order found it tough going, sitting nervously at 5/30. But the in-form Lachlan Barnsley (24*) and Vumbaca (10*) safely navigated the challenging conditions to see the Tahs to first innings points, 6/65 at stumps.
M3s have also already locked in first innings points after a dominant day at Atmosphere Park, aka LM Graham Reserve. Captain courageous Sam Hole sending Penrith into bat first, a decision justified by a superb opening spell between the two Josh’s, Lawson and Coyte, with four early breakthroughs between them, including a run out to the skipper himself. Penrith consolidated with a 43 run stand, but the Tahs’ bowlers wouldn’t let up, Fraser Noack and Evan Dunnachie dismissing the two set batters, before Lawson and George Cumming closed out the visitors’ innings on 110. With a positive frame of mind, skipper Hole (45*) and Lachlan Charles (74) were then clinical with a 123 run opening partnership, taking on the Penrith bowlers with some excellent stroke play to lead the Tahs to first innings points. Two late wickets seeing the score 2/125 at stumps.
The foot of the mountains welcomed M4s to Bill Ball Oval, Tahs skipper Jayden Kennedy winning the toss and electing to bat first on what was ultimately a rain-shortened day. Julian Osbourne was once again unstoppable early with two big breakthroughs to kick-start the Tahs’ bowling innings, Penrith 2/10, before a lengthy rain delay. Only 40 odd overs possible due to the rain, with the home side rebuilding after the break. Wickets later in the day to Kai Croft and Keelan Mendel having Penrith 4/82 at stumps from the available overs.
Another day affected by the weather was M5s at Mike Pawley Oval, with only 62 overs possible on Day 1. Tahs skipper Simon Waddington winning the toss and electing to bat first. It was a day of starts from a number of batters in the midst of intermittent rain delays. Preston Lee made a positive start with 27, but the Tahs were in some trouble at 3/39. This was until the skipper counter-attacked with 23, in a 46 run partnership with the veteran Jack “Cubby” Ritchie, who anchored the Tahs’ innings with a classy 42. Lachie Trewartha, playing as a bat this round, was solid with 29, combining with Cubby for a 50 run stand. A few quick wickets halted momentum, leaving Josh Wigney (25*) and Chris Halloran (25*) to see out the day with an unbeaten 47 run partnership, Tahs 7/189 at stumps.
Grand final week for the Women coming up, as W3s host St-George Sutherland at Fortress Balgowlah, while Brewers are on the road to take on Greater Hunter Coast, the Tahs looking to create history with what would be the first premiership in each of these grades. It will be an exciting, nerve-wracking weekend, but the Tahs will be ready for battle! Meanwhile, the Men resume last-round fixtures against Penrith on Day 2, in search of back-to-back Club Championships and crucial momentum heading into finals.
We can’t wait, up the Tahs!
