Men put in solid performance but rain frustrates women – Weekend Wrap 21st/22nd January 2023

First grade rocked up to old kings looking to continue their form in two day cricket. Formalities for Debutant Ned Hole started off the day, receiving his cap from teammate Matt Brewster which was only fitting as the two grew up playing junior rep cricket since the age of ten.

Losing the toss on a seemingly slow and sticky wicket, we were sent into bat. After the first over of tennis ball like bounce, we knew this would be a wicket of grinding which seemed to be the theme of the day.

Brewster and foster started off proceedings and but after losing Foster and Lenton early we were in a bit of trouble. Brewster batted beautifully for 33 before a bang-bang saw us three for 50. Beadle and O’Sullivan consolidated the innings taking us up to 110 before a mix up saw O’Sullivan run out. The next partnership set up our total with a mixture of early grind and eventual aggression. Izzy played a great role alongside AB. On 92 with one over to play, the sideline was anxious to see if AB would be stranded in the 90’s overnight. After a bomb and a single and two balls to spare mickey was smart enough to get AB on strike for the last ball. A quick (very quick) single Brought up an amazing three session hundred from the veteran. Almost 260 balls of tenacious grit and patience showed ABBA’s class and set us up with a total of 7/230.

Jacob O’Sullivan

The 2s boys turned up to manly looking to continue their good form from the previous week.

The boys were presented with a great cricket wicket that offered something for both bat and ball. Looking to use the strength of the bowling line up, Jamo sent Parramatta into bat. 2 early wickets from Jamo and T Kaye saw the manly boys right on top with runs were hard to get.

Going into lunch, manly were right on top with Michael Counsell taking a few quick ones along with the ever-crafty medium pacer S Hole helping himself to a wicket. Manly were looking to push on, However with the pitch flattening out late into the day, the batting team were able to play with ease. Some tight bowling with minimal chances late saw parramatta add to their score passing 280 8 down at the close of play.

Still plenty of cricket to be played next Saturday with the Manly boys looking to take the last few wickets and chase the runs.

Lachlan Charles

The boys rocked up to Merrylands oval with a clear mind after a disappointing result last week. With Sammy Hole moving up to 2s, Sam Webber took the reins.
Losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the skipper and Keelan built a good partnership with a 50 run stance before a good piece of fielding found the end of the captain. In came Dominic Wheeler, punishing the bad ball to the fence working along side Jake Hutching for a 100 run stance putting Manly into a dominant position.
Dom ended up on a solid 87 and Jake 64, and a good cameo from Ellis 36 to finish the innings on 304 runs. On to next week ready to defend a solid total.
Keelan Mendel

There were changes a’plenty in the 4s this week, with Roch in Jakarta, Parko took the reins of a new look 4th grade side. We welcomed back Matt Cranney after 12 years, had club debuts for Josh ‘Better’ Coyte and Matt Munro, and 4th XI debuts for Beau Kelley and Preston Lee.
After peeling back the covers on a classic looking Graham’s wicket, running through a very one-sided game of touch footy (old vs young never works) and a crisp warm up, Parko won the toss and elected to bat.
Coyte and Cranney were classy at the top and a partnership just shy of 100 ensured the Eels wouldn’t have an easy day out on the beaches.  Josh Coyte fell to the leg spinner for a well-made 41, and on return to the pavilion admitted he didn’t know the name of his partner despite batting with him for near-on 2 hours – maybe we should have invested in name tags?
Oscar Lucius fell soon after Coyte and brought Preston Lee to the crease on debut. Lee and Cranney worked the bowlers over, punishing the bad balls to the short boundary.  Battling cramps in his calves and hands, Cranney was dismissed for 71, looking nothing like a man who hadn’t played grade cricket for 12 years. You can’t buy experience, as they say. 
Parko began the push, until he was dubiously judged LBW, leaving Evan Dunnachie and Lee put the foot down on the Eels, with Dunnachie striking 4 boundaries and clearing the fence once, on his way to a brilliant knock of 49. 
The day was rounded out by a high tempo final 6 overs, with Oli Melville and Lee pushing the Eels in the field, turning 1s into 2s on their way to 21* and 49* respectively. Lee showed his maturity and patience compiling his 49* from 142 deliveries.  Finishing the day 6/265 leaves the Tahs in a strong position for day 2.

Jayden Kennedy