A busy long weekend of cricket just gone for the Tahs, with strong performances across the board.
Men’s 1st Grade:
Back home at Manly Oval & looking to build some winning momentum, the Tahs chose to bowl first after skipper Jay Lenton won the toss. Tom Kaye with the perfect start, picking up an LBW with the third ball of the innings, before catching the outside edge soon after of Sydney’s captain to have the visitors 2/27. Steady 3rd & 4th wicket partnerships from Sydney broken by Matt Sunshine & Joel Davies, the game in the balance at 4/104. The visitors fought back with another decent partnership, but the Tahs stayed in the game as Andrew Boulton & Bertie Foreman struck in relatively quick succession to make it 6/199. Frustratingly though, a few chances went down & Sydney continued to build stubborn partnerships through the latter stages of the day. Another wicket each to Boulton & Kaye, and two more to Sunshine, seeing Sydney all out for 336 right on stumps.
Men’s 2nd Grade:
“Brynn Mendel’s day.”
At Drummoyne, M2s skipper Jordan Daly won the toss & elected to bat first, but the Tahs were in early strife as three wickets saw the pressure building at 3/18. But that was really where the fun began. As Henry Rogers (79) continued his good form at one end with a patient knock, Brynn Mendel (231) showed attack is sometimes the best form of defence, dispatching the Sydney bowlers to all parts of the ground in a brutal display of batting. Bringing up his half century off 32 balls, and century off 90 balls, but things were just getting started. Would be remiss not to mention Rogers’ classy knock of 79, combining with Mendel for a crucial 185 run partnership to lead the Tahs out of trouble. But it was Mendel’s day. He just continued to prosper, some belligerent ball striking on his way to a remarkable double century off 170 balls in one of the club’s most historic innings in recent memory. After 13 fours & an absurd 21 sixes (yes, 21), Mendel’s masterclass came to an end on 231 off 177 balls. Important contributions from Zach Trewartha (48) & Isaiah Vumbaca (33*) propelling the Tahs to a mammoth 7/418 off just 81 overs, when the declaration came. An eventful last 12 overs with the ball as injury struck & the Tahs went searching for a late breakthrough, but Sydney batted well to be 0/41 at stumps in reply.
Men’s 3rd Grade:
Skipper Sam Webber returned for M3s & won the toss at Grahams, electing to bat on what looked a typically even cricket wicket. The skipper (73) & Jack Melchiore (19) started the innings steadily with patience, before Lachlan Barnsley (31) took the attack to the Sydney bowlers with a counter-attacking innings. But it was the partnership between Webber & Reuben Kapoor (44) that really laid the foundation for the Tahs’ innings, as both combined patience with positive intent to put on 98. Momentum however shifted slightly as the Tahs lost a few relatively quick wickets, including that of Webber after a classy captain’s knock of 73. Evan Dunnachie (28) was positive as ever in an aggressive innings, while Josh Cooper (36) helped regain the ascendancy with an excellent innings to continue his consistent form. Lower order contributions from Lachlan Trewartha (17) & Michael Counsell (19) leading the Tahs to a strong first innings total of 293, when the final wicket fell in the penultimate over of the day’s play.
Men’s 4th Grade:
The picturesque Birchgrove Oval on the harbour foreshore hosted M4s as the Tahs were asked to bowl first after losing the toss. After a steady start from Sydney’s openers, George Cumming started proceedings with a superb direct hit run out at the non-strikers end from gully. Sydney consolidated but the bowling remained disciplined, leading to James Waddington picking up the Tahs’ 2nd, LBW, just before drinks after an economical spell. That’s where the Tahs began to tighten the screws, George picking up two big wickets in relatively quick succession, before a second run out right on the stroke of tea had Sydney 5/88. A decent partnership was built post tea, but the run rate remained low as the spinners built into a rhythm. Skipper Adam Parkinson with the Tahs’ 6th, a couple of slow frustrating partnerships followed but the Tahs’ bowlers kept the pressure on. George taking the final four wickets to finish with 6/53 from 25 outstanding overs, to see Sydney bowled out for 155. With a nervy 4 over period to bat, Dom Wheeler & Axel Karlsson-Lacy safely navigated to be 0/12 at stumps.
Men’s 5th Grade:
Skipper Simon Waddington won the toss at Mike Pawley Oval & elected for the Tahs to bat first, but pressure was on early as two wickets fell quickly to have the score 2/15. Jack Donnan (28) & Liam Dinan (128) consolidated with a patient partnership to steady the ship, but the game was well in the balance when the 3rd wicket fell at 61. Crucial time in the game, and that’s where Dinan really stepped up, forming strong partnerships with the middle order as he compiled a classy knock. Combining with Lukas Overhoff (34) for a 75 run partnership before putting on a further 96 with Toby Seward (36) as they all showed great patience initially before lifting the tempo. Dinan bringing up his maiden 100 for the club after an excellent innings, ultimately dismissed for 128 from 155 balls. Jordy Brewster (39* off 33) batted superbly in the latter stages of the day with some lovely boundary hitting, he & skipper Waddington (17*) propelling the Tahs’ score beyond 300 when the declaration came, 7/302. With 8 overs to bowl, the Tahs asked questions of Sydney’s openers but ultimately no luck late in the day, Sydney 0/21 at stumps.
Women’s 3rd Grade:
After yet another washout last week, W3s were desperate to get back on the park, hosting Gordon at Balgowlah Oval. Skipper Sallie Molyneux returned to the side, winning the toss & electing to bat first, and the Tahs really prospered in the batting innings. Gabby Dunnage (27 off 15) & Natalie Jonkers (31* off 22) getting the Tahs’ innings off to a flying start as both took the attack to the Gordon bowlers with some excellent batting & regular boundary hitting. Combining for a 42 run partnership inside the opening 5 overs. Nat Jonkers in particular setting the foundation for the Tahs with a great innings before the mandatory retirement. Saoirse Ford (21*) & Hannah McPhail (18) continuing the momentum with more positive batting to propel the Tahs to a strong total of 4/112 off 20 overs. Skipper Molyneux leading the way early on with the ball, taking two quick wickets before an Emily Hatfield run out & wicket to McPhail had the Tahs right in control with Gordon 4/29. A little partnership formed to prolong their innings, but the bowling & fielding pressure was consistent, Jasmin Wilson striking twice in quick succession, separated by the big wicket to Sophia Randall who dismissed the set batter. Some excellent wicket-keeping too from Sophie Beukers with a catch & two stumps, as Gordon were restricted to 7/73, meaning a 39 run victory for the Tahs.
Women’s 1st Grade:
Back into one-day mode, W1s returned to Manly Oval, skipper Lauren Kua winning the toss & electing for the Tahs to bat first. Ella McCaughan & Anika Learoyd making an excellent start to the Tahs’ innings, putting on 41 inside the first 7 overs. However, a quick flurry of wickets followed as a couple of unfortunate dismissals had the Tahs in desperate need of a partnership at 4/52. That’s where Eliza Henry (38) & Alana Horsfall (37) stepped up to the task, patiently rebuilding the Tahs’ innings with composed individual innings’ under pressure. The two combining for a crucial 81 run partnership to get things back on track, some excellent running between the wickets mixed with the occasional boundary. Important contributions too from Sam Bates (19) & Ebony Hoskin (20), before the last few wickets fell very quickly to see the Tahs bowled out for 198 in the 43rd over. Sydney Uni were off to a strong start in reply, before a run out to Kristie Crawford got the ball rolling, but the visitors again took control of the fixture with a strong 2nd wicket partnership. At 1/86, Sydney Uni looked to be right on top, but Georgia Adams quickly changed the game with two wickets in an over, and that was followed shortly after by a wicket to Chelsea McLerie, run out to Learoyd, and another breakthrough to Adams. In the space of a few overs, the match had shifted completely back in the Tahs’ favour. And from there, the pressure continued to be built by some disciplined bowling in the middle overs, Adams taking her 4th wicket, followed by two in quick succession to Henry, and a run out to Kua for the final wicket. Sydney Uni all out for 138 after some consistent Tahs’ bowling had been the catalyst for a collapse of 9/52. Bonus point victory for the Tahs.
Women’s 2nd Grade:
W2s made the long trip out to Raby Oval to take on Campbelltown-Camden, who won the toss & sent the Tahs into bat first. Tahs skipper Gabby Dunnage (30) & Lizzie Cambridge (38) making a patient start to steadily build the foundation for the Tahs’ innings with a 56 run opening partnership. Both compiling important innings in the process. A few relatively quick wickets halted the early momentum, and with the game in the balance at 3/82, Annabelle Croll (35) & Arabella Handley (19) were up to the task as they regained the ascendancy. The pair combining for a 60 run partnership as both showed good intent at the crease. However, a lower order wobble despite a quickfire innings from Mia Nel (17) saw the Tahs bowled out for 183 in the 47th over. Campbelltown-Camden in reply started steadily with a 34 run partnership, however, the bowling remained economical and meant wickets weren’t far away. Nel taking the first two wickets, both caught by Handley, before picking up a third shortly after. A run out followed by a 4th wicket to Nel, who finished with excellent figures of 4/16 from 10 overs. Brooke Frew taking the Tahs’ 6th, to have the home side 6/65, before they fought back strongly with a substantial middle order partnership. Despite the break between wickets, the run rate always remained in check, Annabel Kyme, Cambridge & Kaya Punter taking one wicket each late, as Campbelltown finished their 50 overs on 9/146, the Tahs victorious by 37 runs, making it 10 wins on the trot for W2s.
Women’s 1st Grade T20 Semi Final:
For the first time in the club’s history, W1s made it through to the finals of the T20 competition, taking on Sydney at Drummoyne Oval in the semi final. After losing the toss, the Tahs were asked to field first, but the response from the group was simply outstanding, particularly in the first 10 overs. Consistent, disciplined bowling early meant run rate pressure built quickly, Ebony Hoskin making the first breakthrough, followed shortly after by Chelsea McLerie who dismissed the danger batter. A brilliant direct hit run out from Lauren Kua, before McLerie picked up her 2nd wicket, and then one to skipper Georgia Adams, to have Sydney 5/27 after 10 overs. The home side consolidated with a couple of decent partnerships, but never got away from the Tahs, Sam Bates taking the Tahs’ 6th, before a few late boundaries saw Sydney post 6/89. The job was only half done though, and the batters needed to be on top their game in the run chase. But the experienced opening pair of Anika Learoyd (42*) & Ella McCaughan (41*) would ensure the run chase was completed without any hiccups. Both taking advantage of the powerplay overs with some great hitting, before combining great running between the wickets with regular boundaries to put on an unbeaten 92 run stand, leading the Tahs to a comprehensive 10 wicket win inside 13 overs. Booking a spot in the GF just an hour later against Campbelltown-Camden.
Women’s 1st Grade T20 Grand Final:
Grand Final time of the Women’s 1st Grade T20 competition, the Tahs once again asked to bowl first after losing the toss. But again the bowlers were up to the task early, Ebony Hoskin striking in the first over, before Campbelltown-Camden counter-attacked in the latter stages of the powerplay. Skipper Georgia Adams & Sam Bates struck twice in quick succession just as partnerships were building, to have the Tahs in a decent position with Campbelltown 3/40. However, a strong partnership through the middle overs from two of Campbelltown’s key batters halted the Tahs’ momentum and made the bowlers work hard for the next breakthrough. With Campbelltown taking control heading into the death overs, the Tahs needed to find a way to fight back, and did so late, Bates breaking the 85 run partnership before a run out to Learoyd helped the Tahs restrict Campbelltown’s total late, as they posted a strong 5/141. The stage was set for an exciting run chase with everything on the line, but unfortunately there was one major problem. Drummoyne’s floodlights weren’t operating, forcing the start of the second innings to be delayed. And in that time, a pretty ferocious storm swept across the ground, and with the lights still not functioning and heavy rain falling, any hope of a result was washed away. The umpires convened with the captains, match abandoned, followed by a lengthy discussion with CNSW officials. Outcome – the fixture will look to be replayed from scratch, but that is yet to be confirmed. We’ll have to wait & see.
Upcoming fixtures:
Saturday sees the Men continue their two-day fixtures against Sydney. W3s also in action with a T20 away at Bankstown.
Meanwhile, Sunday has W1s & W2s taking on Gordon, away at Chatswood & home at Manly Oval respectively. Brewers are back in action too, hosting Sydney Uni at Grahams.
Until then, up the Tahs.
