Men’s 1st Grade:
Bowling first after losing the toss, Lenton’s men were desperate to restore some pride after a tough last few rounds. An even tussle to start with, the first two wickets to Foreman & Davies, but it was Kaye that broke the game open after lunch with 3 in quick succession, followed shortly after by 2 more to Foreman. Norths’ tail wagged to move past 200, Davies, Foster & Kaye with the final wickets, Norths all out for 233. The Tahs showed real positive intent in the remaining overs as Beadle (100*), Farrell (27) & Lenton (35) counter-attacked, leading the Tahs to stumps with the score 2/78.
Day 2 saw the Tahs take control as Beadle (100*) & J.Davies (20) put on a further 50 to take the score to 3/143 before a middle-order collapse swung the momentum. Tahs 8/173 & lots of work to do. But with the composure & class of Beadle crafting an incredible 100* and a superb contribution from Z.Trewartha (25), the Tahs fought back & took first innings points before declaring. An early breakthrough to Kaye & two to Foster had Norths in early strife, before Davies struck once & Foreman three times, Norths 7/80 and outright hopes alive. But some patient lower order batting took time out of the game, further wickets to Foreman & Dhillon not enough with Norths 9/156 in their second innings when the captains shook hands. The Tahs settling for first innings points.
Men’s 2nd Grade:
Skipper Daly won the toss & chose to bat, M.Brewster (34) off to a flyer with some aggressive batting. It was the innings of L.Coyte (56) though that really set the platform, compiling a well made half century. However, a mid innings wobble saw the score go from 2/88 to 6/141 and in need of some late overs partnerships. J.Coyte (50*) was the man who stepped up with some excellent hitting to post an unbeaten 50 off 43 balls, with support from Vumbaca (29) in an important partnership. Helping the Tahs reach 7/213 from 50. The game was well in the balance with Norths 3/71 in reply after two wickets to Lawson & one to Osbourne, but Norths soon took control with a substantial partnership. Wickets to J.Coyte & Dhillon kept hopes alive, until Lawson showed all his talent with a match-winning spell. 4 wickets in quick succession, including a triple wicket maiden, to finish with 6/31 off 10. Norths lower order took the game to the wire, but Rogers delivered the final breakthrough to secure a thrilling 10 run win.
Men’s 3rd Grade:
A forgettable Saturday for M3s after skipper Webber won the toss & elected to bat. After a few wickets relatively early, the Tahs fought back to be in a steady position at 3/73 as Melchiore (44) & Dunnachie (20) looked to be building a strong partnership. Unfortunately though, a drastic middle & lower order collapse meant the Tahs lost their way significantly, to be bowled out for a well below par 123, despite late resistance from Cooper (19). In reply, Norths were pretty dominant in the run chase, losing just the two wickets, both taken by Dunnachie. Tight spells from Counsell & Cumming not enough as Norths passed our total 2 down in the 30th over.
Men’s 4th Grade:
On a two-paced Grahams wicket, skipper Parkinson won the toss & chose to bat. Karlsson-Lacy (55) & Wheeler (17) made a steady start navigating a tricky new ball spell. The former particularly central to the Tahs’ innings with a patient half century. Dinan (23) lifting the tempo with a counter-attacking innings to make it 2/113, but another middle order stumble shifted the momentum. Late contributions from Croft (16) and a particularly crucial innings from Searle (28) helping the Tahs to a total of 188. Bishop Perrett struck in the first over, but Norths fought back momentarily. From there though, the Tahs bowlers were sensational. Relentless discipline from all bowlers seeing Norths collapse from 1/22 to all out 56, across 32.3 consistent overs. Waddington & Hutchings with one each, Parkinson two, but Croft was the star with exceptional figures of 5/8 from his 7.3 overs. Leading the Tahs to a bonus point victory & top position on the ladder.
Men’s 5th Grade:
At Tunks, skipper Dunlop won the toss & the Tahs were batting first, the skipper (91*) & Donnan (28) making a steady start to the Tahs’ innings with a 75 run opening partnership to set a positive foundation. K.Mendel (56) continued the early momentum with an excellent half century, combining with Dunlop for a further 96 runs. The skipper leading the way through the Tahs’ innings with a patient knock, compiling an unbeaten 91, with an important late contribution from Martin (14*) propelling the Tahs to 7/222. With the ball, Walker struck twice early, before Norths began to build a couple of steady partnerships. However, the Tahs’ bowlers worked well in unison to keep taking regular wickets throughout the innings, Walker, Donnan & Brewster finishing with 3 each, and one to Martin. Norths falling well short of the chase, bowled out for 163, Tahs victorious & moving into first place.
Women’s 3rd Grade:
Back at Fortress Balgowlah, skipper Molyneux won the toss & elected to bat first. Jonkers (24) continuing her recent form with a quickfire 24 off 13, while fellow opener James (37) compiled an excellent innings as the two combined for a 42 run opening stand. Beukers (34) backing up last week’s effort with another patient innings, as contributions through the middle from Addison & McPhail continued the Tahs’ momentum. 26no from Hough at the end helping the Tahs post a strong 6/167 from 40. In reply, Parramatta built a few steady partnerships as a few of their batters made starts. But the Tahs’ bowlers kept the run rate low throughout, wickets shared amongst Searles (2), Molyneux (2), Randall (2), and one each to James, McPhail & Wilson. Parramatta bowled out for 119 to see the Tahs victorious.
Women’s 1st Grade:
Skipper Kua won the toss & elected to bat on what looked a very good wicket, and proved to be just that. After the loss of an early wicket, it was McCaughan (140*) & Kua (64) that stepped up to the task with what turned out to be a match-winning partnership of 173. Kua patient throughout her half century with plenty of good running between the wickets, while McCaughan showed her class to post the highest individual score in Manly Women’s history. 140no with 15 boundaries, building her innings superbly before some brilliant power hitting in the latter overs to lead the Tahs to 4/237 from 50. The bowling effort started well as McLerie struck twice early, but Sydney fought back with a 109 run partnership that threatened to take the game away. But the Tahs held their nerve, L.Hughes with a match-changing spell of 4/15 off 10, supported by further wickets to Henry, Hoskin & McLerie, restricting Sydney to all out 180 and securing a bonus point win for the Tahs.
Women’s 2nd Grade:
Out to Mereweather travelled W2s to take on Greater Hunter Coast, who won the toss & sent the Tahs into bat first. C.Croll (20) & skipper Dunnage (22) making a positive start with a 46 run opening partnership before the Tahs lost their way a little. Middle order contributions from Handley (18) & K.Punter (20) helped resurrect the innings, but it was crucial lower order runs from Burke (22) & Kidd (24*) that really salvaged the innings to help the Tahs reach a competitive 178 when the final wicket fell. The bowling innings started brightly as Handley struck early, but GHC took control of the run chase with a counter-attacking partnership to move to 1/118. The Tahs’ bowlers kept at the task, Handley the pick of the bowlers with 3/13 off 8, wickets as well to Sharma & Punter, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough as GHC passed the total 6 down in the 37th over.
Brewer Shield:
Brewers made the trip to take on Blacktown at Joe Mac. Tahs skipper S.Ford won the toss & chose to bat, and the Tahs justified the decision well. Terrey (98*) & Pearson (25) beginning strongly with a 64 run opening partnership to set a solid platform. Ford (24) continuing the early momentum with a positive innings, along with a few little contributions from the middle order. But it was Terrey that was the standout, showing great patience & composure throughout the entirety of her innings to fall agonisingly short of what would’ve been a very well deserved hundred, ultimately finishing with 98no. Leading the Tahs to a competitive total of 5/181 from 50. In reply, Blacktown built some solid partnerships in their top order but economical bowling kept the Tahs well in the game. Two wickets to S.Punter & a couple of team run outs, but the game went right down to the final over. Debutant T.Ford holding her nerve under pressure with two wickets in the over, to see the Tahs victorious by 7 runs.
Upcoming fixtures:
Massive weekend of cricket coming up. The Men commence two-day fixtures against Bankstown, M1s, M3s & M5s at home. PGs travel to Waitara on Sunday for their exciting QF match-up with NDs.
Meanwhile, the Women continue in one-day mode. W1s & W3s playing host to Sydney & Penrith at Manly & Balgowlah respectively. W2s travel to Bankstown, and Brewers host North Sydney at Grahams.
Until then, up the Tahs.
