Monday News – 2013/14 Grand Final Edition – Tahs go down in Grand Finals but do the club proud

The 2013-14 season has finally come to a close. After a long 7 months of hard cricket, tough training and good times, it was a shame that our 4th and 5th grade Grand Final sides could not come away with the bacon. But that is life, and the boys will be back bigger and better next year.

We would like to congratulate Easts in 4th grade and Penrith in 5th grade on their premiership victories. Although they were both at our expense they were well deserved for both teams. Also a huge congratulations to Sydney University who won the 1st and 2nd grade premierships, and Northern Districts who won the 3rd grader premiership.

What a disappointing weekend it was. Our 4th grade team amassing 331 declared, only to find rain stopping them on their path to a premiership, with Easts getting to 2 for 72 with only 22 overs bowled on the 2nd day. Although the result was by no means guaranteed, the boys were very confident of bringing home the bacon if not for the rain.

Unfortunately the same couldn’t be said about our 5th grade side who were comprehensively beaten by a strong Penrith team. The strength all year was the batting, however it failed us when it was needed the most, being bowled out for 51 on the first morning of a Grand Final is never pleasing. But, once again, the boys will be back as it is quite a young side.

4 Pines Brewery Player of the Round – Ross Trewartha

An easy pick for this week with Ross Trewartha hitting a fantastic 143 in the Grand Final. Rossco has struggled a little this year but came back with a vengeance just when it mattered to lead the boys to a huge 1st innings total. His driving and his pulling were of the highest quality and showed that at the ripe old age of 50 he still has the ability and desire to succeed. Let’s hope we get a few more years out of the great man.

4th Grade – Manly 8 dec for 331 (R Trewartha 143, J Petersen 44, W Evans 35, R Hamman 32) drew with Easts 2 for 75

The only thing that was going to stop us from winning the premiership was the weather and following an average week we thought we were going to get lucky when Saturday appeared bright and sunny. Some clouds rolled in and turned it quite overcast for a fair part of the day but it didn’t matter what the climate was like as long as there was no rain. We won the toss and on a slightly soft wicket surprised the Easts captain by electing to bat. The forecast of scattered showers over the weekend was not going to sway my decision at the toss.

Max (12) and Rowan (32) got through the early overs before a rank full toss surprised Max and he spooned to cover. Ross (143) came to the crease and was pumped following his rendition of the AC/DC medley during warm ups. Rowan looked like tearing Easts apart before he played across one and was LBW. Sam (6) looked comfortable before his non-committal to a cover drive saw us 3/113 at lunch. Mat Cole (20) looked the goods, he spread the field following his aerial route but then surprised everybody by planting one down deep mid on’s throat. 4/130. Josh Petersen (42) then joined Ross and they patted the ball around and made things look easy as they compiled over a hundred in good time. Ross was back to his best, hitting ferocious cuts and pulls mostly along the carpet and when he went in the air it went for six. Seventeen fours and 3 sixes in an innings that rivalled anything Rowan put together during the season. Just before tea we lost 2 quick wickets with Josh one again unselfishly going the tonk and Dylan (0) popping back a return catch. At tea we were 6/250. Evans (35) and Ross added a further 50 before a rare mishit found Ross out for a memorable innings. Wilson (11no) and Evans then tapped it around before Evans was out going for quick runs. To Jacob’s frustration we then declared at 8/331 leaving Easts 13 overs.

Wilson once again took an early wicket via a great catch by Ross in the gully and Easts thick edged their way to 1/41 with the wicket offering plenty. The next day was exactly what we didn’t want. Rain along the coast sweeping in continuously. At the end of the day we put covers on/off 10 times so it was one of those days. To everybody’s credit we got 22 overs in where Evans picked up an LBW but the ball was very soft and slippery therefore the batting conditions weren’t too bad. A sunny day with a hard ball would have seen us comfortable winners but full credit to the well led Easts team who won the minor premiership and therefore the premiership. I don’t begrudge them a thing. We’ll get them next year.

Top effort boys and good luck to those venturing overseas – Sam, Brad and Billy amongst others I am sure.

Warren Evans – 4th Grade Captain 2013/14

5th grade – Manly 51 and 0 for 28 defeated by Penrith 217 (B Falconer 6 for 36)

Manly Oval played host to the 5th Grade GF, a just reward for a massive season from the boys.

A small but enthusiastic crowd of family, friends & supporters settled in to watch the Manly top order put on a show after Bumper won the toss.

The result of the game was then decided in the first hour of the match. Early wickets were followed by middle order wickets. In the blink of an eye we found ourselves 6 for 19, with Maso making 10 of those. Unbelievable! The Penrith bowlers were on fire. Give them credit, this was definitely the best attack we had faced all year. Will & Zac fought hard, both scoring 13, but after 28 overs, the Tah’s were bowled out for just 51.

Games had been won from this position before, so the boys hit MO ready to go. A 4 innings game, with a late Sunday afternoon victory was the goal set by Winga.

3 quick wickets to the Falcon gave everyone belief. A fantastic leg side stumping from Sam Kelly continued the momentum. The Penrith 5, 6 & 7 then batted well. They put on 130 to seize back the match. A few missed chances really hurt the cause. We should have been chasing around 120, batting late on day 1, but instead the Cats finished with 8 for 190 odd. Falcs was the standout and continued the next morning to claim his maiden 5 for (in any form of cricket). Penrith all out after about an hour on day 2 for 217, with Falcs claiming 6 for 36, Ping Carden (congrats on the NSW U17 selection Ping) 1, TK 1, Hamish 1, Bumper 1, Sam with 2 catches & 1 stumping.

A 20/20 batting mindset was called for to get the boys back in the contest.

Rain then ruined the rest of the day. Overs remaining kept being reduced, early lunch, early tea, but no cricket. Finally in a last ditch effort we took the field, with Billy & Maso opening the shoulders for 4 overs, scoring 28 before the rain came again, ending the game and giving Penrith a well deserved Premiership. They were the better team and can feel proud of their achievement. After game beers in the home sheds with Penrith and the umps was a really good way to finish off the season and ease the pain of disappointment.

I am a very proud captain of a very talented, hard working team. Bad luck boys, but feel very satisfied that we were playing a GF, when most of Sydney’s cricketers were not.

Many thanks to Winga, Dollars, Wrighty, Scotty, Ryan for 12th man duties and all the supporters over the weekend.

Go Manly. Go cricket.

Dave Farrell – 5th Grade Captain 2013/14