Monday News – Rd 1 vs Paramatta – Day 1

The mighty Tahs got their 2011/12 campaign off to a solid start on Saturday, with 2s, 3s and 4s in the balance, and both 1s and 5s in commanding positions.


1st Grade Round 1 vs Parramatta

Captain Timmy Cruickshank won the toss and decided to bat first on what appeared to be a newly laid, flat, dry track.

The Parramatta opening attack bowled steady and had Manly 3-39 after the first 18 overs.

Cameron Merchant and Luke Edgell then combined in a fourth wicket partnership of 89 runs from 137 balls which enthralled the crowd with their delightful shots and stoic defence.  Cameron scored 61 runs (126m 88b 1/6 10/4 ) and Luke scored 48 runs (154m 110b 9/4 ) and batting at No 9 James Munting  celebrating his birthday compiled a delightful 26 not out from 37 balls and dispatched 4 boundaries.

These three were the main contributors to Manly’s score of 190 from 61.5 overs.

Ben Martin and James Munting opened the Manly bowling attack.  Ben bowled with good pace and  a good length and was rewarded in his 4^th over when he captured two vital wickets to have Parramatta at 2/15 after 7 overs.  After his four overs James was replaced at the Northern end by Corrie Boss who quickly found his rhythm and gained the vital wicket of Shawn Abbott from the last delivery of his 4^th over for 17 runs.  The next over  from James Munting from the Southern end, replacing Ben Martin,  captured the wicket of opener Brenton Cherry who was caught behind by keeper Nick Watkins for l5.

First ball of the next over from “Bossy” captured the wicket of the Parramatta keeper Michael Stretton.  The “Eels” lost three wickets in as many overs and a short time later with bad light and drizzle causing the completion of play Parramatta finished at 5/50.

This match represents the 100^th game between these two great clubs and to celebrate this occasion the “Gould Trophy” has been introduced.  This trophy represents the contribution to the two clubs from Ernie, Wes and Langdon Gould.  To celebrate the event the trophy will be presented to the winning Captain at the completion of the match.

Bring on next Saturday.

The Observer


2nd Grade Round 1 vs Parramatta

Andrew (Billy) Lindsay won the toss and chose to field on a wicket that looked like it would do a bit, and in overcast conditions where the ball would move a bit.

Matt Mee opened the bowling with a wicket maiden and the second grade season was well and truly on the road. Matt bowled tightly throughout the day securing 2 wickets for 53 runs off 15 overs. He also bowled sharply with one particular bouncer coming through very quickly.

Andrew/Billy opened at the other end having overcome a shoulder injury which put him out for 1 or 2 seasons. You’d not have known as he kept a very tight line making the batsmen frequently play and miss to the frustration of those behind the stumps. Andrew was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 wickets off his 15 overs for just 16 runs.

Parramatta quickly went 2 down for not a lot but then put on a partnership that got them out of trouble. At 70 odd for 2 they were turning the game when Matt Alexander was brought into the attack. Matt’s first over, up the hill, went for 12 and Parramatta looked to be in the ascendancy until Matt, not liking the climb, changed ends and promptly took 2 quick wickets just before lunch, sending them in at around 100 for four. Matt ended the day with a very respectable 3 for 30 off his 15 overs.

Visser and Aiden Baker supported the pace attack well and were unlucky not to bag a few wickets. Dylan Marshall bowled a good spell of spin after lunch and Javed snapped up a catch to give Dylan his solitary wicket.

Parramatta all out for 218 in 72 overs, possibly 20 more runs than they deserved through a spirited rear guard action.

Manly went in as the skies darkened and rain looked increasingly likely. Both openers went early to some good bowling in poor light. Manly ended on 2 for 32 with rain and bad light stopping play. It’s evenly poised and still anyone’s game!


3rd Grade Round 1 vs Parramatta

On the back of last years premiership, the Main Grade turned up to Atmosphere Park looking to assert our dominance in the competition from ball one. Genie won the toss and sent Parra in on what was a suprisingly green deck for Grahams, however it was still very hard, ensuring good bounce and carry through to Rabs all day.

The bowlers got off to a good start, with both Genie (2-44) and Mickey Edwards (2-38) hitting their areas early, and they were aptly rewarded with a few early wickets. Digits (3-49), McLachlan and Ryan Farrell then all bowled mature spells to leave us in a commanding position at tea, with Parra 4 for 80 odd off 41, allowing us to tuck into the first of many delicious spreads.

The opposition came out in a much more attacking frame of mind after the break, however to our credit, the bowlers continued to do their jobs and they were well supported in the field, with Eddy taking an absolute screamer at gully, and Shaggas producing a ridiculous one handed/one stump run out.

At the 60 odd over mark, they were struggling at about 7-140, and the Manly boys had their tails up with Walter leading the energy in the field. But somehow we managed to let things get away from us, as Parra’s counter-attack led to mistakes with the ball as well as in the field. It goes to show how important it is late in the day to never let the energy or pressure drop in the field, and this will be a crucial lesson if we are going to realise our potential in this competition. We eventually bowled Parra out for 235 in the 75th, with a special mention to the Hoff who bowled extremely well with no luck all day.

Gummer and Mason then successfully negotiated the remaining two overs under the moon and stars. As long as the batsman apply themselves and value their wicket, we shouldn’t have too many dramas chasing 235 on Grahams and picking up the 6 points.

Gumms


4th Grade Round 1 vs Parramatta

With good preparation behind us, fourth grade was ready to go. Unlike previous fourth grade sides this season it is made up of many young players with most coming from the successful fifth grade side from the previous season. With this new youth came a different approach and enthusiasm and this started with the warm up and proceeded throughout the game.

Winning the toss Manly decided to bat first. Getting off to shaky start we found ourselves 3 for 29. Some grit and determination was shown maybe young debutant Sam Hole who really impressed in his first innings of grade cricket with a well made 38 in a partnership of 93 with Max Burgess (44). This enabled Manly to head into tea at 3 for 122 and established a platform for ourselves in the afternoon session.

After tea we lost 4 for 4 to find ourselves 7 for 126. Some smart batting from Warren Evans and Tom Kaye got a partnership of 40 and brought the score to 166 before the loss of Wazza. Tom continued his smart batting with Luke Grant with them bringing the score to 8 for 193 at stumps. Tom showed maturity and a good head space in his innings of 43* and it was the best constructed innings I have seen from Tom, some good positive signs for the season.

Parramatta bowled well all day and restricted scoring, to our credit we were able to stick it out and bat a full day, something fourth grade could not achieve last season. This holds us in a good position for next week and an exciting day of cricket.

Burgo


5th Grade Round 1 vs Parramatta

5th Grade got the season started with a solid performance against Parra. Day

1 saw the Tah’s batting first on a decent deck, with the threat of rain in the air. Losing the toss, we were sent in. Billy Darcy and Jacob Graham strode out for their debut knocks in grade, 2 of 8 players who would do the same.

Our batsmen were determined to get their heads down after a great talk at training and a desire to send the Westies back along the M4, with nothing to show. After losing Jacob (1), Liam Tully (0) and Cody Bruce (2) we found ourselves at 3 for 20 and in a bit of trouble. Sam Gainsford (15) steadied the ship, batting well for an hour to push the Tah’s to 4 for 53. Stu Wiblin (0) came and went quickly, as the skipper joined Billy who had seen all the carnage from the other end. A near 50 run partnership developed to get the Tah’s on the road to respectability. Billy was finally out off the last ball before tea, for a gutsy, chanceless, 45, batting for almost 3 hours. Great work Billy and a fine example of concentration against a decent bowling attack. The skipper (54) found some support from Will Jonkers (12) and Matt Cole (22) late in the innings to post a total of 171 all out. Probably 50 runs short of where we should have been, but we have em and they have to get em.

Will Jonkers (1-11)and Cam McCallum-Toomey (1-23) opened up the Tah’s attack in reply, causing problems in the air and off the deck, after they settled on a line and length. A run out started things off, after great work in the field from Billy, Sam G and Sam Alexander. Will then grabbed a wicket, closely followed by Cam. 3 down and we had a sniff. Jacob Graham (2-25) followed up the openers, bowling 1 and getting their danger man to hole out to Liam Tully at cover, who held a sharp chance. Jacob was the pick of the pace attack and Sam Alexander had the batsmen in all sorts in his 4 over spell.

At 5 for 96 (26 overs) the game is there to win by either side. A good week of training and more of the same in the field next week, makes me confident that the mighty 5’s can kick off 2011/12 with a win.

Dave