Monday News – Semi Finals – Day 1 & 2

It was a strong and convincing weekend for the Waratahs, with 2s, 3s and 4s all showing some real fight and determination in their respective Semi Final clashes.

2nd grade posted a real statement at Manly Oval, chasing down the Ghosts’ 285 with ease. Javed and Scotty both scored amazing tonnes, combining for a record 4th wicket partnership of 216* to bring the boys home 3 down.

3s had a tough battle in beautiful batting conditions at Glen McGrath Oval, falling 100 short of Sutherland’s 396. The boys fought well the whole way, with special mention to Skipper Genie for yet another 5fa, and Pughy for a majestic 120.

4th Grade produced a dominant outright win at Sydney Uni 2, chasing down the students’ 2nd innings target of 150 for the loss of only 1 wicket. Stars were Eddie Burgess with a flamboyant tonne in the second dig, and the wicket machine Warren Evans, who picked up 11 poles for the match with a Michelle in each innings!

So this means both 2s and 4s progress through to the GF this weekend, with 2s taking on Sydney Uni at North Sydney Oval on Fri/Sat/Sun, and 4s due to meet at Waverley Oval on Sat/Sun. Let’s get as many players and supporters as possible down to both these games to cheer on the Manly boys and help pick up two more premierships!


4 Pines Brewery Player of the Week – Warren Evans
In a weekend of several champagne performances, we still couldn’t go past the ever reliable Warren Evans, as he single handedly dismantled the Sydney Uni batting line up in both innings to help 4th grade charge into the Grand Final. After holding in his breakfast in Friday’s fitness test and eventually passing with flying colours, Wazza went on to snare 5-35 in the first innings, which he then followed up with 6-41 in the second, finishing with match figures of 11-76! The Rock Dog clearly just loves taking wickets, and hopefully he can help 4s pick up a premiership this weekend.


Outstanding Performances
Javed Badyari – 106* (2nd Grade)
Scott Patterson – 129* (2nd Grade)
Ryan Bonnor – 3-32 (2nd Grade)
Craig Little – 5-51 off 22 (3rd Grade)
Mitchell Pugh – 120 (3rd Grade)
Reece Hodge – 61* (3rd Grade)
Mickey Visser – 3-80 (3rd Grade)
Warren Evans – 5-35 and 6-41 (11-76) (4th Grade)
Mickey Lindsay – 4-31 (4th Grade)
Eddie Burgess – 115* (4th Grade)


2nd Grade vs Campbeltown-Camden at Manly Oval
Second grade again returned to the great Manly Oval, the super soppers not being required for what seems like months we moved directly into the warm up. With the help of Lozza, the best touch field of all time was set up and despite an improved performance from the bottom 6, the top 6 took it out again. Billy’s right wing defence while stretching his hamstrings was questionable. Losing the toss we took to the field with Billy and the Flat opening up, Billy snaring the first trapping the batsmen in front and C town were 1/11. Billy then went off to check the plumbing in the bathroom so 12^th man Tommy Kaye came on. The flat went wicketless but bowled an economical 0/14 off 9 and Cooma was brought on from the southern end. The ghosts were forming a partnership until the coasty’s away swingers to the lefty gave digits a chance in the gully, Kumar claiming 1/30off 11. Mattoes bowled an unproductive spell at the northern end for 0/22 off 6, so Mclachlan took up the attack. He bowled an extremely unlucky spell with French cuts and nicks flying everywhere (was maso batting?), which somehow got a standing ovation from their fellow players in the stands. Marksy also putting a tough chance down didn’t help the Hoff’s mood or his heaving chest so he decided to get abusive. Nick eventually getting a wicket with a catch to the skipper at first slip- the batsmen claiming he edged it into the ground (no mate… ), the ghosts now 3/106 and Nickos finishing with 1/60 off 19 and we took lunch. At the resumption the spinners were brought on at both ends the Manly boys lifted for a big session in the field. We tied them down- restricting the runs in the ring while mattoes did push ups behind the rope to help his leg injury… the Doucheman and Dyl both bowling beautifully running through their middle order while one batsmen was batting well at the other end. Dyl finished with 2/55 off 25 (including 3 no balls?) and the skipper Soocheman taking 3/32 off 17, Manly well on top now having the ghosts 8/194. The pitch was one of the flattest of all time and almost resembling a Grahams deck, the groundsman actually claiming he took a chunk out of Sydney rd and made a drop-in pitch. Campbelltown then put on a bit of a 9^th wicket partnership the Flat getting a second spell after spending all day at fine leg flat out, Digits put a chance down at mid-on so the skipper immediately told him to warm up. The brainwave working almost immediately as catch went to the Dooche at midwicket then digits bowled a back of hand slower ball to just disturb the batsmen’s bails, digits taking 2/9 off 2.3 and C town finished all out for a below par 285.

With 4 overs to face Marks and Dooch opened up, unfortunately Marksy fell first ball to a dubious lbw decision so flat joined the skipper. The flat went about his usual business working the ball around getting himself going while having a few bat raising words to some bloke in gully. Dooch was batting well- flaying anything short to the boundary and working singles. But unfortunately the skipper fell in the last over of the day skying one over the moon straight back down to keeper who caught  it the next day (it went that high) so we were 2/22 overnight. The skipper was distraught for words in the sheds so flat gave us all some resounding words which echoed in everyone’s heads overnight.

We turned up the next day switched on knowing we had a big day of batting ahead of us. So we quietly knocked off the runs, everyone chipping in and no-one really doing anything outstanding… nah I’d better tell the story properly…

Greg Marks , fresh as a daisy from his big drive from the diggers car park to the side of the oval got on the sopper after some overnight showers. He was determined to hide his face after he may have checked out the new range of kia sorento’s the steyne had to offer after closing time. So Javed and Flat resumed play and started forming a good partnership both showing the rest of us how to do it by putting the bad ones away and working on good single rotations.

The flat was the first (and only) wicket to fall after some outstanding cricket shots, showing us all the first grade cricketer he is, but unfortunately he charged a wide one and was caught short by the keeper for a well made 41 and the manly boys were 3/78. So Pepperman joined Javed and put their 3^rd grade finals experience to good use and started one of the greatest demolitions of an attack anyone at Manly has ever seen. Javy was his usual self playing every ball on his merits and looking very determined while Scotty was grinding away hitting his usual cover drives and working off his pads. After Scotty copped a couple of the best sledges of all time “all you do is hit boundaries” and “all you’ve got is a cover drive” Scotty then promptly his 100 of his runs through boundaries and 90% through cover which soon put an end to the helpful comments. Javy was playing the innings of his life crashing balls everywhere, in particular his on drives having immense power. Javy also helped Scotty through his innings “one ball at a time” after he hit the wall on about 60 and showed why he his such class player and one of the best batting partners to have in the middle. The pair put on a record breaking 4^th wicket partnership for Manly 2^nd grade of an unbeaten 210 with Scotty getting 129* (152b, 22 (4’s), 2 (6’s)) and Javed claiming his maiden grade century making 106* (188b, 15 (4’s)). Both innings were an absolute pleasure to watch and is a credit to how hard both players have been working all year and to produce it in a semi final where it was most needed was simply outstanding. Both boys brought up their centuries in style both hitting boundaries, Javy going first, flicking of his pads and wore a grin ear to ear as he raised his bat to the supporters. Meanwhile Scotty hit a characteristic square drive and wielded his bat (almost throwing himself over and decapitating Javy as he nearly let his bat go) and acknowledged the crowd, Birdy’s camera in over-drive. Manly taking out the game 3/288 at tea time and celebrated all afternoon and into the night after a great turn out at the diggers from all the clubmen.

Well done to all the 2^nd grade boys, expertly led by the skipper Doochman, in particular the two centurions. Let’s hope we can reproduce it next week in the GF against Sydney Uni. Go manly! Thanks to all the fellow players, supporters and officials who turned up to support the boys.


3rd Grade vs Sutherland at Glen McGrath Oval
With an air of excitement, the main grade boarded the luxurious mini-bus from Manly Car and Truck Rentals early on Saturday morning. Manager/13th man Wrighty decided to forgoe the beverages for the weekend and volunteered to chaffeur all the boys down into the depths of Middle Earth. We eventually arrived in the Shire and were greeted by what appeared to be a batting paradise, with the deck looking flat and hard, and the outfield appearing quite rapido and likely to snake.

El Capitain Squid called incorrectly and we were asked to have a bowl, which we knew was going to be a hard task, so Genie emphasised the need to remain patient and build pressure throughout the day. Genie and Taylor opened up and created chances from the outset, with Tubs unlucky not to pick up the slashing opener who continually chipped balls just out of reach of the fieldsmen. Squid Lips cleaned up the other opener with the score on 28, and the introduction of Viss saw the the flashed trapped plum. Viss then picked up another LBW and the Manly boys had reaped rewards in tough bowling conditions to have the Sharks 3-68.

However, the home team regrouped on the road with the skipper and number 4 putting the bad ball away and getting great value for their shots. Young Sammy Gainsford (0-39 off 20) was doing a great job of holding up one end, and the skipper was eventually dismissed by an absolute screamer at short midwicket off Genie. The number four continued to bat well, with his team mates batting around him, and the Manly boys had to work harder and harder in search of a wicket. A few late wickets in the day saw Sutherland finish at 8-370 which didn’t reflect the general quality of bowling and fielding from the Tahs. The boys were all battered and bruised after being in the field for 115 overs in a day (must be some sort of a record?), but we had our heads held high in the much needed warm-down.

With Wrighty safely delivering us all to Manly and back overnight (despite nearly killing a few people with the trailor), we were amped to get the final two wickets and have a stick in the primed batting conditions. Following an extended warm-up and stretch (still not long enough for Rockley – I think he’s still on Quads) Viss skittled the number 10 first ball of the day, and then it took another 8 or so overs to grab the final wicket, with Genie disturbing the wood-work and picking up yet another 5fa (5-51 off 22). So Sutho were all out for 396 with 93 overs left in the day and were already talking about where they’d be playing next week.

Unfortunately our start didn’t do much to put a stop to this chat, as we stooped to 3-27 despite an early barrage from the crippled Maso (Digits). But Pughy and Deano looked in good touch and began to put a quality partnership together. The two put the bad ball away and looked solid as a rockly in defence, with Pughy in particular showing ominous signs for the opposition that began to clearly bring some doubt into their minds. Rockley departed for a solid 37, leaving Genie to come in and hit the ball crisply (almost as well as Pughy) and thoughts of something remarkable really became possible. Squidward was caught at midwicket, and Doctor Tay snicked one behind, but Reecie and Pugh took us through to tea at a good rate. Things were still possible, as we needed six an over for 35 overs, but we only had 4 wickets in the shed.

After another wonderful spread, Pughy and Hodge continued in great fashion, and Pughy bought up a majestic century when we needed it most. His timing and placement were immaculate, with shots square of the wicket on both sides of the wicket leaving everyone mesmerised. Unfortunately he departed for 120, and Reecie showed good fight as he continued his onslaught of slaps down the ground. But Barry-O and Virat Kohli fell victim to spin, and we were bowled out for a repsectable 288.

So we had to say goodbye to hopes of retaining the Mitchell Cup, but it was a remarkable season and a credit to such a youthful side, led by such a strong leader, to finish 3rd and give the premiership race such a good shot. Worth noticing the contributions of the Don to the main grade as well, as it’s rumoured that he’s played his last game for a while with his average on 99.94. Thanks to Genie for all his hardwork and guidance as skipper and to Wrighty for his tireless efforts to make the day easier for everyone involved. Also special mention to (J)onkers as 12thy, Dave for his help throughout the finals, and to BP and Gilly for their support. Best of luck to 2s and 4s this weekend, the 3s boys and hopefully the rest of the club will be there to support!

Gumms


4th Grade vs Sydney University at Sydney Uni 2
Turning up to Sydney Uni the boys were ready to go, we lost the toss and were asked to have a bowl on a deck that showed some assistance to the bowlers. Toiling hard the boys came to the first drinks with the score 2 for 40 and the teams even. After drinks the Manly wrecking ball that is our bowling attack tore through the Uni order taking 8 for 72, with the two senior players of the team Mick Lindsay and Warren Evans showing their experience. Mick finished with 4 for from 15 overs, while Waz finished with 5 for 35 from 15 overs, with Uni all out for 112 in the 45th over.

Heading into bat the boys worked hard to knock off the small total. With the wicket still offering some assistance to all bowlers the boys found it hard to get settled. Many of the batsmen making starts but no one could go on. By the end of the first day we had passed them 6 down, leaving our score 139 overnight.

Turning up day 2 the boys could not consolidate, only able to withstand 11 overs giving us a lead of 39. Uni came out all guns blazing and made it a good challenge for us as both a bowling and fielding group. Once again Waz walked away with a bag full with 6 for 41 from 10 overs, leaving him with match figures of 11 for 76 from 25 overs. Sam Alexander bowled well and picked up two key wickets (2 for 46). Uni left us with the equation of 164 from 55 overs.

Knowing that getting over to a good start was crucial the Burgess boys set off to weather the early onslaught, guiding the team no wickets down at tea with the score at 50. Shortly after tea the skipper departed and Geoff Isaacs came to the crease and continued the hard work. although the innings belonged to Ed who score 115* of the 164 runs needed. It was an innings of hard hitting, tearing apart the Uni bowling attack, with 16 fours and 4 sixes.

Congrats to everyone who was a part of the 4th grade squad on a great weekend of cricket, thanks to all the parents and supporters who came to show their support. One more to go boys let’s stay focused and walk away with the spoils.