We’ll start this week with the finals fixtures from what was a massive weekend of cricket for the Tahs, with a PGs Grand Final, Women’s Semi Finals, and our Men’s grades going 5 from 5.
Poidevin Gray Shield Grand Final:
Bankstown Oval was the venue as the Tahs lost the toss & were sent into bat first. After a relatively tough start to be 2/40, Rogers (80) & skipper Davies (63) were patient to begin before lifting the tempo in an entertaining 116 run partnership that set the foundation for the Tahs. Both compiling impressive half centuries along the way. Foreman (38 off 29) & M.Kapoor (42 off 23) continued the momentum with some great ball striking towards the end of the innings, propelling the Tahs to a very strong total of 8/284 from 50. With the ball, Lawson took two massive wickets early, including that of Bankstown’s danger man. Bankstown’s skipper went on the counter attack but when he was dismissed by Foreman shortly after a wicket to Osbourne, the Tahs went on the charge. Two brilliant run outs, further wickets to Davies & Foreman, having Bankstown 9 down. A little resistance late, before the Tahs broke a 39 year premiership drought in PGs, the last wicket caught Davies, bowled Foreman. 173 run victory for the Tahs & some deservedly rapturous celebrations!
Brewer Shield Semi Final:
Looking to go one step closer to the premiership, Brewers skipper S.Ford won the toss at Chatswood Oval & elected to bat first. Terrey (72) & Brown (15) made a positive start but it was the 94 run partnership between Terrey & Pearson (39) that really was the backbone of the Tahs’ innings. Terrey’s innings of 72 particularly central to the competitive total, with lower order contributions from Pike & S.Punter helping the Tahs post 7/161. After a fast start by Gordon was broken by wickets to Kyme & Terrey, the Tahs’ bowling group built pressure through the middle overs to see regular wickets fall. Terrey proving her all round value with 3 important wickets, 2 to Searles, and 1 each to Kyme & Burke. Gordon restricted to all out 105 as the Tahs booked a spot in this week’s Grand Final.
Women’s 1st Grade Semi Final:
At Manly Oval, skipper Kua won the toss & chose to bat. After an early wicket, Learoyd (101) & Kua (24) rebuilt with a 59 run partnership before a middle order wobble saw the Tahs 5/88. That’s where the partnership between Learoyd & Bates (41), worth 88, resurrected the innings, as the former compiled a classy century to lead the Tahs to a competitive total of 7/195. St George-Sutherland started strongly in the chase, a wicket to Henry gave the Tahs some hope, but the visitors took full control with a match-winning innings from Tahlia Wilson. The Tahs fighting till the end with two late wickets to Hoskin, one to Crawford & a run out, but not enough as the visitors won by five wickets in the 49th over.
Women’s 3rd Grade Semi Final:
Travelling to Belmore Park to take on Parramatta, skipper Molyneux won the toss & elected to bat first. Unfortunately the Tahs’ batting innings didn’t go to plan, as a flurry of wickets had pressure building early. Despite some middle order resistance, Woods top scoring with 12, a strong bowling effort from Parramatta saw the Tahs bowled out for 43. The home side started strongly & looked in control, but the Tahs would fight right to the end. 3 wickets to Searles, and 2 each to McPhail & Woods making Parramatta fight for the final runs, as they ultimately passed the score 7 down in the 27th over.
Men’s 1st Grade:
After Campbelltown resumed 0/20 in reply to Manly’s 324, an early wicket to Kaye & run out to Davies had the Tahs off to the perfect Day 2 start. Lawson broke through for his maiden 1st Grade wicket with a jaffer hitting the top of off, before the visitors built a couple of decent partnerships. However, the Tahs’ consistent pressure led to regular breakthroughs, Davies taking 3 important wickets, Kaye 2fa, Foreman 1, before Beadle took the last to secure a 95 run victory.
Men’s 2nd Grade:
Chasing 192, the Tahs resumed 3/40 and were off to a wobbly start after an early morning wicket. Dhillon (18) & skipper Daly (23) consolidated briefly, but a few more quick wickets had things were looking dicey at 7/108. Thankfully, Vumbaca (45) & Z.Trewartha (41*) were there to save the day, as the two patiently rebuilt the Tahs’ innings before combining for a match-winning 88 run partnership as both showed great composure under pressure to lead the Tahs to victory.
Men’s 3rd Grade:
After a slow Day 1, the Tahs quickly wrapped up the Campbelltown innings on 205, the final three wickets courtesy of a run out to Cumming, and wickets to Counsell & Osbourne. A top order collapse had the run chase on very shaky ground at 6/65, but Cooper (62) & Cumming (39) resurrected the innings with a patient 92 run partnership to bring victory within sight. Another wobble saw the Tahs 9 down still requiring 40 to win & to secure a spot in finals. But L.Trewartha (28*) & Osbourne (14*) showed the Tahs’ will to win with a clutch last wicket partnership under pressure, calmly navigating the remaining runs with some smart batting, Trewartha with the winning runs with just 2 overs left in the day’s play, and propelling the Tahs into the quarter finals!
Men’s 4th Grade:
Day 2 proved to be just as chaotic as Day 1, Campbelltown resuming 3/9 in their second innings, still trailing by 28. The Tahs bowlers continued to be relentless & consistently challenge the Campbelltown batters, Pryke leading the way with his first 5fa for the club. Waddington & Hutchings also taking 2fa each, and Searle 1, to see Campbelltown all out 71. Needing 34 to win outright, Karlsson-Lacy (24*) & Wheeler (9*) went on the attack to see maximum points achieved inside 4 overs. The Tahs finishing 1st on the 4th Grade ladder.
Men’s 5th Grade:
Campbelltown started Day 2 strongly, progressing from their overnight score of 2/30 to have lost no further wickets at the first drinks break in reply to Manly’s 202. But Bill Martin broke the dangerous partnership & struck again shortly after, the catalyst for a regular flow of wickets from then on. The Tahs bowlers building consistent pressure & taking their chances, Walker & Donnan chiming in with 2fa each, and one to Watts, before Halloran took the final wicket to see Campbelltown all out for 115, seeing the Tahs finish atop the table in 5s.
Upcoming fixtures:
First of all, massive Grand Final weekend for Brewers as they travel south to Port Kembla to compete with the Southern Swans for the major trophy.
Meanwhile, more exciting cricket coming up this weekend as the Men move into the quarter finals with Saturday/Sunday fixtures as follows:
Men’s 2nd Grade vs Campbelltown-Camden @ Raby #1
Men’s 3rd Grade vs St George @ Harold Fraser Reserve
Men’s 4th Grade vs Penrith @ Manly Oval
Men’s 5th Grade vs Fairfield-Liverpool @ Graham Reserve
Until then, up the Tahs!
