The post Christmas section of the 2017/18 season begins this coming Saturday with our important Round 9 clash against Western Suburbs.
A one day match, the Tahs will be looking to continue their push for top billing in the Club Championships with a strong showing against the Magpies.
As most clubs are no doubt experiencing, we have a huge amount of unavailabilities due to holidays. However, injury, suspension and university commitments have further impacted our teams for the coming round.
Our fast bowling in the top 2 grades has particularly been decimated with Taylor Beatty unavailable for the rest of the season due to University commitment, and injuries to Nick McLachlan and Matt Alexander (playing 5th grade as a batsmen) further stretching our depth.
However, all this does though is provide great opportunities for our talented youngsters. There is no better example than 2 of our young guns, fresh from returning from the Australian U19 carnival, making their first grade debut for the Waratahs.
Joel Foster and Ollie Davies have both had outstanding seasons and fully deserve their debuts in 1st grade. It’s fantastic to see our young players doing so well and getting an opportunity in the top grade at such a young age. However we are sure they are up for the challenge and will do a great job.
We also have a 5th grade side full of future stars. With the large amount of unavailabilities, 5th grade is basically our Green Shield side, and as such we have a few debutants. Luke Morley, Mark Dignam and Callum McKay are all making their grade debuts for the Waratahs.
We also have some captaincy changes, Jack Ritchie has decided to step down from 2nd grade to just focus on his batting, and Sam Gainsford has been confirmed as his replacement for the rest of the season. 5th grade also see’s a new leader with regular captain Geoff Isaacs still not available through injury. As such, Dylan Marshall gets his chance to lead the youngsters.
Good luck to all teams.
First Grade v Wests, Manly Oval
Saturday 8th January
Play commences: 10:00am
- Jay Lenton (+)
- Ahillen Beadle
- Adam Crosthwaite
- Cameron Merchant (c)
- Ryan Farrell
- Ollie Davies
- Tom Kaye
- Joel Foster
- Jake Carden
- Joe Graham
- Michael Visser
Second Grade v Wests, Pratten Park
Saturday 8th January
Play commences: 10:00am
- Aidan Bariol (+)
- Jarrod Rawlings
- Logan Weston
- Jack Ritchie
- Sam Gainsford (c)
- Will Akhurst
- Ash Virdi
- Ryan Bishop-Perrett
- Josh Wigney
- Matt White
- Andrew Jamieson
Third Grade v Wests, Grahams Reserve
Saturday 8th January
Play commences: 10:00am
- Sam Hole (c)
- Nick Cohen
- Sam Webber (+)
- Luke Edgell
- Dom Wheeler
- Jacob O’Sullivan
- Andrew Hicks
- Isaiah Vumbaca
- Glyn Archer
- Alex Bain
- Brad Wilson
Fourth Grade v Wests, Blick Oval
Saturday 8th January
Play commences: 10:00am
- Bryn Mendell
- Adam Gummer (c)
- Matt Brewster (+)
- James Crombie
- Jack Pickering
- Zach Trewartha
- Aidan Bennett
- Ben Falconer
- Michael Counsell
- Jack Hobson
- Jarrod Ninnes
Fifth Grade v Wests, Mike Pawley Oval
Saturday 8th January
Play commences: 10:00am
- Oscar Luscius (+)
- Luke Morley
- Hilton Ovenden
- Joel Davies
- Mark Dignam
- Matt Alexander
- Dylan Marshall (c)
- Callum McKay
- Lachlan Molyneux
- Jordan Brewster
- Josh Seward
Unavailable
- Chris Green (BBL)
- Mickey Edwards (BBL)
- Steve O’Keefe (BBL)
- James Crosthwaite (unavailable)
- Jack Edwards (Aus U19s)
- Taylor Beatty (University Commitments)
- Nick McLachlan (injured)
- Billy D’Arcy (wedding)
- Jordan Daly (University Commitments)
- Javed Badyari (overseas)
- Ben Watts (overseas)
- Jarrod Walter (overseas)
- Dan McKenna (overseas)
- Jacob Graham (overseas)
- Sam Alexander (unavailable)
- Geoff Isaacs (injured)
- Luca Franks (overseas)
