Welcome to another week’s addition of Tah Talk with Jay Lenton. This week Jay gives an insight into Sunday’s history making run chase, our Sydney Thunder girls aiming for history of their own, and the upcoming golf day.
Thanks again to Underground Cricket for partnering with this article each and every week. Great to have Damon, Jason and the team on-board. For all your cricket equipment needs visit them at www.undergroundcricket.com
A WIN FOR THE AGES
History will tell you not many sides successfully chase down scores of 400-plus.
Even at first class level, it’s a very rare feat.
So when Gordon racked up 9 (dec) for 449 against us on day one of our first grade clash at Manly Oval last Saturday, not many would have given us a hope in hell when the game resumed the next morning.
And when opener Joel Foster went early, our odds blew out just that little further. But then something remarkable unfolded.
Underpinned by a brilliant 158 from the ageless Ahillen Beadle, we went about reeling in the massive total.
An undefeated ton by Joel Davies (123*) at No.4 was supported by half-centuries to Bertie Foreman and yours truly – not to mention a nice Jacob O’Sullivan cameo – as we kept the foot down and kept the Gordon attack under pressure.
We brought up a remarkable victory in the 91st over, with five wickets in hand.
I have been involved in some great wins throughout my carer and this one is right up there.
It’s the biggest successful run chase in NSW Premier Cricket since a Brad Haddin-led Eastern Suburbs roped in Wests’ 466 in 2003/4 and the second biggest in the history of Sydney grade cricket.
A loss would have left us stranded in the bottom third of the competition, but we’re now seventh and playing with plenty of momentum and confidence. The win highlighted the belief we have in each other and as a team.
Setbacks don’t define you; comebacks do.
The excellence, experience and elegance of AB aided and abetted by the manipulation, magic and modern touches of JD – combined with the important roles played by those around – resulted is us achieving one of Premier Cricket’s finest feats.
It’s a day none of us involved will ever forget.
OUR THUNDER GIRLS ARE ROARING
The WBBL is deep into finals mode and four Manly girls are making hefty contributions to Sydney Thunder’s title chase.
Sam Bates is the second leading wicket-taker in the league with 19 scalps while Hannah Darlington, Georgia Adams, Anika Learoyd are key figures.
Thunder finished third and were thrust into a sudden death finals showdown with the Hurricanes on Wednesday, winning by six wickets with an over to spare at Drummoyne Oval.
Adams hit the winning runs to cap a magnificent outing for the Manly contingent.
Thunder now move into the grand final qualifier against Brisbane Heat on Friday.
The winner of that match takes on the Melbourne Renegades in Sunday’s final at the MCG.
Go get ’em, girls.
TEEING OFF FOR A GOOD CAUSE
We’ve got a number of players at the club who fancy themselves with the irons and they’ll get the chance to showcase their talents at next Friday’s (Dec 6) annual golf day.
Incredibly, all tickets to the golf part of the day have been sold out well in advance.
But you can still be part of the day, with tickets to the post-golf lunch still available.
It’s always a great day at Long Reef so make sure you get amongst it.
All proceeds will go towards the exciting new indoor centre we’re building at Cromer.
Just a reminder to all golfers: it’s a 6.30am arrival for breakfast followed by a 7.30am tee-off.
See you there.
