Welcome back to this week’s Tah Talk with Jay Lenton. This edition Jay gives a big thank you to the work of Phil Edwards, the success of M5s to date and the potential for our brothers at MIG to do something special this season.
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
BIG SHOES TO PHIL
I’ve often written about the contributions our fantastic bunch of volunteers have made to keep this great club ticking over.
And right up there at the top of the list is Phill Edwards and his ever-supportive wife Sarah.
Not only did they produce two of our finest players – Mickey and Jack – but they have put in countless hours in myriad roles over man, many years.
Phill has been spearhead and manager of our much-envied community program – Manly for Manly – for the past seven years.
The program encourages players to take part in events that benefit the community outside of the club.
For instance, we put together a huge team of players for the annual Beach to Beach run, raising funds for charity partners the Burdekin Society and donating any prizemoney won to Mick Pawley’s Happy Days foundation.
Movember is also a big deal at Manly, as is the fundraising work the women’s program do for National Breast Cancer Foundation.
In amongst all that, players are regularly giving back to junior clubs through coaching clinics, presentation nights and myriad other volunteer initiatives.
Phill is justifiably proud of the giant steps the Manly for Manly program has made over the years and is right when he says it’s a two-way street.
As he told me: “Most people participating in a voluntary community activity for a worthy cause will feel a great sense of achievement and camaraderie and pride.
“It’s important that young people have the opportunity to experience this – not just because it feels good, but because it fosters a spirit of community and volunteering that will hopefully become important to them in later life.”
Now, after years of service to both club and community, the selfless Phill and Sarah are doing something for themselves.
They are embarking on a caravanning trip around Australia after retiring from work.
The very capable Jayden Kennedy will take on the Manly for Manly manager’s role and will do a great job.
We wish the Edwards all the best on their journey – or “marital harmony test” as Phill jokingly calls it – and look forward to hearing tales from their travels.
On behalf of everyone at the Waratahs, thank-you both for everything you have done for the club.
We are forever in your debt.
FIFTHS FIGHTING ON
They reckon defending a comp is harder than winning one.
The hunter become the hunted and everyone wants to take you down.
Our fifth grade side has had to deal with that all season and have been more than up to the challenge.
Their victory last weekend took them to the top of the table after leaders Parramatta lost.
It’s the first time we’ve been in the number one slot all year.
It’s been a really good effort so far from skipper Waddo and his team in backing up what they achieved last season.
Waddo, Brewster, Overhoff, Dunlop, Dinan and others have produced throughout the year in all-round team performance.
We hope the boys are again lifting some silverware in a few weeks’ time.
GRAY LOSS HAS SILVER LINING
Our brothers at Warringah went close but again finished bridesmaids in their pursuit of the elusive (under-24) Frank Gray Shield.
Sending Lane Cove in on a beautiful day at Weldon Oval last Sunday, the Men in Green (MIG) were left chasing 250 after sending down their 50 overs.
Before the biggest crowd seen at Weldon for a long time, Warringah chipped away at the target without putting together the big partnership that may have dragged them across the line.
They were bowled out for 218, meaning five recent GF appearances have yielded just the one victory.
The good news is most of the team is eligible to play again next year and there is enough talent there to give the title a real shake in 2025/26.
After sorrows were drowned, the focus turned to capturing a prestigious club championship.
With just two rounds to go, the MIG are 42 points ahead of perennial CC winners Burwood Briars after winning all five grades last weekend.
Burwood is the undisputed king of Shires cricket, having won the last 12 club champs.
But with Warringah having its nose in front – and the Briars hit with a last round bye – the trophy could be headed to the northern beaches for the first time since 1997/98.
Go after it, MIG.
