Welcome back to this week’s Tah Talk with Jay Lenton. This edition Jay gives an insight into Sunday’s Brewer Shield Grand Final, the weekends men’s Final, and the disappointing end to W1s campaign.
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BREWERS PREMIERSHIP CHARGE
We will be hoping in the car nice and early on Sunday with the South Coast the destination for the Brewer Shield Grand Final.
It is our second Grand Final in a row, and the girls will be hoping to make amends for last years defeat to the Greater Hunter Coast.
We take on the Southern Swans, a South Coast club slowly making their way in the NSW Premier Cricket scene.
In a hard fought contest, the Swans came out on-top in our only contest this season, but this will just spur the girls on even more.
Saoirse Ford will once again be leading the team full of our best up and coming talent.
Whether it’s Lily Crabbe or Charlotte Allen with the new ball, Keira Terrey up the top of the order, or Willa Pearson behind the stumps, the side have multiple threats that are primed and ready to go.
Coach Bill McLerie and his assortment of support staff have got them ready to be at their best at the right time of the year.
History is ready to be made.
Best of luck to the girls not only from myself but from the entire club.
HUNTING TROPHIES
With the regular season done and dusted, our attention now turns to finals cricket in the men’s.
Sadly, first grade finished 14th and will not be part of the play-offs.
But 2s, 3s, 4s and 5s will all be flying the Manly flag over the next few weeks.
Second grade take on Campbelltown at Raby Oval this weekend in the 3 v 4 qualifying final.
We have to win to assure ourselves a berth in the semi-finals, although a loss may not necessarily spell the end as long as other results go our way.
We’ve had a good run in 2s in recent times, picking up a couple of titles along the way, and are confident of again making a noise at the business end of the season. Our third grade side is also on the road – away to St George – and have to win to stay alive.
After finishing the regular season fifth, the boys have to win three straight games if they are to clinch the crown.
They certainly have the ability to do just that.
Fours and fives both finished minor premiers and are through to the following week’s semi-finals regardless of results this weekend.
But that doesn’t mean they will be taking the foot off the pedal, with home ground advantage and semi-final seedings to play for in the qualifying finals.
4s host Penrith at Manly Oval and 5s take on Fairfield-Liverpool at Graham Reserve.
Leave nothing in the tank, boys.
SEASON COMES TO DISAPPOINTING END
There was bitter disappointment in the female ranks when our first grade side failed to reach the grand final.
The girls went down by five wickets to St George-Sutherand at Manly Oval last Sunday, prematurely ending what had been a wonderful season.
After winning 14 of 18 games to claim the minor premiership by a point, we had high hopes of adding the premiership trophy to our collection.
Winning the toss and batting first against Saints, the Tahs made 7-195 from their 50 overs on the back of a terrific Anika Learoyd century.
Opening the batting, Anika scored 101 from just 120 balls before being stumped looking to add to her 12 boundaries.
But St George-Sutherland – underpinned by an undefeated Tahlia Wilson ton – produced a superb run chase to reel in Many’s total with eight balls to spare.
It was hard pill to swallow for skipper Lauren Kua and her team, but they can be rightly proud of their season.
