Welcome to this week’s edition of Tah Talk with Jay Lenton.
This week Jay begins with legend Andrew Jamieson calling time on his stellar career, Ollie Davies successful week and Shield season, as well as the return of Ollie and Jack Edwards to our M1s side.
As usual, Tah Talk is brought to you by Invest Blue. For all your financial planning needs visit them at www.investblue.com.au
JAMO CALLS TIME ON GREAT CAREER
When Andrew Jamieson collapsed in pain in the middle of Manly Oval three years ago, many thought that we’d seen the last of him in Manly colours.
Approaching the end of his career – and with a busy job and family life – no one would have blamed “Jamo” for calling it quits after rupturing his achilles.
But the veteran fast bowler is not one to give up easily and was determined to fight his way back from that devastating blow.
He ripped into the rehab, wanting to go out on his own terms.
And over the next few weeks, Jamo will do just that.
After eight seasons at Manly on top of six at Bankstown, the highly popular clubman will hang them up at the end of second grade’s finals campaign.
He told Tah Talk: “It was an extremely difficult decision, but the time is right.
“It’s time to put the family first and spend some quality time with Alice and the boys.
“We have plenty of good young quicks coming through and I can’t wait to see some of them get their chance in the higher grades.
“I’m extremely grateful to have played for two great clubs in Manly and Bankstown.”
He has been part of two premiership-winning teams, with last year’s victory the sweetest of the lot after coming back from that debilitating injury.
“I didn’t want my last memory to be lying in the middle of Manly Oval with a ruptured achilles,” he said.
And while he may be 36, Jamo is still getting the business done.
He’s our leading wicket-taker in seconds this season, claiming 38 wickets at an average of 11.61.
He’s also answered the call when asked to step up to 1s on various occasions.
Career-wise, he has taken 218 wickets for the club and around 300 or more all up.
But the best thing about Jamo is his love for the club and willingness to help out in any capacity.
Apart from being a mad Roosters fan, there is nothing not to like about him.
His absence will leave a big hole next year but I’m sure Jamo will have an off-field role to play for many years to come.
Well done on a great career, mate.
OLLIE TONS UP AGAIN
We at Manly have always know the ability Ollie Davies possesses.
Now the rest of the Australian cricket fraternity is seeing it for themselves,
Ollie posted his third Sheffield Shield century of the season as the Blues wrapped up their campaign against Queensland in Brisbane this week.
At the time of writing, our mate had scored 645 runs at a very healthy 71.66.
You’d like to assume he will be among the leading contenders for the Sheffield Shield player-the-year award.
It’s incredible to think Ollie only debuted for the Blues this time last year.
The way he goes about his batting, you’d swear he’d been at that level for years.
The great thing is he is now balancing his renowned power hitting with patience and time at the crease.
The runs still come at a good clip and he’s great to watch at full flight, but there’s now an added layer of surety.
We will be hearing a lot more about Ollie Davies in the very near future.
BIG NAMES RETURN
Ollie and Jack Edwards, who is also having a fine season for the Blues, are set to return to our first grade side for the finals.
That’s given us extra incentive to get over the top of Gordon in this weekend’s qualifying final at Manly Oval.
Potentially, there could be up to five players filtering back to our top two grades next weekend now the rep season is done and dusted.
Of course, the main focus is winning this weekend.
After an incredible regular season in which we finished top two in all five grades, we have been forced to play some “home” games away from Manly due to the lack of local grounds available for finals cricket.
Second (v St George) and fifth grade (v Syd Uni) will be at Coogee and Blacktown respectively.
1s are at home and 3s (v Parramatta) and 4s (v Bankstown) at Graham Reserve and Mike Pawley Oval respectively.
Let’s hope all five teams are still alive come Sunday night.
Go Tahs!
