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Couple of long days in the field for the Tahs across the weekend, as the Men commenced two-day fixtures with Sydney, while the Women had mixed results across their fixtures.
Saturday fixtures
Men’s 1st Grade:
It was a road trip west for M1s to take on Sydney at their makeshift home ground, Blacktown. The home side winning the toss & electing to bat on what looked, and proved to be, an absolute highway. The Tahs toiled superbly throughout the whole day on a wicket that offered next to nothing, Evans with the first breakthrough. But Sydney continued to form patient partnerships in the heat of the day. Wickets to Stobo, Boulton & Kaye falling sporadically as Sydney’s opener compiled a very good 100. Dhillon settled into a long spell and bowled with great control to pick up 4fa, as the Tahs kept Sydney to 8/301 from 96 overs when stumps were called.
Men’s 2nd Grade:
A fresh wicket at Manly Oval greeted M2s as Sydney won the toss & elected to bat. Osbourne with a superb start breaking through in the opening over as Daly took his first of four catches in the slips, before Toohey settled in on a length to pick up a couple more poles. Dunnachie with the Tahs 4th heading into lunch, before Sydney consolidated with a hefty partnership as they took advantage of a few missed opportunities from the Tahs in the field. Lawson broke the main partnership as the Tahs toiled in the heat, but Sydney’s lower order also chipped in with some frustrating runs. The dismissal of the centurion by Searle, one more to Toohey & two late to Osbourne having Sydney 9/320 at stumps.
Men’s 3rd Grade:
The picturesque Birchgrove Oval hosted M3s as the Tahs won the toss & elected to bowl on a tacky wicket. A steady start from Sydney as the Tahs struggled to create any real chances, until Pryke entered the attack & turned the game. 3fa for the great man in quick succession, and one to Walker, turning the game back in the Tahs’ favour. Sydney fought back strongly after lunch with a decent partnership, but the Tahs battled away gutsily, the momentum again shifted as Dinan struck three times quickly, followed by another each to Walker & Cumming. A brief storm halted play late, before Sydney finished with a flurry to be 9/233 from 74 overs at the close of play.
Men’s 4th Grade:
Back home at Grahams, the Tahs were in the field first after losing the toss. Spearhead Counsell on a roll early dismissing both openers, as the Tahs started strongly with the ball. Two run outs, and further wickets each to Kerr, Counsell & Bishop Perrett having Sydney 7/97 & in strife. But to the visitors’ credit, a lower order revival made the Tahs toil for the final few wickets, eventually taken by skipper Parkinson, Seward & Counsell, the latter of whom ended with 4fa. Sydney all out 204. 11 overs for the Tahs’ top order to navigate, with Kennedy confronting the challenge it head on, counter-attacking his way to a brutal 53no off 39 balls, including clearing the pickets on the final ball of the day. Donnan also solid with 20no to see the Tahs rocketing along at stumps, 0/78 from 11.
Men’s 5th Grade:
Alfie Gatehouse’s day. That’s really the only appropriate way to summarise M5s Day 1 expedition to Ryde Oval. Skipper Waddington won the toss & elected to bat, as Gatehouse (202no) & Horstead started superbly in a 100+ run opening partnership. Both with great patience combined with positive intent to score, this momentum continued by Pike (27) & Coy (36) as the Tahs built towards a strong total. But it was Gatehouse who was the headline act, compiling a phenomenal unbeaten double hundred, and breaking the 5th Grade record in the process. Very deserved for a very harding working young player. The Tahs declared 6/368, before Graham struck late in the day to have Sydney 1/22 in reply.
Women’s 3rd Grade:
Fortress Balgowlah hosted W3s for their one-day fixture against Sydney Uni, as the Tahs won the toss & elected to bowl. The bowling effort was sensational across the board, as Wright & Searles began superbly with two wickets each in their opening spells. Gillett continued the momentum with two breakthroughs in an over, while Molyneux’s spinners were proving typically challenging to manage, as she picked up 3fa. A terrific team bowling performance, Ellis with the final wicket to see Sydney Uni all out for 42. Skipper James (25no) led the run chase with aplomb, as the Tahs romped to a dominant 9 wicket win in the 11th over.
Sunday fixtures
Poidevin Gray Shield:
The less said the better. Parramatta dominant but the Tahs were not up for the fight. Disappointing day, but a massive chance to respond on Sunday.
Women’s 1st Grade:
Another T20 double-header for W1s on Sunday, this time back home at Manly Oval. Bankstown sending the Tahs into bat first in the opening fixture of the day, but a frustrating innings ensued. Henry (44no) doing her best to anchor the innings as wickets tumbled at the other end, the only partnership of any substance with Carter (16), but after that, it was all downhill. Scraping to 8/82 from 20. Carter fought hard with the ball to pick up 2fa, but the Tahs were always plenty of runs short, as Bankstown passed the total just 2 down in the 13th over.
The afternoon fixture saw the Tahs win the toss & bowl against St-George Sutherland, whose openers proved tough to dislodge as they built a steady 66 run opening partnership. Crawford breaking the threatening partnership before striking again shortly after in an excellent 4 over spell. A wicket also to Hughes as the Tahs did well to restrict the Slayers to 3/124. After an early wicket in the run chase, Carter (29) & Adams (35) combined well for a 53 run partnership to give the Tahs a chance, but a middle order wobble had the game on tenterhooks through the middle. Needing 18 off the final 2 overs & 12 off the last, young K.Punter (33no) stepped up under pressure finishing 33* and seeing the game into a super over. Punter & Adams helping the Tahs post 14, before Crawford calmly kept the Slayers to just 7 for an excellent super over win.
Women’s 2nd Grade:
A long trip west to Bankstown as W2s were asked to field first after losing the toss. Bankstown were motoring along in the powerplay to be 60 without loss after 10 overs. But the Tahs fought back well , S.Ford with the original breakthrough, leading a fairly regular flow of wickets from then on. Just as partnerships looked set, the Tahs would break through, Terrey & Hatfield with one, and Sharma with two, while skipper Cambridge was the pick of the bowlers with 4fa, restricting Bankstown to 9/219 off 50. Cambridge (24) & Terrey began the chase positively, but the Tahs lost their way through the middle as scoreboard pressure built. However, a terrific innings from E.James (47) provided great resistance, while Ford, Hatfield & Kyme chipped in towards the end of the innings. It wasn’t enough ultimately, but the Tahs fought strongly to finish 8/160 in reply.
Brewer Shield:
Tahs skipper Addison won the toss & elected to bat at Bon Andrews against North Sydney. After the loss of an early wicket, Jayakody (72) & Addison (20) steadied the ship momentarily, but it was the 57 run partnership between Jayakody & Pike (33) that really set the platform for the Tahs innings. Jayakody the standout performer with a patient & composed 72, until a middle & lower order collapse saw the Tahs all out for 167. T.Ford struck early with the ball, before North Sydney fought back strongly to be on track in the run chase at 1/75. But a breakthrough to Jayakody & a run out shifted the momentum as the Tahs turned the screws. Two wickets to Pallister, one to Bland & another run out, as the game went down to the final over. Young gun Jayakody proving her all-round skills with the final two wickets to finish with 4fa & secure a 7 run Tahs win.
Upcoming fixtures:
Saturday sees the Men complete Day 2 of their fixtures against Sydney. PGs have a great opportunity to bounce back on Sunday as they take on Gordon. W3s are at Tunks on Saturday in a match up with North Sydney. Meanwhile, W1s conclude their T20 campaign away to Sydney Uni, while W2s & Brewers host Parramatta & Gordon respectively in one-day fixtures at Manly & Grahams.
Until then, up the Tahs!
