The Manly Warringah TravelSIM Waratahs backed up from an outstanding start to the season against the students to be well placed across the grades against Blacktown. 1’s were outstanding with the ball with Nick McLachlan the star taking 5 wickets. 2nd Grade worked hard to make a competitive score and were once again led by Sam Webber who made another fine half century. 3’s and 4’s toiled hard to restrict Blacktown to 5/236 and 188 respectively while 5th grade were once again dominant with the bat posting 7/291, Joe Graham the star at Mick Pawley Oval scoring 89 at the top of the order.
On Sunday, 1st Grade kicked off their T/20 campaign in style at a stunning Manly Oval. Coming up against both Sydney and North Sydney, their were contributions throughout both wins with both bat and ball, however it was Crosthwaite’s scintillating 83 in the opening match which was the highlight of the day. The Tahs have sent a strong message to the rest of the competition about what this side is capable of and hopefully this is a sign for better things to come.
Overall a strong weekend for the TravelSIM Waratahs who will be looking to seal the points next Saturday once again against Blacktown, Go Manly!
4 Pines P
layer of the Week – Nick McLachlan
layer of the Week – Nick McLachlanThis weeks 4 Pines Player of the Week goes to 1st Grade fast bowler Nick “Nicko’s/Bad Chat/The Salad” McLachlan for his superb 5 wicket haul on Saturday against Blacktown and pair of 2fa’s on Sunday in the T/20 Cup. Nick was the main man on Saturday going through the heart of the Blacktown batting order. Nicko’s has become a vital member of our 1st grade side over the last couple of years and has continued to shine even with the arrival of multiple first-class bowlers to the club. A local junior, Nicko’s will hope to continue leading the attack throughout this seasons camapign and in the years to come, and we look forward to seeing him continue to star for the Tahs.
1st Grade – Manly 1/89 (L. Edgell 41*) vs Blacktown 191 (N. McLachlan 5/37, N. Bills 2/40, J. Munting 2/46)
After a great first round win against the reigning premiers Sydney Uni, the Manly boys were looking to continue their winning form in round two against the boys from Blacktown. Captain Cruickshank lost the toss on what looked to be another cracking Manly deck.
Blacktown got off to a quick fire start with a few “looseners” from the opening bowlers going to the fence. However the momentum soon turned with big quick Nic Bills (2/40 off 15) destroying the stumps of opener Hinds and James Munting (2/46 off 12) taking two wickets in three balls to have Blacktown 3/43. One more wicket fell before lunch to have Blacktown at 4/90 marking a solid first session for the waratahs.
It was after lunch that turned the game completely into Manly’s favour. Nick McLachlan entered back into the attack after having taken the wicket before lunch. Nick bowled an exceptional spell of skilful left arm seam bowling taking two LBW’s in two balls, followed by a caught behind to Jay Lenton and capping his magnificent figures of 5/37 off 17 by hitting the off stump of Daya Singh. Blacktown managed a total of 190 helped by a well-made 100 from opener Simon Keen who was eventually caught by Sub fielder Hamish Ferguson low down at cover off the bowling of Luke Diserens (1/34 off 10).
Chasing 192 for first innings points Justin Cox and Luke Edgell opened the batting in the absence of Cameron Merchant. The world’s strongest opening partnership got off to a flying start until Cox (26) chopped on to a ball that kept low. Luke Edgell continued his domination of the Blacktown bowling attack to end the day 41 not out with Adam Crosthwaite the other not out batsman on 21. Manly finished the day 1/89 in reply to Blacktown’s 191.
Jay
“Nicko’s rocking out after his 5 wicket haul”
1st Grade T/20 Cup – Manly 3/202 (A. Crosthwaite 83, A. Beadle 48*, C. Merchant 34) def Sydney 6/158 (N. McLachlan 2/31) and Manly 7/160 (T. Cruickshank 66, A. Crosthwaite 39, J. Lenton 32) def North Sydney 8/120 (A. Beadle 2/12, N. McLachlan 2/23, J. Munting 2/24)
Sunday saw the beginning of the T20 competition at Manly Oval with a triple header between Manly, North Sydney and Sydney. The Waratahs got off to a great start, winning the first game by 44 runs. Adam Crosthwaite showed his class by blasting 83, with Ahillen Beadle celebrating his call up to the NSW 2nd XI side with 48*. In reply, Sydney were never in the hunt after losing star batsman and former NSW keeper Dan Smith early. They managed to get to 6 for 158 off their 20 overs.
In game 3, the Waratahs faced North Sydney. This was a bit of a grudge match between the 2 sides due to the off-season defection of Nic Bills and Jay Lenton to Manly. After a relatively slow start, Manly reached 160 off their 20 overs with Tim Cruickshank leading the way with 66, with Crosthwaite and Lenton also contributing well. In response, North Sydney were going well with Jason Avendano at Scott Rodgie at the crease early, however didn’t have the fire power in the middle order following great spells from Beadle, Munting and McLachlan again.
The day was a great success with our Charity partner Happy Days well represented and some great donations from the crowd, as well as beers and BBQ going strong. Unfortunately there were 2 dropped catches in the crowd with no one winning their weight in beer foir catching a 6, although one guy did catch a ball that re-bounded off a tree.
2nd Grade – Manly 207 (S. Webber 69, A. Baker 42, J. Walter 30) vs Blacktown 0/38
2’s rocked up to Joe McAleer Oval with not a cloud in the sky and temperatures set for a warm one. A good session of touch footy followed by a solid team warm up showed positive signs for the days play ahead of the Waratahs. Skipper Rowan Hamman won the toss and elected to have a stick first up on what looked a pretty flat wicket.
Pughy and Gumms opened up for the Manly boys were handling the Blacktown’s opening bowlers well until Pughy nicked off for just a single run. Aiden “Flat” Baker joined Gumms at the crease, but not for too long as Gummer fell for just 6 leaving the score at 2/25. Next to step up was Jarrod Walter, Flat and Walts gritted out a tough period and took the Waratahs to 2/47 at Lunch.
Baker and Walter were looking very comfortable out in the middle, putting on a partnership of 56 when Walter succumbed to the Blacktown attack for a well fought 30. With the score at 3/81 the game was very much in the balance for both teams, however unfortunately for the manly boys a middle order collapse saw the warpaths in a bit of trouble. Rowan stumped for 6, Flat run-out for a superb knock of 42 and Taylor Beatty LBW for 0 left the boys at 6/93 after 48 overs.
With the boys in a bit of trouble, Jordan Daly and Sam Webber set about trying to rescue a defendable total. Both looked very comfortable and stabilised the innings well, if it wasn’t for a poor misjudgement of a run from Webber, the 2 would have got to tea comfortably. However, it wasn’t meant to be and Jordan, left stranded in the middle of the pitch, departed for 9. Luke “LG” Grant came to the crease and worked hard to get to tea with Sam, score at 7/153.
Webber and Grant put on a great partnership, dispatching the bad balls and respecting the good ones. Webber passed 50 and got a little to confident as he holed out for 69, a vital partnership of 56, score 8/189. LG was dismissed soon after for a valiant 20 and the last wicket, another run-out, saw the Waratah’s all out for 207 after 85 overs.
With 8 overs left to have a crack at the Blacktown batsmen the Manly boys came out very fired up. Taylor Beatty bowled exceptionally well and was unfortunate not to take a wicket as two chances went down in the cordon off his bowling. The Blacktown opening pair somehow survived with the score at 0/38.
A lot of hard work to be done next week in the field, many thanks to Gordon for scoring and newly appointed Will for the running of drinks all day.
Go Manly!!!
Sam W
3rd Grade – Manly vs Blacktown 5/236 (R. Davis 2/19)
Blacktown won the toss and chose to bat on a grassy, hard LMG. We were in two minds whether to bat as we don’t often see it looking so green so we didn’t mind losing the toss. At 4/35 things were looking good. Toomey (1/43 off 16) started things with a snick to Jarrod at 1st slip. When Ronnie (2/19 from 14) was threatened with a spell he suddenly produced a two wicket maiden, clean bowling the #3 and getting the snick from #4. Evans (1/20 from 9) then trundled in and picked up a bowled to have Blacktown in all sorts at 4/35. The wicket though flattened out completely and the ball looked a bit torrid and the batsman played cautiously through to tea to make it 4/94 from 40.
In between Ronnie’s lovely pedicures we once again enjoyed a top notch tea.
After tea we bowled reasonably well but the batsman dealt with it on the placid deck. Javed (0/59 off 18) got some pace and carry happening and his figures were not a true reflection. New at the quick stuff he’ll take a bit of taming and the idea of bowling a 4 or 5th stump line was at first preposterous to him but he finally got there in his second spell where plenty of edges were finding gaps and/or going to hand only to be spilled. He certainly hurried the batsman up as a lot of runs were inside edge squirts to deep backward square leg. Ryan (0/43 from 10) didn’t quite have the control of last week but still bowled well and Sam Hole (1/37 from 14) also bowled tidily picking up the only wicket after tea.
Blacktown continued their cautious approach through to stumps scoring 1/142 from 41 overs after tea. A few of us were getting a bit annoyed at this but I’ve seen these tactics work before so let’s make sure we don’t let it overcome us if they bat on well into next week. Our ground fielding held it together although we did spill 3 chances in the slip/gully area. We can’t afford that on flat decks!
We’ll deal with the situation as it arises but to get a few quick ones next week will make it easier for us. I’ve always thought scoring runs against an old ball against a team who has been out there on a belter for 75 overs is the best time to score runs rather than on a fresh wicket, possible new ball and a good night’s sleep. Anyway, let’s see how it pans out and end up showing them how to win.
Wazza
4th Grade – Manly vs Blacktown 188 (J. Graham 2/12, J. Carden 2/18, W. Outred 2/80)
Whalan Reserve. Need I say more? The boys rocked up to the most “picturesque” ground in grade cricket with not only having hopes of continuing our momentum from last week’s fantastic win, but also for our cars not to be written off or stolen. All jokes aside we lost the toss with the home side deciding to bat on what looked to be a 300 wicket.
Early on there was a little in it for the new ball bowlers and with great persistence and execution it wasn’t long until we got the early breakthrough. Benny Falconer and Josh Wigney both bowled extremely well in trying conditions and got us off to a dream start having them 2-30 off the first 20. From here, Jake Carden and Zach Trewartha continued to build on things, keeping the run rate low and the pressure high. Wickets fell fairly regularly throughout the first session with the Tahs well on top at the tea break having them 5-90 with each bowler contributing with 1 each.
After a sub-par tea spread, we headed into the afternoon session with the heat increasing and the deck flattening, we were up for a challenge to get these last 5 wickets. A very consistent spell of 25 overs from Will Outred, Wigney lidding people for fun and tight bowling from the meds lead by Jacob Graham, ensured that we drew closer to bowling them out. This particular session of cricket was a tough one for the boys with the opposition completely shutting up shop and offering few to no chances. Eventually we bowled them out for a well under par 188.
Overall it was a very strong performance from a rather inexperienced bowling group, everyone showed great patience throughout the day which has set us up fantastically for a good run chase next week.
TK
5th Grade – Manly 7/291 (J. Graham 89, T. Kelly 45, J. Pickering 42, J. Wood 37*) vs Blacktown
We turned up to see the sun shining on another Mike Pawley Oval belter. Deceived by the hint of grass on top, we were sent into bat. Joe Graham and Hamish Ferguson saw off the new ball until Hamo was adjudged to tickle one down legside while on 12. Tom Kelly joined Joe to build a solid partnership. TK helped Joe through a tough second hour as the visitors started to apply some pressure. Wickets were denied and boundaries soon followed until TK (45) was brilliantly caught trying to loft the off spinner over cover. 2/129 at tea was a good platform.
Jack Pickering then contiunued his form from the week before. The Blacktown spinners were settling in on a length again with an experienced nude dart thrower at one end and a leggy bowling around the wicket and getting quite a bit of turn. It is the type of bowling these two youngsters may not have faced before but Pickers and Joe steadily took us up over 200 for the loss of only two wickets. Joe was eventually dismissed for a well compiled 89 laying the foundation for a 300+ total.
This was however starting to look a bit optimistic when the Blacktown fielders finally woke up to have Pickers caught in the deep for 42, Liam Lawless out LBW without scoring and Aiden Bariol caught soon after for 13. The skipper steadied the ship until he was bowled late in the day trying to slog a doosra on 29. (can’t spell it let alone pick it)….. and Joel Wood also chimed in with a well struck 37 not out and some great running between the wickets.
Happy with 7/291 at the end of the day.
