Triumphant Weekend for the Tahs – Weekend Wrap 22/23 February 2020

It was a successful weekend for Manly with the wins far out-weighing the losses in both the men’s and women’s grades. Saturday saw the men confront the long second day of a two-day match that had been affected by the rain the weekend before. With an 120 over day in store for most of the teams, a mammoth effort was going to be needed to pull a win out. 1st Grade got the ball rolling with a first innings win helped along by 4 wicket hauls to both M Edwards (4/41) and R Hadley (4/41). With time left in the day, Manly started their second batting innings with J Lenton finishing 19*. Losing only 2 wickets, the boys ensured that there was no risk of losing their first innings victory. Men’s 2nd grade at Manly Oval  was arguably the place to be on Saturday with a batting masterclass provided by fast-bowler M Counsell (29) in the 1st innings and an outstanding outright victory over Sydney. After coming back from a first innings deficit, the boys pulled it out of the bag, dismissing Sydney for 95 thanks to 3fas from J Carden and T Kaye. With an achievable total presented, Manly managed to keep its head down and won with 4 wickets still in hand. M Weber and T Kaye both contributed well to the chase, both getting 35 runs. The 3rd grade boys weren’t so lucky though, losing first innings despite some impressive individual performances. J O’Sullivan (50) and S Hole (49) helped Manly set a relatively competitive total but it wasn’t enough, Sydney chased it down with 4 wickets in hand. N Mclachlan, in his final game for the club, put up a fight getting 3/65 but it unfortunately wasn’t enough. 4th Grade was victorious, emphatically defending 183. A Lindsay (51) was the pick of the batsmen and L Trewartha (4/20) the pick of the bowlers. 5th Grade were in for a big day after seeing no play on the first weekend. They restricted Sydney to 112 with O Melville producing a solid 3/22. The total was chased down in a team batting effort, with O Lucius achieving the highest score of 38. Saturday also saw the Women’s 3rd grade take on St George Sutherland. The girls weren’t able to set enough despite a wonderful 30* from in-form batsmen C Waddington. St George got the required total with relative ease, R Hough picking up 1/12. Sunday saw Women’s 2nd grade sent out to Penrith. The long drive was, however, worth it with the girls maintaining their dominance in the competition. Penrith was dismissed for 88 thanks to M Turik (2/15) and C Waddington (2/4) and Manly chased the total easily, finishing 3/89. K Crawford (22*) and M Turik (21*) were able to steer the team to victory following the loss of some early wickets. Back in Manly, the Brewers’ girls recorded a win in their grudge match against UTS North Sydney. Setting 9/123, greatly aided by C McLerie (39) and H Woolf (25), the game came down to the wire. Manly pulled through though, dismissing UTS 9 runs short of victory. The women’s U15s fell 36 runs short against Penrith despite a good innings from E Henry (30*). Overall, it was an impressive weekend for Manly across the board with the wins coming at just the right time as finals are fast approaching. 

Lachlan Trewartha is this week’s 4 Pines Player of the Week following a tremendous bowling effort against Sydney. On a weekend full of great, all round team performances, Lachlan’s 4/20 off 14 overs was a stand out. This 4-wicket haul means Lachlan has now taken 19 wickets in 2019-20, with an average of 16.37, highlighting his instrumental role in the 4th grade side. The wickets came at crucial points in the game, with Lachie picking up the important wicket of an opener who had already faced 135 balls and had the potential to take the game away from Manly. Lachie’s wickets also included the final two of the game, demonstrating his ability to get the job done with the ball.  A consistent and hard-working player, Lachlan Trewartha is a very deserving winner of 4 Pines Player of the Week. 

3 Rounds left and the return of our Skipper and the great Morne Morkel saw us venture over 2 bridges to Drummoyne Oval for a “motivating” clash with Sydney Cricket Club. Having been knocked out by the Tigers in the T20 comp as well as the One Day comp (due to weather), along with pride, there was plenty to play for!!!

Losing the toss on day 1 meant we were sent in. With an attack that included Morkel & Edwards, one would suggest this was a smart move from the opposition. Foster and Weston got us off to our best start with the bat in a long time at 0/53. Unfortunately from here there aren’t many highlights to report with the bat. A few starts and good individual glimpses got us to 192 all out thanks to Lenton 47 and Beadle 36 not out. 3 soft dismissals and 2 run outs meant that again we weren’t able to showcase our true potential and talent that this side has on paper.

The one positive of being bowled out inside a day was that we were able to unleash Morkel & Edwards for 15 overs. Mickey was pure class picking up 2 wickets and Morne created a chance that was unfortunately missed to leave the opposition 2-60 overnight. Club coach, Phil Marks, through down the challenge to the team in a very direct manner that our poor effort on day 1 simply wasn’t good enough and we each needed to make drastic changes with effort/attitude as a group if we were to get the desired result(s) and represent the club in the way in which we talk about trying to do.

Day 2 arrived and the likelihood of the game going further than 3 hours before a result was a achieved was very unlikely. Fortunately for us we still had Mickey in the XI and were bolstered with inclusion of Ryan Hadley from Rep duties for Morne in our attempts to take the much needed 8 wickets. Mickey and Viss kicked off proceedings with a fantastic bowling partnership. Both keeping it tight and beating the bat on numerous occasions before both were rewarded with 1 each having the score at 4-86. The introduction of Hadley worked perfectly with 2 wickets in his first over getting the score to 6-94. Hadley’s spell was one of the best we have seen from the tall quick all season as he bowled with devastating pace and rhythm making him very hard to deal with. Foster came on just before lunch and quickly took a wicket only to be called a no ball and breaking the hearts of his teammates….. fortunately this was only for 2 balls as he dismissed the same batsman 2 balls later.

This meant Sydney entered lunch at 7-122.

After an outstanding session of bowling, our tails were up and about after lunch as we started to get a sniff of singing that much desired and allusive team song. Edwards and Hadley made light work of the tail, finishing with 4 wickets a piece as the team embraced in jubilation mid pitch. Finally we’d done it! We’d shown our true potential with ball in hand and put in the complete performance to knock over a top side and contribute some much needed Club Champs points for the Club. We were sent in to negotiate a “tricky” period / have some good time in the middle for our top order. Enough was enough at tea with the score at 2/65.

Victory was sweet! The song was even better! Plenty learned. Plenty Gained. Bring on next week!!!

Mickey 3

Hads 2 

Lenton 1 

Fielding AB

An early start for the twos boys as we turned up for the sixers clinic on a drizzling Saturday morning. Maxy Webber took the spotlight assuming the juniors had plenty of questions for him just to get a “who are you” response. 

8-72 saw us in a bit of early strife on day 2 only for the sixers recruit Mickey Counsell coming out and hitting a blistering 29 with 16 runs coming from the first over of the day. Shortly after the destroyers departure, we were bowled out for 105. Sydney went searching for an outright victory and seemed reasonably comfortable starting off their innings. Wickets gradually began to flow and with the consistency of every bowler. Managing to bowl them out for 95. An early start for the twos boys as we turned up for the sixers clinic on a drizzling Saturday morning. Maxy Webber took the spotlight assuming the juniors had plenty of questions for him just to get a “who are you” response. 

(Carden 3-14) (Kaye 3-24) (Hicks 2-21) (Jamieson 2-27) and as Jamo wanted everyone to know this was his 300th-grade wicket along with TKs 100th manly wicket. They were pretty happy with themselves. 

Requiring 161 from 40 overs at just over 4 an over seemed very chasable. A selfless batting display from the Webbers set a very handy platform of 42 from the first 9 overs. Gainsy had no reason to be sledged, nicest bloke on the field, I’m not too sure why they gave it to him. Despite the controversy on the field, he decided that he wanted to ruin a joyful Saturday night for some people at the bowlo as well, nearly knocking out a bloke about to bowl. Jamo decided against sending the master blaster Counsell in and made some quick runs himself. However, it was the class of Tommy Kaye and the Deep doing Deep things who saw us home in the end with 3 overs to spare. A very unlikely victory, but fair to say one of the greatest wins we’ve all been involved in. 

(Kaye 35*) (M. Webber 35) (Virdi 26*)

3 Points – Andrew Jamieson (7-70 and 18 runs)

2 Points – Tom Kaye (4-35 and 35 runs)

1 Point – Jake Carden (6-34 and 11 runs)

Joel Davies

Birchgrove oval, located on the scenic waterfront of Sydney Harbour was one of the first publicly developed parks in Sydney and is regarded as the spiritual home of Australian rugby league because it hosted the first ever professional match in 1908 and perhaps more impressively round 13 between Manly and Sydney.

The day commenced by honouring the spiritual home of Australian rugby league with a game of Touch football between the Capitalists and the Communists. Needless to say, the Communists took home the bacon and in good Communist fashion shared it in accordance to each players ability and needs.

After preparations in the sheds, the Manly boys began the 873 metre walk toward the wicket with intent to destroy the confidence of all eleven opposition batsmen. 16 year old Josh Seward took the new ball and bowled with sheer aggression prompting a middle-aged man to walk down the wicket, bat in hand, and stare and at Captain Nick for what most would describe as a “disquieting” moment. Eventually the same middle-aged man decided it was time to show us all how to execute the perfect leave, except it was plum LBW which on review was crashing into middle, well bowled Baino.

Baino then dismissed the number 3 thanks to a fleet- footed S. Hole and Boom the Tah’s were on.

Until…

Enter Brad Haddin’s understudy, Dan Smith. The former Sheffield Shield, One Day Cup and BBL player who showed us all the art of batting. He showed a combination of aggression, patience and stroke play. His successful swordsmanship saw him steer his side to victory with a chanceless 91 not out. However, it wasn’t without McLachlan making his final impacts for the Tah’s taking 3 successive poles before defeat.

To conclude, I’d like to congratulate Nick on an very successful career with Manly District Cricket Club. Nick was a local junior who played his cricket for the Peninsular cricket club before beginning a 17 year long career for the Tah’s. His career saw him achieve many feats including: NSW Premier cricket 1st grade leading wicket taker in 2014/15, A First grade premiership, Sydney Sixers academy, 50+ first grade games, Manly Senior player of the year and 3 rd Grade Captain. Congrats on an awesome career Nick and best wishes in the USA!

Jake Osborne

After unfortunate weather prevented play on Day 1, 5 th grade turned up to Ryde Oval on Saturday facing 120 overs of tough cricket. Skipper Rochford lost the toss and we were bowling on a lively deck. He picked up an early wicket and after a few dropped chances, we had them 2-30, thanks to a diving Hayden Calvert catch in the slips. Despite all this, the highlight of the first session was Doug McGrath’s diving stop at mid-on saving four. Ollie Melville picked up three quick wickets, Roop Dhillon also got one and after one bloke retired hurt for a testicular examination, we had them reeling at 6-45. Hurshwin Sharma, who was unaware of the 9.30 start and arrived 30 minutes after the first ball, took three wickets in a fiery spell and Sydney were really under the pump at 9-69. Their number 11 then hit 40 not out from 20 balls and they were eventually dismissed for 112, more than we would’ve hoped 10 overs before but we would’ve gladly taken that at the start of the day. Jack Melchiore was joined by Josh Cooper opening the batting after Hayden Calvert dislocated his finger in the field. Coops and Jack both got a start before departing, leaving us 2-30 early on one of the slowest outfields. Andrew Boulton and Oscar Lucius dug in before Boults was done by a solid rock. Oscar made a solid yet classy 38 before being caught behind the wicket, resulting in some extremely dubious antics from the bowler. Rochford and Dhillon went about chasing down the last 30 runs, before Roop was dismissed right as he was looking settled. Ollie Melville, fresh off some “heroics” with the ball and the confidence that comes with passing your P’s and becoming only the 2 nd member of 5 th grade capable of driving a car, couldn’t translate this to his innings, dismissed for 3. Rochford swiftly knocked off the last 20 runs along with Morley, with the 5 th grade boys chasing the total 6 down with 20 overs left in the day. The win keeps us well in touch with the 6 and we’ll take huge levels of confidence into the last two rounds and a potential push for finals.

3- Ollie Melville

2- Oscar Lucius

1-Hurshwin Sharma

The cars were loaded with kits everywhere, L and P plates in the slow lane heading to the Riff. We won the toss to the great delight of Jess’ army as we elected to bowl, not so much to coach Simon. Opening the bowling with Annie and Mia, economical as ever. The fielding was on point with Krispy Kreme doughnuts on the line for the fielder of the day. Natty J purposely putting herself out of position to make her fielding opportunities look spectacular as she was speaking about doughnuts for 12 overs. Great change up from the skipper utilizing her express pace bowlers maidens to bring on a slow bowler gaining the breakthrough wicket. Then Sienna Warne spun her web claiming her 12th wicket for the season. Mia and Zara weren’t going to lay down and let Natty J win the doughnuts so Mia brought out the Waddo rolls at least 7 times without touching the ball and Zara creating snow angels in first slip. Hazel with the fake out throws also wanted to get into the Krispy Kreme competition with some strong stops at square leg. AK comes on and as she always does, making it look easy, takes a wicket second ball she’s bowled. Captain K and Liv, the best bowl shiner, took some classy catches to help wrap up the tail. With wickets going to Claire, Zara, Natty J and Mia containing them to 88 runs off 41 overs. 

Today was a great day, we made it past bowl 1 starting with a 15 run partnership between Zar and Nat Guyot. Losing 2 quick wickets, Annie held strong and stabilized the innings with Mikaela right through to the drinks break. Annie didn’t get enough water at drinks break so broke the 25 run partnership and decided to run herself out to rehydrate as she was a bit under the weather. In comes AK and in AK fashion second over she’s in, 2 fours hit to her favourite spot of a backward square leg. Strong final partnership of 41, AK finishing the innings off with 22* and Mikaela 21*. Manly girls with a bonus point victory chasing the run down in 31 overs.

3 – Mikaela 

2 – Kristie 

1 – Claire 

Fielding: Natty J 

Mikaela 

It was a drizzly morning at Balgowlah oval, everyone turned up hoping the game was off but after a riveting game of touch footy with Renee’s oldies but goodies playlist blaring we were ready to send St George Sutherland packing

Captain Liv Hough won the toss and opted to bat first. Claire and Kristie opened the batting. After an unfortunate run out for opener Kristie, Nat came in and formed a good partnership with Claire, the run rate was slow but steady. Renee came in for Nat after she was run out and Claire retired on 30 sending Hazel in. After the quick fall of Renee’s wicket Gemma came in Abby was sent in for the last ball for Hazel who continued the daily trend and was also unfortunately run out. After another brilliant lunch spread by manager Jill we went into bowl defending 79. A slightly jumbled by effective stumping by Nat G had them and a stunning catch by Renee had them already 2 down. With some more excellent bowling from Kristie saw them down another and another great catch by Renee slowed them down slightly

Despite a fairly good effort in the field they managed to get our runs by the 16th over and proceeded to bat on.

Cam Pryor

Eliza won the toss and we batted on a damp Cook Park. Despite our positive intent it was the start of both innings where we got behind in the game. We were playing catch up and could not quite keep up the required intensity against the Ladder leaders.

Within the first 4 overs we had lost both openers and our number 3. Emily and then Caitlin having there stumps disturbed by Mitchell Starc esq. deliveries from Penrith’s left arm quick.

Eliza and Hannah set about the rebuild. Jazzy (15*) then joined Eliza. But when Eliza retired for a busy 30 we were unable to kick on. We finished 6/98 from our 35 overs.

Just before the lunch break the chatter of the girls was broken by an ‘enthusiastic local’ who was not known to the Penrith Women’s Club.  He took up residence beyond the fine leg fence and was colourful in his vociferous commentary on the game.  Thank you to the Penrith Manager who called the Police to relieve the unease of the local who was moved on.  That is now two games where the police have been called to Manly WU15 games this season!?

Thank you to Penrith for a lovely lunch, it was wonderful to be away and have lunch provided.

Penrith then took 26 combined from the 3rd and 4th overs of their innings. Penrith was 1/42 after 5 overs compared to our 3/13 at the same stage.

We did manage to get wickets to start to fall, but some wayward bowling did not help us apply the pressure required. They passed our total 5 down in the 25^th over. Penrith batted on patiently, really juts giving us the opportunity to take more wickets. A more switched on finish might have brought more success, we did get one more wicket. Annabelle bowled with most control and finished with 2/7 off 5 overs.

Sophie’s fielding was on with a catch and a direct hit run out. Jazzy, and Franky took catches too and Franky and Eliza combined for runout. Wickets to Hannah, Sophie and Maya.

Better starts in both innings and maybe 20 more runs might have made it interesting against the bench mark team.

W15s have a bye next week, then Parramatta away and two games at home to finish the season.