Men’s 1st Grade:
Lenton (85) & Foreman (33) resumed 3/160 on Day 2, making a positive start as the Tahs looked to extend the lead. A couple of wickets halting momentum slightly, before Foster (33*) returned to form with some brilliant hitting, along with a handy contribution from Trewartha (15*), as the Tahs declared 7/262 with a 116 run lead. In reply, Bankstown went on the attack and made an aggressive start, but ultimately there wasn’t much more to eventuate, wickets to Beadle & Hole before the captains shook hands, Tahs settling for first innings points.
Men’s 2nd Grade:
Defending 336, the Tahs were under pressure early as Bankstown made a fast start on Day 2. Rogers breaking a 77 run opening partnership, but the notoriously flat Bankstown Oval was providing little assistance for the bowlers, while some important chances went down in the field as Bankstown built further partnerships. Vumbaca with the 2nd breakthrough, before a real workmanlike effort from Wigney with three wickets gave the Tahs some hope at 5/258. But ultimately it wasn’t the Tahs’ day, Bankstown winning by five wickets in the 91st over.
Men’s 3rd Grade:
With Bankstown resuming 0/10 in reply to our 7d/302, the Tahs began brightly as Skinner struck twice early, before a mini rebuild from Bankstown was halted by breakthroughs to Counsell & Dunnachie. As the Grahams wicket flattened out & the bowlers tired, Bankstown built a substantial partnership, until Cumming turned the tide with an important breakthrough, followed at irregular intervals by wickets to Counsell & Skinner. But Bankstown’s lower order proved stubborn, Cumming’s 2nd wicket having them 8 down, before they batted out the final 13 overs of the day to finish 8/253 & match drawn.
Men’s 4th Grade:
After last week’s washout, Day 2 was moved to Grahame Thomas, the Tahs sent into bat first on a 120 over day. The top order began steadily, before a 49 run stand between Wheeler (24) & McDowell (57) set the foundation, the latter particularly dominant in a strong half century. Really important contributions from the middle order, as Hutchings (34), Kennedy (36) & Searle (31) lifted the tempo, before a late cameo from Pryke (25*) propelled the Tahs to 8/250 after 59 overs when the declaration came. With the ball, Bishop-Perrett, Waddington & Hutchings struck once each early to have the ascendancy, before Bankstown fought back with a patient partnership. The Tahs continued to bowl consistently without luck on a nice batting wicket, three wickets to Parkinson, and one each to Searle & Kennedy having Bankstown 8 down, before they defended the remaining overs to finish 8/217 & the match ending in a draw.
Men’s 5th Grade:
Resuming 0/42 in reply to Bankstown’s 104, Dunlop (28) & Donnan (33) made a steady start to the day, but it was really the contributions from the middle order that set the Tahs’ innings up. Mendel (33 off 21), Watts (34*) & Overhoff (28 off 13) leading the Tahs to first innings points & to a 63 run lead at the declaration. 45 further overs would be bowled, Walker & Buchanan striking early to have outright hopes alive, followed by regular breakthroughs, two to Brewster, one to Martin, and a run out. However, Bankstown’s lower order proved stubborn & defended their way to the close of play, 6/67 but preventing a Tahs’ outright win.
Women’s 3rd Grade:
At Tempe, skipper Molyneux won the toss & elected to bowl. An early run out and then a wicket to Addison was a positive start, before Sydney Uni consolidated. But the Tahs’ bowlers were disciplined & created regular chances, two wickets each to Woods & James through the middle overs, before another run out. Searles with the 8th, followed by two more to Addison to close Sydney Uni’s innings on 106. The run chase was off to a superb start as James (26*) & Jonkers (38) compiled a 73 run opening partnership batting with great intent, the latter particularly finding the boundary with regularity. A handy contribution from Addison (19) before James & Hough (5*) finished off the run chase, Tahs winning with a double bonus point by eight wickets inside 17 overs.
Women’s 1st Grade:
Making the trip to Raby, the Tahs were in the field first after losing the toss. McLerie struck early to continue her excellent season, before Campbelltown built a decent partnership. Two wickets in quick succession to Kua, followed by a fairly regular flow of wickets amongst a few steady partnerships. Henry with a wicket, before McCaughan ran out the opposition skipper, and a wicket to Nel. Lower order resistance from Campbelltown halted the Tahs’ momentum, but further wickets to Hoskin & McLerie restricted the home side to 8/177 from 50. McCaughan (112*) & Horsfall made a steady start to the run chase, but the Tahs struggled to build substantial partnerships in the top order. But McCaughan was holding the innings together with another superb individual effort. Compiling what was a match-winning unbeaten 112* with a combination of patience & great intent. Forming crucial partnerships with the lower order, McLerie, Waddington & Crawford each playing an important role as McCaughan fittingly hit the winning runs for a 3 wicket victory to move the Tahs into 1st place.
Women’s 2nd Grade:
Back home at Manly Oval, the Tahs lost the toss and were bowling first. But the reliable opening pair of Handley & Sharma struck once each early, and that set the foundations for a strong Tahs’ bowling effort. A threatening partnership broken by two wickets to L.Hughes, before Molyneux dismissed the set batter. A few little partnerships built but the Tahs’ bowling remained consistent, a further two wickets to Sharma, and one to K.Punter & Handley. Sydney all out 124. After an early wicket, the Tahs looked in cruise control of the run chase as Dunnage (39) & S.Hughes (20) built a strong partnership to be 1/65. A little wobble but again victory looked in sight at 4/98. Unfortunately though, a calamitous middle order collapse left the remaining runs up to the lower order, the Tahs ultimately unable to prevail, losing by a solitary run.
Brewer Shield:
Asked to bowl first after losing the toss at Grahams, Brewers made a bright start as Brown dismissed both openers early. Two wickets in quick succession not long later to S.Punter had the Southern Swans 4/39, before they began a strong fight back. Middle order partnerships shifting the momentum in their favour, eventually broken by direct hit run outs to Terrey & Pearson. A few lower order contributions kept the Tahs at bay, one more wicket each to Crabbe & Brown, and two to Burke, seeing the Swans all out for 157. The Tahs unfortunately though couldn’t really gain any ascendancy in the run chase, as regular wickets fell at important times. Small starts from Terrey, Burke, Pike & Punter not enough as the Tahs struggled to build a substantial partnership. Ultimately bowled out for 86 to fall well short of the target.
Upcoming fixtures:
Massive weekend of cricket coming up with plenty on the line for the Tahs. Our Men commence their final round fixtures, two day matches against Campbelltown-Camden, with M1s, M3s & M5s hosting. Particularly crucial fixtures for M2s & M3s with finals spots there for the taking. PGs on Sunday have a huge semi-final match-up, taking on rivals Mosman at Allan Border Oval.
Meanwhile, the Tahs Women all have one-day fixtures. W1s looking to secure 1st spot on the ladder, taking on Parramatta away. W2s needing a win & other results to go their way as they host Northern District. W3s back at Balgowlah to take on Bankstown, where a win would guarantee a finals spot. And Brewers have a crucial elimination final, hosting Penrith on Sunday.
Until next time. Up the Tahs.
