4 Pines Player of the week – Rowan Hamman
OK, there is no denying Rowan this weekend. Once again he led the way, dominating the day’s play with 67no in gloomy, moist conditions. The other 4 batsmen managed just 14 between them so it shows how well Rowan batted. With some luck he will again convert to another century (for those that don’t know his scores this season have been 116, 108, 54, 27, 104 and 67no). He has played and missed about 3 times for the year. On the weekend the ball was doing a bit but Rowan knew what to do and pounded the ball that was in his scoring zone. He is in great form and is also providing great leadership and wisdom amongst the team. Well done mate!
1st Grade – No Play Day 1
2nd fought back well after copping it early. At 1/112 and 2/177 we were facing another monster score but the bowlers persisted and were well supported in the field. Pughy broke the back of their innings dismisisng both top scorers and Arshdeep picked up quick ones in the middle. Visser was his usual composed self in picking up 2 wickets. Even Bonnor got in on it with his wily meds. A couple of quick wickets and we’ll be faced with a gettable total and some usefulpoints to get us mid table and put a dent in Sydney’s top 6 aspirations.
3rd Grade – Sydney 8/81 ( L Grant 3/24, R Davis 2/22, C Little 2/20) v Manly
The mighty 3rd Grade turned up to the picturesque Birchgrove Oval, the home of Rugby League and according to Wrighty, one or two of the great Ron Coote’s teeth. We were all up for a top 6 clash against second placed Sydney. After a rain delay to start the day (and a snapchat or two), the home side won the toss on a tacky pitch with plenty of life and surprised us all by deciding to bat. Eventually, play commenced and it was Matty Alexander and Luke Grant who opened the bowling, looking to take advantage of the favourable conditions. After bowling tight spells, it was Luke who took the first wicket after a sharp catch in the slips from Jarrod. An over later, Luke had his second after skittling the number 3. Sydney were struggling early at 2-20. Captain Craig Little then came on to bowl and caused the batsmen immediate problems. He was well backed up by Ronnie Davis who was unlucky not to breakthrough at the other end. Just as it looked as though Sydney was starting to settle, Craig took two wickets in two balls, the second of which was an amazing caught and bowled. He was perilously close to taking the hat trick as well. Suddenly, as rain forced an early “tea”, we had them on the ropes at 4-40.
After another extended delay, we came back out to bowl with 16 overs remaining in the day. Ronnie and Luke managed to keep the clamps on, not allowing Sydney to score with any freedom. Finally, after several overs of grinding, Ron took a much deserved wicket thanks to another good catch from Jarrod. Two balls later, raging Ronnie Davis had a second, this time Ryan had the safe hands in the cordon. Sydney had slumped to 6-65. Just a few overs later, the seventh wicket fell as Luke had his third, thanks to our patient bowling and terrific fielding. With one over remaining in the day, the skipper threw the ball to Sam Alexander who, as he always does, delivered with a wicket and some brotherly love after a good take from Matt.
At the close of play, Sydney finished 8-81 after winning the toss. Credit must go to all of the bowlers who maintained pressure all day and restricted Sydney to less than 2 an over. Amazingly, 15 out of our 42 overs were maidens. Luke finished with 3 wickets, Ronnie and Craig with 2 each and Sam with the final pole of the day (Matt was unlucky not to take an early wicket or two). They were well backed up in the field as we held most chances that came our way and our ground fielding was excellent.
The Manly boys are in a great position but the job isn’t done yet. We have to make sure we turn up ready to go next week and secure a crucial 6 points. Up the Tahs
LG
4th Grade – Manly 3/90 ( R Hamman 67no) v Sydney 154 ( W Evans 3/21, B Wilson 3/39, C Boss 3/45)
Manly ought to be a bit disappointed with the end result. Winning the toss and sending them in on a grassy wicket with a bit in it, at 6/60 we should have wrapped them up but a spate of dropped catches allowed Sydney to gather up 154 annoying runs. The bowlers all created plenty of chances and it was great to see Boss (3/45 from 12) running in. The no balls and the slippage on the moist deck did not help with the ryhthm but he got through unscathed and bowled with plenty of pace. He tired a bit towards the end but given the time between games for Bossy this was a great workout for him. Brad Wilson again bowled well and picked up 3/39 from 12. He is coming good at the right end of the season. Evans 3/21 from 12 enjoyed the conditions and Nick Toomey also contributed.
Early in their innings our catching was great with Bill at 1st slip, Rowan at 2nd slip and Hole at 3rd slip all snaring catches. Hole’s in particular was sensational. Josh Petersen also took 5 catches in a solid display. Max Burgess also enjoyed his first run for a few weeks patrolling the point region like a panther, albeit a deaf one (KEEPER’ END , KEEPER’S END). Well fielded all the same, it was great to have you back and you were also unlucky with your LBW.
Rowan was again masterly. His 67no was the highlight with the other scores being 5, 4, 3 and 2no. We batted for 26 overs in the gloom and to get 3/90 was not a bad effort but one or two dismissals were a bit soft. Take a leaf from Rowan’s book…..hit when they bowl to your areas. Sure, Rowan may hit harder and have more areas that he scores freely in but the principle is the same. Let them bowl to you. Hopefully someone can go with him this weekend to ensure we get the points and work our way up the table.
Warren Evans
5th Grade – No play day 1
