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A Women’s clean sweep was the headline across a rain-affected weekend as the Tahs Men commenced two-day battles.
Men’s 1st Grade:
Tahs skipper Foster won the toss and elected to bat first, and it was quite simply the Ollie Davies (104) show on the morning of Day 1. Some of the most brutal hitting you’ll see as he took the Fairfield attack down with ridiculous ball striking on his way to a 52 ball hundred. 10 fours, 8 sixes and plenty of highlights. Ably supported by Brewster (24) in a 130 run opening stand, before a couple of regular wickets either side of lunch halted the momentum to have the Tahs 4/191. But the skipper (79no) was holding things together patiently at the other end in a really measured innings, before being joined by Stobo (104no) who became the headline of the afternoon session. The big man compiling a sensational hundred himself, with patience combined with some brutal hitting of his own, as he & Foster put on an unbeaten 156 run stand, to see the Tahs 4/347 from 76 overs on a slightly rain reduced opening day. 116 overs to be bowled next weekend.
Men’s 2nd Grade:
At Rosedale, skipper Trewartha won the toss & elected to bat, but the Tahs were in a bit of strife early at 3/45, and in need of a resurgence. That’s where the experience of Daly (71) & Vumbaca (107) came to the fore, as the two steadied the ship in an 82 run stand. The former compiling a patient half century as the latter built into what proved to be the day’s defining innings. Some starts from the middle order, but regular wickets halted the momentum leaving the Tahs 6/187. But Vumbaca continued to show incredible composure & determination, bringing up a superb hundred, while battling severe cramp amidst the stifling heat out west. A much needed partnership with Seward (33) who provided great support in a 73 run stand, before a late contribution from Kershler (20) pushed the Tahs beyond 300. The declaration coming at 9/301 with 4 overs remaining in the day. And it was the skipper who stepped up, taking the ball for the final over of the day, and delivering two pearlers including one of the final ball of the day, to see Fairfield 2/10 in reply at stumps.
Men’s 3rd Grade:
Another day slightly affected by the afternoon rain, M3s skipper Webber won the toss & elected to bat on another docile Grahams wicket. And it was openers Melchiore (38) & Karlsson Lacy (62) that set the tone for the day, patiently seeing off the new ball before building an excellent partnership that would set a strong platform for the remainder of the day. The two combining for a 105 run opening stand, before a few quick wickets shifted things & the momentum changed. Cooper (32) & Dinan (15) both began positively but the Tahs struggled to capitalise on their good start to the day, wickets falling regularly as the storm rolled in. Brewster (20no) getting through to stumps with the Tahs 7/196, 88 overs to be bowled next week & plenty of work to do.
Men’s 4th Grade:
Out west at Fairfield Oval, the Tahs were asked to field first after losing the toss, and the home side made a steady start to their innings to be in control at 0/35. But a breakthrough to Martin swung things quickly, as Jenkins spearheaded the Tahs attack on his return from injury. The big boy from Wagga taking 4fa quickly in a superb spell that challenged both edges of the bat, Fairfield all of a sudden 5/50. But that’s where the momentum for the day really shifted, as Fairfield to their credit consolidated strongly & were patient to cash in on a flattening wicket as the day went on. Jenkins broke a 115 run stand for his 5th, before Parkinson took the 6th after another strong partnership. But Fairfield again took control with an unbeaten 111 run 7th wicket stand, to be 7/344 at stumps from 80 overs.
Men’s 5th Grade:
Back home at Mike Pawley, Tahs skipper White won the toss & elected to bat first, as debutant Pike (16) hit the first ball of the game over the square leg boundary for six in a statement start. He & McCombe (21) patient to begin for the Tahs, before a couple of quick wickets. B.Moran (44) continued to show his potential with a strong start to his innings on a beautiful batting wicket, as did youngster Hansen (41) in just his second game of grade cricket at age 14, taking the attack to the bowlers with great confidence. However, wickets continued to fall just as partnerships began to look set, debutant Cunningham (25) also making a positive start, as M.Moran & Gustafson took the Tahs to 197 before the final wicket fell. A below par total but still runs on the board, leaving a big job to do next weekend.
Women’s 3rd Grade:
Another opportunity to play at the oceanside Griffith Park at Long Reef, as the Tahs were sent into bat first after losing the toss. Proving to be a regrettable decision as the Tahs batters continued their terrific form in a sensational team batting effort. Skipper S.James (29) & Dunnage (42 off 30) off to a flying start with an early flurry of boundaries in a 56 run opening stand in quick time. That was only the beginning of the entertainment as Pike & Addison (both 53* off 43) joined the party continuing the momentum in their own aggressive innings’. Pike hitting 9 fours & a six on her way to a tremendous half century, while Addison entertained with 5 fours & 3 sixes in her own fifty. The platform had well & truly been set, and T.Ford (50* off 38) just carried on with the momentum, 2 fours & 2 sixes in another superb half century, the Tahs third of the game. Well supported by Champion (23) as the Tahs posted a mammoth 6/266 from 40 overs. After a steady start in reply by St George-Sutherland & the storm continuing to loom, it was Bursill who took full control of the fixture with a terrific spell of leg spin. Three wickets to rip through the top order, before Champion too struck twice in quick succession. Rain hovered & reduced the chase to 28 overs, but it was enough time for Bursill to pick up a well deserved 5fa, as St George finished 7/88, a comprehensive bonus point victory for the Tahs.
Women’s 1st Grade:
Down south to take on St George-Sutherland on Sunday afternoon, the Tahs were asked to field first after losing the toss, and once again, the bowlers executed superbly in a terrific team effort with the ball. The pace of youngster Brown again on show with an early breakthrough castling the stumps once again. The home side steadied but consistent dot ball pressure from the Tahs made scoring difficult, leading to a run out for the 2nd wicket. Henry then picked up the Tahs’ 3rd, before another run out, leaving the Slayers 4/48. An unbeaten partnership to close out their innings, but the Tahs were excellent in economical spells from skipper McLerie, Handley, Hughes & Punter. 81 was the target, an early wicket only a minor blip in proceedings as Kua (15) made a good start to her innings. But it was the partnership between Horsfall (24no) & Henry (28) that proved the difference, the two showing great composure on not an easy wicket for scoring, a trio of boundaries each in a 49 run partnership. Ultimately a 7 wicket win for the Tahs to continue their winning form of late.
Women’s 2nd Grade:
An early trip Sunday morning to the foot of the mountains as Tahs skipper E.James won the toss & elected to bat first. A steady start from Burke (19), who was then joined by S.Hughes (63* off 45 balls), the latter of whom formed the backbone of the Tahs innings with a superb half century. Hughes was patient to start & showed the perfect blueprint for T20 batting, cashing in late after doing the hard work. 6 boundaries in the last 5 overs on a big to finish with an unbeaten 63 from 45 balls. Ably supported by Jayakody (16) and then the skipper in important partnerships as the Tahs posted a good total of 3/115 from 20 overs. With the ball, Sharma struck early as the Tahs built pressure with disciplined bowling from all. Wickets coming on the back of scoreboard pressure, S.Ford the pick of the bowlers with 2fa, while Bhoir, Jayakody & Nel also chimed in with breakthroughs during their economical spells. Ultimately the Tahs restricted Penrith to 8/90 in reply, for a 25 run Tahs win, the first of the W2s season and a great team effort to springboard from.
Brewer Shield:
On a gloomy morning at Grahams, Brewers skipper T.Ford won the toss & elected to bat first, a wicket relatively early not stopping the Tahs from taking the attack to North Sydney’s bowlers. Davies (38) & Punter (18) both showing terrific intent striking some lovely boundaries in a 54 run partnership, the former playing a great anchor role to be the backbone of the Tahs innings. Another great contribution too from Reardon (24no) later in the innings, as she, Ford & Gillett propelled the Tahs to a strong total of 4/127 from 20 overs. The Tahs started well with the ball as Ford & Reardon bowled a tight first four overs, before the spinners continued to keep the run rate in check. Simpson-Lee breaking through for the only wicket of the innings, but the Tahs continued to be disciplined & build pressure. However, a few late mishaps in the field made things a bit closer than necessary, before the big storm rolled in after 16 overs with North Sydney 1/86. No more play possible, and an 8 run DLS victory for the Tahs to hopefully kickstart some winning form.
Poidevin Gray Shield:
Sunday also saw PGs back in action, hosting North Sydney at Manly Oval. Tahs skipper Boulton won the toss & elected to bowl on an overcast morning, as Pryke tore through the Norths top order with a serious new ball spell of bowling. Narrowly missing a hat trick but providing plenty of highlights with 3fa, Lawson with a wicket at the other end to have Norths 4/7 and reeling early. The Tahs bowlers just didn’t let up, a slow & drawn out Norths fightback quickly shut down as Lawson broke through, before further wickets to Osbourne, Dhillon & Kershler, falling at regular intervals in between a few rain delays. Lawson finishing with 3fa too as Norths innings was cut short at 9/105 from 34 overs. A revised DLS target of 90 from 32 overs saw skipper Boulton (24) on the attack early, as he & Karlsson Lacy (34no) looked to put the game to bed quickly. Some late entertainment from our overseas important Price (25 off 9) striking four big sixes in quick succession, before Karlsson Lacy & Croft finished the job for an 8 wicket bonus point win for the Tahs.
Upcoming fixtures:
This weekend sees the Men resume Day 2 of fixtures with Fairfield-Liverpool, with plenty of grades in the balance. PGs also host an unbeaten Blacktown on Sunday at Manly Oval.
Meanwhile, W1s have a double header away, against Bankstown & Penrith respectively. While W2s & Brewers play one after another at Beauchamp against Gordon. W3s have the bye.
Until next time, up the Tahs!
