The arrival of 2012 brought a significant change in the fortune of Manly’s Green Shield side.
Our first post Christmas come back match was against Northern Districts at Asquith Oval and surrounded by the hype and passion that Brett Penprase (their former Coach) brought to the fixture, our lads were determined to deliver a positive result.
Winning the toss and choosing to bat on a low flat wicket and an uncut outfield, Manly found the going tough and after several successful LBW appeals the ND’s side must have fancied their chances chasing a relatively small total of 127. Hamish Ferguson dug in for 25 following a maiden century the day before in Shires but was clearly exhausted. Sam Hole made 33 before finding another way of getting out and James Boyer was the only other player in double figures with 29 before being caught pulling a ball that kept low. There were 7 LBW’s in the entire game!
Without Josh Wigney who was away on holidays, Pat Flakelar came into the side and Zac Trewartha and Matt Levene opened the bowling. We expected the new ball to do a bit even as the wicket flattened out but Matt Levene proved to be the difference with two fine spells of quick and accurate bowling that yielded 4 wickets for only 22 runs off 10 overs. The two left arm orthodox spinners, Sam Gainsford (inspiring with 2-16 off 12 overs) and Sam Hole (1-13 off 9) basically dried up the runs for the home side and the game was on a knife edge when Trewartha came back and snared one wicket which was threatening to take the game away when James Pearce caught well at mid off for a fantastic win by only 15 runs. Sadly James broke a finger catching the ball and was to miss the rest of the tournament.
ND’s coached by Mark McInnes the ex Manly player, must have fancied their chances of chasing 127 but only could manage 112 in 52 overs. So with some delight the Manly boys sung the song for the first time!
With the next three matches scheduled at lovely Manly Oval and under the watchful eye of curator Gene Ngamu and his assistant Tom Kelly we were confident that we would not see wickets like this again.
Our next guests were the team from Raby, Campbelltown Camden, who were unbeaten coming into the game. Having broken our duck the spirit was much rejuvenated within the team and Jake Ellis was pulled into the 12 to replace the injured James Pearce.
Choosing to bat C-Camden (who insisted that Nick White posted their GHOSTS name on the scoreboard!) lost two wickets to Zac Trewartha’s fine swing bowling on a green tinged strip that was firm and hard. However Zielinski and Craze both dug in and scored 40 and 68 respectively, both finally undone by some accurate LAO (left arm orthodox) spin bowling by Sam Gainsford, who trapped them both LBW. Captain Thorn was the only other thorn in our sides scoring 24 and both he and Browne (31) were LBW to Falconer and Levene who both bowled sensibly and stump to stump, benefiting form the lessons they had learned at Asquith. The visitors stretched their lead to 187 which although a decent score was probably 20 runs light; that said it would be the highest run chase this side had undertaken. With wickets well spread around with Levene 2-13 off 7, Trewartha 2-31 off 10, Gainsford 2-23 off 12 and Falconer 2-26 off 8 it was a fine bowling and fielding performance of which I was proud. There were 5 successful LBW appeals!
Cashing a total of this size on a good pitch with quick outfield was always going to be a matter of the top order batting the innings, which they knew. With a partnership of 35 for the first wicket, we had started much better than the visiting side. However we lost Hole Boyer and Gainsford for scores in the teens and only James Crombie had the resolve to fight hard for his wicket. As the score crept up and we kept on losing wickets the interest level and tension increased both around the ground and on SMS. A desperate spell of “death” bowling by Thorn which was excellent and full and straight accounted for Crombie and then Matt Cole second ball and it was left to the opening bowlers to drag us past the 187 total. Needing 2 runs to win, Levene was given out LBW, when it was clear that he had hit it and that the ball was too high to be hitting the stumps. So we had lost and the depth of sadness in the lads’ faces was plain and painful to see. We had tried so hard this day and were within an inch of success only to be robbed thus.
So a dejected side sat out on the square while the doleful dirge of a Raby Club song was sung. Once that had finished we returned to the Dressing rooms only to hear rumours of a “tie”. Hurrying upstairs we found that the rumour was in fact correct with the visiting scorer noting the extra run and we had shared the points! What a moment. Of course we would rather have had the win but it was a very, very good game and a solid chase and I believe it gave these young lads some belief that they could chase totals of this size.
Our next visitors were the Stags from Gordon DCC who were sitting proudly on top of the table and there was a sense of swagger from them clearly visible. When the cheered at the news of winning the toss, I had a mixed sense of foreboding and at the same time a hint of an opportunity.
Matt Levene was right on the money from the start and suddenly not one but two of the Gordon boys were back in the shed with ZERO by their names, one bowled and the other (J Colley, who had played 5th Grade last year for the Stags and looked a fine bat) well caught at gully by James Crombie. At 5-57 Gordon were in deep trouble but a partnership developed for the 6th wicket which finally fell at 100, a good catch by Matt Cole off Jake Ellis which steadied their ship. Runs continued to come and we had to wait for the score to reach 143 to take the next wicket. In between there was a mix up with the return spell of Ben Falconer (an error by one of the umpires which forced Captain Boyer to ask Huw Griffiths, who was taking the place of injured Pat Flakelar) to complete the remaining 5 balls. Finally we dismissed Gordon in the 54th over for 175 with the opening bowlers taking 5 and the other wickets spread around in singles. Matt Levene starred with 3-31 off 9.2 and Trewartha 2-25 off 8.
Once again a chase of medium size, and with the belief and knowledge of a good chase tow days before behind the lads, we had confidence if one of the top 3 could bat the overs we would win on a wicket that was getting better t bat on as each hour passed. Sadly our stalwart opener, Hamish Ferguson was deceived by a slower ball on the second ball of his innings and was well caught and bowled. Not the start we wanted or was it any better when Falconer was out when the score was only 18. Enter Vice Captain Hole and Captain Boyer to the rescue. These two recorded our first 100 partnership of the series batting very well together scoring 70 and 59 each. With 40 odd to get to pass the Gordon total a few tense moments were well overcome by Crombie and Gainsford (16 not out and 20 not out respectively), and these included some of the sweetest timed shots I have seen for a while by anyone, Sam Gainsford carefully stroking the ball through the infield to the boundary with effortless ease. So we passed them 4 down and the song was sung with more gusto than higher Grades! Well done lads; that will have shaken Gordon and you were deserved winners having fought well all day.
Round 7 saw Blacktown arrive at Manly’s picturesque Oval. Our wicket for the day was on the Bowling Green side and inviting for six hitting, much to the concern of the Umpire Karl who had his new BMW parked alongside. The wicket was still green after the rain on Monday and would no doubt play tricks fore the first hour or so and thus the collective thought was to bowl first, based on the confidence that had been gained by chasing and the uncertainty surrounding the lush strip. Duly winning the toss James Boyer chose to bowl first and with Josh Wigney back from holiday replacing Huw Griffiths, the attack was potent. So potent that Matt Levene bowled their opener on the third ball of the day but then things didn’t quite go our way for a while and we had to toil hard and be patient; Josh Wigney had the other opener caught well at gully by James Crombie off a square cut and it was the faster bowlers who did most of the damage (Trewartha 2-22 off 8, Wigney 2-28 off 10 and Levene 3-18 off 10) with two runouts and a wicket to Sam Gainsford at a crucial time to dismiss one of their better players for 31. We didn’t manage to take all10 wickets this time sadly but Blacktown only managed 141-9 and we were reasonably confident that we could chase this total down.
Hamish Ferguson got us off to a great start before falling for 38 after Ben Falconer had struggled with the blade; Sam Hole looked good for a while but was dismissed for 19, and Boyer only mustered 13 when he was adjudged caught and walked off strongly. James Crombie looked solid from the start and with Sam Gainsford who departed with 17 to his name took the score from 86 (when we lost Ferguson and Boyer without addition to the score) to 121 and when Jack Garay joined him the two mates were determined to finish the job. Jimmy’s shot selection and execution was superb and some exquisite shots will remain in my memory especially a delightful drive wide of mid on for four and two shots in one over on the leg side when the Blacktown captain failed to employ a fine leg.
So another solid win by 5 wickets in the 49th over and the lads sang the song again.
3 wins, one tie, one washout (draw) and two defeats at the start of the programme left us all wondering what if, but that was quickly buried in a Presentation event on the Oval amidst some frustrated runners after the lads had had a swim at the main beach.
Thanks must go to several people and in no particular order I would say that the parents efforts at making such fine teas was monumental. The last effort was exceptional with two parents in particular vying for the coveted Cliffy Tea Trophy, which was a lay down misere. I have to include Fee’s for her marvellous dip, which was always well eaten and appreciated; well done
To our Scorer Gordon Currie, many thanks for his calm work and tidy book. To his assistant Donny Dollars Sellin, ably assisted by Ian Ferguson the computer geek, for all the stats work and wagon wheels as requested by the coach, our sincere thanks. I hope you both enjoyed it.
To my assistant Coach, BP (Brett Penprase) whose dedication throughout and taking time off work to help these lads, my sincere thanks and especially for his passion when we played ND’s!
To the Curator’s Gene and Tom for looking after us so well and making such good cricket wickets and outfield to be proud of.
To Greg Boyer for his constant support and advice (the latter well supported by Langdon Gould who shared the same view about a certain fielding position!) and assistance with replacements.
A massive thanks to Ian Bird who took thousands of first class photos throughout the campaign and I bet we can’t wait to se them; thanks Birdy
Also thanks to Nick white and his mates in the Scoreboard; hot stuff over there but always full of humour; well done Whitey
To both captains, Jimbo and Sam who often stood up when others didn’t; well done both of you. You have grown in your roles and performed admirably. James I think your improvement in captaincy and bowling changes this summer has been exceptional and I mean what I said on the night that I believe that you will make a fine captain of a Grade team in this Club ere long. What I liked was the way that as confidence and time went on you took your own on field decisions, despite advice that at times differed from your own and you backed yourself, which shows a maturity that is beyond your years.
Finally to David Gainsford who took on the role of all off the field management (and to his team of helpers), coordinating the players, parents, scorers, coaches, curators and making sure the wickets were covered and making sure we all looked professional in the excellent clothing. Very well done Gainsey and thank you unreservedly.
For me it is a little sad since it will effectively mean the end of my coaching era with most of these lads and since I have met them in the Under 15’s last year I have enjoyed our paths crossing immensely and will watch your progress with great interest lads. Some of what we have told you WILL eventually sink in and you may even remember who told you in time!
For those of you who will play Green Shield next summer, very good luck and I hope you take a lot from this campaign. If the two opening bowlers develop physically more by next December this side will be very effective in the early overs so it will be a pleasure to come along and watch from the sidelines.
For me, a couple of players were a revelation. Matt Levene’s 14 wickets at 8.07 in only 6 games is outstanding; well done Matt. This may be a hard benchmark to beat next year. Zac took 7 wickets at 18 which was still the second best performance. The secret to your efforts was the partnership that you formed with each other. Superb work.
For me the standout batsman was James “Jimmy” Crombie with an average of 34 and 136 runs for the season. You have really come of age with your batting Jimmy and the last two games you showed us why you have so much potential; that determination, the placement of shots, not over hit, was a delight to watch. Whilst you did not score as many as your captain Jimbo, who scored 170 at an average of 28 you were the class batsman of the series.
Good luck to you all with your cricket and hope to see you all at the Grade Club next season.
Signing off from coaching, Cliffy!
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