It was a mixed weekend for the Manly boys on the weekend. First grade unfortunately have lost on first innings and will be chasing a second innings victory next week, while an excellent bowling performance has given fourth grade first innings points already. In second, third and fifth grade the matches are all quite evenly poised.

On Sunday first grade got their act together with an awesome performance against Sutherland to book a spot in the T20 quarter finals, while PG’S went down in a high scoring match also against Sutherland.

To view Ian Bird's photo's of the weekend action as well as recent Green Shield fixtures please click here

Outstanding Performances

Jackson Bird 5-42 (1sts)
Shane Cleary 3-44 (1sts)
Ian Prowse 84 (3rds)
Michael Cosentino 3-15 (4ths)
Matt Butcher 3-44 (5ths)
Matt Alexander 56* (PG’S)

Player of the Week – Jackson Bird

Birdy again put in an awesome performance with the ball, taking 5-42 off 13 tight over’s on Saturday. Defending only 101, Birdy’s contribution enabled Manly to roll the hosts for 140 and be in with a good shot of an outright victory on day 2. Well-done Birdman!

 First Grade Report VS Gordon – Jack Ritchie

Manly 101 & 3-102 (Ritchie 44*, Hill 33, King 23*) VS Gordon 140 (Bird 5-42, Cleary 3-44)

We were sent in on a deck that most thought would do a bit with the new ball. This was a definite underestimate, as 23 wickets would fall during the day. Our first innings actually got off to an ok start being 2-51, however our middle and lower order didn’t last long and we were bundled out for 101. We were confident of bowling Gordon out for less than this, and came very close having them 7-91 at tea, however a few lower order partnerships pushed their score to 140.

Our second innings didn’t get away to the best of starts being 2-2, however Nat Hill batted aggressively to score 33 and get things back on track while Ritchie (44*) and Kingy (23*) batted solidly to see out the day with Manly 60 ahead.

Second Grade Report VS Gordon

Manly 226 (M Cleary 44, Walter 39, Cox 34) VS Gordon 0-63

Report Pending

Third Grade Report

Manly 9-228 (Prowse 84, A Baker 47) VS Gordon

Report Pending

Fourth Grade Report – Jarrod Baker

Manly 102 (Readett 23) & 0-6 VS Gordon 92 (Cosentino 3-15)

It was another unusual Grahams wicket. Captain Joel Mason lost a crucial toss. Not so unusual. After a positive start thanks to openers Jarrod Baker and Adam Gummer at 0/30 we lost four quick wickets to be 4/40. We were eventually bowled out for 103 with Dean Readitt and Max Burgess the only batsmen to offer up some resistance thanks to some positive stroke play on an unpredictable, slow wicket.

With 41 overs left to bowl in the day we couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. Gordon were quickly 4/6 thanks to some impressive bowling by Rhys Hodge and new Dad Vinnie Reehan. Tight bowling and outstanding fielding and catching left the Gordon batsmen fighting for every run. At 6/84, calls for the introduction of the Italian Stallion were answered and Michael Cosintino delivered with three quick wickets and a memorable celebration following his second wicket to boot. Rhys Hodge picked up the last wicket to also finish with three wickets and along with Vinnie Reehaan was the pick of the bowlers.

It was an impressive first innings win, a solid team performance in difficult conditions and great start to 2011. While we still need to back it up in the second week, it was a win that may place us in the top six at the conclusion of the round.

Fifth Grade Report

Manly 2-12 VS Gordon 221 (Butcher 3-64, Kaye 2-21)

Report Pending

First Grade T20 Report VS Sutherland – Jack Ritchie

Manly 136 def Sutherland 9-107

We batted first on a good wicket on Sunday and everyone chiped in to get the total to a competitive 136. The main contributers were Luke Edgell with an unbeaten 32, Timmy and Nat each hit 24 a piece while Mitch Cleary hit strongly to finish with 23.

We knew we would have to bowl and field well to win, and that is exactly what we did. All the bowlers shared the wickets with Bird, Munting Boss and Nat Hill taking 2 each while Ritchie took 1. The highlight of the innings was no doubt James Munting’s catch in the deep to dismiss Phil Jacques, something that really turned the game in our favour.

The win meant we finished third in the T20 comp and take on Parramatta at Manly Oval this Sunday. Hopefully we can get another big crowd on the hill, as their support really did lift the boys and make a massive difference to the end result.

Poidevin Gray T20 Report VS Sutherland

Manly 8-153 lost to Sutherland 6-201

Report Pending