Manly had an excellent weekend against the strong Sydney club on the weekend. First and second grade each need about 70 runs to claim first innings points, third grade will be defending a 270+ total, while fifth grade have already claimed first innings points and will be looking for an outright win. Fourth grade are locked in a close tussle, having Sydney 2-15 chasing 190.

On Sunday PG”S went down in a hard fought match against Penrith. This loss means they failed to qualify for the finals, and finished 12^th. However they were only 3 points out of the top 6, so they had a more than respectable season.

Outstanding Performances

Shane Cleary 5-46 (1sts)
James Munting 3-37 (1sts)
Tim Cruickshank 80* (1sts)
Matt Mee 4-37 (2nds)
Michael Visser 3-26 (2nds)
Steffan James 52* (4ths)
Dave Farrell 4-16 (5ths)
Will Jonkers 3-20 (5ths)
Mitch Pugh 52 (5ths)

Player of the Week – Shane Cleary

Shane bowled extremely well on the weekend in hot weather to bowl 19 overs taking 5-46. In particular his first over where he dismissed former NSW bat Thornley and 2^nd XI bat Sparke had a big influence on the day. This haul of wickets now puts him 5^th highest in first grade with 32 wickets. Well done mate!

First Grade Report VS Sydney – Jack Ritchie

Manly 3-123 (Cruickshank 80*) VS Sydney 198 (S Cleary 5-46, Munting 3-37)

First grade put in an excellent performance on the weekend. Being asked to bowl first on a flat wicket, the bowlers consistently bowled a good line and length and built pressure. This resulted in a steady flow of wickets and it was only due to some good lower order partnerships that they ended up with close to 200. Shane was the star taking 5 while Munter bowled well taking 3. Birdy and Poskitt also bowled well without luck and provided good support.

The batting didn’t get off to a great start with Davis dismissed first ball of the innings, however a partnership of 80 odd then ensued between Ritchie (18) and Cruickshank (80*). Ritchie nicked and nudged them around while Timmy gave a stroke-making exhibition at the other end. It really was incredible to watch and I’m sure Timmy will be hoping for a big one this Saturday. We ended up 3-123 with Nat Hill (11*) having a bit of luck after being bowled off a no-ball on the last ball of the day.

Second Grade Report VS Sydney

Manly 4-82 (Cox 33*) VS Sydney 145 (Mee 4-37, Visser 3-26)

Third Grade Report VS Sydney

Manly 9-273 (Badyari 47, A Lindsay 45, Bonner 42) VS Sydney

Fourth Grade Report VS Sydney – Max Burgess

Manly 189 (James 52*, Mason 37) VS Sydney 2-15

Turning up to Ryde oval on a hot day, the oval had a similar feel to one like that of a traditional Grahams Reserve, with a lighting fast out field and a pitch which was flat but stayed low and slow and spinner friendly. After winning the toss Joel decided to have a bat. Getting off to a solid start Maso (37) and Roley (29) showed their experience and knuckled down and prepared to work on a tough wicket against pressure bowling. With runs not coming easily and tight lines being bowled mistakes came into our game with batsmen throwing away their wicket and not wanting to grid away an innings. The only batsmen who showed resistance to the bowling, was the pom Steff, who worked hard throughout the innings, ticking over the score board and waiting for the loose ball. Unfortunately he ran out of partners leaving him on a score of 52* and the team’s total of 185.

With nine overs left in the day we set ourselves the challenge of giving a few of the batsmen a Friday night out next week. Bowling full and straight lines Luke Grant was able to sneak away with one and with the wicket turning Ryan Farrell picked up one on the second last ball of the day to have Sydney 2 for 15.

Bring on next week!!

Fifth Grade Report VS Sydney – Dave Farrell

We were aiming to put in a better bowling and fielding effort after a pretty ordinary game v Gordon last round. Training was good and the Tahs were ready. The toss was lost and we had our chance.

Good opening spells from Arshdeep (1) and new boy Will Jonkers (3) had 3 Sydney batsman back in the hutch after 12 overs. Farrell (4) & Kaye (1) continued the good work, with a steady flow of wickets. Esky Ashe (1) chimed in with 1 and Jonkers came back well to polish off No.11.

Sydney all out for 91, after only 39 overs. The real highlight of the innings was the improved catching, ground fielding and attitude. More long fielding sessions to go, but a vast improvement. The boys should take a lot out of it.

James “Rabs” Boyer was immaculate behind the stumps again, not conceding an extra and constantly encouraging his team mates (some say he has a tape recorder in his pocket connected to his mouth).

With 42 overs left, we were always a chance to get a first innings up on Day 1. Our batting was steady throughout, with everyone getting a start (lots of 20’s), with only Pughy going on to post a well made 52. We really needed 1 of the 20’s to be converted to post a 150 plus lead by stumps, but at the end of play we had slumped to 9 for 147. Still a first innings win, but we definitely took our foot of their throats. Hopefully lessons will be learnt.

Next week we get the chance for maximum points, for only the second time this year. I reckon we are specials, if we continue to improve in the field and convert starts to big scores.

Poidevin Gray Report VS Penrith

Manly 161 Defeated by Penrith 9-178