1st grade posted a solid total of 7/285 with Jay Lenton leading the way again with the bat, posting a superb, unbeaten knock of 101.
2nd grade lost the toss on a pitch which looked to be a batting paradise. Despite conditions not favouring the home side, the boys toiled away and bowled Fairfield out for 233, with Matt Alexander and Joey Graham the pick of the bowlers.
3rd grade bounced back after what was named “the worst loss of my career” by Warren Evans, to have already wrapped up first innings points, in a Day 1 thumping. Highlights of the day were the old man himself, bagging 4 wickets, whilst young guns Jack Edwards (62) and Aiden Bariol (38) led the way with the bat.
4th Grade were led well by Max Burgess (5/50), who bagged the first 5 wicket haul for Tahs in the 2015/16 season. The boys restricted Fairfield to a below par 178, and are 0/16 in reply.
5th Grade continued their red hot form, rolling Fairfield for 114 with all the bowlers contributing. In reply the boys are 2/77 and in a great position to take first innings points.
Finally, the 1st Grade T20 side completed a great weekend for the Tahs, with convincing victories over Mosman and St George.
4 Pines Player of the Week – Jay Lenton
Returning to 2 day cricket can be a challenge for some batsmen. After playing limited overs cricket for the first 2 rounds, adjustments were needed to be made by all. The class of this 4pines player of the week, is undoubtful as he became the first player to score a ton in all three formats of the game, in one season, since the T20 competition was introduced to grade cricket, 6 years ago.
His unbeaten 101* from 172 balls on Saturday, led the Waratahs to a very respectful score of 285. Jay backed up his form on Saturday, in the first of the T20’s on Sunday against the defending champions. He showed his versatility with the bat, by smoking an unbeaten 104* off 62 balls which included 6 fours and 7 sixes.
With performances such as these, State selections must only be around the corner for Jay.
For his two incredible knocks this weekend, Jay is this weeks 4 Pines Brewery player of the week. Well done.
1st Grade – Manly Warringah 7 for 285 (J. Lenton 101*, A. Crosthwaite 48, A. Baker 35, Merchant 34).
Hopefully we have put enough runs on the board for our bowlers to play with next week and we can get on the board in the 2-day competition.
Jack Ritchie
2nd Grade – Fairfield Liverpool 233 (B. Falconer 3/55, S. Gainsford 2/17 M. Alexander 2/34, J. Graham 2/69) Manly Warringah 0/11.
Losing the toss and being put into the field on a flat deck we knew it could be a long day and a consistent grind. Mattoes started off well trapping the opening batsman in front for 0, followed by the other opening batsman who mishit it to point straight to the safe hands of Gainsy. Falcs was a bit off his game early on and was not bowling as accurately as he did the week before. The number 3 was throwing his hands at the ball and playing his shots, hitting a considerable amount of boundaries but had no patience. 2nd grade debutant Joe Graham got his man when he tried to go over the top and skied it to mid-on.
Another partnership built until Luke Grant snicked off their number 4 batsman who looked out of sorts from the get go and found a lot of runs through edges. Joe had a great debut bowling 25 overs for 2-69. Gainsy came on for a spell to give the bowlers a rest and was able to snag 2 wickets in the process. The last 2 wickets took a while to get but we never went flat and maintained our energy throughout. With 9 overs left in the day Joe Graham stepped up to the plate to open with Ralphy instead of Gumms as he was feeling “lightheaded”. They were able to survive the short spell and give the boys a better chance of winning next week.
I thought Sam Webber captained brilliantly in replacing Rowan, a few edges went through the gaps but that’s cricket at times. We always felt like we were creating chances even on a flat deck. Also, quick mention to Joe Graham for stepping up to open the batting in a nasty situation, you would have been a waste batting at 10 anyway.
Cheers Ralphy
3rd Grade – Fairfield 79, 0/7 (W. Evans 4/34, J. Carden 3/5, J. Wigney 2/26), Manly Warringah 2/155 (J. Edwards 62, A. Bariol 38, J. Daly 36*).
Our young openers, both 15, both back from the U/17 Aussie carnival showed us why they are held in such esteem with a faultless display against the new ball. Jack Edwards (62) got the early skip on Aiden (38) and they passed the total together. Aiden started to hit the ball more cleanly and was looking to move into top gear before cracking one to cover. These blokes ran well and found the gaps, showing much needed top of order energy after our early season failures. Jack played all the shots in his entertaining knock. He hits the ball powerfully and correctly and has a very positive aura at the crease. He looked like he could bat for days, only when the word went out that we were declaring in 4 overs did he play his first rash shot, top edging straight up against the spinner. A great partnership between these blokes and I reckon they’ll have a lot of fun together racing to see who gets to 50 first over the next year or two.Sam Hole (3) under cut onto his stumps and James Crombie scored 7no. Jordan Daly (36no) hit the ball beautifully and scored his runs in very quick time. Great to have someone of Jordan’s stature back at the club. All up 3/155 from 31 overs was a top response.
We gave ourselves 6 overs to get an early one but we couldn’t quite do it. If we come along next week full of energy and enthusiasm I reckon we’ll go close to getting a valuable 10 points.
WE4th Grade – Fairfield 179 (M. Burgess 5/50, J. Wood 2/45) Manly Warringah 0/16.
Following tea, we continued to fall behind the required over rate, falling nine overs behind before prompting from the umpires forced us into action. Max Burgess begun to bowl one minute overs, with Jacob Graham almost matching him from the other end. This started to put the pressure on the batsmen and begun the fall of wickets with Max burgling 5 due to tight, stump to stump bowling. Apart from the number 8 who came out and smashed a 50 late in the day, wickets fell at regular intervals during the afternoon thanks to good bowling. The tahs bowled Fairfield out for 178, then Billy and Max saw out the remaining 5 overs of the day, leaving Manly 0-16 in a good position to chase down the runs next weekend.
Captain Max Burgess and Isaiah Vumbaca having a trundle at Grahams Reserve
5th Grade – Fairfield 114 (J. Anderson 2/11, A. Virdi 2/19, E. Hole 2/20), Manly Warringah 2/77 (E. Hole 32*, J. Pickering 31*)
Alex Bain
Second Grade turned up to Waverley ready to take on Easts. After losing the toss, we were in the field and looking for early wickets among other things (Nick was searching for a park, while Dyl Marshall was on the look out for an RTA to renew his car rego). Mickey Visser (1-30) and Nick (2-32) opened up and set the trend for the day. Both of the boys built pressure and bowled consistent maidens. Before their first spells were done, each had a much deserved wicket. 2-40. The skipper then turned to Luke (2-36) and Pughy (1-15) who continued the good work. LG picked up the third wicket before Dylan (2-45) came on and bowled a terrific spell which saw him claim 2 crucial wickets. We had Easts up against the ropes at 5/75. Faz (1-26) and Gainsy (0-3) also bowled extremely well on either side of the tea break.
It didn’t seem to matter who was bowling, the pressure was always on. East battled all day and never really managed to get their run rate over 1.5. I think the stat that sums up the day best is that we managed to bowl 32 maidens in the innings! A phenomenal effort on a flat deck. Although the 9th wicket managed to add just over 50 and put us slightly under pressure, it was all Manly on day 1. Easts 9/194 before an early declaration. Hats off to the bowling group for bouncing back after a disappointing game last week.
Jarrod and Gums then managed to survive a tough 9 over period without being troubled. The good guys are 0-10 and on the hunt for 6 points.
