Points table

(Round 10)

A1 – 2^nd (48 points)

A2 – 1^st (51 points)

 B1 – 4^th (31 points)

B2 Blue – =3^rd (36 points) & 4^th on quotient

B2 Red – 8^th (16 points)

C2 Blue – =3^rd (36 points) & 3^rd on quotient

C2 Red – 7^th (31 points)

C3 Red– =2^nd (36 points) & 4^th on quotient

C3 Blue – =2^nd (36 points) and 2^nd on quotient

D1 Blue – =1^st (35 points) & 1^st on quotient

D1 Red – 3^rd (36 points)

D2 – 3^rd (42 points)

Match Reports

A1 Grade

WPHC (Wurthy) drew with Glenorie

A shame that Kenthurst Park was again washed out without a wicket being prepared – the only A1 game abandoned and the 3^rd in a row at Kenthurst Park.

A2

WPHC (Andrew) drew with Berowra

Another abandoned game due to a wet wicket area – this time at The Glade – no surprises this ground being washed out.

B1

WPHC (Rick) 47 lost to Normanhurst-Warrawee 94

Well we assembled at Greenway with a different looking line up this week impacted by COVID and absences. Flair rung the changes drafting in BCG, Jamaican and KT. We welcomed back Ivan from his honeymoon and on paper the squad looked good.

Normo won the toss and elected to bat. We bowled well and Ivan jagged a pole in the 2nd over. Scoring was tough as the pitch was slow and the outfield slower with very lush thick grass so the ball wasn’t running. All our bowlers bowled good lines and wickets fell at regular intervals. At drinks Normo was 3/49. After drinks things tightened up further and eventually Normo were all out for 94. Best of the bowling Ivan 4/12, KT 3/5, Pedro Lath 2/11 and Spidey Carlin 1/23. We would take that as a target every day of the week.

Well our batting effort was dismal and never got started.

We were bundled out for a paltry 47 (enough said). Only 1 batsman hit double figures and that was LooseBusChange Dhargalkar with 14. Extras (3) outscored 5 of us. This was a very disappointing effort after a good fielding effort. This loss will smart for a while.

B2

WPHC Blue (Shomik) 4/113 defeated Sydney Lions 105

Another game at Annangrove and we versed Sydney Lions for what felt like the 10th time of this season.

Skipper Shomik won the toss and kept to his guns and decided to bowl first. Mohsin (1/12) continued his good form by bowling excellent line and length and really putting the pressure on to the top order batters. This sharp opening spell set the tone for the whole innings and was followed up by great spells from Mithun (1/14) and Shomik (1/22).

The spinners Diggers (1/20) and Amit (1/21) continued their great bowling partnership and kept the pressure on. Anush was the bowler of the day, taking 4/12 in what was his best display of the season so far. An improved performance in the field also helped restrict Sydney Lions to a respectable score of 105.

The batting innings started with a bang. Opening pair of Ben (13) and Sagnik (13) kicked off the innings in a positive fashion. After a mini collapse Jai (22*) and Preet (35*) showcased a partnership full of power hitting and also a decent amount of restraint to steer us home to a well-deserved victory.

Another game done and another improved performance, as we look to book our place in the finals!!

WPHC Red (Phill) defeated ARL

Match Report to follow.

C2

WPHC B2 Blue (Buzz) 9/115 defeated WPHC Red (Indranil) 95

The usual pleasantries were exchanged prior to the match as the old hands Buzz and Eric cleared the pitch of some standing water to make sure we got underway on time for the 2nd of our Bish Vs Bish matches for season Omnicron.

Winning the toss, the Blues chose to bat first in the hope of posting a big score and putting the Reds under pressure. But it wasn’t to be as some excellent bowling from Inam and Vishnu kept things very tight and produced early wickets. Inam was on a hat trick at one stage and bowled a perfect hat trick ball that was just kept out by the experience of Peter Lees.

The tight bowling continued with good spells from Manav and Amit with Blues wickets falling before they had time to add too many to the team total. Then it was time for the Junkkari show, when despite Buzz’s instructions to be wary of this Club legend he added another three to his 500+ tally in a tight and challenging spell. Shanks came on and took the prize wicket of Dylan and the Blues had to work hard to post 115 after their 35 allotted overs.

Thankfully, we had another well-made contribution from D. Bish who obviously was driven by the bragging rights on offer as he carried the Blues through with an innings of 65 including 8 boundaries.

Best of the bowling was from Eric 3/12, Inam 2/16, Vishnu 2/23 Ravi 1/19 and Manav 1/23.

115 was actually a bit short of par, but was always going to be a challenge for the Reds against a strong Blues bowling attack. The Blues were hoping for early wickets to make a game of it, knowing there was some talented batters who could set themselves up to overtake a modest total.

What happened next was a bit surreal.

Our veteran opening bowler Paul Vink, who challenges every batting line up in the Comp and still has the zip to challenge all comers bowled over number one.

The scorecard reads thus: Dot. Wicket. Dot. Wicket. Wicket. Dot!

3/0 off the first over! Some may have thought it was Scott Boland in disguise, an unbelievable start that had the Reds struggling to have a batter padded up to come in next.

The tight bowling continued and a terrific bowling partnership from Paul and Josh had the Reds reeling at 5/47 after the opening bowlers spell of 14 overs. The one batter who stood up and showed his class was C. Bish. He weathered the storm and played some handsome shots to make a valuable 27 before he was done by the pace of young Jack who bowled another fantastic spell to back up the openers and challenge all batters.

At 7/49 the Blues looked right on top, but the Reds weren’t giving up and a fighting partnership developed between Connor and Vishnu who applied themselves and saw out the good balls plus scored whenever they had the opportunity. These two added 31 before the Blues realised that the game was still in the balance and hard work was needed to push for a win. Connor excelled during this partnership making the top score of 28 and playing some excellent shots throughout to keep his side in the contest.

After losing a few close games, the Blues rallied themselves and took on the experience of winning last weekend in a close one to make sure they closed out the last few wickets to pick up a win.

Best of the bowling was Paul 3/15, Buzz 3/19, Josh 2/31, Jack 1/8 and Xander 1/14.

Credit to the Reds for never giving up. Credit also to the Blues for closing out the win.

A great game of cricket and just another demonstration of the fantastic teams this Club has.

Oh, and the best Bish in this challenge? Jane turned up to watch – she wins, always 😁

C3

WPHC Blue (Rob) 9/82 lost to Sydney Lions 8/84

Another Saturday, another game of Cricket. Today saw the C3 Blues team travel up to Northholm Grammar to play Sydney Lions in what promised to be a great afternoon of cricket. The Blues were somewhat depleted by the lingering pandemic that has cast a shadow over all of us in the past couple years.

As Rob lost the toss, the Blues went out to bat and Will didn’t last long, falling foul of another LBW, he’s second in a row and third of a season which must be a record for a left handed batsman. The first of two super subs was next in Jude Boyle who was a standout in a bleak batting performance as he and Aden stood around for a fair bit before Aden was caught for 10.

Rommel arrived at the crease next and stood around to drink where the score was at a pretty low 2/36 off 18 overs. Jude continued to score with whoever was at the crease with Rommel scoring 8 and Sreeni 7 while Zia chopped one on the stumps for a golden duck.

The second super-sub Ben Burrows also went for no score but supported Jude well before Reyhan and captain courageous Rob Hanich combined for a total of 20 odd runs before being run out. Rob’s highest score of the season as well as his first runs of the season.

Mudi and Roger hung around before we completed the 35 overs at 9/82 with Jude top scoring at 27. Still optimistic, we headed out to bowl and struck early with a Mudi run out which allowed for a diamond duck for their opening batsman.

Early wickets came again with Reyhan and Ben taking one each. Before the Councillor Sreeni took 2 wickets in an over, allowing us a big chance into the game before Mudi took another wicket a couple of overs later. Another wicket followed as Sreeni and Will combined for the seventh wicket to leave Sydney Lions at 7/34 at the drinks break.

A former friend turned foe, as former player Roshan led the spirited charge after the drinks break as 8 and 9 combined for 50 odd runs before our now enemy was caught as the two super subs (Ben and Jude) combined for the 8th wicket.

However the 9th wicket partnership was just too much for the mighty Blues and the runs were scored with a couple overs to go. Our first loss in a while and has left us with a good lesson to learn. A huge thank you to both Jude and Ben for playing with us today. We all really enjoyed playing with you boys and hope to cross paths again soon.

Time to regroup and start aiming for that title guys!

WPHC Red (Cameron) 4/131 defeated Berowra 124

WPH Red won the toss and elected to bowl on Foxglove North – which was a little damp in the outfield due to recent rain.

A fantastic start by opening bowler Lakshya Rao who took two wickets in the first over and a 3^rd wicket in his second over to have Berowra at 3/8 after 3 overs. Things changed when their next two batsmen came to the crease with one player doing the aggressive hitting and the other supporting well with turning over the strike. A great spell of bowling by junior “fill in” Dilan Baskarana who toiled hard during a 7 over spell and finally got the break through on his last delivery finishing with 1/20 of 7 overs. Then cam Vipin Vermani into the attack and for the second time in the season, got a 5 fa – 5/15 of 6 overs. WPH ended up bowling Berowra out for 124 in the 31^st over with some good fielding and catching.

Our turn to bat and we opened with Varun Arora and junior Ansh Prateesh. Both started steady putting together a partnership of 38 after 10 overs before Ansh was unfortunately run out with a direct hit. Cameron came in at No 3 and for the second time this season was run out for a diamond duck. His call and his own fault but it was some smart fielding from the square leg fielder picking the ball up sharply and again a direct hit with a 1 stump view.

Varun Arora scored 57 before retiring hurt with a calf strain and he was well supported by Vedant Virmani with a nice 21 before being given out LBW. John Rose came in and smashed a couple of six’s and ended 19 not out and we passed Berowra’s total in the 25^th over.

We are sitting in equal 2^nd spot and with a close competition we are still a chance of finishing in first place if we continue to win the remaining matches.

D1

D1 Blue (Ross S) 5/101 defeated WPHC Red (Diggers) 6/98

Our second sheep station cup game of the year. The Blues up 1-0 but the Reds being deserved completion leaders. Big game at Dural Park…

Ross won the toss for the third game running, and was determined to change things up from previous weeks and bat first, however he changed his mind at the last minute and sent the Reds in hoping we would not have another 35 overs in the field.

Lachlan and Connor started off solidly for the Reds, playing safely, taking quick singles and hitting a couple of 4’s. Ram and Vikas bowled really tightly Reds 0-19 off 7 overs…A change of bowling with Sach steaming in, saw Ani take a sharp Catch at first slip, With Lachlan (States 3 highest club batting aggregate) dismissed for 9…A great 3 over spell from Sach with another wicket and solid bowling from Bala at the other end, saw the Reds 2-37 at the drinks break, with Connor holding the innings together.

After the drinks break the Reds came out with intent to score, however a wicket to Gihan straight after drinks break – caught behind, set the Reds back. Tight bowling from both ends made things difficult for the Reds, however runs ticked along, they were turning around the strike with great running until Mahesh threw down the stumps from covers. Connor run out for a solid 32…Reds 4-54 with 10 overs to go. Some solid hitting from Marcus (23), and contributions from Grant 12, Mukund 7no, and Siby 4no had the Reds 6/98 at close.

Kudos to the bowlers Ram (0-17) and Gihan (1-16) bowling 7 overs straight…wickets to Sach 3-14 (7), Vikas 1-22(7). Bala 0-13 (6) had a couple of catches dropped and was very unlucky. 2 catches to Waman, and 1 each to Ross and Ani.

The Blues turn to bat chasing 98 for a win.

Parin and Connor bowled a great opening spell. Nothing for the batsmen, Parin getting plenty of bounce taking a wicket in his second over with an excellent catch by Grant off a skied ball. Blues 1-16 after 8 overs…Chetan and Waman continued playing safely and just managing to thread the ball between fielders. With both batters looking to move things along the score progressed quickly to 1-55 after 15 however a double wicket over from Disco got the breakthrough, Chetan (30) and Waman (21). 2 new batsmen, Happy and Vikas took the Blues to the drinks break…3-56 with some work still to do….

After the break Vikas and Happy looked to hit out…Vikas hitting 20 off the 22nd over. With only 8 runs needed Parin came back to finish his spell and an immediate breakthrough with Happy well caught in the covers by Lachlan. A final wicket to the Reds for Lachlan with the scores tied. A couple of runs off the 26th over saw the Blues pass the Reds 5/101, with Vikas 29 no… For the Reds Parin 2-13(6), Disco 2-30(5), Lachy 1-5(2). Connor unlucky 0-19 (5). Catches to Connor, Lachlan and Grant.

Another sheep station cup played in great sprint with both teams supporting the fielding efforts of each other.

Reds and Blues are now tied , probably in equal 2nd with the Reds ahead on quotient….things are very tight in D Grade, and with only a handful of games left, and teams breathing down our necks, wins for both of us in the remaining rounds are important.

D2

WPHC (Nirav) 5/158 defeated Kenthurst 51

With a further couple of Covid scares within the D2 camp, seems like the only way out to have a full team moving forward is to go in to a bubble.

Jokes aside, with Luke and Tej missing out this week, it was up to the rest to step up and take it home….and they did not disappoint. Nirav lost the toss at the second attempt when the first one had the coin hold its position on the grass in a weird fashion (although the captain believed we had won it). Anyway, losing the toss did not make a difference as we were put in to bat (which was our plan) on a cracking day but at a disastrous & slow George Christie Oval.

Arun and Ravi opened the innings and went in to drinks with a steady partnership of 58 runs and we got hopeful of putting up a decent total to help with the net run rate which has been the talk of the D2 town lately. Arun went on to miss his potentially third fifty this season by a whisker but Ravi *Man of the Day* Gunna carried on to score an unbeaten 63. That along with Chintan’s quickfire 24 helped us get to 158 and we knew half the job was done.

Kenthurst went in to bat without showing any real intention to chase the total down and we had our first scalp in Mridul’s opening over. Chintan came close to a few chances and kept to a tight spell. However the real magic happened with the next changes when Ravi and Amith took over and which made Kenthurst lose the plot completely. While Ravi got his first fifer bowling some unplayable deliveries, Amith on the other hand came very close to his first hat trick of the season and finished for a brilliant spell of 3-6. We managed to wrap up Kenthurst for 51 runs and having to take only 9 wickets since they were a man short.

All up a great win and we look forward to carrying to momentum into the next few rounds. While we hold our position in the ladder with this win, due to the results in the other matches in D2, the points difference between the first 4 teams is now extremely marginal so we are looking forward to a nail-biting end to the last few rounds. Onwards and upwards from here.