Grand Final Match Reports – Day 1

A2 Grade 198 lost to Berowra 3/203

Day 1 – WPHC 198 Vs Berowra 0/43

Excitement was building. The birds were chirping. The sun was beaming. You could smell it in the air. A grand final you ask? No, it was just a very sweaty Pear ‘Defib’ Partridge.

 

Anyway, can you believe that Snumpty ‘Blazer Glory’ Smyth won the toss? After doing a celebratory lap of the oval, high 5ing all the kids in the crowd, he decided to bat first. After losing 2 early wickets, a moment to savour for the large Banner contingent in the crowd, as Volc ‘Grandad’ Banner was joined by Effie ‘Grandson’ Banner.

 

Volc has regularly been the first batsman dismissed this season, so batting with our number 4 was a foreign event.

 

Did everyone vote today? I voted not to.

 

We went to lunch at 4/69. Effie was the mainstay of our innings, scoring his 7,856th run of the season, on his way to 55. He was supported by Keats ‘Not Kean To Vote’ Keating (18) and Tis ‘Stunned Mullet’ Mistry (22). With the 2nd new ball then taken, a vital and highly entertaining last wicket partnership of 35 between Fernie ‘Bat Me Top Order’ Meikle (26*) and Gandis ‘Go Luke’ Herzog, saw us make a very competitive 198.

 

Berowra have ended the day at 0/43. The first session will define our season.

Day 2

Berowra 3/203 defeated WPHC 198

Sometimes things don’t go your way. The scoreboard says that we were defeated easily, however our bowling could not have been better. It just wasn’t our day.

Needing early wickets on Day 2, we gave it our all, and it was Cambo ‘Sack Breeze’ McBrien who delivered the first blow, with a diving catch to LMac ‘Movember’ McBrien. From there, our bowling was exceptional, but we could not land the killer blow. Berowra passed our total 3 down.

As I write this, it is raining. This precipitation would have been well appreciated yesterday. Think of the farmers God.

After the game, we learnt that the Kookaburra ‘Burra’ Cup was the A2 trophy awarded to the Minor Premiers, and the Premiers received the Baulkham Hills Shire Shield. All season, we wanted to win Burra, and until yesterday, we didn’t realise we had. Yes the boys! Burra is what matters. The Baulko Shield is about as useful as the ‘experts’ on Married At First Sight.

I’d like to congratulate Will Fiedler, and the 10 good Berowra blokes on their win.

To our team, I could not have asked for any more. Except a premiership. Is that too much to ask? Geez. You have been such an easy team to Captain, and all about our team. The only thing I love more than A2’s is the 0.352 hamstrings I still have left.

We ended the night with car park rooftop beers on Effie ‘GOAT’ Banner’s car. That was good. We should do it more. Just don’t invite Snumpty ‘Fat Rump’ Smyth, who may or may not have dented roof.

Let Mad Monday begin.

B1 Red (Gunny) 121 lost to Berowra 195

Day 1 – 121 Vs Berowra 4/83

A grand final. One of the biggest events of them all. Some would say the biggest days of our lives. But then again Ben Meikle is the only one in our team who is married or had kids, and although not quoted on it a Grand Final was definitely more important to him (sorry Andy).

We showed up to Kenthurst Park and it looked pretty good, although a very slow outfield due to all the dew around. Surprise, surprise we lost the toss, and were sent in to bat despite Gunny incorrectly signalling imaginary bowling to the team.

The start did not go the way we wanted to, with to their credit the Berowra bowlers bowling good areas and doing a bit with the ball, combined with some less than impressive shot selection and a dubious umpiring decision (which led to an enormous tantrum by Gunny) saw us at 4/20.

From here, the innings was largely dominated by Kyle ‘appendix’ Townsend (52), who yesterday went to the doctors to be informed he has signs of early appendicitis. KT showed real class and counter attacking in his innings, with beautiful stroke play all over the ground bringing us back into the contest. He also managed to forget his whites and had to borrow Pricey’s.

Handy contributions were made around him with Brent ‘wannabe disco’ Larkham (11), Ben ‘who’s Andy’ Meikle (10) and Justin ‘sweepologist’ Edwards (15) chipping in on our way to a low but defendable score of 121.

Our turn with the ball, and the boys were absolutely pumped to put on a show. Through tight fielding, good bowling and plenty of chatter we managed to have Berowra 4/35 with wickets to Jedwards (1-26 off 9), KT (1-7 off 10) and Az Hawkins (1-6 off 3) and felt on top in the match. Unfortunately, from here a few half chances didn’t go to hand and Berowra put on a steady partnership to finish the day at 4/83.

While not in an ideal position, we’re still confident in pushing for a win on what is definitely a tough to start on wicket. We know just one wicket will open up the game, and we’ve got the bowling attack to get it done. A big effort tomorrow and hopefully we can come away with the win!

Day 2

WPHCCC Red 121 lost to Berowra 195

We showed up to Day 2 full of hope and optimism, and this came through with a few quick wickets to have Berowra at 7/101 from 4/83 overnight. KT bowled a big opening spell and carried the team in this match, picking up 4/20 off 24 overs after his 52 with the bat. Semonn Oleksyn (2-32 off 12.2) bowled with some real fire too. Unfortunately we bowled really well but couldn’t make the most of our chances and Berowra passed our score 7 down.

From here, Berowra continued to bat as we looked to go for an outright but looked solid and we only eventually bowled them out for 190 something as the boys struggled to clean them up. We looked for quick runs with the bat but we lost quick wickets and called the game there.

A disappointing result for us after a really good season but we’ll be back bigger and stronger next year. Congrats to C2’s and C3’s for winning premierships, especially for C3’s for beating Berowra.

C2 Blue 0/10 Vs Galston-Glenorie 157

Day 1 – 0/10 Vs Galston-Glenorie 157

After a 40 min delay to start the game due to some moisture on the pitch, we won the toss and had a bowl. The Glade track didn’t look too bad actually, but it was popping all day, and we just had the plan to bowl disciplined lines on a good length – but that’s easier said than done. GG started off aggressively with their opener driving hard at any ball he liked the look of, but Jack Barry bowled a jaffa which Feathers took smartly at slip. Dan Schwartzel bowled the other opener with a full toss, and we liked our start – 2/18 in the 8^th over.

GG clearly had the plan to attack no matter what, and gave us a lot to think about as every half-loose ball was punished. They reach 3/62 at lunch, after Warren Papa Schwartzel chipped in with his first wicket. 1 or 2 decisions had gone against us at this stage, but we were disciplined enough in our approach to not let them worry us.

We hit a purple patch, with the re-introduction of Jack to the attack, ably supported by Stuey ‘Still need that 4 not out’ Fiedler. They combined to take 5/12 (including a memorable run out to Pratah ‘it was all in self-defense’ Sinnetamby and we were well on top at 8/74 just before the tea break. We would’ve thoroughly enjoyed our scones & cupcakes had anyone brought any – instead we settled for a couple of grapes and an apple, and watched the miner birds attack each other. Perhaps we should’ve been thinking about taking those last 2 wickets.

GG’s tail proceeded to take the game to us after the break, hitting out at anything & everything. Plenty of chances were created but we kept spilling them – at least 6 went down plus a few more near misses. Couple this with 1 or 2 more iffy decisions and some injuries to the Chidge & Mick ‘The Human Expletive’ Barry (sorry Mick !), and the game was slipping away from us.

We finally managed to dismiss GG for 157, which is well above par on this track. Jack was easily the best of the bowlers with 4/42 plus 3 catches. Stu (2/15) and Warren (2/17) supported him well.

Dan & Mick comfortably rode out 10 overs without loss, and lifted our spirits as we ponder how we could’ve made our run chase so much easier. Anyway, let’s be positive boys & show the fight with the bat that we have all season.

Day 2 – 9/113 drew with Galston-Glenorie 157

I write this as a pretty proud & pretty pissed skipper – but today was one for the ages.  After letting GG off the hook on day 1 as they made a potentially match-winning score on a tricky Glade wicket, we were greeted with a damp pitch after the overnight rain storm leaked under the covers. The umpires delayed the start of play by 90 mins, but even then we were confronted with a minefield of a pitch.

Our openers departed pretty quickly, but our resolute middle order managed to keep the runs ticking over, with Ollie Linschoten playing an eye-catching cameo of 18. But what we really needed were some long innings’, but the conditions proved too tricky for most, and we found ourselves 6/52 in the 36^th over – still 40+ overs to bat and not much hope. Wicketkeeper Matt Schwartzel was the mainstay, playing a lone hand as we started to build a few partnerships.

It became a game of overs, rather than runs, as the damp pitch spat and bit at the batsman who wore plenty of deliveries on the body. Matt saw out 14 overs with Fieds, 6 overs with Warren and 15 overs with Stu. There were numerous dropped catches by the close-in fieldsmen who were hovering around the bat – a reflection of our performance on the previous day.

Our penultimate wicket fell with 8 overs to go. The injured Chidge joined Matt, and the crowd were glued to every ball that seemed to offer Glenorie a chance of a wicket. A storm was brewing, the light was dimming, raindrops were falling but the umpires decided to continue the match. GG raced through their overs and managed to bowl 2 more than the mandatory 18 in the final hour, but Matt & Chidge remain stoic. On the 1^st ball of the last over, Chidge launched one on to the hill for 6 – what are you doing, son ??!! The final over was negotiated and the boys celebrated.

This was a mighty performance. Facing 80 overs on a sticky Glade wicket with a team made up mostly of guys playing their first season in seniors was something to behold. We were the best team all year in this grade, but we felt the cards were stacked against us with the Final draw.

The boys did what they do best which was to get on with it and simply bat and bat and bat, without ego. Matt the Bat finished with man of the match honours with an amazing 41 not out in 47 overs. Relish this win fellas, because you won’t witness too many backs-to-the-wall performances like this in a Final again.

WHO WON WEEKESY? WE WON WEEKESY !!!

C3 119 defeated Berowra 98

Day 1 – 119 Vs Berowra 0/10

Fronting up at Turramurra Memorial Ground it was pretty clear that play was unlikely on the pudding of a surface that covered the wicket square. The sun was out though and the umpires decided to allow an hour to see if conditions improved…. they didn’t!

We then reverted to the back up ground, the home of cricket at Greenway which was in contrast, looking a picture (albeit a bit spongey and slow across the outfield).

Winning the toss was a good start and as Minor Premiers there was no hesitation to bat first.

Unfortunately we were set back on our heels with the loss of two wickets in the first over and it took Rosey and Connor to dig deep and guide us forward, doing a good job before Connor fell and we were 3/20. Dylan and Rosey showed signs of repeating their mammoth partnership of last match until Dylan was out just after drinks and Rosey shortly thereafter to have us in trouble again at 5/45.

It was then up to the lower order to try and add as many as we could to give us something to defend. Sam looked promising and worked well to help add a valuable partnership of 20, then with the fall of his wicket Brent strode to the crease and did what only he can.

Deciding the best place to score runs was where there were no fielders (i.e.; up onto the hill amongst the spectators) he proceeded to plunder 42 off just two overs including 4 sixes in a row of one hapless bowler. His cameo of 47 (4×4 5×6) took us over the hundred mark.

Trying to continue the attack he finally holed out. With some determined defence at the end we took the innings to the last over of the day before being all out for 119.

Only two games ago Berowra were bowled out for 116, and in our first match against them we rolled them for 118. So the Fat Lady is not even warming up just yet! Our batting has set up a lot of wins for us this season, tomorrow is the chance for our strong bowling attack to stand up and do the job for the team and win us the title!

The only thing standing between us and a premiership is 10 wickets.

Let’s want this boys! Let’s do this!

Day 2

WPHCCC 119 defeated Berowra 98

WE WON ALFIE!!

There was an out of character bollocking from the skipper before the start of play in an attempt to focus the boys on just how important today was going to be and that although we had one of our worst days with the bat yesterday, the message was that we had the opportunity to have our best day with the ball today, to take hold of the match and forge a memorable victory.

Boy did we do just that!

We took the field with fantastic vitality and a purposeful and positive approach.

Berowra have 4 of the top ten batsmen in our grade and we knew we had to knock them out to have any chance of holding ‘Alfie’ aloft.

Paul and Dylan bowled wonderful opening spells and tested their batsmen who were just as determined to play their best. An outstanding slip catch from Connor off Dylan got us underway to have them 1/11 after 10. The opposition Captain came to the wicket and looked to play aggressively from the outset, but we stuck to our bowling plans with Rowan beating him with sheer pace to uproot his castle, 2/43.

Rosey was troubling the batsmen and just on the drinks break he picked up the next wicket, 3/50 to have the game evenly poised.

We knew the next batsman (who plundered a hundred against us last game) could be the difference between the sides. Rosey almost had him first ball and he gave a couple more half chances before Buzz cleaned him up and sent him back to the Pavillon for only 4. 4/57 at this stage and the momentum had definitely swung our way.

Rosey quickly took his next pole, calling out for a skied ball for a tense c&b, 5/60.

We knew there was only one real threat remaining and Dylan used his pace to test him with the short ball, narrowly missing an edge for a caught behind one ball, the batsman tried again next ball only to hole out to a fantastic catch at deep square to our super sub Riley! 6/78 and the pressure was showing on the Berowra tail!

Bishy then picked up another wicket during a fantastic spell, 7/80. Momentum building, but still a very tense time in the game.

It was then Xander’s turn to star with the ball and he had the batsmen in real trouble with the swing he was getting, ducking one in a foot or so to clean bowl their no.9, 8/85.

There was some resistance from the next pair who eked out a few runs to take the score to 8/93 at the last break.

We knew this last session would be ours! Determined to finish strongly, Rosey came back into the attack and bowled the ball of the day to have the last stubborn batsman caught behind 9/97.

One run later, Xander cleaned up the final wicket which lead to palpable relief, celebrations, and (so it’s been reported) tears of joy!

The bowling and fielding effort today was exceptional. The depth of talent and application that this side has displayed throughout the season came to the fore once again when needed. An incredible victory, and one well deserved from the Minor Premiers who can now proudly call themselves C3 Premiers 2018/19!

This was a season where all 14 squad members contributed on different days and at different times to ensure we found ourselves with the opportunity to win a Premiership, that’s the wonderful strength of this great club.

A huge shout out of thanks to the great crowd of supporters who came and cheered us along today, thank you! To the wonderful group of Mums (and Dads) of the team (lead by the super supporter Miss Jane!) who have been with us through the season on this journey, you are amazing!

Special thanks also to our ‘14th’ man, Ross Anderson. Always so involved, encouraging and so positive around the team. You can notch this up as another premiership Rosco, you deserve it!

Lastly, to my team, thank you for your efforts, your determination and your support throughout what has been an outstanding season and one I’m sure you will always remember!

We play for the best club in the world, and did I mention – WE WON ALFIE!!

Points Table

Standings after the final Round (Round 14) follows. The Semi Finalists have been highlighted:

• A1 Grade – 4^th
• A2 – 1^st
• B1:
  • Blue (Rick) – 8^th
  • Red (Gunny) – 1^st
• B2 – 4^th
• C1 – 6^th
• C2:
  • Blue (Fieds) – 1^st
  • Red (Indranil) – 5^th
• C3 – 1^st
• D1 – 3^rd
• D2 – 6^th