A2 Grade

WPHC Red (Simon) 1/24 Vs Berowra 195 – there were 2 certainties today. Winx would win, and Snumpty would lose a SF toss. Both were paying $1.08.

We were asked to bowl. In big games, you need to go with your best plans. We chose full bungas. Wickets 1 and 2 went to plan. In semi final cricket, we get an extended lunch break. 40 mins posed some questions, especially with a Bowlo next to the ground. We also didn’t want to peak too early with our lunch jibber either. It’s a fine line to tread.

An interesting fact about today’s game was the crowd. For the main, the fans of each team were very separated. However, the Fiedlers were situated in the middle, which was a nice sign of solidarity between the 2 Clubs. Consensus is that Andrew is still a better bat than Greg. All in favour? The I’s have it. Congrats Andrew.

All bowlers took wickets today. Tis ‘Time Of The Month’ Mistry took 3, but went off after cramping. Some nacho cheese biscuits did the trick, and without ASADA officials there to test him, he returned to the field, in a brave effort.

Costo ‘Bung Thumb’ Costigan had to leave the field, after a catch dislocated his thumb. Some outstanding persuasion from the crowd, encouraged him to go to hospital, to ensure a $2 fine for leaving the ground. Well done Cambo.

A massive highlight was Maxim ‘GOAT’ Bennett, who’s 2nd out of 3 catches took him to the WPHCCC world record of dismissals. Congrats Maxim, and enjoy your bank. Choccie sauce is recommended.

In other news, for highlights of today’s game, including a video of Mobbo drinking beer in the shower, please visit www.ponhub.com.

We bowled out Berowra for 195. A good effort. We are 1/24, with Jimmy ‘Father’s Day’ Mc and Pon ‘No Theft’ Pon at the crease. After telling everyone how he hasn’t got a low score this season, the Bring Back Down To Earth Police hit Volc ‘Volvo’ Cano as hard as a Barnaby Joyce inappropriate advancement, as he was dismissed.

Thanks to all who came to support us (drink). Please ensure your drop punt skills are very much improved next week. The Sherrin was going everywhere.

B2 Red (Rob) Vs SKLPS 9/204 – we won the toss and sent the Opposition into bat. Dean Carlin and Aaron Hawkins started their opening spells well against aggressive batsmen. Aaron got the breakthrough in the 7th over to have the Opposition 1/27. Dean followed up shortly after getting the nick behind with the score at 2/28.

What followed for the rest of the innings was unexplainable from a side that had dropped maybe 7 catches all season. We went on to put down 11 catches in the innings! Even though we had so many missed opportunities we continued to bowl tight and give few runs away until late in the day.

The Opposition were 7/145 and we needed to put them away. Unfortunately they started to swing and we just couldn’t take our chances. They went on to finish the day 9/204.

Wickets were shared around. Aaron Hawkins 3/44, Dean Carlin 3/43, Rob Knapman 2/36 and Phil Hayes 1/15.

We will look to continue our form with the bat from last match next week and chase down the runs. If we aim to bat for 75 overs at Greenway, we will chase down the Opposition’s total.

C3 Grade

WPHC 78 lost to St Ives 8/106 – it was a Captain’s nightmare when you win the toss and have to make a decision whilst losing most tosses during round games.

Defying logic and team discussions we decided to bat first. The openers started off steadily reaching 16 runs off first 8 overs and then followed a flurry of wickets. At the end of first drinks break we reached just 28 runs losing 4 wickets and the wickets kept on falling regularly.

Anthony and Amitava decided to put their heads down and made a healthy 34 runs partnership for the 8^th wicket. We finished our innings scoring below par score of 78 runs with only 3 batsmen reaching double digits, Anthony 26, Amitava 13 and Indranil 17.

Defending such a low score is never easy, but the bowlers made a big impact upfront getting the St Ives openers back quickly. Amitava the star of the bowling attack finishing the day with 4 wickets in 12 overs giving just 30 runs. We continued to take wickets regularly and had them worried at one time with 5/41.

Some missed chances did not help our case, but the top fielder for the day was Ramil De Silva who took 3 difficult catches and a direct throw run-out from the deep. He had most of the team mates in shock but miracles do happen. The other bowlers who were amongst wickets Ben Waldron 1/14 and Sreeni 2/14.

St Ives finished the day at 8/106 and were never looking at ease on the pitch. Yes, we are down but not out, and everything to play for week 2. We pulled many rabbits out of the hat in the season, and the team is upbeat to pull a few more to give a chance to make to GF.

D2 Grade

WPHC 4/182 Vs Kissing Point – we are currently in second place with KP in third place. KP won the toss and sent us into bat at Campbell Park for this semi-final match. The field was green and the pitch was wide. KP was hoping to snare some early wickets. They opened with their fast bowler who currently has taken 26 wickets and is the top wicket-taker in the D2 grade.

Ben Kinchington and Captain Mike opened our batting. We were very selective in what we decided to hit. Our object was to stay in all day and not sell our wickets cheaply.

The two of us managed to bat through the next 24 overs without loss. At this stage we had hit 46 runs. Captain Mike unfortunately hit an outswinger on the top edge and was gone for 19 runs. Ian Williams came to the crease and stayed there until 60 overs had gone by. Ian was then caught but still managed to hit 50 runs. Our score at this stage was 139.

We lost our third wicket in the 65th over with Ben Kinchington hitting 59 runs after being at the crease for just over 4 hours. Ben did a sterling job anchoring our team and wearing out the KP bowlers.

Brent Van Wck then came in and hit a quick fire 35 runs not out. Our 4th wicket was lost in the 74th over with the score on 171. We finished the day on 182 after 78 overs had been bowled.

So, in summary we lost 4 wickets in this day’s play for 182 runs. We still have 6 wickets in hand and hope to bat through as many overs as we can next week for reasonable runs using up as many overs as we can. If that eventuates then we expect to play in the finals in two weeks time.

Congratulations to the team for grinding out a very stubborn score and achieving the game plan that we wanted.

John Hayne Cup

A & B Grades (Aaron’s Team)

Game 1

WPHC 8/142 defeated Castle Hill ‘B’ 5/109 – match report to follow.

Game 2

WPHC 3/144 defeated Castle Hill ‘A & C’ 9/141 – match report to follow.

C & D Grade (Buzz’s Team)

Game 1

WPHC 7/166 defeated Castle Hill 8/164 – sending the Opposition into bat didn’t look like a good choice as they raced away at the start, but our bowling improved and catches started sticking and on a fast Les Shore #2 we kept them to 8/164.

Best bowling from Avi Lath (2/8), Buzz (2/14), Darcy (2/15), Murray (1/9).

We kept to the required run rate and took the game down to the last ball to secure the win. Peter Lees 22* Will Harvey 19 and an excellent batting display from Avi Lath 19 and Cameron Tunks 10, the youngsters showing us how to bat!

Game 2:

WPHC 3/144 defeated Castle Hill ‘A&C’ 9/141 – our bowling had sharpened up after the first game and we collected regular wickets throughout the innings. There were two major highlights in the field, firstly Cody Waters (our star ‘keeper) collecting his first ever wicket! (The joy on his face was like he’d just taken his 500th!)

The second and by far the most impressive event was Tanay Hira who has been a standout with the ball all season and topped it off with his first ever hat trick taking 3/9! (bowled, bowled, caught). This is just our 47^th hat-trick and the first this season.

A fantastic achievement! Well deserved Mate!

Tarun, Murray, Scott and Buzz shared the other wickets.

Batting wise, we were in a bit of trouble at 2/1 in the first over but Will (21*) and Murray (19) put us back on track, followed by Scott (20*) and Peter (20* and passing 500 runs for the season!) racking up the runs quickly so Buzz and Cameron could see us notch up win No.2 of the day in the 15th over.

Next week we play the West Penno ‘A&B’ side so the intra club rivalry should continue the fun of this comp!