Match Reports
A1 Grade
WPHC (Cam #25) 9/181 defeated ARL 142
Welcome welcome, welcome, back to the 2026/2027 cricket season.
After a winter of soccer, rugby, AFL and exotic dancing, we have all once again paid money ($700 before tax for Jack) to stand in the field for 6 hours on a Saturday arvo with our mates and boy oh boy I cannot wait for this season.
Unlike one Club, who’s captain was sensationally overthrown in a West(y) German like coup in the offseason, Cam was once again appointed as our fearless leader to take us back to the promised land.
In team news, we had some new editions to the side this year as we welcome Dane, a handy all-rounder who is also Jamaicans nephew-in-law. It really is a tight competition for the best family in this team.
Speaking of family, we also welcomed back DA.
Yes that’s right, DANIEL ANDERSON.
Now I don’t want to go too early but we might be home this season because unlike last year they now definitely will not have enough.
The usuals were back, with the Handos, Makins, NetanyaWu, Billy, P, Juw, Meiks, Belly, Beefcakes, plus Shaan and T, but unfortunately Asshane will not be with us this year due to team quotas already being met.
The comp this year is a similar make-up of prior years with plenty of familiar faces. The biggest change being farewelling Hornsby brown and welcoming Castle Hill.
Personally it’s going to be a real joy watching them battle with Kenthurst to see who gets the honour of playing in A2’s next year.
Onto the game now and we faced Asquith in a round 1 ODI.
We fell short against them in the semi final last year so wanted to get one back and start the year off well.
They won the toss and sent us in to bat.
The message during the week was to be proactive, taking plenty of quick singles to put the pressure back on them, so who better to do so than Krang, as he got off to a solid start with DA.
Both openers departed after around 10 overs with Preeds back from PCL surgery (loaded with horse tranquillisers for pain relief) and BCG steadying the ship. Bill made a nice 40 odd before Ollie came in and went to town with a 50 off 30 balls in what can only be described as whatever the opposite of child abuse is. We ended our innings with 181.
Onto the bowling and Jando took the new ball with O as our big left hander snagged one before Preeds chipped in with two of his own early. I just know their captain was spewing watching Jack bowl 3 balls down leg per over after he petitioned for leg side wides all week in the covers chat of all places.
K was measly and took 1 before much to the delight of his brother, Hawwy came on as second change to get rid of the same player that I quote “was robbing me of champion player last year”. Meiks and Tanay both got two, whilst O grabbed the final wicket as we wrapped it up to have them all out for 140.
To summarise with an AFL reference given it was grand final day, ARL got wharfed in what was a great start to the season for the A1 WPHCCCCC side.
Not sure who we have next week as the Association is yet to announce it but either way we’re keen to keep momentum going.
To finish, as I always say, you’re only as good as your second last season, so we can’t wait for our loyal readers to follow along as we try to return ROFE back into the front room (of 12) at Cam’s Glenorie estate.s 26/2026
A2 Grade
WPHC (Todd) 121 lost to Glenorie 4/331 dec
No report received
B1 Grade
WPHC Blue (Prats) 176 lost to Castle Hill 8/266
A warm welcome and hello to all long-term and new readers of the famed B1 match report, sit back relax and enjoy the trials and tribulations of seniors cricket
7 days is an extremely long time in cricket, as we all marinated on how the game would go and how we would go about securing a win we all went about living our lives to there fullest
This humble match reporter went from a Fortitude Valley Nightclub at 3:30am to trundling in bowling first up to start the day at 1pm… That is a very very short time in cricket
Castle Hill batted on from there efforts of last week and proceeded to find a way to baffle us all by scoring 10 runs in 6.5 overs and take time out of the game in which was already shortened due to darkness setting in at 5:30
We rolled them for 266 eventually after a long hard and brutal slog of 65.5 overs with a dry Greenway track reducing the matchball to something of a 1,000 over old practice ball, dogs would decline to chew on the ball given the state of it
We started off our innings well and back to our usual best like last season – Ronnie left a straight one on off stump, Blissy missed a straight one on middle stump and Ollie picked out the 1 bloke in the deep on a ball that didn’t hit the green strip in the middle….
B1 Blue had returned to there best for 2026/27!!
Needing a partnership to steady the ship Wu (promoted to B1 after years in A1s) & Dunks combined for a handy 51 run partnership and had halved the chasing total and at 3/130 we were cruising along and already pondering could we knock off early to watch the AFL finish….
Now we get to the part about the collapse – as is WPHCCCCCCCCCCCCCC tradition every team is mandated to completely & utterly fall apart in a chase at least once per season and we took it upon ourselves to produce that in Rd1 of 26/27 setting the tone for the club standards
3 Votes – B1 Blue
The collapse amounted to 7/44 off just 17 overs and took a promising result to a brutal week 1 loss but in coaches speak – the loss we needed to have
We fell a measly 92 runs short and on an outfield that produced very little for the bowlers and was a batter’s paradise a disappointing result to kick-off our campaign to go 1 further in 26/27
As Always…..
Viva La Blue
Till Next Time
P.S How good are the chooks – I love Caxton Street
Check out the edited highlights from the game by clickingon the link below.
WPHC Red (Warren) 9/243 lost to Hornsby 8/304 dec
We arrived at Montview Oval to face Hornsby after being 0/6 last week and expecting a fast outfield like last week.
We were greeted with a surprise from the groundsman who had aerated the ground causing it to be slow and bumpy.
Luke and Raynaldo set the platform taking us 0/71 the first drinks break. They both accelerated after drinks to take the score to 123 before Raynaldo lost his wicket scoring a well-played 60.
Ray came in with the platform set and fell for a 2-ball duck after miscuing a drive too long on.
Birdcage and Jake fell quickly leaving us 4/144. Luke and Warren consolidated and went about picking up the scoring rate after tea with a partnership of 43 before Warren chased a wide one and was out for 21.
Luke fell a few overs later for a very well-played 90 leaving us 6/196.
It was then time to see if we could play out the draw and our tail managed to get 9/243 with Alex 16 not out and Luke 18 making Hornsby worked hard for the win with the light fading fast and were deserved winners.
The game was played in excellent spirit.
B2 Grade
WPHC (Sparsh) 7/183 drew with Berowra 6/241
There is no need to go into any details on the Nepal flood disaster where 2 of our Senior players and their family remain ‘unaccounted-for’.
Before this Match Report it is worth sharing a great photo taken of the boys before the start of the day’s play last week. It is a touching moment when Rishab and Rudhra were with the players before the season started.
B2 – Nepal disaster – Rishab & Rudhra tribute – Dural Park – 19092026
Match Report
The season kicked off with a hard-fought draw.
Berowra began the day at 6/204. Tight bowling from Manas and Manav restricted Berowa to 241 all out. Each of them took 3 wickets. So, we needed 242 in 56 overs. Doable at Dural Park.
Adi and Corbs kicked off our innings with some solid shots and some great running. The pair of them got us to drinks on 65. We lost Corbs on 31 before Adi kicked off the scoring rate. A win looked on the cards if someone stayed with him. Unfortunately, we lost 2 quick wickets.
However, Adi was still there, and Manas joined them. The pair put on a great partnership. Manas took singles while Adi smashed the Berowra bowlers through midwicket and through the V. He went through the gears, getting us closer to the target (we were looking at a required run rate of around 6 an over). A century looked on the cards, too. But he got out on 94. It was a great knock.
The win was still on as we needed like 70 odd in the last 13 overs.
However, Manas soon got out after a well-made 35, and the scoring rate kept increasing. We lost some quick wickets as the light began to get worse. Now, it was about surviving till stumps, and Meet and Renesh did a great job, batting out the last 6 overs in the dying light to seal the draw. Both looked solid, giving like no chances (probably was a chance but like there was no light to see stuff).
It wasn’t the easiest match.
The weather wasn’t fun. However, some great bowling from Manas, Manav and Ratul helped to restrict Berowra. Then, we had a great chance for the W thanks to Adi, Corbs and Manas, but unfortunately there just wasn’t enough time left in the day.
It was a good start to the season. Some stuff needs to be ironed out, like catching, but 3 points is solid. Bodes well for the season.
C1 Grade
WPHC Blue (Aniket) 5/197 defeated Hornsby 193
After a strong performance with the ball on Day One, WPHCCC Blue returned to North Turramurra Recreation Area needing 194 runs for victory against Hornsby.
The chase was never straightforward, but a combination of patience, determination and composure saw WPHCCC reach 5/197, securing a deserved five-wicket win.
The innings was built on a solid foundation from the top order. Mridul anchored the chase superbly, producing a patient 53 from 106 balls.
His innings gave WPHCCC stability and ensured the side remained in control despite a testing period with the older ball.
At the other end, Saurabh provided early momentum with a valuable 30 from 45 deliveries, helping the home side establish a positive platform. When wickets fell in quick succession around the halfway mark, Hornsby sensed an opportunity to fight their way back into the contest.
However, WPHCCC responded calmly. Prashant played one of the innings of the day, crafting a composed 51 from 115 balls. His partnership with Mridul absorbed the pressure and took the chase deep into the afternoon, putting the result firmly within reach.
With the target in sight, Mohan produced a crucial unbeaten 31, guiding the team through the closing stages.
Showing great composure under pressure, he ensured there would be no late collapse and was at the crease when Lakshya scored the winning runs.
While the scorecard shows a comfortable victory in the end, the result was built on the team’s collective effort across both days. The bowlers laid the groundwork by dismissing Hornsby for 193, and the batters finished the job with discipline and determination.
The chase featured three important half-centuries and several valuable partnerships that steadily wore down the opposition.
The five-wicket win is a testament to the team’s resilience and ability to execute under pressure.
WPHCCC Blue can take great confidence from the performance, claiming the points through a complete team effort and continuing their strong start to the season.
WPHC Red (Roger Francis) 277 lost to Castle Hill 283
Last week we spent an entire afternoon giving Castle Hill batting practice. This week we returned to see if we could return the favour. 284 to win. Easy, right?
It started beautifully. Rahul strolled out to open and decided today was his day, smashing a superb 138 – our 569th century.
It was a proper knock, the kind that makes you forget the scoreboard even has a wickets column. Unfortunately, the rest of the top and middle order remembered it very quickly.
What followed was a collapse, the kind where you’ve barely sat down, taken your pads off and opened a Gatorade before someone’s walking past you with their helmet under their arm, staring at the ground.
Special mention to our skipper, Roger, who produced the moment of the day.
C2 Grade
WPHC (Chintan) 259 defeated Normanhurst 151 & 7/79
Bright sunny day welcomed day 2 of C2 West Pennos vs Normanhurst at Bannockburn.
WPHC had one eye on an outright win but as the old adage goes, were planning to take one ball at a time.
Pritam and Vishnu kicked off the proceedings.
Pritam continued from where he left off last week with some clean ball striking whereas Vishnu managed to keep rotating strike while hitting some occasional boundaries.
Pritam helped himself to his maiden century and retired soon after.
Vishnu cut a wide ball but could not keep it down and fell for 21.
It bought Arun and Anubhav to crease and the duo kept the scorecard ticking with brisk scoring. They brought up their 50 partnership and just when it looked like it was one way traffic all along and all hoped were gone for Normanhurst, Anubhav got bowled to a ball that swung in.
What followed was a period of high intensity from Normanhurst and a mini procession from Pennos where we lost 7 wickets for 15 runs.
While Arun fell while trying to up the ante the remaining batters were gone as a result of a period of sustained pressure and impressive catching.
Yes, you read it right. Normanhurst, after dropping many last week, caught many this week to tilt the balance in their favor.
At 212/9 Pritam came back and batted like he never left. A quickfire 47 run partnership with Praveg for the lead over 100 and Praveg was run out at bowlers end to fold the Pennos innings for 259.
That Pritam score around 56% of team total with 3 first innings wickets made his performance the stuff for legends. He was rightly not out at the end for an incredible 140, where the next best score in that line up was 36.
The plan was simple for WPHC – get them out for as little as possible within 39 overs (light permitting) and grab the extra points on offing.
Brahadesh and Anand started tight, and Ram picked the first wicket in 3rd over when the opener left a straight ball for LBW.
Praveg was brought in as a first change and ran through the middle order to pick up 4 wickets.
With Normanhurst a man down due to injury WPHC had to get only 9 Wickets.
While Vishnu and Agniva picked up a wicket each, Normanhurst lower order started blunting the attack after. Their batters number 8 and 9 combined for 2 runs in next 68 balls in mini blockathon, and rapidly fading lights meant game was called off at 5.30.
We won on first innings lead.
Pritam had a POTM performance for the ages with an ultimate all-round performance to set the tone for the season.
C4 Grade
WPHC (Ravi) 148 lost to Castle Hill 5/156
With 148 on the board, and at a ground where the square boundaries were as short as our captain’s patience, it was always going to be tough ask to restrict the opposition.
But our bowlers showed great heart. For instance, Ravi (after 3 consecutive boundaries) had a change of heart and actually began bowling for us:)
His bowling partner Gihan showed great team spirit by taking 2 catches off Ravi’s bowling, even though Ravi took no catches off his.
Amith was consistent as usual, and quite assertive I might add. When the leg umpire gave an above-the-waist no ball, Amith told him of the rule of no balls being over the belly button and then reminded him where the belly button was by bowling one over the batsman’s head.
Ananth was a show stopper with every ball being an event. He had their best player almost caught by our keeper Sahil, who put on quite a show himself by juggling an edged ball over his helmet, onto his shoulder, into his gloves, and onto the ground.
Nirav kept his line and length, and got his man trapped right in front, which was ironic since he couldn’t get a leg before the ball when he was trying to stop a boundary earlier.
In the end, it was a great effort to get them 5 down before they achieved the target. But what I saw from the boundary ropes, there’s an awesome team brewing here. Watch this space!
Highlights
- Ravi – 3/46
- Amith – 1/6
- Nirav – 1/14
D1 Grade
WPHC (Diggers ) 7/291 defeated Hornsby 285
WOW!
Zac Gerber!
Zac Gerber!
Zac Gerber!
Some have argued Zac is the lesser of the two Gerber’s when it comes to all things cricket. But not this writer! I always knew Zac was special.
Today was a true coming of age batting display from Zac, which translated into a magnificent maiden century finishing on 148* – our 570th century and guiding our team to victory.
Some have even suggested it was almost as good as the famous Grant Gerber century a few seasons past, but personally, I thought it was just a touch better!
But back to the beginning.
We started the day chasing 286 at Karuah Oval on a hot, humid day.
Capt Diggers (15) and Cliff (28) got us off to a great start before Diggers chipped one back to the bowler. Adi (24) joined Cliff and continued the good early work, before a contentious run-out call saw Cliff head back to the sheds (I thought he was in).
Then entered big Gerber (4), and then left, after having a fine leg shot kicked over the boundary by one of the fielders for his contribution.
Unfortunately, Adi followed shortly afterwards and we were suddenly 4/76 with still a lot of work to do.
However, at this stage Zac came in and started to score from ball 1…sorry, ball 4. The first 3 balls were shockers.
With Pete Lees (8), a partnership started. But when Pete got out pushing the scoring, it was shortly followed by Gus (9) and Jed, and we found ourselves 7/165.
But Zac was still playing a great innings at the other end.
Zac was then joined by Nandit (36*) and together they put on a D1 batting master class, combining for a partnership of 126* for the 8th wicket. This is a new Club D1 8th wicket record beating the previous frecord of 107* held by Happy Rana and Ross Smith back in 6/11/2021.
Zac and Nandit chased down the big Hornsby total in the 47th over.
Congratulations Zac and Nandit, and especially to Zac for his tremendous maiden century!
Senior Mixed One-Day Competition
WPHC Red (Pras ) 7/111 defeated WPHC Blue (Roger Friend) 6/109
No report received
WPHC Green (Rob) 5/145 lost to Berowra Maroon (C4) 7/205
The season has finally started for us!
With a number of players unavailable, a huge thank you to Ansh and Renuk for stepping up and helping us out. It felt more like a midsummer’s day than the start of the season, with the heat definitely getting to a few of us.
We lost the toss and were asked to bowl first. Less said about the result, the better, but with eight bowlers
getting some good overs under their belts, there were plenty of positives to take. There were some promising signs, along with a few things we need to work on. With a game now under our belts, we should see some better bowling next week.
A special mention to Manu for a very creditable 2/15, while Ranuk picked up 2/25 from his six overs.
After their 32 overs, Berowra finished on 205.
Our turn to chase.
A promising start saw us reach 50 before losing our first wicket, but the required run rate of 6.5 was always going to be a tough ask.
Excellent innings from Indranil, who scored 27 off 23 balls, and Manu, who finished unbeaten on 39, kept us going, but we eventually fell well short, finishing on 145 after our 32 overs.
On to next week! The team will be much better for having now played a game, and hopefully we can put a few of the lessons from today into practice.
WPHC White (Parin) Vs Berowra White (C4)
Game transferred to a Sunday fixture at Warrina Street as Northholm Grammar has been withdrawn from use. Match update to be provided on Monday after the game.