Competition Tables
- A1 (Cam #25) – =1st (12 points)
- A2 (Todd) – =5th (7 points)
- B1:
- Prats (Blue) – =7th (2 points)
- Red (Warren) – =7th (2 points)
- B2 (Sparsh) – =2nd (9 points)
- C1 (Aniket):
- Blue (Aniket) – 1st (12 points)
- Red (Roger Francis) – =6th (4 points)
- C2 (Chintan) – =2nd (7 points)
- C4 (Ravi) – =5th (2 points)
- D1 (Diggers) – 1st (12 points)
Seniors One-Day Competition
- WPHC Red (Pras) – not yet available
- WPHC Blue (Roger Friend) – as above
- WPHC Green (Rob) – as above
- WPHC White (Parin) – as above
Match Reports
A1 Grade
WPHC (Cam #25) drew with Kenthurst Upper Hills 8/120
Guete Morge (Swiss for good morning) to all and welcome, welcome, welcome to week 2 of round 3 against that team up north. No sorry, not the team in maroon, the northern team in yellow sitting in the other half of the ladder.
With a bit of rain around this week, it was always going to be touch and go if we would play.
Unfortunately, despite both Berowra and Parklands prepared, it was “deemed” too wet to prep the Kenthurst wicket and as a result, week 2 was called off.
As such, given we were off and I now identify as Swiss (for legal reasons) having adopted their policy of neutrality this week, I don’t have much else to report on or say.
However, one thing before I finish is that it might be a good time to speak up for our great friends at Kenthurst to ask for a full-time groundsman for Kenthurst oval. This would not only provided absolute objectivity, but also relieve the hardworking groundsman of having to prepare a wicket after work each week.
Anyway, after having Kenthurst in a very good spot to beat them in week 1, the game ends up with 3 points to us for a draw and 3 points to Kenthurst for a win, as we move on and look forward to round 4 next week.
A2 Grade
WPHC (Todd) 156 lost to Hornsby 8/184
Report not received.
B1 Grade
WPHC Blue (Prats) 7/257 dec defeated WPHC Red (Warren) 40 & 9/82
A warm welcome and hello to all long term and new readers of the famed B1 match report, sit back relax and enjoy the fine tales of a dominant day in the Sheep Station Cup
Straight to the important stuff – The Result!!
Well……….it was rather one sided with the Blues proving dominant throughout showing their class in the 1st innings
An early breakthrough via some dodgy running between the wickets had the Blues on the board…
The Reds managed to get back on track before what can only be called a faster collapse then Ansett in 01′ – The Reds lost their last 9 wickets for just 13 runs to be all out for 40
Some questionable batting decisions combined with some excellent bowling by the mighty Blues with all chipping in with wickets 2 each to Stevey, Keats, Burglar Prats & Bluey Carlin (after the 2nd biggest blow-up of the day)… Big Dan chipped in with 1 to finish off the rout
With Tails up & the Reds dismissed at 3:20pm this sheep station would be heading it outright territory with the Blues sending in the opposition again hoping for a bonus few points on the early season ladder
In Reply Z Turner just went for it immediately before Stevey struck not once by twice dismissing Zac & new man to the crease Jake in very quick succession – we must say he took those 2 after what can only be described as the worst appeal ever seen on a cricket field.
Sagnik & Luke combined again to build resistant despite their burning ambition to run each other out at every opportunity…
Bluey Carlin made light work of both men sending them packing in consecutive overs to have the reds in big trouble yet again at 4/37
Partnerships in the middle order proved frustrating as time whittled away and at 5/75 & only 8 overs left the shaking of hands early was very much looking par for the course
Until…. We busted out our X Factor “Spinner” for the match – Saurabh Kapoor who broke the game wide open in 2 deliveries….
The first was a rank long hop down the skipper prats throat who finally decided to catch the ball after 2 prior failed chances & the 2nd an absolute world class mystery ball that seamed & swing and was flat out unplayable in its pace…
In a completely unrelated note if anybody is looking for a bat handle & bat blade it’s in the bin at Dural Park after being smashed into pieces… A blow-up for the ages and one that made this humble match reporters early indiscretion look like kids play.
7 down & needing every opportunity we managed to take 2 more quick wickets 1 to Stevey & another to Saurabh who was proving a game changer in his promotion to B1 from C1…
As fading light set in & the Blues having the reds on the rope at 9 down it was looking to be a famous day…
Unfortunately cricket doesn’t work like that an much to the surprise of everybody on the planet Birdcage grew a set and hung on & Diggers – (with a D) managed to stay not out and survived….maybe a few top order Reds could take notes on Diggers – (That’s with a D!!!)
A dominant and excellent day for the Blues in the field taking 19 wickets in 74 overs and one we can very much use to set course for our resurrection up the table after 2 poor losses
How good is a Derby….
How good is cricket (when you win) & how good is blowing up, terrible appeals & how bloody good are Priceys Denim Jeans (get them back on cashie).
Viva La Blue!!
Till Next Week
B2 Grade
WPHC (Sparsh) 8/187 defeated CHRSL 184
What a thrilling game of cricket, with plenty of ups and downs right until the very end!
Our batting innings got off to a promising start, with Akith continuing his great form from last week. He looked confident at the crease, played some excellent shots and put together a brilliant 59 to give us a strong start.
However, the game was far from straightforward.
With wickets falling at crucial stages, the pressure began to build, and the match could have gone either way.
Just when we needed someone to step up, Raffel delivered an outstanding innings. Showing great determination and composure, he kept the scoreboard ticking and fought hard to keep us back in the game.
Mohit also deserves a special mention for coming in at a difficult stage when wickets were falling. He handled the pressure brilliantly, forming a crucial partnership with Raffel that helped shift the momentum back in our favour.
Their efforts were exactly what the team needed at that point in the game.
As the match entered its final stages, Raffel continued to battle through, taking us right towards the finish with a superb and well deserved 57.
And to cap off an incredible contest, John stepped up to score the winning runs and get us over the line!
A fantastic team effort and a hard- fought victory, with some brilliant individual performances when they mattered most.
Plenty of nerves along the way, but the boys showed great character to pull through and finish the game on top!
C1 Grade
WPHC Blue (Aniket) defeated on forfeit Kenthurst Upper Hills
Unfortunately, this 1st Vs 4th game is not being played due to Kenthurst forfeiting. This means that we get the maximum number of points scored in the Round to consolidate our position at the top of the table.
WPHC Red (Roger Francis) 209 defeated Sydney Lions 172
Report not received
C2 Grade
WPHC (Chintan) 144 lost to St Ives-Wahroonga 217
The equation was simple for West Penno.
Grind down and take the lead to grab 6 points.
With the day starting at 46/3 we were quietly confident with a reasonable batting strength to follow. Anubhav blunted everything they threw at him and was looking as solid as ever. Praveg meanwhile played a few shots and took on the role of an aggressor.
Tight disciplined bowling from both sides meant margin of error was small (very small actually) and Praveg unfortunately paid the price by getting bowled when he missed the line.
Arunava joined Anubhav and but his stay was brief as h nicked off one to the slips.
At 65/5 Vishnu and Anubhav started grinding down again and slowly built a 38 run partnership to bring the momentum back to Pennos. There were some proactive running with an occasional boundary in their partnership.
Just like how it would be the theme of things innings, Anubhav got out against the run of play when he cut a ball which bounced extra and keeper gobbled up the nick.
Vishnu fell soon after by nicking off an outswinger to the first slip.
Chintan, Pritam and Swapnil tried to rebuild with mini partnerships but the sustained pressure seemed to be too hot to handle for Pennos and eventually we folded for 144 to lose the second time in as many matches.
With 4 scores in 20’s and a 19, several batsmen got starts but could not kick on to make a substantial score.
The batters also introspected the need to tighten the technique to counter disciplined attacks better as we go through the season.
🏏💪
C4 Grade
WPHC (Ravi) 7/170 & 1/44 defeated outright Oakhill College 4th X1 41 & 170
After a dominant display on Day 1 where we skittled Oakhill for a low 41 and piled on 170 (declared) to secure a commanding 129-run first-innings lead, Day 2 was all about hunting for the outright victory.
With the first-innings points safely in the bag, we took to the field with high energy, knowing that ten good deliveries were all that stood between us and maximum points.
Our bowlers rose to the occasion, putting immense pressure on the Oakhill batting lineup from the very first over. Ravi led from the front, returning for a few different spells to finish with a fantastic 3/27 from his 16.1 overs. He was well supported by Anant (1/27), Amith (2/27), and Sayantan (3/32).
Together, the attack chipped away relentlessly to bowl Oakhill out for 170 in their second innings, setting us a modest target of 42 runs in 11 overs for the outright win.
Gihan and Nirav walked out to open the chase, immediately putting the pressure back on the fielders with some excellent, aggressive running between the wickets.
After Nirav was dismissed, Jassi came to the crease and kept the momentum rolling. Gihan (15*) and Jassi (17*) anchored the remainder of the chase beautifully, guiding us past the target to 1/44 in just 8.3 overs to secure the outright result.
It was a complete team performance across both weekends—onwards and upwards!
Highlights
- Ravi – 4/13 and 3/27
- Amith – 2/2 and 2/27
- Ananth – 1/3 and 1/27
- Sayantan – 3/32
- Jassi – 17 not out
- Gihan -15 not out
D1 Grade
WPHC (Diggers) 3/91 defeated on 1st innings Mt Colah 61
Report to be provided after this Sunday game.
Senior Mixed One-Day Competition
WPHC Red (Pras) 6/214 lost to WPHC Green (Rob) 7/228
WPHC Green batted first and unleashed absolute carnage.
Despite WPH Reds Will P’s (2/29) striking early and Jaydev’s clinical death bowling 3/25.
It was the batting prowess of WPHC Green’s Ansh stood-out as the MVP, who went full scorched-earth, smashing a breathtaking 112* off 85 balls, driving and pulling his way around the field. WPHC Creen’s Captain Zia’s 39 off 35 ball innings, which built the anchoring 77-run partnership with Ansh. Zia’s classic catch at gully to get WPHC Green opener Kristian out was a critical turning-point!
Even though, Sam’s first ball nearly had Ansh caught in the 40s on the boundary by Jaydev. A few too many catches dropped by WPHC Reds and leaked runs…WPHC Green still posted an imposing 7/228.
Chasing 229, WPHC Reds gave it a genuine crack. Kristian’s (54) and Nick D’s (53 off 39) solid batting master-class, before Jaydev capped off his man-of-the-match audition with a gritty 58* off 63.
Tight economical bowling by Muditha to hold one end at 1/25, only going at 3.57 and Nathan’s 2/33 spell took WPHC Greens towards the victory.
Needing late fireworks from WPHC Reds: Will D (15*) battled hard with a great 67-run partnership with Jaydev, which nearly won the game.
WPHC Reds falling just 14 runs short at 6/214.
Two-weeks in a row of nail-biting finish, and two-losses on a trot, giving WPHC Reds that early season wake-up call!Report not yet received
WPHC Blue (Roger Friend) 7/169 defeated WPHC White (Parin) 5/167
It was White vs Blue once again, a repeat of last week’s encounter between the two WPHCC sides, and there were plenty of familiar names among the top performers.
White won the toss and elected to bat, posting 167/5 from their allotted 35 overs, an almost identical total to last week.
Once again, Ramil De Silva led the way with the bat, scoring 53, following up his strong performance from last week. This time he was well supported by Parin Pillamari 46 not out.
For Blue, Daniel McEwan was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets, while Pankaj Gawande, David Tanna and Roger Friend claimed a wicket each. Sandeep Pathak also contributed behind the stumps with a crucial stumping.
In reply, Blue chased down the target in the 33rd over, finishing with 7 wickets down.
And once again, the batting honours went to two familiar heroes. Shehan Fernando scored 53, while Vinoth Sambasivam contributed a valuable 43 to help steer Blue towards victory.
đź‘Ź A special congratulations to Shehan Fernando, who reached the fantastic milestone of 1,000 runs for the club during this innings!
For White, Sachin Dixit led the bowling effort with 2 wickets, with the remaining wickets shared amongst five bowlers.
Another competitive encounter between the two club sides, played in great spirit.
🏏 Cricket was once again the winner!