NSW YC Foster Shield
19 October 2025
Manly Fight Hard but Fall Short Against Parramatta
It was a cracking day for cricket, and Manly came out firing with the new ball after losing the toss and being sent to field.
The opening bowlers of Isaac De Souza and Angus Brandt set the tone early, keeping things tight and giving nothing away. Then came Alex Paixao as first change and made an immediate impact, snaring three crucial wickets in quick succession to have Parramatta wobbling at 3/77 at the break.
Manly’s bowlers kept the pressure on all innings — tight lines, good length, and sharp energy in the field. Every run was fought for, every ball backed up. Despite that, Parramatta steadied through some classy middle-order batting to push through.
Angus Brandt returned for a strong second spell, grabbing a wicket in the 36th over, capping off a solid all-round performance from the Manly attack. Parramatta finished the innings 4/180.
Chasing a tough target, openers Finn Sorbara and Eddy Goldsworthy dug in beautifully, weathering the new ball storm and putting together a steady stand of 13 overs before a sharp run out broke the partnership. All the top-order batters got starts, with Goldsworthy leading the way with 34, while Cam McPhee was excellent in the middle, crafting a classy 40 not out off 42 balls.
A flurry of wickets after the break slowed Manly’s momentum, but Alex Paixao wasn’t done — his lively 21 off 17 balls gave the chase one last spark, helping Manly post a respectable 143.
In the end, it was Parramatta who took the points, but there was plenty to like about Manly’s effort — disciplined bowling, energetic fielding, and plenty of fight right across the park. A great step forward for the team as they continue to build momentum through the season.
