Under 14 Division IDCA
T20 Double Header – 21 January 2022
COVID reared its ugly head to rule out skipper Neo Pressley and Coach Adam Pressley as well as star fast bowler Sam Roche and Manager Tom Roche for the final week of the season. To compound these losses star all-rounder, Claude Remond, received a well deserved emergency call up to compete in the Division 1 Grand Final. This provided an opportunity for Hunter Sheehan to complete the Division 2 line-up for the T20 Double Header where Manly hosted Sutherland and NWS Hurricanes at Nolan Reserve. The playing conditions for the T20 Double Header were modified so that no batsman may bat for a second time (across the two matches) until all players had batted and no bowler may bowl in the second game until all 10 nominated bowlers had bowled.
Round 7 – Manly vs Sutherland
On a glorious summer morning, newly appointed skipper Maxwell Taylor lost the toss and Sutherland elected to bat on a typically slow Nolan Reserve outfield.
Manly restricted Sutherland to 7/91 in 20 overs with everyone except the wicket keeper having an opportunity to bowl. Luke Macfarlane was the pick of the bowlers with his leg spin picking up 2/10 in 3 overs and he was ably supported by Rishi Pande (1/9), Nelson Davis (1/5), Luke Kennedy (1/11) and Maxwell Taylor (1/8). Manly’s run chase started well as Harrison Kirkham (18) and Harper Cole (10) put on 28 for the first wicket and went into the drinks break well placed, requiring 45 runs from the final 10 overs with 8 wickets standing. Unfortunately, Manly’s inability to rotate the strike or clear the inner ring resulted in the addition of a meagre 12 runs in the next 6 overs. Despite the best efforts of Rishi Pande (11* off 15) and Nelson Davis (8* off 11) in an 18 run unbroken seventh wicket partnership, Manly were unable to get across the line and went down by 12 runs.
The unusually large contingent of Manly’s supporters, together with the players, enjoyed a BBQ lunch under the trees whilst watching our Division 1 friends mounting a very competitive first innings total against North Shore in the Youth Championship Grand Final.
Round 8 – Manly vs NWS Hurricanes
Manly lost the toss for the second time in the day and NWS Hurricanes elected to bat.
Despite a rigorous pre-match warm-up led by Luke Macfarlane, Manly was unable to shake-off the effects of a long lazy lunch and put in a lacklustre effort in the first 10 overs as NWS Hurricanes worked their way to 2/42 at the drinks break.
A revitalised Manly team took to the field post the drinks break and knocked over the remaining 8 wickets for 29 runs. Harrison Kirkham led the charge with 3/4 off 2 overs and was well supported by Rishi Pande (1/8) and Nelson Davis (1/3). Despite putting down a few catches, the ground fielding and returns to the keeper were top class and contributed 5 run outs in the innings.
After failing to chase a modest target in Game 1, the Manly supporters were rightfully a little apprehensive as Luke Peters and Maxwell Taylor strode to the wicket to begin the run chase. But their concerns were quickly allayed as Luke (28* off 29) and Maxwell (25* off 31) batted with positive intent from the outset and reached the 72 run target in the tenth over to record a comprehensive 10-wicket victory. Parents and players gathered around the screens to catch the final nail biting moments of the Youth Championship Grand Final where our Division 1 colleagues fell in the last over to a magnificent run chase by North Shore. Despite this disappointment, everyone left the ground after an enjoyable day’s cricket, looking forward to a good break before the commencement of the 2022-23 season.
Thanks to: our scorers, Pat and Louise; square leg umpires, Chin, John and Tris; Louise for organising the BBQ; and all who brought food, shelters etc.
