U12 NSW Youth Championship Cawsey Shield, Quarter Final, Nolans Reserve #1, 26 November 2023
Bowling/Fielding
After the luck of the toss not going our way, we were bowling first on a humid and hot day.
We had a great start from both ends, with Will and Jack bowling impressive line and length.
They were both unlucky not to pick up a few wickets in the opening spell. Then we finally broke the partnership with a few quick wickets thanks to some fantastic bowling from Toby and George, an amazing run out from Ryan and a superb catch from Will. We started to feel we had the upper hand. We tied them down with some tight full on off bowling, and awesome keeping from Josh and Justin, restricting the runs where we could. After a slow but steady partnership from the other team, we felt the runs were starting to tick over a bit but it stopped as quickly as it started. Again, it came from full and on off bowling and with it came a wicket for Riley.
Parramatta replied by bringing in an aggressive batter to turn the runs over. Although the runs still weren’t flowing on as nicely as Parramatta would have liked. This was due to some outstanding bowling from Riley, Ryan and Harry. Although it did seem quite stressful in the last ten overs, we kept our cool and continued bowling in our areas. If sometimes the luck didn’t go our way, everyone was very supportive and was quick to raise the energy again.
Finally after a determined innings, with relentless bowling, we restricted them to a very achievable total of 113 for 7.
Batting
A great start with the new ball swinging from Parramatta saw the early wickets of Riley and Justin. Parramatta had a spring in their step. Ryan and Jacob were put to the task of making the momentum swing Manly’s way. They had a stable and composed partnership, ticking the runs over where possible. Every run seemed to make the win edge closer and closer.
After consolidating at drinks we kept the runs flowing nicely. Jacob and Ryan looked to be taking the game away from them with a astonishing partnership. Looking like the game is slipping out of Parramatta’s hands.
Although it was not over yet. After the unfortunate wicket of Ryan due to great bowling and keeping to stump him we realised that it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. Parramatta were still fighting and unfortunately got the wicket of Jacob because of express pace and a great catch. Now George and Markus were in, trying to take their team over the line.
Unluckily, after a hesitation in running between the wickets and a tight umpire call, Markus was back in the sheds. Next came Toby in, again with the same mindset to finish the game of for Manly. Although, after a mix up in the running between the wickets, Toby was out in the most unlucky fashion.
Parramatta were up in the field, all was silent from the Manly tent as the tension kept building. Although Josh and George were still grinding away at the runs, the win getting closer every time. 20 runs went to 19, 19 went to 18 and that’s how it went, grinding away.
We kept our hopes high, and as soon as we knew it we were into single digits. Parramatta were stunned. The final over came with only 2 runs needed and we struck the winning runs with 3 balls remaining. It took us a few seconds to contemplate what a win that just was.
Parramatta were staggered but after all their best efforts they couldn’t beat us. We are versing Fairfield next week in the SEMI FINALS of the competition. Hopefully for another win!
Written by George Hansen