NSW YC – Cawsey Shield
November 3, 2024. Terry Hills Oval.
The Manly boys turned up to cloudy conditions at their Terrey Hills home ground, looking to maintain their unbeaten record. Captain Blake continued his success with the coin, winning the toss and electing to bat against Northern Districts.
Manly’s openers, Luke and Cruz, started well with some excellent running between wickets, before we lost Luke with the score at 7. Ekam and Wes both fell soon after, with Manly at 3-28 at the end of the 13th over. Blake and Cruz steadied the ship with some lovely batting before Cruz was out for a valuable 20. Some well needed support was then provided by Zac. Ollie came to the crease with great intent, helping form a valuable partnership with his Captain, who was later dismissed for an excellent 35, as the score moved to 6-94 at the 28 over mark. Good support to the innings was then provided by both Jensen and Jesse. Ethan continued the momentum, scoring at more than a run a ball, before Ollie was dismissed for a valuable 30 in the last over, as Eddie faced the final delivery to help guide the hosts to a total of 133.
At the halfway mark, the mood in the Manly tent was positive, with the match placed well in the balance.
Manly’s opening bowler, Eddie, completed 3 deliveries in the first over after lunch, before a strain saw him come off the pitch and later taken to hospital. Zac was then brought into the attack to complete the over and immediately applied pressure with some well flighted spin. Jesse capitalized from the other end, taking a wicket off his first delivery and continued his spell with excellent line and length. This was then followed up by first change Charlie whose accuracy brought the stumps down of the number 3 batsman. Captain Blake decided to continue with spin and brought Luke into the attack, with his tight bowling applying immediate pressure, which was well supported behind the stumps from keepers Cruz and Ollie. This saw the opposition look to chase runs, and in doing so, tested the arm of Jesse, who displayed some excellent outfield fielding to run out the opening batsman. 2 balls later, Luke had his well-earned wicket, as the visitors were on the ropes at 4-23 at the end of the 9th over. The Northern Districts team however dug in and displayed some patient batting against some tight and disciplined bowling from Ekam, Jensen and Cruz. A valuable 72 run partnership then followed before another piece of outstanding fielding from Blake resulted in a run-out, with the score at 5-95. Another well-earned wicket to Charlie in the 34th over saw the visitors fall to 6-109, with the game hanging on a knife-edge. Both teams remained composed under pressure, and despite some close run-out opportunities, Northern Districts managed to chase down the total with 10 balls to spare.
A tough day for the Manly boys, who showed great sportsmanship in defeat – a testament to their strong and resilient character.
By Wes Harpur
U12/1 Round 5 v Northern Districts
