NSW YC Gee Shield
20 October 2024, Mount Ku-rin-gai Oval
Manly 9/164 defeated Hornsby 9/153
Manly started their second game of the rep season with another win of the coin toss, and noting the very wet ground conditions, captain George sent us in to bat. After two early wickets it was up to Riley and George to build a partnership and steady the ship. Hornsby’s bowling was tight but our batters chipped away at the singles to get Manly up to three an over at drinks. The instructions after drinks was to lift the tempo to five an over. Good bowling made this difficult but they slowly moved through the gears and started to find the boundary, with a couple of big overs leading to fifties from George (52) and Riley (52) in close succession. They both got out playing for the team, and handed over to the middle and lower order to bring Manly home. Key performances with good run rates from Zac (12) and Justin (10) helped Manly to a defendable total of 164. It was over to the fielding and bowling.
After lunch Hornsby came in to chase with their deadly batting line up, with the game finished on a roller coaster.
Going into the second innings immediately things looked challenging for Hornsby, with Jack Egerton looking sharp, however two opportunities wasted with two drop catches. Luckily for Manly the wickets would come from Will Mathlin’s bowling, with him taking his first of his 5 wickets for the day early. With the first change George Hansen bowled brilliantly to Hornsby deadly batting line up.
Ryan Rosenkowitz would change things up as our first change spinner, with many opportunities again going begging. Straight after drinks, Ryan would get a break through, clean bowling Ronvir Sandu to break what had turned into a ominous partnership. Hornsby continued to forge away at the target, with the chase getting closer and them needing 75 off 60 balls. A couple of costly overs from Manly, and Hornsby were looking in a strong position, with batters who had found their form. George and Will came back in for the final overs, and delivered tight overs with minimal runs scored. Manly kept cool and calm in the last 8 overs, letting few runs through, and with the dot ball pressure came the wickets. The Manly fielding was top form, with many boundaries saved throughout the innings which could have sent the run rate out of control. Notable mention to Wicket Keeper Josh Hill who had a great game, conceding 0 byes. Will Mathlins 5/36 off 8 overs, and George’s 2/19 off 8 overs ultimately led Manly to a nail biting victory again.
Report by George Hansen and Ryan Rosenkowitz.
George Hansen (52)
Riley Stradling (52)
Will Mathlin (5/36 off 8)
