U13/1 Gee Shield – November 23rd, 2025
Rain was forecast, the dark gloomy clouds gathered over the field like a pile of leaves. The parents acting quickly showed up late the previous night to put the covers on the pitch. As expected, the rain came and showed no signs of stopping. A miracle happened; the rain cleared, seeping away like a sponge absorbing water. We got on. The captains stride out to the middle of the pitch full of confidence. Manly being the home team. Blacktown won the toss and elected to bat first, a bold move due to the slow outfield. The pressure was on, first ball just moments away, then bam! It was four. The first ball crushed away for four. Then Charlie 4th ball yorkers the opener and bowls him. After that Huw backed him up from the other end with a maiden. The pressure of the dots and the early wicket got to them, and Huw got a breakthrough. Wickets crumbling all round. After just 31 overs they were bowled out for just 133, with Zac and Charlie taking 2fer and Huw taking 3. The opening partnership of Luke and Cruz set the tone for the rest of the team, 17 of just 3 overs. Then Blacktown took a few quick wickets with Wes and Hamish keeping the score ticking over at a run a ball; before Charlie came to the rescue with an amazing 32 from just 22 balls turning the run rate in our favour to achieve a crucial bonus point. Followed by a 40* from 29 balls by Blake C. The game came down to a run a ball game. It was a nail bitter; everyone was on the edge of their seats. Some were even so nervous they couldn’t sit still. It came down to needing 18 from just 24 balls to help us secure a bonus point which the team needed to get to get into the finals. With the Blacktown bowlers bowling a relentless line and length, Blake and Alex put together a great partnership to bring it home with a commanding number of balls left.
Thanks to a combined effort from the team, we now advance through to the quarter finals against Parramatta.
Shout out to the parents from Manly Warringah for going out of there way to put the covers on the pitch the night before.
Blake Cotte