NSW YC – Creak Shield
3rd November 2024, Harbord Park, Harbord
MANLY 9-100 (E Renshaw 22, J Dale 22 ) defeated NORTH SHORE 98 (I Kumar Singh 3/17, G Jacobs 2/3) by 1 wicket
WE WON!!!!
Both teams arrived at Harbord Park for the early 9am start given the forecasted heat across Sydney. With the forecast suggesting it was going to get to 30+ we decided we were open to bowling first, and ensure the opposition had to field in the heat. At the toss, we call correctly and send the opposition in, which we were happy about, and so were they.
We entered the game with a squad of 13, covering some niggling injuries we had, plus the extra player on the hot day, which was a welcomed by all the boys.
Manly won the toss and elected to field.
BOWLING INNINGS
We started our bowling innings with accurate bowling and great support in the field. On the 20th ball of the innings, with the score at only 1 (from a No Ball) we took our first wicket to Jack Maris from an awesome catch by Dylan Brabant at Square Leg. We had started on fire and were putting lots of pressure on the North Shore batsman.
For the next 12 – 13 overs we continued to bowl tightly and support our bowlers in the field, and at the first drinks break had restricted North Shore to only 1/30 off the 15 overs. From overs 16 – 30, our bowlers continued to bowl well and take wickets plus restrict runs. In those 15 overs we conceded only another 30 runs but took 4 wickets and had North Shore 5 – 67. We had been able to continue to take wickets regularly and stop any partnerships and knew we were on top but had to finish them off. North Shore had also been bowled out for a small total the week before so we knew they would be nervous.
The last 10 overs of the innings were like the first 30 overs. We had brought back all our quicks and again were able to restrict their scoring. We took wickets in the 35th / 37th / 39th / and 2 in the 40th over to bowl them out for 98.
Ishaan got 3 and bowled super quick and Grayson also was firing and took 2/3. We also had 6 of our 8 bowlers bowl with economy rates of all better than 2.5 run an over. We were pumped. All our bowlers fielders had done their job and it was starting to heat up so happy we were now batting. It had been our best performance in the field this season.
During the innings, we did have a couple of injuries to our keepers, which meant our Opener Reubs was going to be unable to bat, or bat if we really needed him. It changed our order, but we were up for it.
Manly was sent into bat chasing a total of 98 runs – thinking we had this in the bag after our awesome bowling innings. Surely this was our day!!!
Batting was tougher than we thought. There were some unlucky umpire calls and Ethan got the run rate going with 3 x 4s and quick singles with Cooper batting and running well. Ethan’s run came to an end with an exceptional catch from North Shore and a respectable 22.
Jack D once again batted well with 22 runs. Some short sharp runs from Ishaan including the 4 he tonked to the boundary, but Jack D was fast running out of partners. Surely, we couldn’t let this one slip – we needed to win!!!
So now 8 wickets down…. On came Talon and Dylan – what a batting debut Talon!!! Nothing like a bit of pressure!!!
Parents and teammates watched nervously as we batted our hearts out – just needing 7 runs to win – just had to hold our nerves, it was feeling like the hardest 7 runs in our lives. Guess what – we did it!!!! It felt like the best 4 of my life! Thanks Tal for backing me up and keeping me calm out there.
Marvellous
Our new team song! (hover, press control and the click on the link)
REPORT by Cooper Gabriel – (Intro and Bowling) and the man who hit the winning runs – Dylan Brabant (Batting Innings)