NSW YC Weblin Shield
27 October 2024, Mike Pawley Oval
Round 3 against Blacktown at Mike Pawley Oval brought with it the biggest win so far this season.
Harvey Matheson won the toss and elected to bat on a relatively flat wicket. Rohit Jayaram and Rocco Rulli opening up with the bat but an unfortunate mix up in the first over meant Harvey had to get out there early on. No matter however, as Harvey and Rocco steadied the ship with Rocco scoring a quick 46 off 45 before getting caught at mid-on. Angus Pike now entered the crease, picking up a rapid fire 48 off 37 striking at 130. Now Darcy Horstead was in and the flurry of runs continued with Harvey reaching his 50 and Darcy getting to 42 off 46. Harvey eventually got caught for a huge 88 off 126 and a MOTM performance. Great innings. Lewis Cruickshank and Darcy continued to accumulate with Lewis nicking off for 9 which shocked everyone as the opposition was so flat there almost wasn’t even an appeal.
Mitch McCombe and Murray Moran were now in the middle and with 4.3 overs to go a combination of great running between the wickets and flat fielding they were able to go at a run a ball for the next three before a huge 17 run over to end the innings consisting of 3 boundaries and a shot of the day ramp shot from Mitch who finished with 30 off 23 and Murray with 14 off 12, both not out. The total score was a big 291 with would no doubt be tough for any team to chase.
Now on to the bowling innings with Will Graham taking the first ball and Louis Corcoran coming on from the other end. No wickets in the opening spell however minimal runs leaked. Murray then came on first change and some brilliant fielding from Rocco at short cover led to a run out and the first wicket. Archie Buckley coming on from the other end and another wicket the very next over caught at cover by Rocco again and a first wicket for Archie! Good fielding and a lack of runs built up pressure before drinks with Josh taking a wicket on the last ball before drinks, an
LBW that stayed low. Rocco now replacing Murray and keeping it tight in his first over before another wicket for Josh Godwin with a good catch at slip by Mitch, two in two balls for Josh. A couple more quiet overs lead to Will returning to the attack and taking his first wicket of the day on the first ball of his second spell, bowled with a peach. Then, three overs later Josh picked up his third, with a good take standing up from Darcy, making this his best figures for Manly. Louis now coming into the attack after six more overs causing once again a wicket on the first ball of his spell and
another great take by Darcy, diving to his right. Mitch and Murray now coming on for a spell to finish off the tail with Archie taking his second wicket edged to Darcy for his third catch of the innings. Murray then entered the attack for his final spell and got a wicket instantly, caught by Josh at mid-off. Archie continued from the other end dismissing the last batter with a catch by Lewis at point to end the game and give Archie his 3-fer. In the end we bowled them out for 146.
An outstanding performance all around, with particular consideration to the superior fielding and running between the wickets on display. Special mentions to Rocco, Angus and Darcy with the bat, all picking up their highest scores of the rep season with 46, 48 and 42 respectively as well as Mitch and Murray with good cameos at the end, adding 30 and 14 runs to the total, both finishing not out.
In the bowling department, Josh and Archie both got their best bowling figures for MWJCA Division 1 with 3/44 and 3/19 as well as Darcy taking three catches behind the stumps.
Harvey was the standout performer and pick of the batters with an amazing 88, picking up his joint high score and capping off a dominant 145 run, bonus point win.
By Joshua Godwin