NSW YC Watson Shield
12 October 2025, Mike Pawley Oval
With the sun beating down on the home wicket of Mike Pawley, Manly Warringah won the toss and elected to bat first. Parramatta started the attack with tight bowling leading to the quick fall of both openers. Manly resisted the attack and started to build a total before Parramatta took two wickets in two overs. Mitch McCombe and Lewis Cruickshank steadied the innings batting very well together before Manly lost wickets again at regular intervals. A 12 run final partnership between Will Graham and Cooper Vickery would end up being decisive as Manly posted 155 runs.
The lads knew that to defend the total, something special was needed, and what a better way to start it off from Will Graham grabbing the first wicket on the second ball of the innings. The wind began howling and in disbelief, Parra saw Will Graham taking another wicket dismissing their captain. The boy’s energy was at an extraordinary level, encouraging every bowler. Parramatta fought back hard through the middle overs sitting in the box seat at 5/137, needing only 19 to win. Yet the Manly energy was still up. Starting with a run out of his own bowling, Murray Moran sparked the comeback with Graham removing the other set batter. With two fresh batters at the crease, the pressure shifted back onto Parra. Rocco Rulli and Josh Wickham had the last spell. Manly had to bowl them out, there were too many balls remaining. With Manly up for the challenge, they took three rapid wickets from two catches and a run out. Now, Parramatta were 9 down, needing just three runs from three overs to win the match. The next ball, there was a huge LB shout. The ball bounced from the batter’s pads and fell to Mitch McCombe’s hands as they scrambled to take the single. McCombe’s throw was collected in Thomas Jesser’s safe hands at the non-striker’s end and he took the bails off to win them the game.
What an extraordinary start to the season from the Manly boys playing in the greatest game we’ve ever been a part of.
MWJCA 155 (M.McCombe 31, L Cruickshank 21)
def
Parramatta Gold 153 (W. Graham 3/26 (10), R.Rulli 2/24 (7.5))