Alex Ferrara takes on the t20.
From the Convenor of Cricket, John McCallum
Round 2 action saw most teams playing Cranbrook, and there were many fantastic run chases for victories, and some great team and individual performances across all age groups. Perhaps the most exciting was a last over thrilling win to our 8B side, who chased down the 122 need – with Jackson Dodd hitting a 6 on the second-last ball to take victory. Well done Jackson, who also finished 44 not out. The 1sts had a similarly tight chase, with last man Joel Ellis hitting a boundary to secure their 218 runs required, with Ryan Connolly with him on 36 not out. Ben Donaldson earlier helped set up the chase with 54 (a full Coaches’ report follows).
The 9A and 9Cs both had excellent victories in chasing totals – with the highlight a century to Zac Murphy, who scored 116 in the 9As win. Zac opened and worked hard early in his innings, building a huge 146-run partnership with Liam Andrews (24), blunting the attack and spirits of the opposition to allow a 5-wicket win. This added to the team’s belief that large chases present challenges that can be achieved, with the right approach. The 9Cs chased down the 70 runs they required with great determination, with Joe Parsons particularly impressive, bowling a 4/15 to restrict the Kings School.
Our strong teams in the Opens Age Group continued to play impressive cricket, built on a great culture of supporting each other’s efforts. Conor Molloy scored a fantastic 95 in the 2nd XI’s draw (with a full Coach’s report also appearing later in this article).
The 3rd XI totally outclassed St Aloysius’, posting a large 6/164 from 20 overs, with Hal Cumpston and Byron Howe highly destructive with quick 30s. Jack Hamilton was the pick of the 4ths bowlers with 4/25.
The 8Cs had a great win in a well-controlled chase and team effort, with Max Farmeary, Tom Colman and Ed O’Sullivan having great matches. The 8A’s narrowly lost, unable to defend their score of 115, but showed plenty of heart with both bat and ball.
The first round of the CAS Twenty20 competition occurred last Tuesday afternoon, with the 1st XI losing to a strong Trinity side by 38 runs. Trinity got off to a great start and compiled 2/142 from their 20 overs, with spinners Mac Jenkins and Ryan Connolly making heavy scoring difficult. Despite 36 not out to Alex Ferrara, Waverley was unable to gather the required momentum, losing regular wickets and having too many dot-balls to get over the line. They play Cranbrook this Tuesday at Hordern for Round 2.
Zac Murphy celebrates a brilliant 116.
Liam Andrews and Zac Murphy crossing during their 146 partnership.
2nd XI Report
from Coach Mr D New
Day One finished with Cranbrook on 4 for 161. A hard day for Waverley’s bowlers. The first hour saw many chances but Waverley could not get the break through. The pitch flattened out and was great for batting. Waverley fought hard with three late wickets
Day two arrived and Cranbrook decided to bat on from their 4-161 from Day 1, scoring 57 runs in 11 overs to declare on 5 for 218. A well done team bowling effort, with Daniel Andrews 1-37, Aidan Arabi 1-29, Barnaby Bickmore-Hutt 1-24, Jeremy Vanos 1-32, Tom Andrianakos 1-26.
Waverley lost an early wicket in the chase, but Aidan Arabi and Conor Molloy put on a 60 run partnership. Batting was difficult on an up-and-down pitch but the boys dug in. Aidan was out for 18, though Barnaby Bickmore-Hutt came in and supported Conor to put on 76 runs for the 3rd wicket partnership. Cranbrook assisted by dropping 4 or 5 catches during the afternoon. Conor opened up his shoulders with some power hitting to get into the 90’s but sadly holed out to cover on 95. Waverley fought hard on a difficult pitch to finish on 5-153 to secure a draw and 3 hard-earned points.
1st XI vs Cranbrook Day 2
from Coaches Mr J Boyd and Mr G Elliott
Day two began with Waverley at 0/18 requiring a further 196 for victory. The day was off to a brisk start with openers Hardwicke-Owen and Jenkins in good form against the quicks and the score moved quickly along to 58 before Hardwicke-Owen (31) nicked one down the leg side attempting a glance, only for the keeper to take an excellent diving catch. The total was on 70 when Mac Jenkins looked to drive a wide one to bottom edge and drag back onto off-stump. Then with 73 on the board Rory Doyle followed one across his body to nick off to the keeper. Jacob Tomasiello joined Ben Donaldson and this pair went to lunch with the Waverley total on 98.
After the break Waverley appeared to be getting back on top as Donaldson passed 50 and the total hit 135. At this score Tomasiello played back to the spinner and was adjudged lbw. Donaldson (54) was then bowled leaving the Waves shaky at 6 for 138. Ryan Connolly and Tyler von der Heyden batted with care to progress the total to 176 when an out-swinger found the edge to send von der Heyden back to the sheds. Ben Scarf joined Connolly and at tea Waverley was 7 for 188.
After the break the score moved quickly to 196 when Scarf was bowled and when Harry Whiteman was adjudged lbw. With the total on 203 it seemed Waverley might have a win. Needing 12 to win, Joel Ellis strode confidently to the crease fresh from the Thursday net, where he had been clean bowled with the first delivery and many others. He defended the first delivery to cheers from the team. Joel and Ryan then began to slowly eat away at the 12 required, a single here and a two there. Then with the score on 210 Joel was delivered a short ball, this brought a swing of the bat in the direction of New South Head Road, the ball climbed high into the afternoon sky and the Cranbrook cries of catch were heard ringing around the ground. Mid-wicket reeled around looking skywards as he ran, the batsmen crossed for one as the ball hit the outstretched hands and bounced to the ground, and the pair came back for a second. Connolly then found a single that left Joel on strike with two runs required for a win. The first delivery was solidly defended and mid wicket was moved up into the ring. The second delivery was just a touch short, Ellis jumped at the ball and made a very sweet connection over the mid wicket fielder and across the boundary rope giving Waverley victory by 1 wicket. Ellis was 9 not out and Connolly played perhaps his best 1st XI innings to remain 36 not out. The win puts Waverley on 16 points equal with this week’s opponent Trinity to set up the game of the round at Trinity over the next two weekends.
