Saturday cricket.
From the Convenor of Cricket, John McCallum
All Waverley sides enjoyed the opportunity to get leather on willow last Saturday, mainly against Cranbrook. Both schools participated in a joint local derby round, supporting the Ponting Foundation’s “Biggest Game of Cricket” initiative in aid of the Redkite Charity and its support of childhood cancer. The atmosphere across all cricket ovals was friendly, yet competitive as both schools came out with a number of victories. Thank you to the many parents and boys who supported this initiative throughout the day. The next Cricket social event will be the Cricket Presentation on Saturday 11 March after the final senior school round, from 7pm – so save the date for a great end to the season.
The new Year 7 teams were particularly impressive, with good skills and wholehearted efforts on show for their first Senior School game. The 7Cs had a thrilling last-ball victory, with Daniel Risk scoring 11 not out and taking 1 for 1 from 2 overs to help claim victory. In the 7As, Maxim Brooks scored 28 and Tom Martin 23 in their total of 106, which wasn’t enough sadly after Cranbrook begun quickly and successfully chased the target. The 7Bs had a settle for a draw after the afternoon storm hit, but Tom Walker was impressive with bowling figures of 3/15, whilst William Heffernan made an early claim for catch of the year for his diving effort from slip – Well done boys!
The 9A team delivered their second win over Cranbrook for the season with a great 15 run win – successfully defending their total of 112. Despite losing early wickets, Leo Shanahan worked with the lower order in his 28 runs, which was then backed up by accurate bowling and desperate fielding. The 10As were similarly impressive in a clinical all round display. They were electric with the ball – with Ryan Smith taking 3/14, Ethan Reid 2/12 and a miserly Harry Whitaker 1/1 including 4 maidens to dismiss the Cranbrookians for just 55. Darcy Mullins then led the way in an unbeaten 29 runs for an early finish. The 8Cs and 3rds also continued their unbeaten Queens Park record with a comfortable victories, with Daniel Morris man of the match in the 3rds and Isaac Kopsiaftis sensational in taking 3 wickets and making 33 runs for the 8Cs.
One area requiring improvement has been in our approach to batting, with many sides underperforming through being unable to build key partnerships. Boys need to take greater responsibility in working with their batting partners when first arriving at the crease, and proactively working the ball into gaps and building the innings in singles. All Waverley teams are being assisted in some additional specialist coaches supporting boys in developing core skills of batting, throwing and catching – so hopefully skills and confidence will only improve. Best of luck to all teams this week.
From Cricket coaches, John Boyd and Greg Elliott
Cranbrook won the toss and elected to bat, but Waverley picked up early wickets to Alex Ferrara, Harry Whitman and Tyler Von der Heyden to have Cranbrook at 4 for 43 from 20 overs. The 5th wicket fell to Ryan Connolly and at 5 for 53 Waverley was on top. A patient partnership carried the Cranbrook score to 135 before a swag of wickets eventually had Cranbrook dismissed in the 50th over for 166. The Cranbrook skipper was the final man out for a very impressive 104. He had proven to be a big thorn in the Waverley side’s attempt to restrict the team to a low score.
After lunch, Waverley was required to score at just over 3 runs an over to attain victory. The start was positive when the first wicket fell in the 6th over with 18 on the board. Unfortunately, a great spell by the Cranbrook skipper put Waverley behind the rate as he claimed two wickets in just his first over. Tight bowling from the spinner and some accurate swing bowling saw wickets fall and completely foil Waverley’s chances. No batter was able to take control and as the rain began to fall the final wicket fell with the total a very poor 72. This week the side take on Trinity at Queens Park and a more determined effort with the bat is required if we are to challenge the current leaders of the competition.
