From Behind the Stumps Cricket: 2 Big Rounds to Begin 2019

From John McCallum, Convenor of Cricket

All Waverley Cricketers have begun Term 1 with some strong team performances, while there have been some fantastic individual performances across our Year groups. Seeing so many enthusiastic boys sharing roles, encouraging each other and playing a positive brand of Cricket has been highly encouraging, and a great platform to build upon in coming weeks.  The new Year 5,6 and 7 teams in particular have shown excellent team spirit, with positive friendships also developing.

Great contributions to Cricket aren’t limited to the boys, and thank you very much to the many parents and the Cricket Supporter’s Group for operating a great canteen at Queens Park each Saturday, and in their plans for a great end of Season Presentation Evening. Please mark and save the date of Friday March 15, for a 6;30pm BBQ Dinner and Presentation to conclude the Summer season – all boys and families from Years 5-12 are welcome!

Quick Singles: Highlights From on the Pitch

• The 1^st XI played in the final of the CAS Twenty20 competition last week, narrowly losing to Barker. Ridley Owens threatened to steal the match with an enterprising 46, and Harry Schultz and Mac Jenkins each took 2 wickets
• Zac Wotherspoon took an impressive 5 wickets for 24 runs against Barker in the 2^nd XI, while Lachlan Forrest has moved to 20 wickets In the 1^st XI, and was selected in the CAS 1sts team to take on GPS and ISA in coming weeks.
• Wicketkeeper Jack Hickey in Year 10 has taken 9 dismissals In his last 2 games, including 5 catches in the 1^st XI v Knox
• James Hoggett starred in the 10As with 5 wickets for 21 runs, while Keenan Maritz in the 10Bs dominated with the bat in an impressive 50 not out in his first game for the College. Max Farmeary backed this up with 42 not out in a great win by the 10Bs against Knox. Isaac Kopsiaftis early led with the ball in claiming 4 wickets.
• Daniel McSweeney in the 9As has been in consistent form with the bat, scoring 33 and 30 in his last 2 innings. Liam Joll and Maxim Brooks have been unstoppable with the ball – Liam 3 wickets against Barker and Maxim 3 against Knox.  Congratulations to Maxim who was selected In the CAS U15 team to play GPS.
• The Year 8 teams continue to improve, with the 8As having a great 12 run win against Knox last week. Scoring a team high of 152 was the catalyst, aided from improved placement and aggression, with Will Hickey, Liam Wood, Charles Hely-Hammond, Lachlan Grant and Scott Swinburn all in the runs.  Reece Emmins has been fantastic in scoring 33 In the 8Cs, and Alex Polihronas took a great 3 wickets against Knox.
• Year 7 teams are building skills and game- awareness to take the next step to some wins: Aongus Carone scoring a 20 and Dillon Duke McCoy and Lucian Carone both picking up 2 wickets for the 7Bs. Angus Sullivan batted strongly for 30 against Barker In the 7As, while great all-round contributions from Matt Frost and Joe Packington are encouraging.

1^st XI Reports – Coaches Mr Elliott and Mr Bryant

Waverley v Barker

Ouch! Barker batted first racking up a total of 301! Lachlan Forrest was the pick of our players, bowling consistently taking 3 wickets and offering some resistance with the bat. Alex Ferrara batted with confidence hitting the ball to all areas of the park eventually being dismissed for 43.

T2o Final v Barker: What a Come Back!

Barker got off to a flying start scoring 60 runs from their first 6 overs. There were some half chances given and some tight bowling by Schultz and Preston but Harry Schultz came back and took two quick wickets and from there Barker felt the pressure. The spin twins, Forrest and Jenkins, kept things tight in the middle overs which allowed Owens to bowl with a license using his usual flamboyant unpredictable pace and bounce. Barker batted out their 20 overs scoring a very gettable 139.

A calculated start by Jenkins and Ferrara kept the run rate ticking over and keeping us in the game. Ferrara eventually falling cheaply to a sharp bouncer that was gloved through to the keeper. Ridley Owens and Mac Jenkins formed a great partnership which certainly made the Barker team anxious. Mac crafted out a sensational 34 mostly scored through decisive running between the wickets while Ridley hit the boundary a few times keeping us well within range of the target for 45. One of his shots was the shot of the day! A wonderful pull shot that shook the commuters on the north bound, 5.35pm Hornsby bound train.

Waverley v Knox

Spirits were high despite the big injury list and it was great to shake hands with the debutants Zac Wotherspoon and Dylan Brown who were warmly welcomed by the squad.

Ridley Owens, as opener, began well while Harry Whitaker bowled tight at the other end securing two early wickets. Zac Wotherspoon managed two early wickets making his debut a memorable one. Waverley keeper, Jack Hickey took his fifth catch, securing his name on the QP board for the rest of Waverley’s cricket history.

Chasing 186 for victory, enter the Waverley batting line-up and …. exit the Waverley batting line up. We were 4 for 6 after a few overs and what seemed like an easy target at the start all of a sudden looked like Mount Everest. We didn’t really recover from that early collapse and despite Brock Preston and Dylan Brown 19 not out, providing some resistance later in the day. We struggled to put a partnership together and the end result showed.