2006/07 Round Reports Part Two

Round 9

The good start to 2007 continued with the top 5 grades all winning.

The closest finish was in B Grade against Bears. Bears were set 185 to win, the total boosted thanks to some big hitting at the end of the innings from Shane Bell (66*). Bears reply started slowly and the run rate was creeping towards 8 an over. They kept swinging but as the runs came so did the wickets and eventually 14 were needed from the final over. Mature student Richard Austin kept his nerve to take the final wicket with a couple of balls to go leaving Bears 5 runs adrift.

By contrast A Reserve cruised to victory, dismissing Old Ignatians Titans for just 63 with 3 wickets each for Pat Effeney and Adam Griffiths. Openers Nick Lamb and Viraf Wadia then took just 14 overs to score the required runs.

A Grade played West Pymble. Set 156 to win, Michael Irrgang and George Skinner both made unbeaten half centuries as the target was reached with 5 overs in hand. Meanwhile, B Reserve beat Neutral Bay Jets reaching their target of 108 for the loss of just 4 wickets with an unbroken partnership between Bevan Read and Ali Youssofzay finishing the job.

The other victors were C Grade who scored 201 batting first against Macquarie Uni. Macquarie were then bowled out for 158.

Round 10

Four teams had a bye in round 10 but those that did play had a pretty successful week.

Peter Kane was the star of the show for C Reserve in their outright victory over Northbridge, hitting 109 in a total of 279 for 6. Northbridge were dismissed for 142 and 110, Steve Grasso taking 7 wickets in the match and Tim Rewell with 5 doing the damage with the ball.

The One Day Grade recorded one win and one defeat. The win was one of the most comprehensive of any team this season. Batting first against Pigs, Matt Kiddle (72), Michael Thomson (59) and David Jenkins (51) helped them to a total of 281. Pigs were then rolled for just 81, Will MacArthur and Stan Hinsby picking up 3 wickets each.

The defeat came against Old Ignatians who reached their target of 189 in just 30 overs. Will MacArthur was the top scorer with 65.

Round 11

There were four winners in round 11.

The One Day Grade beat Lindfield Tailenders successfully passing their target of 108 in just 23 overs. Scott Kirkland took 4/16 and then scored an unbeaten 31 to lead the way. Tim Rewell returned the impressive bowling figures of 3/7 from 7 overs.

A Reserve recorded a good win against Ten Past Eleven who had previously lost just one game all season. Set 146 to win, Toby Joy (54) and Nick Lamb’s (78) opening partnership of 152 led A Reserve comfortably over the finishing line.

At the top, A Grade continue to top the ladder after defeating Wanderers. Pat Effeney took 5/10 as Wanderers were dismissed for just 81, a target that was passed for the loss of 4 wickets with plenty of overs to spare.

The other winners were C Grade. Paul Thompson hitting an unbeaten 61 as they cruised past Crusaders total of 137 all out.

Round 12

There was more excitement in the One Day Grade’s match with the Bats. Batting first, they reached an impressive 309/7 thanks to an unbeaten 139 from Craig McGeachie and 80 from debutant Greg Vella. Unfortunately an Australia-esque bowling performance saw The Bats win the game with just 10 balls to spare.

A Reserve scored a good win, successfully chasing Crusaders total of 252. Paul McLaren led the way with 91 but when 61 runs were needed with just 2 wickets in hand it was left to Jason Scharenguivel and Anthony Compton to ensure the points were claimed.

A Grade’s winning run continued with victory of Kirribilli. Chasing 171 to win Dave Guazzarotto (60) and Dave Nelson (50*) saw them home with 6 overs to spare.

There was also a comfortable win for B Reserve against Kirribilli. Batting first, Kirribilli were dismissed for 211, Jaymes Boland-Rudder and Austin Harris taking four wickets each. B Grade comfortably passed their target, finally declaring on 313/7; Mark Micallef top scored with 53 as seven of the batsmen passed 20. Following on, Kirribilli reached 157/4.

The third side that unsuccessfully went for an outright victory was C Reserve in their game against Lindfield. In the first innings Lindfield were bowled out for 184, 28 short of their target. Second time round, C Reserve declared at 156/5 setting Lindfield 184 to win from 16 overs. The match ended with Lindfield on 101/8.

Round 13

A Grade managed to both win and lose against Mosman. Batting first they reached 304/3 with Julian Poulter (109*) and Michael Irrgang (107) both making centuries. Mosman were then dismissed for 148. With the first innings point safely in the bag, A Grade took a gamble on the outright victory, keeping the game alive by declaring their second innings at 0/0 leaving Mosman to chase 157 for an outright victory. Sadly the plan failed as Mosman reached their target for the loss of 5 wickets.

Going into their game, A Reserve knew that they would need to pick up an outright win against Old Ignatians Trundlers in order to keep their finals hopes alive. They achieved this bowling out Old Ignatians for 130 and 105 in their two innings. Dougall Whalley taking 5/38 in the first innings and Dallas Baird 4/17 in the second. The star with the bat was Grant McGeachie with scores of 68 and 62*.

C Reserve were also winners in their game against Crusaders. Their total of 327/5 was largely thanks to Craig McGeachie’s third hundred of the season who put on 218 with no other than Lummas who scored 75. If you have seen him since he may have mentioned it to you. Crusaders were bowled out for 285, David Kendrick taking 5/66.

C Grade’s game against Wanderers was a one day game after the first week was washed out. The total of 140/7 was not the biggest ever but Wanderers were all out for 76, Michael Thomson with 4/10.

It was a very disappointing game for B Reserve against Old Ignatians. Chasing just 163 for the win that would guarantee a finals place, they collapsed to just 123 all out despite entering day two at 56/2.

It was a double defeat for the One Day Grade who suffered defeats to Crazy Kids and Kirribilli although Will Macarthur did take 6/43 in the Crazy Kids game. B Grade picked up points after their opposition forfeited the game.

Round 14

Semi Finals

A Reserve will defend their title against The Roys following their amazing comeback against Old Ignatians Titans in the semi-final. Chasing 169 to win thinks were looking bleak at 7/46 but a partnership between Steve Levin 49 and Anthony Compton 61* saw them home with 2 wickets to spare.

B Reserve also have a second consecutive grand final to look forward to. Batting first against Neutral Bay Jets the total of 130, (Bevan Read 52) seemed a little below par against one of the strongest batting line ups in the grade. However, an impressive bowling effort led by Jaymes Boland-Rudder (5-25) led to the Jets being dismissed for just 83. Wanderers are the final opponents.

The third finalists are C Grade who beat Macquarie University in another close game. Batting first C Grade were dismissed for 105 with Chris Grant (45) the only batsman to make a significant contribution. Macquarie were then bowled out for 97 with JP Montandon taking 4/27 and Keith Seghers picking up 3/17 to set up a final against Lindfield FOG.

A Grade lost to Cammeray. Chasing 150 to win A Grade were bowled out for 80.

Grand Final

There was no shortage of tension and drama in all three Grand Finals, but all did have a happy ending.

A Reserve managed to win outright but as in the semi-final did their best to make things as difficult for themselves as possible. On day one, The Roys were dismissed for 122 with A Reserve reaching 1/50 by the close. On day two, the remaining runs were made with 3 wickets in hand, finally being bowled out for 159, a lead of 37. The Roys then made a rapid 85 all out, Jason Scharenguivel taking 6-38, leaving a seemingly easy target of 49 for the outright victory.

However, wickets fell with alarming regularity and at 7-31 things were delicately poised. Thankfully Steve Levin took control hitting the winning runs to bring up the second consecutive A Reserve title for the club.

The A Reserve match scorecard can be found here

Nerves were also in abundance in B Reserve’s rain affected match against Wanderers. After electing to bat, Wanderers found themselves in trouble as Jaymes Boland-Rudder and Austin Harris took early wickets. Strong support from the rest of the bowling attack and faultless catching helped to dismiss Wanderers for 88. The reply started well but wickets started to fall at regular intervals and at the close of play the games was finely balanced with B Reserve at 6-61.

The five overs that were bowled at the start of play on Sunday took the total for the innings past the 30 required to make it a game. This proved to be crucial as play was then delayed for over 4 hours due to persistent rain. With Wanderers behind on the run rate their desperation grew with every shower but eventually their efforts with towels, leaf blowers, covers and brooms paid off with the umpire declaring the ground fit to play at 5.15. Troy Williams and Dave Kendrick comfortably saw of the final few overs of play, their unbeaten partnership of 25 being the biggest of the match. B Reserve finished on 6/78 to win on run rate.

The B Reserve match scorecard can be found here

C Grade were in control for most of their game but did have a late scare. Batting first, Simon Henry (74) and Keith Seghers (55) put on 119 for the 3rd wicket before falling in quick succession. The rest of the order made useful contributions steering the total to 239 before the final wicket fell in the 67th over.

In reply Lindfield FOG’s found themselves 8 wickets down with 110 runs still to get and when Nitesh Arabolu took the ninth wicket the deficit was down to 81. The last wicket eventually fell at 217, skipper JP Montandon having FOG’s top scorer caught by Keith Seghers, giving C Grade victory by just 22.