The men in red have started the New Year well, with the 1s, 2s and 3s are two for two in 2020, all wins either in completely dominant displays or nail biters where players put their hands up to get their teams across the line. The main individual highlights were centuries to Kelvin Smith and Rob Richards, ‘Michelles’ to Yaseen and Caiden Eaton and a (strongly assisted) hatrick to the steak hog Jodran Slattery! To top this off, the A’s have secured a position in the one day league semi-final on February 9.
1st Grade
Fremantle 204 (Billington 4/46, Millar 2/31) def. by Wanneroo 5/294 (Smith 151, Richards 96, Mason 28*)
Wanneroo lost the Toss and got sent in to bat by Fremantle at Stevens reserve. The day started off unlucky with Del Borrello given out caught behind of his thigh pad, however that was the start of the biggest partnership of the year between Kelvin Smith and Robert Richards (234 for the 2nd wicket). Robert Richards scored 94 off 124 deliveries with 8 fours and one big six whilst at the other end we witnessed the first 150 for Wanneroo since 2014 with Kelvin Smith scoring 151 off 141 deliveries, smoking 14 fours and 3 sixes. Smith departed in the 45th over and Josh ‘Faulkner’ Mason finished off the innings nicely with 28 off 25 balls. Wanneroo ended up on 5/294 off their 50 overs.
Fremantle then begun their chase and Caiden Eaton, coming off his first grade five-fa the week before, removed the Fremantle captain for 0 in the first over. Despite the early wicket Fremantle took advantage off the nice pitch and outfield and were 1/70 after ten overs. Deon Billington, Kelvin Smith and Robert Richards then wrestled back the momentum with everyone bowling economically which brought about some wickets. Deon Billington finished with ten overs 4/45, kelvin with 1/44 of his ten, Kyle Millar 2/31 off his 9 and Richards 1/10 of his 5.
It was a great team effort in the field and Wanneroo have now made one day league semi-final on February 9.
2nd Grade
Wanneroo 2/111 (Ardagh 65*, Charles 33*) def. Fremantle 110 (J Slattery 4/29, Walter 2/5, Poulter 2/17)
After losing the toss, the Roos were forced to bowl first. Leigh Miller got us off to a great start with an early wicket. The roos looked like they were going to be chasing a big total as the Freo boys started to build a partnership, but as they were getting their groove on Lachy ‘Big Chicken’ Poulter delivered a very quick in-swinging ball that required the umpire to re-adjust the stumps. After the new recruit Jimmy Boyland finished his spell, in came big steaming fast bowler Jordan ‘Chicken Chorizo’ Slattery who delivered possibly one of the best balls of his career which saw Fremantle sitting at 3 for 65. Then came the madness of Jordan’s next over. The first ball of the over saw Jordan clean rip the opener who was looking very comfortable, soon followed by the number 6 who had his front pad blown off first ball, causing mayhem in the Fremantle dressing room. Out came the #7 who rationally informed his partner that for the hatrick ball he would leave anything that is not hitting the stumps.
In comes Jordan….. steaming in…….. the ball is wobbled down……. a nice juicy half volley for the batsman to leave or pump through the covers, so he hits in the air towards the mid-off fielder. The catch was taken comfortably by Leigh and Jordan was off, charging around like Ryan Harris at the WACA, though thankfully Donavinn Fryer saved us all some running by tackling Jordan to the floor before he got too far. After the celebrations of Jordan’s first hat-trick for Wanneroo the #8 came to the crease with everyone thinking surely he can’t get 4 in a row. The ball bowled was the perfect delivery, a little bit of out-swing which caught the edge but saw it just fall in front of Joel Charles at second slip. A couple of overs later Jordan finished his spell and his maximum overs with figures of 4-29 off 10 – surely walking off happy enough that he would find no need to abuse his brother for the rest of the day. Well bowled Jordan.
The Roos still had work to do but luckily enough Lachy Poulter (2-17 off 6), Donavinn Fryer (1-13 off 4) and John ‘The Mop’ Walter (2-5 off 3.1 overs) finished off the Fremantle tail with Wanneroo left to chase 110 off 50 overs.
The innings started with a strong start by the returning Michael Ardagh, before Cameron MacDonald was dismissed. Out came Callum Douglas who got his pad blown off first ball (still yet to be found), this saw the Roos 2 for 15. Fortunately out walked Joel Charles who survived the hat-trick ball and went on to build a partnership with Michael Ardagh. The two experienced left-ganders went on to cruise to victory with Michael Ardagh passing 50 and finishing up on 65 off 83 balls and Joel Charles finishing up on 33 off 45 balls, which led to the Roos getting the job done comfortably in 24 overs, making it 3 wins on the trot.
Congratulations to Joel Charles for his 50th game in 2nd grade, surely one of his finest achievements.
3rd Grade
Fremantle 225 (Yaseen 6/30, Dzodzos 3/38) def. by Wanneroo 8/227 (Varsani 45, Kelsey 43, McDonald 30)
With the man himself, Gra stepping in as captain, he started off on a high, winning the toss and putting Freo in the field on what was a batting friendly pitch.
Tim Harris and Jacob Bonner started proceedings off nicely seeing the new ball off. Michael was next to the crease after Tim departed and Michael looked set for a busy innings at the crease, smashing boundaries and reverse sweeping with ease. If you know Michael, you’ll know he hates a 50, so he let himself get caught for 43. Aryan, the man who hates the game, contributed nicely with a 54 ball 45. Jack Mc Donald had real intent scoring a quick 30 to finish us on 8/221, with Fremantle slow on the overate we got given 6 extra runs which brought the total to 8/227.
Now it was our turn with the ball, Freo copying us by getting off to a good start – the first wicket coming from Yaseen. From here on forward it was 3 quick wickets to have the hosts at 3/81, these 2 wickets coming from the reformed bowler Doz, who clean ripped both batsman with his super quick spin bowling. With a couple of partnerships forming the game was in the balance when Freo were 5/192, but hard work soon had us rewarded picking up 4 quick wickets leaving them at 8/199. Leaning to a tight finish, and supported by the early finishing Ones, Yas picked up the last 2 wickets in the last over of the day seeing us to victory by two runs. Yas, bowling rockets into the wind, finished the day with his best figures for the club (6-30 off 9).
4th Grade
Wanneroo 153 (C Spangenberg 25*) def. by Fremantle 4/157 (S Jessani 3/25)
Wanneroo would bat first, with Jayden ‘Chris made more runs’ Ray and Jack ‘speed dealers’ Maraldo getting the roos off to an aggressive start. But once the first wicket fell, the 4s would struggle to gain momentum, losing wickets at key moments. Before an incredible last wicket partnership between Sharad ‘did you go on holiday?’ Jessani and Connor “still got 8 weeks’ Spangenberg got the score to 153.
Fremantle would be kept under pressure early on, scoring slowly. This would continue for much of the day, but the roos would struggle to get the key wickets required to defend a low score. The first wicket came at 100, thanks to Sharad ’Our hero’ Jessani, who carried on to pick up 3 amongst a late flow of wickets. He was supported by Jarred ‘Professor’ Maunder’ who took 1 wicket in a spell that deserved more.
Unfortunately it was not enough, with Freo getting over the line with 6 overs and 6 wickets to spare.
Mens Seventeens v Gosnells
The 17s had to trek all the way to Sutherlands Park to face the mighty Gosnells with light blue skies forecasted for the day. Jack ‘anorexic’ McDonald flips confidently and wins in his favour electing to bat first. What seemed to be a good batting wicket was quickly proven otherwise as 3 wickets tumble in the first 3 overs. It was evident that a good partnership was needed to pose a threat to the Gosnell attack, with two heroes seemingly rising to the occasion. A handy 50 run partnership was formed between Lachlan ‘sorry’ Dargie with a fighting 18 and Jack ‘captain courageous’ McDonald who timed his way to a well fought 42 off 43 rocks, putting the Roos in a superior position. Quick fire hitting from the tail was needed and one man didn’t disappoint. Jessie “a man of many words” Hadrill posing a cheeky 13 off 6, hitting a majestic maximum on the last ball of the innings over deep midwickets head, posing a conceivable total of 104 on the board.
The opening bowlers dried the Gosnell openers for runs before Jessie “Silent Achiever” Hadrill’s stroke of genius came into play making the batsmen play a convincing shot in the air to run machine Connor “physically challenged” Spangenberg in mid-off who defies gravity and snags a Steve Smith inspired horizontal mid-air catch with his right non-crippled hand, as the parents from both oppositions look in astonishment (yes it’s as good as it sounds), putting the Roos in a strong opening position. A handy Gosnells partnership was formed before Aryan “should’ve been 4fa” Varsani bowled some handy half trackers, bagging himself 2/15 off his 3 overs, breaking the unbearable Gosi partnership which ultimately put the Roos back in the game. Fielding pressure and leadership expertise was applied making the run chase go down to the wire in the very last over. The Gosi’s needed 2 off of the last two balls, stealing the win from the Roos with one ball remaining.
Mens Seventeens v Fremantle
Fremantle 4/105 (S Jessani 2/20, NR Santich 2/22) def. by Wanneroo 7/109 (L Dargie 26*)
Wanneroo would bowl first at Freo, with the dockers getting off too a reasonable start at Stevens. Before sharad ‘did you go on holiday’ Jessani would break the partnership cleaning up the opening batter. He would then return getting the remaining opening batter (definitely not getting reverse sweeped twice in two balls by the 14 year old). From there the roos would continue to apply the pressure, as freo would finish on 4/105. With Nick ‘tippa’ Santich and Sharad getting 2 wickets each.
The roos wouldn’t have what you call a perfect start, losing 5/41 half way through the innings. But fear not! With Jessy ‘where’s your hair gone’ Haddril and Lachie ‘who I think played state ice hockey once’ Dargie getting the roos back on track and in a commanding position. The roos would end up getting the total with 4 overs to spare. Lachie finishing off the run chase with an excellent 26 not out.
We now have a crucial game next week against Willeton.
Fifteens Men
Wanneroo 8/91 def. Fremantle 5/90
Fourteens Men
Joondalup 9/146 (O Brown 3/22) def. Wanneroo Districts 133 (TD Brown 37)
Fourteens Men
Joondalup 9/151 (JC O’Shea 3/29) drew Wanneroo 5/151 (X Glamuzina 45, OM Thompson 30*)
For full results visit our new and quite excellent latest results page at https://www.wanneroodcc.com.au/results/