Seniors Weekend Write up 28th October- 4th November
First Grade
Wanneroo 6/317 (Wharton 99, Billington 88, Spangenberg 61*) def. Mount Lawley 5/316 (Sabburg 2/45)
Day 1 kicked off with the boys being faced with a tough pitch to take wickets on early with little swing and bounce on offer; the boys toiled hard throughout the first session with good bowling for no reward, but the flow of runs slowed right up. After lunch, two wickets fell quickly, with one going to Strawb and one to Big Chicken on his return, with both openers now being out. The toil continued throughout the day without much reward, with only five wickets falling for the day, one of them being a runout; the boys kept Mount Lawley to 316 on a wicket that seemed capable of a big score. Wickets to Sabburg, Poulter, and Eaton. There was a great effort from all bowlers besides the wicket tally.
Day 2 brought a ward day but a flat wicket yet again and an excellent opportunity to bat all day. Ricardo, unfortunately, was lost early with the only ball of the day that swung. Bringing debutant and UK import James Wharton to the crease for a partnership with housemate Mitchell Slattery, which saw the roos through to lunch feeling like they were in a good spot. Despite a long grind and battling innings, Mitchell lost his wicket at 2/94. Skipper Chris Sabburg came to the crease but departed to a snare at the backward point; the roos were now 3/120. Soon after, Jake Fawcett’s wicket fell, and suddenly, we were 4/130. Enter Deon Billington. A partnership between Deon and James grew, and so did the hope that the roos could get it done and chase 316. Deon and James batted superbly against good bowling spells from Mt Lawely’s overseas quick and a spinner at the other end, James nearing a debut 100 for the club. As James climbed through the 90s amidst scoreboard woes, chat began to grow on how he would celebrate (instant curse); just like that, he was undone by a searing yorker for 99 (cheers Fawc for giving him the curse)—5/204, 112 to get and Deon and Connor Spangenberg at the crease. Nerves grew on the bench as Connor and Deon began, with some plays and misses, half chances and a spattering of Deon Billington IPL shots through backward point and over cover. The last drinks break was called, and the roos still needed to go at a run-a-ball for the final period to get there. Deon reaches 50, runs required now below 50, and faith grows alongside Caiden Eaton’s pad rash. It comes down to the LAST OVER, 5/311; the boys are getting up and about. Ball 1 – Single, Ball 2 – dot, Ball 3 – single, Ball 4 – running back for 2. Deon ran out (3 to get off three balls). 5th ball 90th over, leg bye, and fresh legs slug run through for a single to get Connor on strike; the last ball, and we need 1 to draw but 2 to win. Spang slashes over cover and goes for the first run quickly, turns for the 2, and the throw is slightly off. The roos get home and chase down 316; absolute scenes, winner’s Guinness all around, and unreal batting performances from James (99), Deon (88), and Spang (61 n.o).
Second Grade
Mount Lawley 2/227 def. Wanneroo 165 (Stumpers 48) & 1/47 (Bonner 20*)
Having chosen to self-insert, the 2s made a steady start before a urine inspired collapse, had the mighty 2s reeling at 3 for 30 odd. Our glorious leader O’day and “how deep is your sleep” Varsani steadied the ship, before Aryan decided to attempt to hit the spinner through short cover, on what would be the last ball before lunch. Coming back out, a series of absolute “Jaffa’s” tore the middle order apart. Hayden “Victor Wembanyama” stumpers showing the only resistance for the day, making a horn riddled 49. 2s posting 165 and heading out with the hopes of a Mt Lawley bed soiling. But the sheets of the Hawks remained clean, as they went to stumps 0/56, with a dropped catch by Brodies McGhies shoulder convulsions substitute, the only action of note.
A warm day 2 promised great things for the 2s. High energy in the warm up was ruined by a piss poor football performance by M Kelsey. Shockingly, the worst was yet to come for him. In what can only be described as a day in the dirt, the 2s squandered many chances, with Mt Lawley passing the once thought to be tricky total none down. What followed, was a cricketer’s worst nightmare. Our dear friend Michael “don’t need to wipe those sweaty hands Mickey, the ball didn’t touch them” Kelsey caught the dreaded butter fingers. Yet it wasn’t butter fingers as two opportunities did not feel those fingers of his whatsoever. It happens unfortunately dear Mickey. This proved contagious for the 2s, with several opportunities going down. A declaration and strange little batting session was to close out a rather poor showing for the 2s.
Female A Grade
29th October
Subiaco Floreat 2/119 def. Wanneroo 6/118 (Devchand 36)
5th November
South Perth 5/96 (Bartholomew 3/13) def. Wanneroo 8/95 (Bartholomew 30)
Wanneroo 3/112 (Devchand 38, Reichelt 35, Jesani 32) def. Midland Guildford 6/111 (Devchand 4/12)
Female B Grade
29th October
Midland Guildford 4/99 (Stillitano 3/12) def. Wanneroo 7/98 (Bakker 30, Stillitano 27)
Wanneroo 10/93 def. by Rockingham Mandurah 6/95 (Haddrill 2/10)
5th November
Melville 7/115 (Mitchell 3/15, Eckley 2/19 ) def. Wanneroo 9/111 (Bothma 29, Nicholls 26)
Third Grade
Wanneroo 3/178 (Brown 70, Williams 41, Pearce 38) def. Mount Lawley 175 (Walter 3/49, Slattery 2/18, Billington 2/33)
Test cricket, I mean 2-day cricket is back and what better ground to play than at the “home of cricket” Kingsway 2. Little insight before we begin the day, the last 4 matches the other team has told us to either bat or bowl and today was no different. Day 1 we were asked to bowl on a pitch which looked beautiful for batting. The hawks top order was very patient and were looking very comfortable at the crease all the way until the first drinks break. Opening bowlers Jordan and Fitta both bowled exceptionally well but couldn’t get reward for their efforts in the first session, until experienced bowler John Walter was able to provide the first wicket for the innings in which he showed a little bit of passion for the dismissal. The hawk batters were yet again very patient and was able to post a decent 2nd wicket partnership until Jack aka Paul was brought into the attack and was able to break the partnership bamboozling the set batsman. Throughout the innings wickets were hard to come by on a pitch that was doing as much as Kane on a night out. As the day went on, wickets were falling in regular intervals with Cody “GOAT” picking up a wicket one ball before the lunch interval and then picking up another one after the break along with Fitta picking up one for himself as well. As the tea interval was approaching more wickets were gifted to the roos with Gordo picking his first for the match with an absolute peach of a delivery knocking over the batsman who looked very very comfortable at the crease. After a well-deserved tea (We have the best teas in the competition by far) the roos returned to the field eyeing off these last few wickets. In came Jordan and John cleaning up the tail claiming two each dismissing the hawks and eyeing off a total of 175 set by the hawks. The day wasn’t done yet, the roos had to survive 6 overs until time was called. With Sam and Yusuf surviving it and being 0/7 at stumps. Pick of the bowlers was Johnny Walts finishing with figures of 3/49.
Day 2 was no different to day one only that it was 7 degrees hotter but presented a great opportunity for the roo batters. The roos started off the day positively with Yusuf and Sam looking positive at the crease but unfortunately losing Yusuf early in the day. In came Tyler, and boy oh boy did Sam and Tyler produce a batting masterclass and shown what Two day batting was all about. Both Sam and Tyler were looking solid at the crease and absorbing the attack the hawks through at them but also threw back a few counter punches and driving out the innings putting the roos in a favourable position with a 2nd wicket partnership of 72 until Sam was dismissed from a questionable call from the umpire for a very well deserved, gritty 41. Tyler looked to continue the onslaught with incoming batsmen Jack aka Paul was cut short with losing Jack quick. With momentum favouring the hawk’s bowlers in come el tornado himself Kane Pearce looking to put the hawk bowlers in their place and boy he did. Kane and Tyler continued the slaughter of the bowlers by sending the ball around the park and clearing the fence on a couple of occasions. Both batters finishing the job and chasing the total with 30 overs left to spare. Pick of the batters was Tyler finishing the chase with a well-deserved score of 70 not out.
Fourth Grade
Mount Lawley 175 (Hudson 3/11, Hardiman 2/19) def. by Wanneroo 232 (Smith 71, Hudson 40, Saleem 30)