Round No:1
Game: Manly Breakers CC V Dee Why RSL CC
Location: Passmore 1

The Breakers feilded in very humid and hot conditions but had Dee Why on the ropes after the 25 over for only 58 runs, after tea Dee Why found a new lift and powered there way to a massive 298 runs for the loss of only 6 wickets, Manly Breakers batted on a very dry but pleasant day which gave Dee Why the advantage on both days, the breakers smashed there way to 3 runs short of victory but all in all the caption M.Hill was very pleased with the performace of the Debut game, M.Mullineax was outstanding in the field and with the bat. D.Lang took the first catch for the club and took wickets to please all during the tough stages of the game.

Well the much anticipated start of the season was here and the debut of the Manly Breakers Cricket Club. All the players had arrived at the ground by 12.pm bursting with enthusiasm to get this match underway and with the hunger of securing our first victory for the year and the club.

The Manly Breakers Captain, Mark Hill lost the toss to Dee Why RSL, whose captain seemed confused as to what his side should do. With the day promising 35 degree heat, Mark Hill offered to end the Dee Why Captains torment, by suggesting the Manly Breakers would bat, Dee Why thought this was a good suggestion and they elected to bat sending the Breakers to face the heat.

The Breakers bowling attack was spear headed by seasoned veterans, Tony Ziliani and Colin Henderson. Both Colin and Tony bowled very tight overs in their opening spell, giving nothing to the Dee Why RSL opening bats. Tony Ziliani put plenty of fire into his deliveries as a welcome to the season for Dee Why. Col Henderson, who had struggled with injury just before the season opener, produced plenty of quality and variety to keep the batsmen wondering. Unfortunately for the Breakers, neither bowler could produce their usual wicket breakthrough in the opening spell.

Dee Why RSL survived the opening and the 1st change spells to be 0/58, Phil Sweet and Mark Hill took first bowling change, once again both bowlers usually producing wickets, went without scalps in each of their 1st spells. A frustrating batting attack along with the heat of the day, were slowly taking its toll on the Breakers.

The Manly Breakers were in need of a wicket to break the opening partnership of Dee Why RSL’s Ford and Hemones. A bowling change saw David Lang (Club President) take the ball and claim the very first wicket for the Manly Breakers C.C. David delivered his stock dart ball to clean bowl Ford (47).

David Lang produced a very good fielding and bowling game, claiming two (2) wickets and a great catch.

Mark Mullineaux put in a fine performance with the gloves snaring two (2) catches off the bowling of Mark Hill and David Lang, as well as taking many difficult stops, saving the extra runs.

At tea Dee Why RSL had scored 85 runs, which was a reasonable total for both sides, but once play resumed Dee Why RSL found the acceleration in their attack.

Dee Why RSL finished the days play at 6/298 runs (declared) and the Manly Breakers were shell shocked, with senior players trying recall if they had ever been involved in a game with such a chase required.

The Manly Breakers consolidated at training, devising the strategy required for victory and enthused by the Captain and senior players that the Breakers held the fire power to win the game. On the second days play Manly Breakers opening batting pair Phil Sweet and Adam Stenner set off to build the Breakers run platform. Phil Sweet produced some powerhouse shots, scoring quickly, with Adam providing the anchor of the partnership.

The first wicket to fall was Adam Stenner (12), caught at Mid-off, the Manly Breakers 1/41. Matt Fisher went to the crease with the Breakers still requiring 258 runs for victory, with plenty of overs to come. Phil Sweet and Matt Fisher put on a quick 32 runs and were finding rhythm, when Phil Sweet (38) fell to a solid catch by Dee Why RSL player Ford.

The Breakers now 2/73 required something special if we were to contest the huge total set this game and Matt Fisher and Mark Mullineaux pulled the special. These players put on a show of stylish batting, that deserved more spectators than the small support group park cricket offered. Mark Mullineaux, the swashbuckler of Swan Hill found the middle on nearly every delivery producing fence finders along with hard yacker singles, to bat his way to 64, before being caught in the mid field. The departure of Mark Mullineaux ended the partnership with Fisher, that scored 119 runs to put the Manly Breakers well within the grasp of earning winners points.

Matt Fisher was as equally debonair with the bat scoring 62, before fatigue got the better of him and he was run out in a call to close for the umpire’s eye. Matt showed true spirit of the game knowing the result of the call and walked his way back to the dressing shed. I personally think that he was just so tired he could not go on, but well-done Fish.

Mark Hill came to the crease to join Anthony Ball (6), with the Breakers requiring just 90 runs for victory with 23 overs and 5 wickets in hand. Hill faced off the last three balls of the over, feeling comfortable and confident in scoring runs for the clubs first game….but a call from Mark Hill at the non-strikers end for a run that would have seen Ball run out, ended with the Captain being run out for 0. A very dejected Captain walked back to the sheds, cursing himself and the disbelief that Dee Why had put a ball return finally over the stumps.

Fortunately for the Breakers, Anthony Ball belted his way to 59, losing Tony Ziliani (4) along the way to be 7/277 at the fall of Anthony’s wicket. The next two wickets of Alan Le Marchand (8) and Colin Henderson (2) fell only adding 18 runs to the Breakers score, but still enough to put the game into our hands.

Roger Moore joined David Lang (12) at the crease, with the Breakers requiring just 4 runs for victory, the clubs first. Mark Hill had spoken to Roger Moore knowing that both he and Lang were capable of the runs, considering we had 4 overs in which to score them. At this point Dee Why RSL were finished, as a result of their own slow self destruction, arguing and woeful fielding, they had thrown it in, all bar one player their Wicket Keeper who dished out a serve to his Captain.

David Lang was on strike, with the Dee Why RSL Keeper now bowling to keep his side in the game. The first delivery netted a dot ball, the second delivery, resulted in a wide call from the umpire (Hill), now the Breakers required 3 runs for the win. The third ball was outside off stump, there to be hit and David Lang took the opportunity with the use of his cut shot, straight to point, where the Dee Why RSL’s substitute player, a young lady (who had put in a great effort) attempted to take the catch, with half a juggle her body going to ground and the ball resting firmly in her left hand. David Lang out (12), the Manly Breakers 10/296.

I could not believe it, Dee Why RSL could not believe it, the Manly Breakers players in the shed silent.. What happened? We lost the game three runs shy, we were beaten not by a team but by a Wicket Keeper with heart and a young lady who put more in than the other nine men who reluctantly fielded her in their team as a substitute.

Well I knew we could chase the runs, the team believed in each other and themselves and scored 296 runs. Victory, well no winner points for the competition, but victory points in confidence, ability and team work. This game and they way we regrouped to play like champions will serve us well for the rest of the season. Well done boys, absolutely no regrets.

Man of the Match – Mark Mullineaux

Captains Top Performer – David Lang

No regrets

Hilly….