Evans and Edgell partnership in 3rd Grade Qtr-Final thriller
Manly Warringah District Cricket Club | January 01, 2025
The 2006/07 season was one of promise for a number of grades, but ultimately we were not able to come away with any Premierships. This is despite great efforts from 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade.
3rd Grade probably played the game of the year in their Quarter Final victory over Wests. Warren Evans was the star who, although well known for his bowling, was also an accomplished batter who hit many important innings. This one was a beauty.
Coming 5th, we played the 2nd placed Magpies away from home.
We lost the toss and were sent into the field, the deck was an absolute belter and wickets were very hard to come by. Unfortunately we were unable to make the most of chances with a few dropped catches and missed run-out opportunities. When rain stopped play at Tea on the first day West’s were 2 for 160.
With West’s taking the honors on the first day, it was to require a massive effort from the boys on the Sunday to finish victorious. The side was led by fill-in Captain Rusty Parker while normal skipper Andrew Kemmis was sidelined with a back injury.
Arriving on the Sunday we needed 8 wickets in 40 overs to leave ourselves 60 overs to get the runs. Things went to plan and we were left with the target of 261 with 58 overs left in the days play. Bowling honours were taken by Warren Evans, with a brilliant 4 for 42 off 24 overs and Luke Edgell and Corey Boss took 2 vital wickets each.
The run chase started shakily with Ben King falling in the second over, we were 1 for 6, which brought Luke Edgell to the crease. A quick fire 28 from the season leading run scorer, Russell Parker, helped us get off to a flying start and his dismissal brought Rusty Wyatt to the crease and he continued dominating their attack with his masterful 56 in quick time.
Rain threatened play the whole afternoon and it was touch and go especially when we lost Russell. A partnership between
Matt Cranney and Edgell was growing but with the loss of 3 wickets in the space of 5 overs, things were looking grim. The hill had filled up with second grade who had already won their semi-final, which added to the excitement of our match.
When Warren Evans strolled to the crease we were 6 for 156, needing 5½ an over off the remaining 18 overs, we were not looking good but the partnership was to be an excellent one. Warren Evans in securing victory scored 47 no. and Luke batted right through the innings scoring 116 no, passing their score with a massive 6 over mid wicket with 3 balls to spare. This was the game of our season and was a great team effort, and a victory that goes down as one against the odds.
