Whales chasing more than their tail - Mosman Cricket Club 7 October 2001
Mosman Cricket Club | August 30, 2023
This article was produced by Mosman Cricket Club and published by the Mosman Daily newspaper in 2001-02
Mosman Cricket Club chased a lot of leather on the weekend and in most grades they’ll need to bat way above expectations if they’re to take the points this Saturday.
However, one team brimming with confidence at the moment is the First XI, who completed their third victory of the season in a one-day match against Eastern Suburbs on Sunday.
Leading the charge was skipper Martin Haywood, who celebrated his birthday by guiding his team to victory with an imposing innings of 79 not out.
Haywood sought the assistance of the young and improving Brett Erikkson in overhauling the Eastern Suburbs total of 172.
In his usual laconic style, Haywood underplayed the significance of his role in the team’s victory.
“What else was I expected to do?” he asked. “I’m the team skipper and the most senior batsmen and, above all, I was in the mood to celebrate my birthday.
“I felt good from the moment I woke up and unwrapped a new pair of cricket trousers which, although a bit on the large side, put me in a good cricketing frame of mind right from the word go,” said Haywood.
“Things only get better and, before I knew it, I was in the rooms with six points in the kit bag and a piece of birthday cake in my hand.
“It was another good day for the team and, overall, we’re travelling pretty well at the moment,” he said.
Haywood will need to be on his game again this Saturday, with the First XI chasing Northern Districts’ first innings total of 377.
The total is not unsurpassable, with Allan Border Oval once again providing perfect batting conditions this season.
The Second XI is in a similar position, needing nearly 380 runs for victory. It will be a good test for the improving second graders and success on Saturday will consolidate their position towards the top of the table.
The third grade game followed a similar pattern, with Northern Districts setting the pace of the game with a big first innings total.
The Whales are up against it, particularly with the loss of key batter Bernard Twining in a nasty pre-game accident involving a runaway cover trolley and a less than robust shinbone.
Unfortunately, the fourth grade has already been beaten on the first innings, but is still in the hunt for outright victory.
The young fifth grade side is in the strongest position of all grades, recovering from a seemingly fatal 4-15 to reach 229 at Balmoral Oval.
Heading the batting fightback were young Whales Alistair Fitzpatrick (58), Phil Nolan (51) and Clint Holland (43), while the maturing Dougal Bryant chipped in with 42.
Play in the First XI match recommences at 10.00am this Saturday at Allan Border Oval. Should be a great day’s cricket, and local followers could do worse than come down and watch the in-form Shane Lee and Martin Haywood have a good old fashioned slog.
