Wynnum Manly v Sandgate-Redcliffe

First Grade Round 7

14 and 21 October 2023 at Bill Albury Oval

Day 1:

After losing the toss and being asked to field, things got worse for the home team with the loss of Harmon Sandhu to a quad injury just 8 minutes into the first day’s play. Josh Fraser and Tom Eyley worked hard to restrict the visitors, but a few boundaries just before the drinks break brought up a 50 partnership for Daniels Fielding and Seaton. Suhkveer Singh’s crafty off breaks brought the first wicket of the day when Seaton edged to Jones at slip with the score on 68. Steve Cawood joined Fielding; taking Sandgate to Lunch at 1/90.

Fielding reached a hard-fought 50 from 139 balls in the 42nd over and was on the verge of a second 50 partnership when Cawood was bowled for 23 in the 44th. Sandgate skipper, Adrian Lascu was aggressive in his short stay at the wicket, but came undone when a mistimed shot off Singh went straight up and was well caught by Dakota Rodgers running back toward mid-wicket. Fielding and Harry Sweeney consolidated to see Sandgate to Tea at 3/180.

The 50 partnership came up an over after Tea, but when Fielding (82) was caught by Wilson at cover off Tom Eyley, in the 69th over, the wheels fell off for Sandgate. The Sea Eagles captured 7 for 53 to bundle Sandgate out for 245 with Josh Fraser picking a five fa, from a marathon 26 overs, along the way. Wynnum negotiated the seven overs to stumps for 26 without loss.

Day 2:

Corey Hunter and Dakota Rodgers started confidently on Day 2, taking just 5 overs to knock off the 24 required for a 50 opening stand. Sandgate bowlers settled into their task though, with Ben Skinner and Tyler Skelson picking up two wickets each to send Wynnum to lunch at 4/94; skipper Jed Wilson and Ali Nasar Zaidi at the crease. After lunch, the pair went on to record a 50 partnership from 90 balls before Wilson hit out against PNG spinner Hiri Hiri and was caught in the deep for 36.

Grayson Jones joined Zaidi at 1:15 and what followed was an excellent two day partnership. Batting patiently and punishing the bad ball, the pair added 50 in 74 balls, 100 in 139 balls, bringing up personal 50s along the way and taking Wynnum to Tea 11 runs short of first innings at 5/235.

After Tea, the partnership blossomed as the Sandgate first innings was overhauled in the 73rd over and the 150 partnership came up in 194 balls in the 81st over. Tons came up for Jones (100 from 127 balls) at 3:52 and Zaidi (100 from 158 balls) at 3:57. Jones finally fell - a minute later - and drinks were taken with the score on 317. The partnership 188 from just over 40 overs!! Zaidi and Singh took the Wynnum total to 350 - maxing out the batting bonus points - and the declaration was made.

Fraser picked up a sixth wicket for the match; Sandgate finishing 1/30 from 8 overs.