Gutsy efforts from Margaret River Hawks in Round 4

We really need to appreciate the sheer amount of work and effort that goes into producing such a magnificent sporting ground.

We are very lucky to have Neil and Rumesh as crucial members of our club. We won the toss and chose to bat first, sending Saint Marys out to field.

Alas our plans to pile on some runs were cut short by ex-Dunsborough stalwart Pete Morris who removed unlucky Holmes to a blinding catch in the covers by Nick Barr.

The damage didn’t stop there with Morris accounting for the Hawks top four batsmen with just 37 runs on the board. 

A series of small partnerships ensued after drinks but with the introduction of spinner Joe Lowe and tight disciplined bowling, the Hawks were bundled out for just 101 with no batsman passing 12 runs.

Not an ideal situation but as is the way with this great team, we all collectively put the vagaries of the game behind us and immediately set about focusing on what we could do to give us a chance of victory. We knew Saints had a strong batting line-up and would look to put the game away quickly. We also knew we had to bowl and field out of our skins and early wickets were key.

Garsty and Rumesh opened the bowling and did not let us down. Early pressure saw the first wicket fall for 11 runs, a sharp caught and bowled by Garsty.

Quick bowling changes were important in maintaining our edge... enter Chris McClean who has been bowling beautifully without much reward.

Today was his day, first dismissing Marc Ford to a brilliant reflex catch by “General Electric” Gareth Edmonds, followed by the superb stumping wicket of the dangerous Barr.

When Matty Kent took two quick wickets just before drinks there was real belief and we couldn’t have played any better in that period. At 5/66 at drinks it was fair to say the game was in the balance and we really didn’t need to take that break such was our momentum.

Macca and Matty continued to bowl very well and our intensity was maintained to the end, however inevitably and almost in replication of last week’s match , the visitors got across the line with the loss of 7 wickets. Although registered as a loss, this was one of the gutsiest and spirited performances I’ve played in and we should all hold our heads high as we gave it a real nudge.

To our batsmen I say be disciplined, be confident. The line-up will sort itself out and runs will come. At the moment partnerships and patience are paramount... three P’s. 

Very, very good response to a tough situation.  – Paul Tognolini

Third game for the season and unfortunately, we are still to register our first win for the year.

A much stronger effort on Saturday saw the Hawks come extremely close to beating the undefeated St Mary’s CC.

Our effort could not be faulted as we lost the toss and were sent out to field. Newly promoted Alistair Wilkie opened the bowling with immediate success dismissing Saints Captain David Lamotte with the second ball of the day.

His opening partner Taj Thomas chimed in to take the second wicket with the score at 19 and things were looking up. The innings then took a familiar turn where the opposition dug deep and built partnerships. The bowling was tight but wickets were hard to come by and at drinks they were 2/91. After drinks the Hawks came out with new vigour led by bowlers Jordan Stanbury and Joel Lawrance and without doubt our best period for the year saw the next 13 overs claim two wickets for only 27 runs.

Out came Peter Mason; an ex baseballer who turned the game scoring 26 off 11 balls. It was power hitting at its best and only came to an end by being bowled by Paul Farmer. No further wickets were to fall and Saints finished at 5/194. 

Our run chase started brightly with Maurice Shinnick and Ado Bailey getting to 38 before Aeodhan fell in the fifth. David Morris joined the skipper and put on a patient 35 before being caught at backward square. Soon after Polly Farmer was out LBW and we were teetering at 3/80.

Out came the in-form Ed Cotter coming off a 50 last week he continued where he left off and helped Hawks get to drinks only 3 down. 

The partnership continued, only to fall in the 35th over with Shinnick out for 64 and the score 144. We needed 50 runs off the last 10, difficult but not impossible. Steady wickets fell from this point, and when Ed fell for 46 and the score on 165 it was left to Adrian Brown and Taj to get us over the line. They were able to get to 174 before Browny finally fell and we were once again short of a winning score.

Although we fell short it was a great run chase fellas. A bit of luck our way the result most definitely would have been different, so keep being positive things will turn around soon I’m certain.

Keep having fun out there Hawks. - Maurice Shinnick

Hawks won the toss and chose to bat first on a sunny afternoon. Michael Sorenson and Gareth Stewart opened the batting putting on 69 before Stewart was run out for 31. After first-gamer Luke Sleegers fell shortly after we were 2 down for 81.

Sorro was then joined by Danny Weston who then together put on a third wicket partnership of 134 before Weston was caught and bowled for 65 with a couple of balls left in the innings.

Mark Jones adding another run to the score we had completed our innings 3/216, Sorenson with an unbeaten 85 after batting from start to finish. Having a respectable score to defend it was time for our young guns to shine.

Angus (emu) Currell opened the bowling with a beautiful line a length and was unlucky not to snag a wicket from his 6 overs for 27 runs along with Mark Jones (6-1/28) who picked up our first wicket trapping opener Hall LBW. Saints were 1/40. 

Darcy Bailey and Sam Robins picked up where Emu and Jones left off with more disciplined bowling snagging two wickets each; Robins (5-2/24) and Bailey (8-2/24). Enter Darcy Currell (4-3/22) who picked three quick wickets to have Saints on the ropes, Charlie Walpole (2.2-2/18) chimed in with two of his own to have Saints all out for 156 to give ourselves a bonus point victory. 

Fielding was outstanding with 6 catches taken including two sharp slips catches to Sorenson to top off a man of the match performance. - Danny Weston. 

The Hawks would like to thank Brumby’s Margaret River for their donation of bread rolls for the club canteen.

MR U11s Gold vs St Marys Grey

We awoke Saturday to the sun shining for our match against St Marys Grey. Captain Sam won the toss and elected to field first.

Culann opened the bowling and finished the innings with impressive figures of 3/10 from 4 overs, supported by Reuben (2/3) and Sam (2/4).

Once again our fielding was excellent including an awesome catch by Caspian and direct hit run-out from Culann.

The final St. Marys score was 10/99. Sam opened the batting with his brother Tom. Whilst early wickets were taken with the new ball, they both managed to score 19 runs and 16 runs respectively.

The middle order demonstrated fantastic control, only one more wicket taken for the whole innings, including solid partnerships from Beth (5 runs), Reuben (4 n.o.) & Caspian (11 n.o.). Out marched our ‘senior’ players in Sawyer (21 n.o.) & Culann (13 n.o.) who capitalised on opportunities to bring the total to 6/149. 

Awesome group of players who support each other and demonstrate excellent sportsmanship!

Special thanks to Chiara Bailey, Matt Barling & Geoff Bain for your valuable assistance. – Shane Joyce