What greeted the players from both teams in both grades on the weekend is something that even the cricket gods would have been envious of.
A perfectly prepared turf wicket, freshly mown outfield and the brightest of white boundaries, it is a real pleasure and privilege to have this ground as the Hawks home ground each week!
Arguably the fastest outfield in the competition, coupled with a bowling green like surface and even the Optus Stadium groundsmen would tip their hats to Neil and Rumesh!
What a weekend by the A grade boys.
A fourth bonus point victory of the season sees them sitting on top of the A grade ladder and a firmer grip on the coveted Duggan Penfold Shield.
Not so good from the B and C grade lads but all players determined to improve will see a strong push towards the new year break.
The Margaret River Hawks are calling on all past players to get in touch for the club’s annual past players, sponsors and family day on December 8 at the Hawks Nest.
This is to say thank you to our sponsors, families and past players, for everything you have done, and continue to do for our wonderful club.
You have all enjoyed the highs with us, and encouraged us in our lows and now we are flying higher and higher, we would love to enjoy this with you all.
The rumour mill is in full swing with Santa apparently making an appearance on the day too!
Can all past players, sponsors and family members please RSVP as soon as possible to Michael Earl on 0420 576 029, or send a message to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/margaretriverhawkscricketclub) so we can cater for the day.
A grade
Well it’s round 7 and almost a third of the way into the season in terms of games played.
Another solid win against cross town rivals Cowaramup sees the Hawks held in good stead heading into next week’s bye with four wins and two losses.
Hawks were sent in to bat on another perfectly prepared wicket by master curator Neil.
However, it didn’t take long for the Bulls trump card Kavi De Silva to take a wicket with his second ball, dismissing Gareth Edmonds. Shane Joyce joined Chris McLean in the middle and the pair put on a superb 74 runs, albeit with a little luck.
Joyce’s shot making was pure class with some majestic cover drives.
With Macca’s wicket before drinks, Kade Dittmar joined Joycey and in an impressive trend, the two took full control with clever running and astute stroke play.
Kade went on to make a very valuable 45 runs and was unlucky not to bring up a half century.
Meanwhile Joyce brought up a consecutive 50 and is looking very solid. Handy contributions from Rumesh Silva(30), Grant Garstone (23), Ryan Miller(25 n.o). and Matthew Kent (16 n.o) saw the home team to the very respectable total of 251 from their 50 overs.
There was no room for complacency, however, with the Bulls having a much-bolstered line up and the pitch very good for batting. Cowaramup batted sensibly and Bradshaw played some nice shots before the first wicket fell at 25.
The real strength of this Hawks team over the last couple of seasons has been the ability to put teams under extreme pressure by limiting scoring options and taking all opportunities in the field.
Saturday was no exception and when Mike Hibberd was dismissed the visitors were on the ropes at 6/53 in the blink of an eye.
Rumesh and Aaron Thomas bowled beautifully and Matty Kent exercised his clinical ability to take key wickets exactly when required... its some sort of wizardry I’m sure!
Kaveen showed his power and class in bringing up a rapid half century and combined with skipper Ben Shepperd to provide some resistance, but it was too little too late.
The Bulls youngsters were gallant but ultimately succumbed to the constant intensity and the Hawks once again finished off the game in ruthless style.
Kade’s mature and stylish innings earned him the man of the match, however it really was an even and total team performance.
With a break next week, the team can lock and load and continue to rattle a few cages as we build confidence and realise our potential.
Cracking win fellas…..and with a little work I’m sure we can refine the new team “ditty” so as not to sound like a room full of strangled geese.
Paul Tognolini
B Grade
Coming off our first win for the season last week, B Grade went into Saturday’s game confident against the benchmark of the competition, Vasse.
Winning the toss, we chose to bat against the might of Vasse’s bowling attack, a decision that immediately had the Hawks on the back foot.
Ado Bailey fell to the very first ball he faced and Maurice Shinnick soon followed him back to the pavilion, 2/4 and not the ideal start.
Last week’s heroics from David Morris and Michael Earl were what was required but alas further tight bowling and a great deal of fortune soon saw our premier bats follow the openers and the Hawks were floundering at 4/7.
New Hawk Stuart Roberts, looked comfortable in the middle hitting speedster Scott Young for a massive 6 only to fall soon after for 10.
Things were not looking great, but as in previous games the middle order buckled down and set about restoring some respectability to the score.
Jude Shinnick, in his last game for the Hawks this season toughed out a gritty innings of 28 setting up partnerships with Matt Jarvis (20) and Mitchell Broun (42) to help get us to 88.
The last four wickets unfortunately fell on that same number leaving Darcy Bailey stranded at the non-strikers end after a stylish 50 in the morning for the juniors.
Hawks posting a disappointing 88, but as they say runs on the board are vital and so we went about defending the total with great vigour.
Opening with our spearheads Jordan Stanbury and Taj Thomas we had to make early inroads into the Vasse batting line-up.
As they do on many occasions they did not disappoint.
Stanbury capturing the first wicket they were 1/8 then Thomas chimed in to be on a hattrick and they were 3/15, 4/16 then 5/25, we were on top!
The spirit out in the middle was infectious, all 11 Hawks believed they could pull off an unlikely win.
Out strode Vasse’s Sam Shepherd, he only plays one way and today was his day.
Previously starring with the ball, he single-handedly ripped the game away from the Hawks.
Scoring 37 off his 20 balls faced, he took the score up to 67 before departing.
We still believed we could win but no further wickets were to fall and Vasse passed the 89 required in the 25th over.
On paper it looks a decisive win, but in reality, the Hawks were fighting all the way, a little luck our way and who knows what the result would have been.
Once again, I’m a very proud skipper of a team that never gives in no matter the situation.
Keep working hard both at training and on the field and results will turn quickly I guarantee.
Finally, best wishes to Jude on his upcoming op, keep doing all the right things mate and we’ll see you back in the nest before you know it. Until next time.
B Grade Skip
