AW Green Shield: Semi-finals wrap from NSW’s premier U16 cricket tournament
The grand finalists for the U16s Green Shield have been decided after an absorbing and controversial day of cricket in Sydney’s north. SEMI-FINALS WRAP
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Lock it in, Manly Warringah will host reigning premiers Parramatta in Sunday’s under-16s AW Green Shield decider.
In massive day of semi-final action on Thursday, both sides scrapped for the right after minor premiers Northern District and Gordon fell agonisingly short in gripping encounters.
At Asquith, the Rangers made Parra scramble late, while closer to the city Manly sidestepped a catching controversy and then the Stags at Beauchamp Oval.
Here’s how the day unfolded in our semi-final wrap.
CAUGHT WITH A TWIST
Manly moved a step closer to ending three decades in the Green Shield wilderness with a gritty win over Gordon, but in stifling conditions the four-wicket result wasn’t without controversy.
After posting a challenging 7-188, Gordon’s attack then made early inroads and when Manly run machine Myles Kapoor trudged back towards the pavilion at 5-95, the young Stags led the race to the decider.
However, howls from the outer brought confusion and a stunning about-face.
As the Gordon fielders rushed to celebrate what they thought was a regulation catch at long-on, a dejected Kapoor – on 45 and carrying the hopes of the northern beaches – suddenly looked up and darted back towards the wicket.
With concerns over the legitimacy of the outfield grab, the umpires conferred and ruled not out.
Grateful for small mercies, Kapoor dusted himself off and after adding 60 with Miles Milliner (38 off 39) eventually saw Manly home within an unbeaten 95 off 113 deliveries.
On another day, Gordon’s Toby Robinson may well have finished the hero. Like Kapoor, the plucky skipper was easily his side’s best bat, but without any meaningful support from the top-six, his patient 75 went unrewarded.
Speaking after a rousing rendition of the club song, Manly coach Kev Davies hinted his young group might be oblivious to the magnitude of their opportunity, given the club’s last Green Shield title came way back in 1991-92.
“I don’t think they realise that at all,” said Davies.
“They’re just 16-year-old kids enjoying their cricket. I don’t think history means much to them at this stage.”
On Kapoor, whose 336 runs at 84 ranks third in the tournament, Davies offered praise but pointed out the left-hander isn’t alone.
“He’s a pretty classy player and loves the battle, and showed he doesn’t get flustered by the occasion,” he said.
“But we’ve got a great spread of players and they literally bat from one down to 11, so they’re not always relying on one bloke.”
Quizzed on the significance of Kapoor’s reprieve, the coach was having none of it.
‘It clearly popped out.’” he said.
“I saw it hit the ground like all we all did. Anyone who thought he caught it wasn’t watching it properly.”
LETHAL SPELL SPARKS PARRA
Parramatta will defend its title after grinding their way past the previously unbeaten Northern District at Asquith Oval.
In command after an early blitz by paceman Connor Culnane helped restricted the home side to 9-149, Parramatta were pushed deep before scraping home by three wickets with two overs to spare.
Culnane could do no wrong with the new ball, decimating the top order on the way to a achieving a match winning 4-18 from 10 overs.
After knocking over in-form opener Henry Abood with an absolute peach, the bustling quick came around the wicket to dismiss left-hander Harry Price, latching onto a sizzling return catch with his left mitt.
When he sent Finn Bailey packing in the ninth over, Northern District had slumped to 3-27.
Arhan Shah (2-31) and Aryan Kumar (1-19) continued the demolition before Joshua McDowell bunkered down in a patient innings of 41 off 78 balls.
Parra’s top order threatened to make it an early finish, but after numerous starts the wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
The Rangers’ best chance came when Lachlan Barnes (1-21) bowled kingpin Blake Noorbergen (13 off 27) for a rare low score, but it wasn’t to be as Aston Wijesinghe (31 off 81) and Advik Ajithkumar (29 off 64) set up camp and repelled the challenge.
“Northern District bowled very well,” said relieved Parramatta coach Nick Bertus.
“It was an intense atmosphere and when Blake got out there was still plenty to do, but thankfully Aston and Advik stayed calm.”
On a day when runs proved hard to score, Bertus was delighted to see his big spearhead cash in.
“Connor probably deserved to pick up five wickets,” said Bertus.
“It’s his second year of Green Shield, but he also plays rep rugby league and he’s comeback much fitter and stronger this year.
“The one he got past Abood was probably the ball of the tournament.”
With five players backing up from last season’s grand final win over Hawkesbury, Bertus believes it gives his side an important advantage in Sunday’s decider.
“The boys are pumped, the experience will help. Parramatta has never gone back-to-back, so the boys have a rare chance to make club history.”
GRAND FINAL: SUNDAY, 28 JANUARY
Manly Warringah (3) v Parramatta (5) at Manly Oval
SEASON TO DATE
Manly: 7 wins, 1 loss
Parramatta: 6 wins, 2 losses
LAST MEETING
Parramatta 10/131, 46.5 overs (Noorbergen 76*, Das 26; Kershler 4-23, Osbourne 2-13) lost to Manly Warringah 6/135, 37.1 overs (Kapoor 58*, Milliner 27; Das 4-42, MacDonald 1-12) by four wickets, 18 January at Manly Oval
LEADING RUNS
- Blake Noorbergen (Parramatta), 404 at 101
- Athan Maraziotis (Parramatta), 345 at 49.29
- Myles Kapoor (Manly Warringah), 336 at 84.0
- Arjun Nadadur (Parramatta), 276 at 34.5
- Lukas Overhoff (Manly Warringah), 204 at 34.0
- Kai Dalli (Manly Warringah), 154 at 22.0
LEADING WICKETS
- Julian Osbourne (Manly Warringah), 20 at 10.6
- Harry Kershler (Manly Warringah), 12 at 15.75
- Connor Culnane (Parramatta), 11 at 15.27
- Prapta Das (Parramatta), 10 at 20.7
- Arhan Shah (Parramatta), 9 at 16.11
- Aryan Kumar (Parramatta), 7 at 12.57
TITLES
Manly: Seven – 1941/42, 1942/43, 1944/45, 1952/53, 1953/54, 1959/60, 1991/92
Parramatta: Seven –1960/61, 1975/76, 1997/98, 2000/01, 2007/08, 2017/18, 2022/23
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