It's fair to say the St George First Grade team went into the 1999/2000 One Day Competition Final against Manly with our tails well and truly between their legs.
As fate would have it, only 24 hours earlier the same two teams walked through the gates at Hurstville Oval in preparation for the 2nd day of a two day game after Saints had been bowled out for 223 on day 1.
Knowing a final was only 24 hours away, both teams were not only looking for a win and the 6 points but a psychological edge as well.
Saints began well with Manly losing 3 wickets with only 53 runs on the board however that was about as much joy as we had as Manly passed our total 4 wickets down after 77 overs. Former NSW State players Shawn Bradstreet 80 not out and skipper Craig Glassock 58 not out flexed their muscles and were simply too good.
6 points and the psychological edge to Manly.
Off to Final and Manly Oval, a picturesque ground and only a 2-minute walk from the famous Manly beach.
It’s not a big ground. There's a walk way where people can stroll around the boundary fence, a grandstand, and a grassed hill perfect for picnics or.....a party. It’s a great place to play and watch cricket as everyone is relatively close to the action.
As we finished our warm-up I headed to the sheds and noticed a couple of young Saints lower grade players perched in front of the grandstand. My first thought, gee they’re early and a long way from home.
They’d been on a train, ferry, and ready to roll up their sleeves to cheer on the Saints. I’m not sure how much sleep they had the night before as they were coming in hot however their support was greatly appreciated.
The toss!. I have no idea who won it but Saints were batting.
As I mentioned we turned up with our tails between our legs and at 5 for 28 after 15 overs it was more than a though we'd be having lunch on Manly beach as opposed to the Oval.
Nathan Pilon 6, Brett Van Diensen 5, Nathan Catalano 1, Graeme Rummans 7 and Brad McNamara 0, all back in the sheds.
Now there’s one thing about the Manly Cricket Club, they’re a marketing machine. Most of the players within their club live close by, so along with parents, family, supporters, and sponsors you can imagine their excitement at the prospects of a win. The hill was going berserk.
There was however one notable Manly supporter we’d noticed on the hill. We’ll call him Wally.
Back to the cricket, Scott Thompson stopped the early carnage with a superb 51 and this time our tails wagged for the right reasons as we made our way to a meagre 146. It’d taken us 49.2 over to score the runs so at least the game was going to go into the afternoon.
Matthew Burton was the pick of the Manly bowlers with 3 for 15. Jamie Heath, Jonny Moss, and Billy Newell picked up 2 each.
Now it was Manly’s turn at the crease and Matthew Phelps and Brian Clemow made their way to the wicket> The key for Saints was early wickets and scoreboard pressure.
Like any game of cricket, the longer they took to score the runs the more chance we had of winning.
At 0 for 30 off 10 overs, the Manly locals were letting the Saints boys know of their excitement.
It was about that time when a Manly supporter directed a question my way, “hey why do they call you Ryno”?
Before I could turn around they bellowed, “is it because you have a fat arse”
The hill roared with laughter as did my 10 team mates and perhaps the umpires as well..
My wife, who’d heard it, got the giggles and has since shared the tale many times especially with the kids.as they were growing up. Still they can be heard asking the same question and answering with the same cheekiness.
Whilst Manly Oval is close to the beach, it is surrounded by busy roads, units blocks, tennis courts, a bowling club, a memorial club, and beachside hotels.
Enter Wally.
With Manly on top in the game and their supporters full of voice, there was an unexpected moment of cheer and laughter from the hill. Wally had left his mates and made his way across Sydney Road into someone’s unit and started waving to the crowd.
We had no idea whether it was his unit but it soon became clear the man dressed as “Where’s Wally” was going to keep the crowd on their toes.
Another cheer, this time it’s the Saints boys and our supporters as Clemow is out for 27 and Manly lost their first wicket at 37 from 12 overs.
One wicket down and the old pro Buzzard McNamara’s motor starts to click into gear and he removed Splojaric for a duck. 2 for 45.
2 down, how often does it happen in a game of cricket, there’s a run out and Phelps is out for 17. 3 for 48.
As he did more and better than most, Buzzard with either bat or ball in hand, took the game by the scruff of the neck and had both Bradstreet and Glassock caught behind by Nathan Pilon for 0. Manly, now 5 for 57 and soon to be 6 for 63 after 26 overs. Scoreboard pressure.
The noise for the hill had subsided but soon there was a roar of laughter as Wally had made his way to the Memorial Club’s front door and starts waving to the crowd.
Soon, in fits of laughter, we see Wally hanging out the window of the back seat of a car, waving to all as it travels down Sydney Road. Very funny.
Peter Procopis and his leg-spinning team mate McInnes take up the challenge and the game is in the balance.
Both batsmen knuckle down for the next 12 overs but with the score on 95, McInnes loses his wicket.
Soon, Wally can be seen on top of one of the Manly Hotels hundreds of metres away. How did he get there?
Left-arm spinner Peter Wooden picks up Procopis for 24 and then two quick run outs and Manly are bowled out for 108 off 45.3 over and Saints become the one-day champions for the 1999/2000 season.
It was a great bowling effort led by Buzzard with 3 for 21 off his 10 overs and Stephen Wark, who may not have picked up a wicket but bowled a fantastic miserly spell with 0 for 9 off 8 overs. Jimmy Turner and Peter Wooden both with 2 wickets each.
What a day, a fantastic game of cricket, fantastic support and good humour from the crowd and of course, Wally
Where did Wally end up?
Where else but photo bombing the St George’s team photo and drinking beers with the Saints players and supporters. You’d be pleased to know the early birds were still going strong as well.
Who said Grade Cricket’s not important.
Footnote:
I’ve been able to establish Wally’s identity - Jay Trevaskis
I’ve been informed Jay was a handy all-rounder and played 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade for Manly over a number of years.
This story was originally published on Today's Tale on 30 April 2019
Here's Jay tweet after publication
Scorecard
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