CLASSICS vs WARRINGAH – 07/12/2025

OICC 9/175 (G Pallier 38*; S Geyer 38; N Goradia 25; C McKenzie 22) defeated by WARRINGAH 7/176 (J Osborne 3/18; N McLeod 1/30; N Butler 1/33)

On a pretty flat wicket but something for both bowlers and Batsmen, 175 was never likely to be enough against a strong Warringah line-up.

Once again, we got off to a pretty good start and were 4/109 at the 20th over, with Bomber McKenzie (22), Toalie (8); Nirav ‘hybrid’ Goradia (25) continuing his good form, and Neil McLeod (8), with Steve ‘Sloppy’ Geyer, back in the shed with a great straight drive 6 to retire on 35.

So we were in a good position heading into the back 20 overs.

Unfortunately, we lost 2 more quick wickets after the break, with Frawls (6) (fortunate there was no video) entering the Village Cricket dismissals calling for an easy 1, was sent back, slipped over, not having any spikes left on his shoes, dropped his bat, and left scrambling on all fours to try and make his ground – not to be.

Debutant Mark Wall (4) was joined by another debutant, Greg Pallier (38*) and Mark fell soon after.

Fordey (11) and Pallier then had an excellent 34 run partnership to get us back to some form of a defendable score, with Garlo (0) & Osborne (7*), with Geyer & Pallier retired in the shed.

Unfortunately Geyer only added 3 before being caught on the fence, and Pallier only added 8 by the end of 40 overs, leaving 176 for Warringah to chase.

An exceptionally poor fielding performance and too many 4 balls enabled Warringah’s quality bats to assume the ascendency and they got 2 back in the shed and were 2/88 at the 20 over mark.

Buttsey (1/33), was again excellent, however he fractured his ankle in about his 5th over , and continued to complete his 8 – Joffra Archer take note. Great guts Butts, and heal up quick. Neil (1/30) partnered him opening the bowling.

Frawls (0/37) and Rav (0/31) weren’t able to stem the flow of runs, however Toalie (0/15) & an excellent spell from John Osborne (3/18) stemmed the runs and gave us a chance, but 175 just wasn’t enough, and they finished the hurt in the 37th over. Another 30 runs……

Congrats to Greg Pallier on his 38* on debt, a welcome addition hopefully to our Classics ranks.