This was not the best of results for the Ghosts. But then again it was never going to be easy against a club that won last year’s SCA Club Championship fielding four out of five grades in the grand finals. JASON ELLSMORE reports on the conclusion of day two of the round four match between Camden Campbelltown Ghosts and Manly.
Manly first grade returned to Raby on Saturday and immediately declared their first innings closed.
Satisfied with the previous weeks 325 runs for the loss of six wickets, Manly had the Ghosts on the back foot early.
The Ghosts lost opener Damien Mortimer when the total was just 8 and just as captain Josh Clarke and NSW squad member Ryan Gibson appeared to start a solid partnership, both were dismissed with the total in the forties.
Gibson got to 29 before losing his wicket. Fifty runs later the Ghosts lost two wickets at a critical time.
Coyte looked in control for his 24 before getting a “rough decision” and the Ghosts junior Australian international Jordan Gauci was caught on 14 just as he looked settled. This pattern seemed to continue for the rest of the innings.
The Ghosts bats looked settled adding 50 runs or so, then losing wickets. Ashley Paddison played superbly for 60 runs batting at seven.
It then became evident that while victory may be unattainable, the opportunity to deny last year’s premiers winning points was achievable.
The Ghosts tail dug in. Luke Webb played stubbornly for 26 off 123 balls, Josh Dunning likewise facing 51 balls.
The injured Tom Rogers, batting at 11, bravely faced 32 balls, many of which were targeted at his fractured rib. However, Dunning feathered the second last ball of the day to the keeper and Manly took the points.
♦ In second grade, the Ghosts were very unlucky on Manly Oval with their opponents limping past their total of 231 with nine wickets down.
Captain Dan Constable took 4/72 for the Ghosts.
♦ On Raby # 2 ground the Ghosts thirds’ 215 was always going to be tough to defend and Manly reached the target for the loss of five wickets.
♦ The Ghosts fourth grade had an extremely tough day as Manly dominated the attack to pass the Ghosts total of 9/274 losing only one wicket on their way to 277.
♦ The fifth grade match on Raby # 3 went to a second innings for both teams as the Ghosts chased outright points having lost first innings.
Despite taking seven wickets in Manly’s second innings having posted a good 2nd innings lead, Manly went home with the points from the first innings. Nick Appleton scored 43 in the second innings before Nathan Baker took 3 for 12 in the late afternoon.
• Next weekend the Ghosts are home again when they host Hawkesbury CC.
