Manly 1st Grade 2005-06 One-Day Premiership - 20 years on
Manly Warringah District Cricket Club | February 23, 2026
During the 2005/06 season, Manly claimed the Limited Overs premiership, defeating Campbelltown Camden in a hard-fought Grand Final at Raby Oval. The triumph marked the club’s second consecutive premiership success, following John Warn’s 3rd Grade side’s title the previous season.
Manly opened their campaign at Caringbah Oval (now Glen McGrath Oval) with a commanding victory over Sutherland. Shawn Bradstreet and Mark Cameron each claimed two wickets to restrict Sutherland to 8–231. Manly comfortably chased the target, highlighted by Cameron Merchant’s maiden 1st Grade century, finishing unbeaten on 107.
Round 2 produced a tighter contest against Blacktown, with the experienced Mark Atkinson guiding Manly home with an unbeaten 40 in pursuit of 193. Bradstreet and Shane Cleary contributed three wickets apiece.
In Round 3, Manly recorded another win, this time over Bankstown. Merchant continued his strong form with a composed 70, matched by new recruit Darren Wotherspoon, who also posted 70. Mark Cameron impressed with three wickets.
Round 4 delivered one of the season’s most memorable victories against Sydney University at Manly Oval. Lower-order batsmen Cleary (40*) and Cameron (39) combined to post a competitive total before Manly dismissed the students for 167, with Cameron again contributing two wickets.
Round 5 was a standout performance under lights at Manly Oval against Parramatta. Jamie Sullivan produced a remarkable spell of 6–31, while Merchant anchored the chase with an unbeaten 73 to secure the win.
The only setback of the regular season came in Round 6 against St George. However, Manly responded strongly, finishing the home-and-away rounds with a win over Randwick. Cruickshank returned to form with 60, while off-spinner Wotherspoon (3 wickets) and leg-spinner Mark McInnes (2 wickets) combined effectively to seal victory.
The semi-final at Killara against a strong Gordon side proved to be a high-scoring affair. Manly’s 290 narrowly surpassed Gordon’s 287. Wotherspoon delivered one of the innings of the season with a superb 120, while McInnes claimed three wickets and Cleary added two.
In the Grand Final against Campbelltown Camden at Raby Oval, Manly batted first and recovered from a precarious 5–115 after 34 overs to post 208. Bradstreet top-scored with 48, supported by Sullivan’s valuable 36.
Michael Lindsay provided the ideal start with the ball, claiming two early wickets. Although Campbelltown Camden steadied at 2–115, a crucial run-out shifted momentum. Disciplined bowling and outstanding fielding followed, culminating in the dismissal of the opposition for 167. Lindsay, Cleary, and Sullivan each collected two wickets in a well-rounded team performance.
Jamie Sullivan was awarded the Michael Bevan Medal as Player of the Match, capping a memorable premiership campaign for Manly.
