This feels like it could be a record
Campbelltown-Camden made a promising start against Sydney University on Saturday, getting away to 1 for 86 at around four an over. Then Liam Robertson intervened. Robertson has always been a very handy one-day bowler, though knee trouble, and his reluctance to use himself when he was captain, have meant that he’s bowled less than you might expect. He ambles to the crease and has no great pace, but he’s extremely effective in the short game because he bowls intelligently and varies his pace so that it’s very hard for batsmen to set themselves for a big hit. He beat Adam Whatley completely with a ball that jagged back off the seam; trapped Jackson Isakka in front with a fuller ball that also moved in; induced Will Salzmann to slice a drive to Nick Larkin at cover; picked up Akshat Mishra from a swipe to long-on; and bowled Blake Smith with a full, straight one. University lost early wickets, before Larkin (72) and Tim Cummins (59) produced an assured stand of 119, and Damien Mortimer and Ryan Danne finished things off. But Robertson’s 5-42 was the decisive performance. It was the first time in First Grade that he’d taken five in an innings, raising the question of whether anyone else has ever waited 233 matches to do it. Jungle Robson maybe? Anyway, it feels like a record.
Wests are contenders
There was minimal change in the First Grade table this week, and Wests remain a point away from the top six after outplaying Mosman (who lose their share of first place as a result). It was an impressive effort, driven by an opening stand of 216 between Nick Cutler (104) and Josh Clarke (134 not out). Mosman got close, reaching 2 for 143 with Lachlan Hearne in fine touch – but he inside-edged a drive at Liam Ford onto his stumps when he made made 57. Ford grabbed two wickets in the over, and though Matt Moran and Elijah Eales fought hard, Wests held on to win by nine runs. The much-improved Jack Bermingham snared four wickets, and Clarke (player of the match by some distance) was the meanest bowler on display, taking 1-22 from his nine overs. Wests now face the challenge of the in-form Randwick-Petersham side this week – assuming that the rain holds off.
Oh, McLean, you’ve done it again
You might remember that, a few weeks ago, Hayden McLean found himself facing his first ball with University of NSW needing six to beat Mosman in the Little Bash semi-final, and whacking that ball out of the ground. That kind of thing happens once in a career, if you’re lucky. So no-one had any great hopes last Saturday when the Bees collapsed to 8 for 156 against Bankstown, still needing 91 to win from 81 deliveries. McLean and Suthangan Thanabalasingam chipped away at the target until 23 runs were needed from the last two overs. Brad Simpson seemed to have settled the issue by bowling an exceptional 49th over, allowing only four singles, so 19 were needed from the last. Dayne Heward – who had bowled well for his two wickets – was entrusted with the final over. McLean whacked the first ball through square leg for 4, then missed a slower ball but scrambled a leg-bye. The third ball was on a length on off stump, but Thanabalasingam carved it over cow corner for six. Suddenly, for the first time, the odds favoured the Bees, with eight needed from three balls. Thanabalasingam scrambled two from the fourth ball, and another two from the fifth (although a better throw would have run out Thanabalasingam by yards), so four were needed from the last delivery. This one was fuller, but Thanabalasingam set himself deep in the crease and smacked it high over mid-wicket for six. The win keeps the Bees in the hunt for the finals, and gives McLean a second once-in-a-career moment in the space of a few weeks.
The baby sharks have teeth
High point of a fairly forgettable season for Sutherland was the club’s Poidevin-Gray Shield success on Sunday. On paper, both Sutherland and Penrith looked stronger with the ball than the bat, and Penrith was well in the contest when Sutherland slumped to 6 for 121. But Andrew Ritchie, who led his side impressively throughout its campaign, struck 48 from 48, including three 6s, and Sutherland ended up with a very presentable 9 for 214. Penrith started brightly, and was well in the contest at 1 for 45, but Third Grader Zac Philipson made a crucial breakthrough, and the rest of the innings folded to Will Straker and Justin Green. Straker, outstanding with the ball in PGs this year, finished with 5-25, and Green snaffled 3-10. They had great support from keeper Lachlan Ball, who held six catches – following his six catches in the semi-final, a double which we’re sure (but again can’t prove) is some kind of record.
Gladys played 4s this week
The Gladys Berejiklian Sudden and Unexpected Collapse of the Week Award goes to… someone in Fourth Grade. Who, we’re not sure. Bankstown, looking solid at 3-82, lost seven for 41 to be all out for 123. Penrith, last week’s winner, looked OK at 2 for 44 before eight wickets crashed for 22, Manly’s Adam Parkinson grabbing 4-0 in 13 balls. Against Sydney, Easts lost 5 for 25 before a partnership of 38 steadied the innings – only for Kshitij Cyril (a commentator’s nightmare) to wreck the innings again with a hat-trick. But maybe it was Northern District. Chasing Sutherland’s 178, the Rangers crashed from 2 for 45 to 7 for 53 and then 8 for 63. At which point, Peter Murray and Jaden Sequiera (who hadn’t scored more than 3 since November) added 114 for the ninth wicket to steer their side to the points. You choose.