Weekly Wrap - Rd. 3 vs Blacktown Day 1
First Grade
Toss
Sydney University won the toss and elected to bat
Result
In progress
Game scores
Sydney University 9/354
Notables
Greg Mail 131, Scott Henry 53, David Miller 58, Tim Ley 55
Report
The track at Joe McAleer oval was typically hard, dry and green on Saturday. When the coin fell his way, captain Greg Mail reverted to Plan A and elected to bat first.
Being a consumate team man, Scott "DJ Anthems" Henry trotted out a couple of new tracks from Justin Bieber and One Direction in the Anthems 2013/14 playlist in a purported attempt to make wunderkind Jonte Pattison feel more at home in the dressing sheds. Any initial sense of magninimity that Scooter created with this gesture was quickly eroded and replaced with shock and ridicule upon Scooter's confessional comments that "a One Direction concert would definitely be worth a look" and "when you hear Biebs you've deffo got to hit up the D.F.".
Atrophying taste in music aside, Scott Henry batted brilliantly again, proving that Justin Bieber really does make him move well. Scooter and Ryan Caters posted another opening partnership in excess of 50 (4 from 4). Henry was the dominant partner, making a fluent half century and continuing his hot form.
However, the promising start was spoiled when Carters, Henry and Faraday became victims of the wily medium pace of veteran Tony Clark in quick succession, leaving some work for the middle order to do.
Luckily enough, having sensed that some of the resident middle order batsmen were becoming restless due to minimal batting time in the opening few rounds, captain Mail had demoted himself to number 5 in the batting list and he took up the task of repairing the uni innings. The new batting position did nothing to upset the rhythm of Mail, who notched first-grade century number 40, making it two magnificent tons in as many bats this season.
Mail was most capably supported by Dave Miller, in the first instance, who made a counter-attacking 58 before embarking on a fatal attempt at a quick single, which cut short a very promising innings.
Further assistance was provided by the pugnacious Tim Ley, who saw the relative frailty of the top order as a mere opportunity to make a good score himself. And it was in quick time and with great gusto that Tim brought up his maiden first-grade half century. This result was also notable for the fact that Tim, once again, has a higher personal best score in first grade than Ben Joy. Despite Ben's recent swashbucking successes, his teammates will be quite relieved to see him back at his natural home at number 10 or 11 when he next forces his way into first grade (bearing in mind, of course, that the highly numerate captain, Greg Mail, sets the last 4 batting positions in his list based strictly on the highest first-grade scores of the batsmen in question).
Second Grade
Toss
Sydney University won the toss and elected to bat first
Result
In progress
Game scores
Sydney University 260, Blacktown 3/91
Notables
Joshua Richards 67, Alex Logan 35, Ben Joy 2/32
Report
Round 3 of the 2013/14 season was relocated from Blacktown’s Joe McAleer to Sydney University’s Number 2 oval. The majority of the side (excluding our Western Sydney residents) were willing to sacrifice quality of ground to avoid a drive down the M4. Nash saw limited scoring opportunities as this match was highlighted by a string of high class saves at either end. The match ended on a sour note when Ben Joy and Jack Hill went into an aerial contest with only eyes for the ball and Joy came off second best to someone half his size.
Captain Two Plates won the toss and chose to bat on the same wicket that saw the Students post in excess of 300 against Easts in round one. Uni scored at a healthy rate during the first session but lost wickets consistently to be 4/93 at lunch. Alex ‘post uni-games slump’ Logan further proved his reliability at the top of the order with a well made 35 off 76, however the further loss of wickets after lunch ensured we would struggle to pass the 300 mark. Top shelf batting from Josh ‘Faf’s mate’ Richards leading into tea assisted the Students in posting a competitive total as he made 67 off 118, he batted with much responsibility and streaked away to a comfortable lead in the 2nd grade horns comp with a number of pull shots that he picked up just short of a length and dispatched into the vet building. JR was assisted by the tail with stubborn batting at one end from Ronit Lotliker (20 not out off 68) allowing Jim ‘college hero bronze medalist’ Ryan (22 off 21) on debut to show off the variety of shots he possesses, and Ben ‘Barnaby’ Joy (20 off 8) to surpass Will ‘if I have to score everyone else is going to suffer with me’ Hay’s score in 2 balls.
Sydney University finished all out for 260 and turned to resident opening bowlers Josh ‘inconsistent hair’ Toyer and Ben Joy to take us into stumps with a handful of Blacktown wickets. In what turned out to be a bizarre hour and a half leading into stumps we saw JT claim a caught and bowled in the opening overs as the batsman whacked the ball into his foot which then propelled up into the hands of ‘Tizzler’, it was originally given out only to be overturned as the batsman was half way back to the tent. The Blacktown openers decided to take the long handle from this point and started to streak away, but two wickets in two balls from Ben Joy which included an excellent catch on the boundary by Toyer and Jim Ryan’s first wicket in this grade swung the momentum to Sydney Uni leading into stumps.
Blacktown ended an eventful day on 3/91 leaving them 170 runs to win next weekend. Sydney Uni never quite clicked into top gear at any stage during the day and given that can draw positives from the fact we find ourselves in a position where claiming 6 points is possible next week.
Third Grade
Toss
Blacktown won the toss and elected to bat
Result
Sydney University have first innings points
Game scores
Blacktown 95, Sydney University 4/133
Notables
Max Hope 50, Lewis Mcmahon 5/16
Report
To be submitted
Fourth Grade
Toss
Blacktown won the toss and elected to bat
Result
In Progress
Game scores
Blacktown 187 all out; Sydney University 0/51
Notables
Michael Culkoff 3/21, Matt Skinner 26*
Report
Having started the season with successive losses to strong Eastern Suburbs and Campbelltown-Camden sides, Saturday found most of the 4th Grade side eagerly awaiting the chance to move up the ladder and contribute to the clubs growing Club Championship prospects this year. Unfortunately, confusion had led to Anthony ‘left-arm over thanks’ Lown arriving at the incorrect oval. As Lown terrorised the M4 with his driving playing ‘Marco Polo’ with Whalan Reserve, his outrageously poor Nash skills were not missed as the ‘shoe shoppers’ went down to the rest. Matt ‘Leopard’ Skinner once again failed to utilise his position as captain to influence the result in his favour.
Blacktown won the toss and elected to bat on a deck that looked like it might offer a bit. Showing unusual optimism, the skipper put three slips in place allowing Jon ‘Linfox’ New to test all of them out at one point or another. Unfortunately, this was never off the edge of the bat. However, Hayden ‘Haydos’ Kerr once again bowled extremely well with the new ball. A fast in-swinging full length ball saw him take his first for the day, and he was unfortunate not to have several more.
To their credit, the Blacktown top order counter-attacked against a number of good bowling partnerships until Michael ‘Yogi Bear’ Culkoff found close to his top form again and removed the middle order in quick succession taking 3/21. Equally impressive was the spin and bounce of Jack ‘Eric’ Holloway. Having relaxed and found confidence Jack bowled an excellent spell to pinch a couple of wickets as well.
The innings was not without its challenges. In possibly one of the rarest pieces of cricket seen this year, the umpire chose to ‘no-ball’ Anthony ‘left-arm over thanks’ Lown for failing to inform him that he was bowling right-arm leg spin. Lown’s subsequent soliloquy regarding the appropriate role of umpires in the game as hat stands was unsurprising. What was surprising was that the same umpire rewarded an LBW shout a few balls later.
Short pitch bowling and Bieber-like glares from Hayden ‘Haydos’ Kerr inspired fear in the batsmen and saw another wicket fall, and the ‘Linfox’ mopped up the tail to bolster his ‘MyCricket’ stats. Blacktown’s score of 187 fell well short of par on a deck and field that progressively offered more scoring opportunities as the day went on. In reply, Ryan ‘strong and silent’ Danne and Matt Skinner ground out an excellent start for the Students. Having survived an LBW shout that he confessed to be plum (and depriving Ash Cowan of yet more hilarity on his Twitter account) Skinner played the senior role showing younger teammates the patience required to successfully chase runs in 4th grade. Leaving the field with the score at 0/51 off 28 overs, the Students will be confident of completing the run chase next weekend.
A final special mention must go to the off-field antics of serial pest Tom ‘is 18 u19’s?’ Hill. Tom was quick to make mates with the 13 year old son of the umpire whilst scoring. However, the relationship soured as the afternoon dragged on with both offering a number of tips as to how the other might improve as a cricketer and as a person in general. Much like the game in progress, this mental battle will be won by whoever strikes the earliest blow next week (and that’s a metaphorical blow if you’re reading this Tom).
Fifth Grade
Toss
Blacktown won the toss and elected to bat first.
Result
In progress
Game scores
Blacktown 195, Sydney University 3/80
Notables
Kalindu Kariyawasam 4/33, Joe Dorph 32 n.o.
Report
The ever present philosophical musings of Joe “Dorf” Dorph summed up the scene for the fifth grade boys arriving at St Pauls Oval, eager to make the most of “such a beautiful day” to set up a potential 3 wins on-the-trot. After farewelling Anthony “Think” Lown for his trip back out to Whalan, the twelve (soon to be eleven..) remaining players took to the field for some Nash. True to form, the batsman once again cleaned up, thanks to some quality mid-field ball work from Alex “Hamstrings” Mihalyka. Fresh-faced Chris “The Toddler” De Kretser picked up the W.O.G. for his sloppy offence and overall loose play.
Having lost the toss, Watermelon led the team into the field. His years of 5th grade experience giving him a unique understanding of the Pauls conditions and he wasted no time instructing his bowlers to keep the rock down the batsman’s end. Coming in off the full marathon, Kalindu “Mr Punctual” Karayawasam combined with Toby “Shakes” Wheeler to leave the visitors reeling at 3/31 after 18 and in a great position to bring the hammer down on the Blacktown innings.
A few expensive overs saw Blacktown back in the contest before Waterlow introduced himself to staunch the flow of runs; picking up a handy scalp to break the growing partnership. In a return to the days of Bodyline Cricket, Dorf imposed himself on the unsuspecting batsmen delivering a barrage of short deliveries before slinking back to mid-on. Wickets continued to fall as Kalindu and Mihalyka added 1 each to their tallies respectively, but after an excellent start to the day, at 7/161 the game was getting away from Uni…
…Enter Waterlow. In another “inspired” bit of captaincy, Jarrod himself re-claimed the ball and utilizing the “Russell” (quicker straight-break) claimed another two poles including the prized wicket of the established batsmen, falling 3 short of a gritty ton thanks to an absolute blinder of a catch at first slip by Cameron “No Chance” New, closing the BCC innings on 195 with Uni to bat out the remaining 22 overs.
Some flamboyant stroke-making by Harry Watt got the chase off to a quick start, but some good bowling and poor decision-making from the boys in the middle saw the day end with Uni 3/80; Joe Dorph and Alex Mihalyka at the crease ready to resume on day 2 trailing by 115 runs on 1st innings.
Poidevin-Gray
Toss
Sydney University won the toss and decided to bat
Result
Wests won
Game scores
Sydney University 7/134 def by Wests 2/135
Notables
Max Hope 31, Alex Logan 25, Jonte Pattison 25
Report
To be submitted
First Grade T20
Toss
Wests won the toss and decided to bat
Result
Sydney University won
Game scores
Wests 4/130 def by Sydney University 3/136
Notables
Liam Robertson 2/16, Ryan Carters 86 n.o., Scott Henry 36
Report
Sunday saw the students travel to Ashfield to take on the big, hitting Western Suburbs outfit. Brains vs Brawn some would say, but as Nigel 'now 7kg heavier' Cowell succumbed to a stray elbow from Dave 'calves bigger than quads' Miller, many in audience were left scratching their heads - while Nigel was left clutching his face as blood siphoned from his nose. The rest of the warm-up went according to plan with super coach, Buzz Casson inventive in his approach with new drills to stimulate the senses and ready the side for some boom boom!
Having won the toss, Wests got off to a solid start before captain Faraday decided to make his first mark on the game. The ball was thrown to Miller and all of a sudden, that solid start was a superb one for Wests with 25 taken from the 6th. An over to forget for Miller but that was not made easy by some rowdy Wests fans on the Pratten hill. Thankfully, the rest of the uni bowlers were in tune, particularly Liam 'Tony Clark jnr' Robertson who wobbled his way to the miserly figures of 2/16 off 4. Will Sommerville was also particularly effective with some tight bowling, a wicket and two safe catches while Tim Ley provided some brief entertainment for the magpies on the hill, misjudging an outfield catch, for the first time ever - but returned for the last laugh as the batsmen couldn't get him away in the late overs. 131 to get.
Carters and Henry then set about chasing the runs with some clever strokeplay, finding the fence with ease. A minor hiccup as Henry hauled out for 39, and then Faraday and Larkin were dismissed in quick succession. Robertson then returned to cap off an excellent game knocking a few singles to allow Carters the opportunity to hit out. A brilliant innings from Carters saw him finish on 86n.o from just 63 balls, including a massive six to bring up the victory. A good first outing in the T20 with a tough game against Newcastle next weekend at Drummoyne.