A stirring weekend of cricket has set the scene for interesting Day 2's across all grades as Round 12 of the Sydney Grade Cricket Competition against St George continues this weekend.
In first grade St George won the toss and elected to bowl. Sydney University made their way out to the crease and put 233 runs on the board over the day in 87.5 overs. Down the order Jonte Pattison (82 off 156) and gloveman Ben Trevor-Jones (57 off 147) were the pick of the batsman with mature innings' defying their young years. They saved the day with a 122-run partnership following an early collapse for SUCC. Skipper, Greg Mail, also added 22 off 66. St George bowler Eric Denhartog finished with a marvellous 5/50, and took the early wickets of openers Will Hay (6) and Mark Faraday (10). With six overs left to play St George got off the mark and finished the day with 0/15. St George will resume trailing by 218 with 10 wickets in hand.
In second grade at Hurstville Oval Sydney University won the toss and elected to bat. Opener Ben Larkin lasted just 10 minutes before he was clean bowled by Luke Stanton (4-27) for a duck. However, Sydney University pressed on and compiled 176 runs (all out) in 70.5 overs. Middle-order batsman (captain) Tom Kierath (37), James Larkin (34), Darius Visser (31) and Jack Hill (30) all made solid batting contributions. St George's chase began unfavourably as opener Daniel Arafu was caught out for a duck on his second ball faced. St George managed to finish the day with 3/69 (off 24 overs) as Sydney University's bowler Dugald Holloway picked up the wickets of Matthew Baden and Brent Atherton late in the day. Holloway's 2/15 off 8 overs included 2 maidens.
In third grade St George won the toss and elected to bowl. Sydney University started strongly with the bat to make 8/206 off 80 overs. Captain Ash Cowan (62), Jack Maddocks (37), and Henry Clark (32) all displayed patient and disciplined batting to help amass the runs. Sydney University resume out in the middle on Saturday with the chance to further their run total.
Over in fourth grade, Sydney University won the toss and elected to bowl. St George started well making 10/224 off 77.4 overs with their skipper Andrew Pandelis scoring a century. With the ball Sydney University performed strongly with Jonathan Craig Dobson (3/25), Will Clayton (2/28), Kieran Tate (2/41) and Nicholas Powys (2/65) all picking up valuable wickets. Sydney University have a solid total to chase when they take to the bat on Saturday.
At St Paul's College in fifth grade, St George won the toss and elected to bowl. Despite Sydney University opener Liam Carfax being dismissed for a duck, Alex Mihalyha (48 off 55), Douglas Rogers (38), Hugh Kermond (38) and Jarrod Waterlow (25 off 36) all cashed in runs to leave their side all out for 198 in 68.5 overs. St George began their innings in good touch and finished the day on 0/12 from 9 overs. Alex Milhayla and Nik Dale opened the bowling for Sydney University.
Finally, in the Triforce Sports Metropolitan Cup, Penrith won the toss and elected to bowl. Sydney University enjoyed the running in the first session making 164 off 59.1 overs. Cameron New (48), Andrew Wilkinson (31) and Bradley Burns (31) were the top scorers. Burns capped off a great day with bowling stats of 2/5 including 2 maidens to spark an early collapse as Penrith were left for 3/42 at stumps.
SUCC will train this week ahead of Day 2 of Round 12 on Saturday February 14 where they will be hoping to produce some good back end form against challengers St George.
Remember that this weekend's play is the culmination of the O'Keeffe - O'Sullivan Trophy contest between our 1st Grade sides at Uni No. 1 Oval. A lunch is being held at The Grandstand Bar & Function Centre to coincide with the match. For further details, contact the Club.