Despite an unusual pre-season preparation program, Sydney Uni teams will be heading into the first round of the McDonald's NSW Premier Cricket competition full of confidence after strong performances against UNSW over the weekend.

1ST GRADE:

Sydney Uni batted first on a beautiful morning at St Paul's Oval. The wicket was slow but flat with Mail and Trevor-Jones looking particularly comfortable during their knocks.

The lower order capitulated after a strong start leaving UNSW a modest 190 to chase in the afternoon.

Strong opening spells from Tim Ley and Tom Rogers kept the scoring rate under control. UNSW captain and opener Charlie Wakim retired after passing 50 which sparked a massive collapse. Devlin Malone was reintroduced to the attack and swiftly went about snaring 5 wickets from his 8 over spell, inducing some regrettable strokes and bowling some unplayable deliveries.

Joy returned late to clean up the tail and take 3 wickets. Tim Ley produced a neat run out and a great running catch to close the fixture out.

Overall a valuable hit out against UNSW leading into round one.

Sydney Uni 190 (43) Mail 43 ret., Trevor-Jones 60 ret., Larkin 29 def UNSW 165 Malone 5 wickets, Joy 3 wickets

2ND GRADE:

A new-look SUCC second grade side arrived at Dave Phillips oval for the final practice match before the new season begins. Young vs old Nash highlighted a change in the guard with an age of 20 qualifying for the olds who took out a one sided contest with the extra man.

In a comprehensive victory over UNSW, each SUCC player contributed runs or wickets in a very worthwhile warm-up fixture. Stand-out performers were Nick Arnold with 64 runs and Liam Whitaker in his first 2nd grade game with 5/31 (9.1). Ben Larkin showed his experience in the middle order with 57 in a 98 run partnership with Arnold before Nicky Craze (25) and Ed Arnott (34n.o) finished the innings with gusto as the good guys made 64 runs off the last 8 overs.

Opening the bowling, Xavier Frawley and Jono Craig-Dobson took a wicket each in tight opening spells before Whitaker and Kieran Tate (2/12 off 4) ripped through the middle order.

Promising signs for the season ahead.

Sydney Uni 5/245 (50), Arnold 64, B Larkin 57, Arnott 34 n.o., Miller 29, Craze 25 def. UNSW 98, Whitaker 5/31, Tate 2/12.

3RD GRADE:

Sydney Uni lost the toss and was sent in on a pitch that offered some assistance with the new ball but quickly settled down to be a good batting track. Openers Kierath and Litchfield started circumspectly but solidly and at 0-30 off 10 it was a promising platform. Wickets fell and this brought Alex Shaw to the crease in his first hit out in some time after his oriental hiatus. Shawry and the dominant Litchfield put together an excellent 90 run partnership which provided a good opportunity to push in the final 10 with wickets in hand.

Losing 4 for 10 didn’t really help our cause but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as it released Brodie Frost into the game and his complete disdain for anything pitched in his half. A series of long, long bombs and quick running between the wickets meant that we amassed 70 off the last 6 overs to finish with 246. The star was Charlie Litchfield, who carried his bat for a very impressive 125*. From ball one he did as he liked, with positive intent and plenty of quality, it really was a pleasure to watch from a young man with plenty of potential.

In reply UNSW came out hard and put together two good partnerships, but ultimately fell short. Hayden Kerr and Brodie Frost bowled with good pace, Nick Powys bowled some quality spin and Jack Gibson kept it tight from his overs. By the afternoon the pitch was quite low and slow so taking the pace off the ball meant that it was quite difficult to score, and pretty easy to burgle wickets with some (slow) mediums. All in all a good hit out, and positive signs as we head into Round 1.

Sydney Uni 7-246 (50) C Litchfield 125*, B Frost 45*, A Shaw 27 def UNSW 195 A Cowan 4-11, N Powys 2-34, B Frost 2-39.

4TH GRADE:

Sydney Uni again welcomed in the season with our hit out against uni rivals UNSW. The match presented a great opportunity to introduce some new talents to the Sydney Uni ways of cricket. Fittingly we were greeted by a low and slow St Andrews wicket that would make for an arm wrestle between bat and ball. Sydney Uni winning the toss grabbed the opportunity to have first use of the tired strip. 

Proceedings commenced with a positive start from the openers. They capitalised on some wayward bowling and had the team moving along at 4 an over without breaking much of a sweat. However, as the ball softened and UNSW looked to their slow bowlers to peg Sydney Uni back, conditions became more trying. Wickets fell at regular intervals as batsmen looked to up their tempo. The innings closed at 198 with Sydney Uni bowled out in the 47th over. 

With 198 on the board and a lifeless strip, Sydney Uni were confident of being able to control the afternoon provided we produced a disciplined effort with the ball. The bowlers did just that with a strong display of stump to stump bowling complemented by some sharp fielding. Two run outs and all catches held was a pleasing outcome. This led to a ready stream of UNSW wickets and a final total of 96. 

Sydney Uni 198 Powys 35, Bell 27, Grant 25, Day 25 def. UNSW 96 McMahon 3/12, Day 3/18

Sydney Uni's McDonald's NSW Premier Cricket campaign commences this weekend with Round 1 Limited Overs matches against Campelltown-Camden on Saturday 24th September starting from 9.30am:

  • 1st Grade @ Sydney Uni Cricket Ground
  • 2nd Grade @ Raby 2
  • 3rd Grade @ St Paul's Oval
  • 4th Grade @ Raby 3
  • 5th Grade @ Camperdown Oval
  • Metro Cup TBA