After a productive week of predominately centre-wicket training, Sydney University was determined to execute the quality brand of cricket displayed by the playing group in recent weeks. Plenty of absences due to the approaching festive season promised to test the depth of the Club whilst also providing exciting opportunities for a number of debutants across the grades.
After First Grade lost the toss and were sent in to bat away from home, the match seemed to hang in the balance with the score at 3/46. Enter captain Liam Robertson and wicket-keeper Tim Cummins. The pair set about rectifying the situation and piled on plenty more pain for the hosts after that, forming a brutal partnership of 283 for the 4th wicket. Robbo finished on 130 from 197 deliveries whilst TC was finally dismissed on 156 from only 199 deliveries, allowing the Students to declare at 9/400. This allowed 3 overs with the ball and Joe Kershaw ensured that the day would end even sweeter. He picked up 2/3 from his 2 overs, the catches taken by none other than each century-maker, to cap off a phenomenal start to Round 8.
Second Grade looked to continue its momentum from an outright win in Round 7 despite 4 changes to the side that would take on Northern District in Round 8. Skipper Max Hope liked the look of the Uni No.1 deck, which had provided an excellent contest between bat and ball all year, and elected to bowl. Kieran Tate and Lewis McMahon took the new ball and bowled a tight line and length that was unlucky to go unrewarded in their respective opening spells. As pressure built, Brodie Frost broke the game open, snaring both opposition openers to put the Students on top. From there it was the Max Hope show. After snaring a tough grab at slip to assist Frost, he took the ball from the Grandstand End and ran through the middle order of the visitors to take the next 5 wickets for only 38 runs in 20 overs. McMahon and Tate returned to mop up the tail and claim just rewards for their discipline to start proceedings, whilst debutant Oli Zannino claimed 5 dismissals behind the stumps. Dismissing the visitors for 150, the Students were eager to back up a strong bowling performance and secure the advantage heading into Day 2. Despite a lively wicket and some accurate, hostile bowling, the Students finished the day at 1/42, Ryan Danne unlucky to fall with the end of the day in sight.
Third Grade were also sent in away from home after losing the toss. Bennett Walsh led contributors with 66, whilst Ben Mitchell (47 from 42) and Henry Clark (36*) chipped in to lead the Units to 265. At St Pauls, Fourth Grade won the toss and elected to bowl, a decision that was clearly a trend across the grades. The Visitors however batted with application to finish the day 8/293. Michael Robinson, AJ Grant and Rex Greaves were the pick of the bowlers, picking up 2 wickets each. In Fifth Grade, captain Wilkinson lost the toss and was also sent in by the opposition. Azhar Saeed continued his excellent run of form making 117 and was ably supported by his skipper who made 83, placing the Students right on top at 8/308 (dec). With 5 over left to make inroads in the Northern District lineup, Zohirul Islam struck to leave the hosts 1/14 at stumps.
Metropolitan Cup also enjoyed a strong day against Sutherland. Metro’s were also sent in to bat after losing the toss and reached 222, thanks largely to Clancy Barrett’s 77 at the top of the order. Numerous clubmen backed up for both 5th grade and Metro fixtures, including none other than Andrew Wilkinson who snared a wicket with the new ball alongside Cullen Hathurusinghe to leave Sutherland at 2/14.
On Sunday, our PG’s finished off an excellent weekend, securing victory against a strong Parramatta outfit. Charlie Dummer lead the way with the bat making 77, a score matched by Matt Moran, allowing the young Students to reach 8/249 from their 50 overs. In reply, Moran was again the difference maker, taking 4 wickets with his seamers to restrict Parramatta to 217. With one round to play, PG’s face a likely must win match up against Fairfield-Liverpool to secure a finals berth.
For a full wrap of all the records that tumbled on an exciting Saturday, check out our Milestone Monday. Next week, Uni will look to secure the points across all grades to further close the gap in the Club Championship and finish strongly as we head into our Club Christmas Party and a much deserved break.
