Sydney University executed well across the grades on Saturday to take the upper hand on Day 1 of our clash against rival students, UNSW. In First Grade, captain Liam Robertson won the toss and sent the home side in to bat on a deck that promised to offer something for the bowlers early. Making a return after injury kept him sidelined in recent weeks was Joe Kershaw and he did not miss a beat. Kersh collected 4/33 from his 12 overs to lead a ruthless bowling performance from the Students who utilised the favourable conditions with experience and class to dismiss UNSW for 133. In the afternoon, Ryan McElduff and Damien Mortimer both passed 50 in an unbeaten 2nd wicket stand of 112. Securing a first innings victory before stumps, 1s will be looking to push for 10 points this week.
In the 2s, the Units won the toss and elected to bat at Fortress Number 1. Facing early trouble at 3/33, Dave Miller and Josh Josephs staged a fluent counterattack, putting on 103 for the 4th wicket in good time. However it was UNSW who would once again wrestle momentum back in their favour, bowling accurately to restrict the hosts to 9/189. Enter Brodie Frost. Brock (50), accompanied by a determined Lewis McMahon (2*), put on 52 for the final wicket, including 4 stellar maximums from the Snowman to lift the Students to 241. Whilst Brock’s half-century from 38 deliveries was perfect for an Instagram highlights reel (refer for some brutal and flamboyant striking), it would not have been possible without the resolute McMahon who met 32 deliveries with a disciplined straight bat and occupied the crease for 42 minutes to facilitate an invaluable partnership. Entering the 2nd weekend, the game hangs in the balance with UNSW 4/102, Charlie Cassel breaking through twice in the afternoon.
3rd Grade also won the toss and elected to bat. Opening bat, Matt Powys raced out of the gate in typical fashion to get the Units away to a strong start, falling for 40 with the score on 44. Oli Zannino’s half century was the other significant contribution for the Students, bowled out for 170. However, if there was a thought that we were below par, the three-pronged pace attack of Toyer, Wood and Clarke wrestled back momentum, cutting through the opposition top order in the 11 overs before stumps. UNSW will resume at 4/18.
At fortress St Paul’s, 4th Grade looked to bounce back from a disappointing Round 6 in which they suffered their first loss of the season. Skipper Michael Robinson lost the toss and UNSW elected to bat first on what is typically a fair deck for all comers. New ball pair Rex Greaves and Jazz Rinka set the tone from the get go, both claiming 3 scalps and bowling accurately to restrict the opposition despite the short boundaries. The medium pace cartel of Johns, Canagasingham and Ansell were even more disciplined, each boasting oppressive economy rates and justly rewarded with a wicket each. The skipper also chipped in with his tweakers to round off a superb bowling display that dismissed the visitors for 131 in the 72nd over. The Students will resume at 1/4 on Day 2.
5th Grade rounded out 4 from 5 toss wins and elected to bat at Alexandria Park. Zohirul Islam was the pick of the sticks, compiling 64 from 81 deliveries to reach his first half-century of the season. However, significant partnerships proved elusive and the Students were dismissed for 159 inside 50 overs. Despite a disciplined opening spell from Lachie Anderson and a wicket to captain Wilkinson, UNSW will resume on 1/93.
Hard, disciplined training will be the order of the week to chase down plenty of points on Day 2. Good luck to all teams.
