An incredible tie against Penrith was enough to see the Students progress through to the Limited-Overs Final this weekend, where they will host Randwick-Petersham.
A 46-run last wicket partnership between Ryan McElduff (67*) and Ben Joy (13) proved to be the thorn in Penrith’s side on a pleasant Sunday afternoon at University Oval, the Black Cats unable to claim the decisive wicket that would have seen them go through.
Earlier in the day, it was a solid bowling performance from the men in blue and gold that restricted the visitors to 199 on a flat, however low, wicket at Uni, with some fielding excellence highlighted by direct hit run outs from both Damien Mortimer and Charlie Cassell.
Dugald Holloway finished the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/42 off 8.3 and was supported well by that man Joy (2/38). The spin duo of Devlin Malone and Will Masojada threatened both edges of the bat on a spin friendly track and combined nicely to take 2/71 off 20 overs between them.
Following a disastrous start that saw both Charlie Dummer and Mortimer dismissed in the first over to Josh Lalor without scoring, Sydney Sixers all-rounder Hayden Kerr and skipper Liam Robertson steadied the ship, sharing an 87-run partnership and putting the Students ahead in the contest.
However, it was that man Lalor again who struck - dismissing both Robertson and Kerr in the same over to turn the match on its head. Regular wickets fell in the next 15 overs, leaving Sydney University an uphill climb if they were to make their third consecutive Limited-Overs Final.
McElduff was up to the challenge and defied the live odds - that had been discussed and provided by the Uni Army faithful that had come to support - and wrestled the Students back into the contest with quick running and some decisive boundaries.
However it was Joy who struck the match-tying runs off Penrith quick Matt Collins in the 50th over of the day, before being dismissed just two deliveries later.
Sydney University will now host Randy Petes in the Final this weekend at University Oval, with play to commence from 10am. All Uni supporters are encouraged to dust off the blue and gold merch and join the Uni Army for a cold, refreshing beverage and jovial song in the Grandstand from the first ball onwards.
