Saturday presented an absolutely scorcher but the Students stayed in the proverbial kitchen to deliver a very strong day across the grades. With temperatures predicted to reach well into the 40s out west, 1s, 3s and 5s all enjoyed early starts away from home. In 1st Grade, skipper Liam Robertson elected to bowl after winning the toss, a decision that may well have been labelled audacious by some, including earning mention on ‘The Grade Cricketer’. However, it was the doubters who were left red-faced after the Students turned in a clinical performance in the field. Campbelltown-Camden fought well to reach 3/130 but it was all one way traffic from there. After Ben Joy combined with his skipper to remove Jackson Isakka and break a 53 run stand, the Students never let up, taking 7/35 to bundle the hosts out for 165. Dugald Holloway (3/34) was again the pick of the bowlers whilst Charlie Cassell delivered in the field with two run outs. Hot conditions meant that play was delayed frequently throughout the day, Uni finishing Day 1 at 2/40 in reply.
2nd Grade were granted some relief, with slightly cooler conditions greeting them at University No.1. Max Hope continued an excellent run of form at the coin toss, quickly electing to bat much to the disappointment of the visitors. Tom Fullerton (71) and Ryan Danne (134) batted with patience through the morning, eager to cash in during the afternoon. Danno played a knock for the ages, spending over 4 hours at the crease in sweltering conditions to reach his 3rd ton for the Club. As he opened his shoulders to accelerate towards a declaration, he was aided by the clean striking of Alex Shaw (43) allowing 11 overs to make inroads into the visitors top order. Kieran Tate didn’t miss a beat, crashing straight through on his first two deliveries and very nearly claiming 3 wickets in his first over after again hitting the stumps on a no ball. Lewis McMahon also struck in his first over to add to the visitors pain but from there they would survive to stumps, the score at 3/14.
In 3s, Jack Hill (96*) put on a clinic, ably supported by Charles Litchfield (39) and Ben Mitchell (38) to leave the Students in a strong position at 3/226. However after 62 overs, the heat won out, as the remaining scheduled 18 overs were abandoned. In 4th Grade, Matt Powys (76) elected to deal in boundaries from the get go. The Students followed his lead, compiling an incredible 8/292 (dec) from only 46 overs. 4 other batsmen (Coelho, Cowan, Veitch and Wood) reached 30 in quick time as pressure piled on the bowling side. The Students pressed the advantage with the ball, leaving the visitors at 3/81 and securing a strong position entering Day 2. 5th Grade turned in a gutsy performance after losing the toss at Raby 3. All bowlers toiled with discipline and desire but it was Lewis Ansell (3/28) who proved the most effective, supported by Murray Miles (2/30) and Zohirul Islam (2/45). After 65 overs, the hosts were dismissed for 217 with the Students 1/28 in reply and poised for a season defining run chase as they push for the top 6. On Sunday, Metropolitan Cup batted first and reached 4/169 before rain caused stumps after 56 overs.
A very strong weekend in challenging conditions presents a great chance for the Students to press the advantage in all Grades and secure valuable Club Championship points as the business end of the season looms.
