Students come from behind to defeat Parramatta

By Andrew Tilley
 

A brilliant day two bowling effort and the cool head of opening batsmen Nick Larkin have propelled Sydney University back to the top of the Sydney Grade Cricket First Grade competition.

After being bowled out by Parramatta on Sunday (day 2) for just 132 runs – 38 runs short of their opponents (170 all out) – Sydney University recovered from the first innings defeat to beat Parramatta outright in their Round Six fixture at Old Kings Oval.

In their second innings with the ball, Sydney University’s five-man bowling unit worked brilliantly as a team to bowl out Parramatta for just 102. 16 year old wrist-spinner Jonte Pattison (4-16) and fast bowler Nigel Cowell (3-27) were the chief destroyers for the Students.

Needing 141 runs to pick up maximum second innings points, Sydney University opener Nick Larkin was superb. Larkin backed up his lightning 94 run second innings score last weekend against Fairfield-Liverpool with an assured 68 not out on Sunday to guide the Students to a five wicket victory.

Nick Larkin driving through the offside.

On Saturday, Liam Robertson (3-12) and Tim Ley (3-48) did the most damage for Sydney University with the ball in Parramatta’s first innings score of 170. With the bat, Tim Ley (57) and David Miller (30) were the Students first innings top-scorers.

There are two more rounds left in the Sydney First Grade competition before Christmas. Sydney University play fierce rivals Randwick-Petersham in another Two Day match this weekend (December 14-15), followed by a 50 over clash against Gordon on December 21.

In the other grades, Sydney University defeated Parramatta in second and fifth grade One Day 50 over fixtures. Parramatta’s third and fourth grade teams defeated the Students.

Sydney University has retained their spot at the top of the Club Championship table, holding a 15 point lead over second-placed Randwick-Petersham.  

First Grade: Two Day Match. Sydney University 132 (T Ley 57, D Miller 30; S Copperfield 5-42, B Martin 2-25) and 5-141 (N Larkin 68, S Hobson 25; S Cassel 2-19, B Martin 2-27) d Parramatta 170 (T Crittenden 49, S Copperfield 43; T Ley 3-48, NJ Cowell 2-40) and 102 (D Smith 20, B Cherry 17; T Ley 3-29, JR Pattison 2-16) stumps, day two at Old Kings Oval. Batted first: Parramatta. Win: Parramatta on 1st Innings and Sydney University outright.

Second Grade: One Day Match - Maximum 50 Overs per side. Sydney University 0-63 off 19.2 overs (WR Hay 34, A Logan 20; L McNaught 0-4) d Parramatta 60 off 21.1 overs (RA Potter 19, L Forbes 9; JI Toyer 4-8, T Kierath 3-10) at Sydney University 1. Batted first: Parramatta. Win: Sydney University with 1 Bonus Point.

Third Grade: One Day Match - Maximum 50 Overs per side. Parramatta 144 off 40.4 overs (individual bowling and batting information not available) d Sydney University 134 off 43.1 overs (individual batting and bowling information not available) at Merrylands Oval. Batted first: Parramatta. Win: Parramatta.

Fourth Grade: One Day Match - Maximum 50 Overs per side. Parramatta 2-101 off 21.4 overs (Y Brown 38, V Kallukalam 26; individual bowling information not available) d Sydney University 100 off 30 overs (M Skinner 34, HJ Watt 31; C Samarasinghe 5-17, F Chowdhury) at Sydney University 2. Batted first: Sydney University. Win: Parramatta with 1 Bonus Point.

Fifth Grade: One Day Match - Maximum 50 Overs per side. Sydney University 195 from 44 overs (S Roby 49, P Eakin 45; RM Mackander 3-18, M Naboulsi 2-30) d Parramatta 120 from 30 overs (A Kaul 40, L Lofts 20; individual bowling information not available) at Mona Park 3. Batted first: Sydney University. Win: Sydney University.

Blue and Gold Lunch Tribute to Dick Mesley given by Rodd Tubbs

Richard Curtis Mesley was the third son of a Royal Australian Navy Rear Admiral, Jack Mesley, and Gay, whose maiden name was Curtis.

From his very first day at school, there can be no doubt that little Dickie was an archetypal chatterbox. And, over the next 61 years, he turned talking … usually very loudly … into an art form!

RAN transfers meant that Dick attended a variety of schools, but … like Ed Cowan some years later … he completed his secondary schooling at Cranbrook School. He was the star player in both the Cricket 1stXI and the Rugby 1st XV and got a maximum pass in the Leaving Certificate –  he was a massive over achiever!

At Sydney University, he fully embraced residential college life and breezed through his Civil/Structural Engineering degree with one minor hiccup. That was a 2nd Year Engineering exam that Dick failed to attend because he was making a match-winning century for St Paul’s College in a much more important

Rawson Cup cricket match!

I can just imagine what Dick’s reaction would have been if his own son Michael had pulled a stunt like that a generation later!

Dick was clearly academically gifted and, in the mid 1970s, he attained a Stanford University Masters degree with straight As.

He gained work experience in both San Francisco and the United Kingdom, before embarking on 25 years of senior management roles at Rankine & Hill and then Connell Wagner, after their merger. He also gave back to the profession by assuming key roles in various professional organisations.

As a cricketer, Dick had eight years at the SUCC and was a 1st Grader with both Sydney Uni and then North Sydney. He later had a long and distinguished career in Club cricket with the I Zingari Cricket Club.

Throughout his cricket career, Dick was always a very stylish batsman and a superb fielder, who accomplished both of these feats with plenty of on-field chat!

Dick always considered a “classy” 45 to be vastly superior to a scratchy “75”.

Dick’s fielding ability reflected the fact that he was also an accomplished baseballer. 

Dick’s highly developed hand-eye coordination held him in good stead on both the tennis court and golf links, although he primarily saw these sports as opportunities for camaraderie and good fun with his friends.   

I have a vivid memory of a game of golf with RC Mesley some 25 years ago at Elanora Country Club. In those days, Mr Mesley was a once or twice per year golfer, who still had a lot to learn about the game.

His son Michael … aged about 10 at that time … was caddying for his father. We had reached the tee block of a rather tight driving hole and Mesley Junior presented Mesley Senior with a 4 iron. Mesley Senior insisted on using a 1 wood and duly cold topped his tee shot into the bushes in front of the tee block.

 Mesley Junior’s reaction was to mutter the words “dickhead”!

“What did you say?” demanded Mesley Senior.

I then intervened and said: “He very appropriately called you a dickhead!" 

“Right” said Mesley Senior “give me a 4 iron and another ball, Michael.” Mesley Senior then proceeded to clear the bushes and record a good natured wipe on the hole!

Only Mike can attest as to whether there were subsequent recriminations in the car on the way home to Chatswood, where the Mesleys then lived in a house that had previously been owned by the revered ABC cricket commentator, AG “Johnny” Moyes.

Dick Mesley had a very strong philanthropic bent. He was a foundation member of The Primary Club of Australia – a cricketing-based charity which provides sporting and recreational facilities for the disabled.

For more than 25 years, Dick was a very enthusiastic member of The Primary Club committee. He attended just about every Primary Club function and helped organise most of them.

Dick and Wendy frequently offered a week’s stay at The Cowpad – their delightful South Coast holiday house – as an auction item at Primary Club fundraisers.

And didn’t Dick love the cut and thrust of a fundraising auction!

Dick made some amazing purchases at these events, but his pièce de résistance was the time that he was the successful bidder for a week’s stay at The Cowpad – the very item which he had so generously donated to the fundraising cause!

The Primary Club of Australia will be forever indebted to both Dick and Wendy Mesley for their remarkable contributions.

Let me conclude by recounting some of Dick Mesley’s most endearing qualities.

First and foremost, he loved his family. He was also the loyalist of friends to a great many people.

He also loved animals … particularly dogs, but he plonked his holiday house in the middle of a dairy farm, with hundreds of Friesian cows as his immediate neighbours!

Dick was a people person with an infectious sense of fun, which often bordered on the ridiculous.

His love of canines extended to the telling of unbelievably long shaggy dog stories! The punchlines were usually pathetic, but Dick’s telling of these yarns was always exceptionally entertaining.

Dick was a great raconteur, quick witted and with a most distinctive laugh, which was also infectious … but extremely loud. It was always an interesting experience for strangers at restaurant tables which adjoined the one where Dick was seated!

Dick compensated for hearing problems, which he incurred in the latter part of his life, by raising the level of his voice and laugher by quite a few decibels!

He embraced every aspect of life with overt enthusiasm, an extremely positive attitude and a twinkle in his eye.

For the last five years of his life, Dick fought the good fight against insidious health problems. He never complained about his fate and extended his life by many years through remarkable determination and an incredibly positive attitude.

Indeed, Dick was more concerned about providing help for others in need of support. Over the last decade, he devoted much of his time to the Action Foundation for Mental Health at Chatswood. This included acting as the bus driver on many excursions.

I should mention that Dick’s son Michael … in his day at the SUCC … was a member of a winning Sydney Uni Poidevin-Gray side. It was especially poignant that Mike took Dick, during his last weekend, for a visit the scene of former Mesley triumphs – Sydney Uni N°1 Oval.

I was privileged to spend lots of time with Dick at The Primary Club, on the cricket field and … more recently … on the golf course.

Richard Curtis Mesley made a big difference to the lives of all his family, friends and associates. We will always remember Dick with great affection.  

Teams for Rd. 6 vs Parramatta

1st Grade at Old Kings (Saturday & Sunday 10:30am)

N Larkin, M Faraday, L Robertson, D Miller, G Mail (c), S Hobson, J Richards, J Pattison, T Ley, W Sommerville, N Cowell

2nd Grade at Uni No. 1 (Saturday 10am 50 overs)

W Hay, A Logan, A Theobald, B Larkin, J Hill, D Visser, T Kierath (c), E Arnott, J Toyer, B Joy, J Ryan

3rd Grade at Merrylands (Saturday 10am 50 overs)

J Holloway, A Cowan (c), M Hope, J Kershaw, B Pryke, H Clark, R Lotliker, C Cull, D Schultz, L McMahon, K McPherson

4th Grade at Uni No. 2 (Saturday 10am 50 overs)

R Danne, M Skinner (c), A Deveraj, J Maddocks, M Sunderland, J New, H Watt, J Stewart, R Kurtz, W Clayton, T Hill

5th Grade at Mona Park (Saturday 10am 50 overs)

B Mitchell, P Eakin, S Roby, J Waterlow (c), S Sivapalan, A Mihylika, H Kerr, A Lown, K Karigawasan, H Kermond, C Campbell

Metro Cup vs Fairfield at St. Pauls (Saturday 10am 50 overs)

S Hastings, M Harris, C De Kretser, S Malla, A Wilkinson, R Ward, L Whitaker, C New, T Wheeler, B Frost, B Burns

Good luck all and see you at the Nags.

Weekly Wrap - Rd. 5 vs Fairfield Liverpool Day 2

First Grade

Toss

Fairfield Liverpool won the toss and batted first

Result 

Fairfield Liverpool won on first innings 

Game scores

Fairfield Liverpool 173 & 141 Sydney University 172 & 3/126

Notables

Greg Mail 50, Nick Larkin 94, Tim Ley 3/22 & 5/38

Report

Sydney University started the day's play with 4 wickets in hand and needing a further 85 runs to match Fairfield's score. All but a solitary run of these 85 were accumluated before the final first-innings wicket fell, meaning that the team's unconquered start to the season of four wins from four matches, including an outright, came to and end (just).

However, in this rare instance, an agonising loss yielded some highly significant personal successes for members of the Sydney University side and the mood in the dressing room after the match was as bouyant as ever.

Firtsly, Jonte Pattison's all-round performace confirmed his status as one of the State's most promising young players. When the wicket of the legendary Greg Mail (50) fell with the Students requiring 30 runs for victory in a low-scoring affair, even the most optimistic supporter of SUCC knew that a win would be a big ask in the circumstances of the match. Unperturbed, Jonte knocked the ball around to all parts of the ground to take Sydney University to within a handful runs from victory, notching his highest first-grade score of 38 in the process (a big score in the a context of the match). Unjustly, Jonte stumbled at the final hurdle, falling to Fairfield's experienced off-spinner, Anthony Clark, trying to hit a boundary to bring up the winning runs. The manner in which Jonte stayed calm under pressure and took responsibility for the heavy lifting in the final stages of the run chase truly belied his age and diminutive physical stature. Furthermore, in the hunt for second innings wickets and outright points, Jonte claimed 3 for 24 off 10 overs with his fizzing leg breaks that were landing in the the rough outside leg stump five balls out of six.

Secondly, it was lion-hearted Timmy Ley who kept the Students believing in unlikely outright points through the middle session as Fairfield batted a second time with the pitch flattening out. Timmy's modus operandi combined fast reverse swing with smatterings of short-pitched bowling and short-pitched chat, and five of Fairfield's finest succumbed to the onslaught. In large part, it was Timmy's effort that set the tone for one of the more memorable Sydney University batting efforts in recent history, which was soon to follow…

Thirdly, needing a highly, highly unlikely 142 runs from 12 overs to win the match outright, your scribe and Nick Larkin strode out to the middle intent on having some fun and a decent crack at the run chase, probably more so to show defiance in defeat than pull off a victory. It quickly became apparent that a win was a real possibility and the writer's main purpose would be to feed the strike to Nick and start making mental notes for the match report, in order to share what was a simply the most awesome power-hitting display of the 21st century in grade cricket. A typical ball of Nick's innings went like this (from the perspective of the non-striker):

·         We need to keep going hard, we need 16 an over

·         Fark, that's a yorker

·         Close eyes, duck and receive heart in throat as red, spherical missile with six stitches has a near-decapitating effect

·         Gulp heart back down to chest from throat and crane neck

·         "Whoah, shotttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!"

In the end, Nick unfurled 10 towering sixes in his 94 from 40-odd balls, many of which sailed over long boundaries and into the wind.   

Unfortunately Nick needed just one extra over to get the students home and unselfishly, he was dismissed trying to blaze 18 from the last 3 balls to win outright rather than picking off the relatively 'do-able' 6 runs he required for an incredible century. For any Big Bash selectors looking to finalise an incomplete squad, Nick can be contacted by e-mail at nlar1867@uni.sydney.edu.au .  

Second Grade

Toss

Fairfield Liverpool won the toss and elected to bat first

Result

In Progress 

Game scores     

Fairfield 177 & 1/93 def Sydney University 158

Notables       

Steve Hobson 63, Ben Larkin 49, James Ryan 4/55, Ben Joy 3/42

Report

The students arrived at Rosedale oval on day 2 expecting a flat track and easy runs in the first session. However much to our surprise, and to the dismay of Steven Hobson, the wicket appeared to be far greener, slower and spongier than the previous week. Nonetheless, we there was a task at hand: knock off the remaining 110 runs on a difficult surface. A very spirited game of Nash remained an essential part of the warm up, and this week the 3 batsmen out joined the two fast bowlers (the bowlers being in spectacular form) and notched up another win for the season, with unlikely hero Alex ‘Blocker’ Logan having his best game to date. 

Once play resumed, Hobson and Larkin took to the crease and both men, settled at the end of day 1, immediately picked up where they left off. Hobson took a liking to the young opening bowler combination, smacking them both around in the early overs, whilst Chip continued his vigil, slowly ticking the runs over in the first hour of play. Hobnob graciously passed 50 with a trade mark 6 into the pavilion, however still failed to clear the straight boundary at Rosedale (a feat that few have achieved, except one Green Shielder according to Darius). The introduction of medium-pace and spin however proved to be our downfall. On a slow and tacky wicket, the squeeze tactic the opposition employed proved to get the better of us, and despite negotiating a tough first hour, it was a lack of pace that brought our batsmen undone. Hob and Darius fell in quick succession, despite the professional-amateur making a majestic 63, and Chip just before lunch for a very patient and important 49, unlucky not to reach his half century. 

The lunch score was 6-144, only requiring another 34 runs to win with 4 wickets in hand; a solid first session, and Billy Hay’s recounts of several cricketing stories all starting with the anecdote “So we were out until 5am on the morning of the game, and I came out to open the batting and I was still blind” kept us all in good spirits. Unfortunately the last 4 wickets fell cheaply and we were bowled out for 158. Although there were some qualms with the wicket, we got ourselves into a position to win and failed to consolidate when conditions were at its toughest. After a stirling 4 rounds, perhaps this was the loss we need to get the side into top gear ahead of our last 3 rounds before Christmas, and with a full strength side back next week there is no reason why we shouldn’t perform strongly against 2012 grand finalists Parramatta. We return to the fortress at Uni Number 1 next week and look to rebuild on last round’s tough loss.

Third Grade

Toss

Result

Game scores

Notables

Report    

Fourth Grade

Toss 

Result 

Game scores

Notables 

Report

Fifth Grade

Toss

Result

Game scores

Notables

Report

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Last weekend was a brief interruption to the on field impetus towards the 2013-14 Club Championship.

That’s one way of looking at a round where the front running 3rds were the only victorious team against Fairfield.

But....what excitement in 1st Grade: A nail biting 2 run loss on the 1st innings; Tim Ley’s 8 wicket haul for the match; Nick Larkin’s pyrotechnics in scoring 94 with TEN sixes!

And...in NSW’s emphatic outright win over Tasmania,

            Scott Henry’s measured 76 not out  guided NSW to victory.

            Sean Abbott’s 4-36 were his best first class figures

            Ryan Carter’s 100 took his Shield average to 81.8 this season.

Let’s rack up the wins against Parramatta this weekend.

SAVE THE DATE

Sunday 22 December

PGs play St George on No 1

Green Shield plays St Geo on no2.

The PG match will be for the inaugural Mick O’Sullivan/Kerry O’Keeffe Trophy.

James Rodgers

A message from the Players Committee

SUCCer's 

As we approach a tough second week against Fairfield-Liverpool we have some updates on the social side of things. 

Firstly, if you're around at training tonight we would encourage everyone to help us get the covers on. The later we put the covers on, the more time the pitch has to soak up sunny rays. So lets make an effort to do this as a club, and we'll see the benefits on Saturday. We can relax with a refreshing beverage and meal at the Nags after!

Christmas Party

We have decided on a venue for our Christmas Party on the 21st December. We'll all be meeting back at University No.1. Here's what can be expected from the night:

- Access to The Grandstand's Beer Garden
- A Marquee on No.1 Oval
- Quality food provided by the Players Commitee
- Alcohol and Soft Drinks 
- Projector with the Big Bash local derby between the Sixers and the Thunder. Two of our very own, Sean Abbott and Ryan Carters, are named in their respective squads. 

Also, the following day will mark an important fixture in our calendar. On Sunday 22nd December the Sydney University and St George PG sides will do battle for the O'Keefe and O'Sullivan trophy. Let's try and make it down to support our young lads in this match.
 

I.V. Tour Matches 

We have recently been in contact with Melbourne University organising an inter varsity fixture for the first week of February 2014. This is just some food for thought for those who might be interested in the trip across the border. If you have any queries about what these tours contain a lot of the seasoned players can fill you in with some stories back at the Nags. Overall, they are a great way to develop friendships at the club and sort out some rivalries on and off the field.

Additionally, the IV Challenge against Adelaide University will be played on Uni No.1 over 3 days (30th & 31st Dec 2013 rest day on the 1st  and final day 2nd Jan 2014) please let Gary know asap if you are available for this fixture.

Weekly Wrap - Rd. 5 vs Fairfield Liverpool Day 1

First Grade

Toss

Fairfield Liverpool won the toss and batted first

Result 

In progress

Game scores

Fairfield Liverpool 173, Sydney University 6/88

Notables

Tim Ley 3/22, Greg Mail 27 n.o.

Report

Friday afternoon saw the perfect storm develop in “Pepsi Challenge” parlance, with the team of the 21st century (to date) announced at a well-watered Blue and Gold lunch that drew together club-mates, past and present, on an aqueous Friday afternoon. As your scribe waited for a bus in the rain at 6:00 PM outside Circular Quay’s aptly-named after party venue, the Ship Inn (Adam, ‘the Ship’ Theobald was holding up the bar), the hurling rain was accompanied by hurled abuse from the Club’s esteemed second grade captain, Tommy Kierath. Tommy felt the need to communicate the unlikelihood of play the next day in no uncertain terms to the early piker, who would be missing out on a unique opportunity for guilt-free summertime Friday beers.

Predictably, it was a steamy Sydney University No. 1 Oval that met the first grade side on Saturday morning, with the overnight rain followed up by temperatures in the high twenties for the early part of proceedings. Those function attendees who caught the 6:00 PM bus home were certainly patting themselves on the back.

This was the first home game for first grade for the summer. As Greg Mail unpacked his gear in the increasingly roomy ‘Vaucluse’ corner of the dressing room, Greg remarked to those in earshot (just) that it might be time to get Sydney University’s resident architect, Daniel Ward, to draw up some plans for an ensuite. Greg, naturally, justifies his dressing room expansion on the ‘runs to space ratio’.

Having made himself at home by unpacking a supply of batting gear that could only be owned by the maker of 40 first grade centuries, Mail promptly lost the toss and Sydney University were sent into the field. The pitch was surprisingly dry and hard. However, such is Mail’s command of home conditions that after 30 minutes of play he manouvered some remote-controlled clouds over the top of Uni No. 1 Oval and what were excellent batting conditions soon became much better for swing bowling.

Never blokes to miss a trick, the ‘rat pack’ of bowlers all did a fantastic job, sharing regular wickets around and Fairfield were dismissed for 173 just before the tea break. Tim Ley's effort delivered the best return of 3 for 22 off 15 overs and his second spell was particularly hostile.

Being a side that is rarely beaten with ease, Fairfield clawed back into the contest with six wickets of their own at the cost of only 88 Sydney University runs in the last session. The Students will need to score 86 runs with only four wickets in hand to stretch out their winning streak to five games.
Captain Mail is still at the crease on 27 not out and looking in imperious touch, which is reassuring.

Special mention must go to the coolest 17 year old cricketer in Sydney, Jonte Pattison, for seeing off the last over bowled by Sheffield Shield fast bowler, Gurinder Sandhu. Jonte was required to go into face Gurinder, who must be twice Jonte's size, following a wicket early in the last over.

An intriguing battle lies ahead on day 2, with second innings points potentially on offer as well as first innings points.

Second Grade

Toss

Fairfield Liverpool won the toss and elected to bat first

Result

In Progress 

Game scores     

Notables       

Report

Third Grade

Toss

Fairfield-Liverpool won the toss and elected to field

Result

In progress 

Game scores

Sydney University 108, Fairfield-Liverpool 5/28

Notables

Henry Clark 30, Ash Cowan 2/2, Lewis McMahon 2/15

Report    

The day began with what can only be described as an incomprehensible victory for the rare units over the regulars in a new Nash format. The frankly unexciting contest was headlined by a typically enthusiastic yet underwhelming showing from the rare skipper, Charlie "Bean" Cull, only to be pipped at the post later in the day to the title of 'Rarest Unit' by new boy Steve "looks nothing like Ryan Gosling" Birch.

After a short delay for rain and an Ashes resurgence enjoyed in the comfort of Ralph's, Uni set about our work on a typically lively first session University No. 2. In what was the sides first real test on a surface offering assistance to the quicker men, wickets fell regularly as the top order failed to reign in the stroke play. At 6-37 Henry Clark played a mature innings in the middle order to somewhat resurrect things, ably assisted by Kerrod "The Enigma" McPerson who produced the shots of the day, with a trio of boundaries back past the bowler.
The modest total demanded a disciplined effort in the field and in what is becoming typical fashion for this team, a strong fight back ensued. Led by our talismanic leader Ash "still can't believe you payed for that haircut" Cowan the students left Fairfield-Liverpool reeling to the tune of 5-28 to reclaim the ascendancy in the match.

Fourth Grade

Toss 

Result 

Game scores

Notables 

Report

Fifth Grade

Toss

Sydney University won the toss and elected to bowl

Result

In progress

Game scores

Fairfield Liverpool 115, Sydney University 0/9

Notables

Kariyawasam 4/38, Mihalyka 3/13, Waterlow 3/35

Report

Another day and another failed Pepsi with the fifth grade boys arriving to an uncovered pitch with a high chance of play getting underway on time. However "on time" seems to be a very loose term within the fifth grade playing group with the arrival of several after the 11:15 cut-off as well as a complete non-arrival. This resulted in a young Liam Whitaker being called in for his fifth grade debut, resembling Luke Pomersbach's T20 international debut at the WACA in 2007 as a matter of circumstance! Nash was again a clinical performance by the batsmen even after a shock early 1-0 deficit to prevail 3-1 and can only be described as a textbook wet weather performance. The toss was won by the Students and all was in readiness for a strong bowling performance and a 12:15 start. Cue the thunder and lightning, the covers going on and a 90 minute delay.

Finally play was underway, after a display of poor general knowledge during the quiz and dangerous dressing sheds cricket, with "Kase" Kariyawasam and "Shakes" Wheeler fired up on what was a very juicy deck for the quick men however it wasn't until the eleventh over when Kariyawasam trapped the batsman in front for the Students to get the first breakthrough. This was followed by another ten overs until the second, however the gap between wickets was only due to the batsmen being incapable of edging the very good pace bowling. The wickets started falling consistently after the remaining opener dubiously left a ball to hit him, out LBW off a very surprised Waterlow. Mihalyka and Waterlow then continued to get through their overs quickly, drying up the few runs being scored and applying the pressure with the opposition five wickets down for not many runs at tea and Uni well on top. After tea the remaining wickets were cleaned up efficiently with balls hitting the stumps and full tosses misjudged for Fairfield-L'pool a target of 116 to win and setting up a dicey half hour period for the openers to negotiate before stumps.

Schultz and Watt strode to the centre, two keeper-batsmen with an opportunity to stake their claim in the team by playing a tough innings in difficult conditions. They both effectively negotiated some erratic but dangerous bowling to leave the Students 0/9 at stumps and the opportunity to stage a strong chase next week.