Milestone Monday: Runs, runs, runs!

With all teams chasing totals on the weekend, it was the batsmen's turn to join the Milestone Monday club:

Jack Holloway’s 99 against Randwick-Petersham was his highest score in Third Grade.  He passed 1000 runs for the Club in all grades earlier this season.

Jum Larkin’s 109 not out was his highest score (and second century) in Third Grade and his highest for the Club in any grade.

Steve Hobson’s unbeaten 102 against Randwick-Petersham was his fifth Second Grade century (and eighth for the Club overall).  He joins Ray Boyce (who went on to captain NSW), Dave Butchart and Josh Ryan on the list of University batsmen with five Second Grade centuries – only Adam Theobald (13) has scored more.

Patrick Carfax (with 75 against Randwick-Petersham in Metropolitan Cup) hit his highest score for the Club.

Mark Faraday (with 5822 runs) has passed Phil Logan to become the tenth-highest run-scorer in the Club’s history.

Tim Ley (with 413 wickets)) has joined Michael Culkoff as the equal ninth-highest wicket-taker in the Club’s history.  Ben Joy (with 319) has moved past Brendan Smith into 18th on the list.

SUCC Feature: In the sheds... In the pig pen

"Welcome to my turf, Larkin. You're not on the cricket field now, Champ!"

This was the opening salvo of club legend, board member and erstwhile SUCC top-order batsman, Adam Theobald, at the first unofficial club social event of the season - a dinner attended by recently-retired and present players at Braza (Brazilian BBQ), Leichhardt.

Also in attendance was former SUCC wickie, Daniel Ward, after whom the lower grade fielding award is now named.

Hark back a few years to D. Ward's buck's party, where the origin of the now-annual SUCC Brazilian BBQ Meat Off can be identified.

At this event, a number of players witnessed a much-anticipated battle of heavyweights: Theobald v Kierath.

Despite the hype surrounding Kierath, due in large part to his lunching form, this affair wound up resembling the recent fixture between the star-studded NSW Blues and the young CA XI in the first round of the aptly-named, Matador (BBQs) Cup.

Kierath was last seen at Wardy's buck's party lying in the foetal position in the corner of the restaurant while Theobald ordered one last skewer of BBQ beef, a couple of cinnamon pineapples and an espresso martini.

Fast forward to season 2015/16.

With all of the pluck and confidence that comes with a freshly-minted NSW Blues contract and the first-grade captaincy, Nick Larkin threw down the gauntlet to Adam "the Ship" Theobald in the annual SUCC Meat Off.

A solid pace was set early, with Theobald and Larkin both looking strong and both talking big games.

Ash Cowan and Timmy Ley also kept pace with quiet confidence.

For the lesser-likes in the eating department, entertainment was found in the banter with the Brazilian wait staff.

Theo sailed through the evening's fare, but Larkin did not do so well. After a solid stint at the crease, Nicko was forced to "put out his red light" (see Figure 4 below) and spit out the dry lump of masticated meat in his mouth wasn't quite salivated enough to go down.

Cowan and Ley, however, chewed their way on to the podium, but Ash Cowan, who was happy to settle for the bronze medal, eased off shortly after Larkin had fallen.

At this point, the competitiveness of Theobald and Ley truly kicked in. With victory in sight, they went chew for chew into the late hours. Eventually, after the very last piece of roadkill from Norton Street had been barbecued and eaten, a draw was declared. This was Test Match eating.

There was some discussion about attempting to resolve the deadlock over an after-dinner kebab but sense prevailed.

Both men, did, however, claim to enjoy a big breakfast the next day, which others found hard to believe as they said their prayers and ordered double ristrettos seeking to shift the meat.

SUCC News: Jonte Pattison to lead NSW Country Under-19s

Sydney University all-rounder Jonte Pattison has been selected as captain of the team to represent ACT and NSW Country at this season’s Australian Under-19 Championships. 

This will be Jonte’s second year in the team; in last year’s Championship he scored 103 runs at 25.75 and took 10 wickets at 19.40.  He earned selection in the Australian Under-19 team, for which he has now appeared in one Under-19 Test and eight Under-19 One Day Internationals. 

This year’s tournament will be played in Adelaide from 3 to 10 November.  Last years’ competition included a mix of two-day and one-day games, but this season’s format is limited to one-day matches.

Congratulations to Jonte on his selection, and we look forward to following his continuing success at this level of the game.

Full story here: http://bit.ly/1LRznb9

SUCC Events: Last week for Golf Day tickets

The greens are awaiting the avid golfers and social hackers that make up the field for SUCCs BMW Sydney Golf Challenge scheduled for next Wednesday 21st October at St Michael's Golf Club, Little Bay.

Entries close this Friday 16th October at 5pm so get in quick for what promises to be an entertaining day. Click here for the online registration page, or contact Dale at dale@sydneyuniversitycricket.com.au or 0401448810.

Milestone Monday: The wickets have it...

This week's Milestone Monday sees wickets the order of the day (guess that's what happens when each Grade side is in the field):

• All-rounder David Miller has reached both 100 wickets for the club in all grades and 50 wickets in Second Grade.
• Ben Joy’s 4-11 in the T20 match against Fairfield-Liverpool was his best return in First Grade.
• Jack Gibson continued his impressive early-season form in Fifth Grade with 5-34 against Randwick-Petersham, his best figures, and first five-wicket haul, for the club.
• Jonte Pattison has passed 1000 runs for the Club in all grades.

Congratulations to all for reaching such wonderful achievements this week.

SUCC News: Another big weekend for the students

Sydney Uni continued its early season form in Premier Grade matches against Randwick-Petersham in Round Three action of the McDonald's Grade Competition on Saturday, before comprehensively accounting for Parramatta and Fairfield-Liverpool in the Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup on Sunday.

First Grade toiled hard in the field and will be relatively pleased with holding Randy-Petes to 8-308 at the close of play, especially considering there was over 3,500 runs scored across all first grade matches, and that many totals were closer to the magical 400 mark. Nigel Cowell was the chief wicket-taker, claiming 5-71.

Wickets fell slowly but steadily throughout the Second Grade bowling innings, with Joe Kershaw sending down an impressive 21 over to finish with a miserly 2-39, whilst Josh Toyer claimed three wickets and Dave Miller with twp wickets. Randy-Petes finished with 229 runs and Sydney Uni finished play on 1-18 after losing Ben Larkin in the closing overs.

Third Grade also lost the toss and were sent into the field and would be pleased with holding the opposition to 258 runs on a flat St Paul's track, with only five of the Randy-Petes batters reaching double figures. Three wickets to Xavier Frawley, two to Kieran Tate and two run outs helped stifle the runs.

The AJ Grant led Fourth Grade side bucked the trend by winning the toss, but were still in the field, performing well to contain Randy-Petes to 227 runs by the close of play. Wickets were shared between youngsters Jake Day (3-39), Lewis McMahon (2-28) and Will Clayton (2-41).

Fifth Grade completed the set of Sydney Uni grade sides in the field, with Jack Gibson still in fine form to have Randy-Petes reeling at 3-7 before a 160-run partnership gave the Uni side a tricky total of 210 runs to chase. Gibson finished with a superb 5-wicket haul. Sydney Uni have begun their chase disastrously though closing play at 3-10 and a big partnership needed to get them close next weekend.

In Metro Cup, a Carfax, this year Patrick Jnr, has continued scoring runs at will, hitting 75 runs in the teams total of 201. Tom Hamblin joined in for 47 runs of his own. Randy-Petes Gold were 0-10 in reply.

Sunday also saw Rounds Two and Three of the Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup with excellent wins against Parramatta and Fairfield-Liverpool.

NSW star Ryan Carters led the scoring in both matches with 39 runs and 61 runs respectively. Batting first in the first match, Sydney Uni pushed to a total of 5-120 before bowling Parramatta out for 90 runs. Two wickets a piece to Liam Robertson, Jonte Pattison, Tim Ley and Nigel Cowell helped secure the win.

Setting a daunting total of 6-156, with fellow NSW squad member, Nick Larkin, also belting 60 runs, the Students again constricted the opposition batting to bowl Fairfield-Liverpool out for 104 runs in reply, Ben Joy the destroyer with 4-11.

Some solid run-chases will be needed next weekend to continue the early season march towards the Club Championship, whilst the final round of the T20 Cup against Wests will hopefully see Sydney Uni finish atop of the Thunder conference for a second straight season and book a place in the semis.

SUCC Feature: In the sheds... 1s return to Uni No. 1

I was speaking to a mate during the winter, checking on whether he was going around for a 23rd season in first grade, spread between Sydney and Melbourne. His response; "I still just love playing" , quickly qualified, "I love batting … and beers in the sheds." A fair summation of how most top order batsmen feel, at any stage of their career, but particularly as the end draws closer. 

This weekend first grade return to Uni no. 1 for the first time in 2015/16. As much as locking horns with Randwick Petersham, who we have played so many big games against in recent times, I’m looking forward to being back in the sheds at no. 1 with the boys again. We share great celebrations, team songs belted out, and share the disappointment when we don't come up to scratch. 

I’ve always sat in the same spot, the far corner on the left as you walk in. Cricketers tend to do that, we are superstitious creatures and the familiarity calms nerves and breeds comfort. As always this year there will be some changes, but I’m sure I will be remembering who sat where as I unpack my kit on Saturday morning.  

Jonte is sitting where Moran used to. The most influential player of the last decade, four premierships. Messy kit, no fuss. Ready for whatever the game threw at him and a beer afterwards. Tim Ley to Jonte's left. He’s doing the heavy lifting now Scotty has moved on, powered by an array of gluten free snacks. Will Hay is on that side too. Assorted bits of his gear, and other people's, strewn across the floor. Old training tops that now resemble skins, and that questionable strategy of bringing both papers as an opening bat, just in case you nick one.

There’s space between Billy and me, Eddie C will move back in this year. Half obsessive compulsive routine, half preening. “The Poodle” is at his best when focused, with just the right amount of strut. More space to my left (it is good to spread out), then Faraday; organised, neat, gloves laid out in pairs. Lawyer like. The space to his left vacant, for now. Scooter Henry and his iPod used to be there, calm, relaxed, Mudgee like. Stu Clark was there too for a while, more nervous than he would like to admit. 

Then a gap, no proper seats. Liam Robertson occupies the vast space Shane Stanton made his own amongst massage tables and left over rugby gear. Further around Nick Larkin unpacks a brand new Kookaburra kit where once there were hand-me-downs. He's steering the ship now, and his energy is infectious. In the far corner Somerville has Greg Matthews' old spot. Both wonderful off spinners, one slightly more eccentric than the other. MacGill used to be over there too, swapping war stories with Mo. 

In another decade there will be another chapter to add to the many that came before the one I have described.  It will be some else's corner, someone else's spot. The feelings will be the same and the song sung with the same gusto. Can't wait to get back in the sheds this weekend.