Students' Scoreboard - Round 14

A tightly contested Round 14 against St George concluded on Saturday with the Students claiming 3 wins. 1st Grade chased down the target of 163 for the loss of 6 wickets to retain the O’Sullivan-O’Keefe Trophy and confirm a top 2 finish heading into the finals. 2nd Grade suffered a tough defeat despite some quality bowling from skipper Max Hope; St George reeling in the target of 308 with 4 wickets in hand. 3rd Grade defended their score of 357 thanks in large part to a vintage performance by Josh Toyer who claimed 5/46. In 4th Grade, Andrew Hazard lead the way with the bat, supported by James Veitch, to secure 6 points whilst 5th Grade were unable to chase down the imposing total set by St George on Day 1. Metro Cup played excellent cricket across the two weekends to very nearly claim an outright win. Cullen Hathurusinghe finished the match with the incredible figures of 11/50 from 31.3 overs.

Next week the regular season concludes in a one-day fixture against Eastern Suburbs.

Students' Scoreboard - Round 14 Day 1

The Students turned in an excellent performance across the grades against tough competition from St George to be in a strong position entering the 2nd week of Round 14. Devlin Malone led the way with the ball for First Grade, his leg spin well supported by the pace of Dugald Holloway and Charlie Cassell. Max Hope played a captain’s knock to lead 2nd Grade to an imposing total after Wiz Masojada showed his class to lay a foundation. Charles Litchfield was superb on his way to 154, the innings marking his 5th century in 3rd Grade, the most in the Club’s history. Jazz Rinka turned in his best bowling performance in 4th Grade to lead the Students to a commanding Day 1 position alongside an all-round performance from the classy Andrew Hazard. 5th Grade fought hard during a long day in the field, Aiden Peak and Max Shanahan leading the way with the ball. In Metro’s, Cullen Hathursinghe bowled the house down to take 5/10, allowing his side to take first innings points.

Students overcome Randwick Petersham to win Limited-Overs Cup

To amend the old adage, there is indeed no rest for the successful First Grade sides in Sydney Premier Cricket. On Sunday, the Students fronted up for their third Sunday fixture in as many weekends after navigating through the Quarter and Semi-Finals of the Limited-Overs Cup to book a top of the table clash with Randwick Petersham in the big dance.

At Rosedale Oval the day prior, the Students had endured a long day in the field against a determined Fairfield-Liverpool middle order that very nearly reeled in the target of 263; Uni winning the match by 14 runs. This tight Saturday win would headline a successful Round 13 for the Students who further claimed two outright wins in 3s and 4s with 5s falling only two wickets short of victory to end in a draw. On Sunday morning, skipper Liam Robertson named an unchanged side to do battle in the Grand Final, before winning the toss and electing to bat on what seemed a typical University Oval wicket.

Courtesy of Ian Bird Photography

As the loyal Uni Army assumed their positions, Hayden Kerr and Charlie Dummer commenced the SUCC innings positively, before Kerr was removed by Adam Semple, caught at mid on with the score on 25. Much to the dismay of the SUCC faithful, Chuck’s dismissal followed soon after at the hands of skipper Daya Singh as the visitors applied pressure. Damien Mortimer also fell victim to Singh (6/31), whose initial spell undoubtedly landed the first blow in what would be a back and forth fixture. With the score at 3/40, wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Cummins joined skipper Liam Robertson at the crease with neither Student off the mark. Tension was rife in the sizeable crowd as both home and away supporters sensed a potential watershed moment. It was again the visitors who would further their advantage thanks to the control and discipline of Riley Ayre (2/34). Bowling in tandem with his captain, Ayre claimed the huge wickets of Cummins and Ryan McElduff to pile more pain on the Students, falling to 5/49.

Having taken 4/9, Randwick Petersham had well and truly demonstrated the class indicative of their berth at the top of the First Grade ladder. However, in the face of seemingly overwhelming momentum, the Uni Army found solace in the experienced tandem of Robertson and David Miller. The pair absorbed pressure with diligence and patience, the score ticking along as the Uni faithful anxiously rode each run of the rebuild.

Courtesy of Ian Bird Photography

Courtesy of Ian Bird Photography

Punctuated by a vintage Miller pull shot and the typical hard, straight hitting of Robertson, a partnership began to flourish and the pressure that had plagued the hosts earlier had seemingly shifted. As each Student reached 50 and the score passed 150 the Army’s forensically deduced par score of 230 suddenly seemed well within reach, the most bullish suggesting 260 was on the cards.

Sensing the moment, Daya Singh would again take the ball and deliver. With the score on 168 he trapped Miller (51) LBW before having Robertson (66) caught behind. He would then crash through the dangerous Uni lower order, bowling both Holloway and Cassell to remove any hope of some late-innings ball striking. The innings was brought to an end in the 47th over by Daniel Sams, the Students dismissed for 194.

“Runs on the board in a final” was a line that could be heard early and often in the stands during the break and buoyed by the efforts of their clubmates, the supporting Students were extremely up and about for the commencement of the second innings. Known for his knack of taking a wicket in his first over, the slow clap was a constant feature as Charlie Cassell (3/36) began proceedings with the ball. Just as promised, he delivered, capturing Shaun Eaton caught behind in the first over of the innings with the score on 1. Despite some ominous stroke play from the visiting top order, Cas struck twice more in his opening spell to leave the match poised at 3/48.

Courtesy of Ian Bird Photography

A dangerous bowling attack was well supported by excellent catching from the Students. Wiz Masojada set the tone in the field, holding his nerve under a swirling high ball as the crowd fell silent. Following suit, Tim Cummins and then Hayden Kerr both reeled in sharp screamers to support a relentless bowling performance. Dugald Holloway (4/19) combined with TC to dismiss both Daniel and Anthony Sams to continue what has been a brilliant season for the left arm quick. Devlin Malone (2/17) and Hayden Kerr (1/22) also picked up wickets to dismiss Randwick Petersham for 113 inside 35 overs and comprehensively secure the Limited-Overs Cup by 81 runs.

Courtesy of Ian Bird Photography

Both captains spoke graciously, each commenting particularly on how well supported the Final was by both the visiting and home fans. SUCC skipper Liam Robertson was awarded the Michael Bevan Medal for Player of the Final in recognition of his fighting innings which, in partnership with Dave Miller, surely made the difference in a match where no batsman outside of the pair passed 21. An excellent spectacle that showcased the best of Premier Cricket between two very strong sides was a wonderful way to finish the Limited Overs season.

Courtesy of Ian Bird Photography

Limited-Overs Grand Final Livestream Link

Click HERE to head to the Cricket NSW livestream of our Limited-Overs Grand Final against Randwick-Petersham!

Students progress through to Limited-Overs Final

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.

Sydney University v Parramatta Limited-Overs Quarter Final

Students' Scoreboard - Round 12: Day 1

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.