A Wet Saturday
Saturday’s weather saw no play in 1st grade and heavily affected games across the other grades.
At Uni No. 1, 2nd Grade elected to bat on a good wicket that (despite the overcast conditions) offered an even contest. And, after only 13.5 overs of play, are currently 3/55 – Nicky Craze and Matt Moran not out on 34 and 3 respectively.
At Sutherland Park, 3rd Grade were sent in to bat by an energetic Sutherland side – keen to have ball in hand. However, a solid opening stand – led by a half-century from Jack Hill (53) – staved off any chance of early wickets. After 52 overs of play, Uni are 2/120 with Ben Larkin on 37 not out and Will Masojada not out on 11.
In 4th Grade, after 2 overs of play, Sydney Uni have Sutherland 1/1 – Tom Hill claiming the sole wicket before play was stopped.
In 5th Grade, Sydney Uni elected to bowl and have Sutherland 0/3 - play stopped after only 2 overs.
A SUCCessful Sunday
On Sunday, Sydney Uni hosted Gordon in their 1st Grade Limited Overs semi-final clash.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Gordon’s top order were dismantled by the evergreen partnership of Joe Kershaw and Ben Joy – the visitors finding themselves 4/33 and then 6/61 (after Malone and Robertson combined to remove the middle order). A brief, but potent lower order order resistance eventually saw the Stags to 8/227 from their 50 overs – well below par on the true Uni No. 1 pitch.
The Students were largely in control throughout their chase, as partnerships were regularly built and wickets fell few and far between. Hayden Kerr opened the innings with a typically entertaining 48 from 39 deliveries (including 3 sixes) – combining with the in-form Mortimer (38) to have Uni 3/107. Ed Cowan then made sure of it – striking another cool half-century (64 from 61 deliveries – including 2 sixes) – to finish not out along with Ryan McElduff (who scored a classy 34), victory secured in the 44th over only 4-down.
Captain’s Call
This Sunday, Sydney Uni 1st Grade face-off against Sydney CC at Drummoyne Oval in a bid to defend their title as the 1st Grade Limited Overs Champions. By way of preview, I caught up with 1st Grade captain Liam Robertson to get his thoughts on the match-up.
Apart from being Runners-Up in this season’s Kingsgrove Sports T20 Tournament, Sydney Uni 1st Grade are also the defending champions in the Limited Overs competition. What is it about this group of Students that makes them so successful in the shorter formats of the game?
LR: As a group we generally play our best cricket regardless of the format when we are positive and look to take the game on. Both T20 and 50 over cricket force that out of us and so naturally white ball cricket tends to suit us. It has also helped that of the 11 players we turn out, all are capable of winning us the game one way or the other, so regardless of who has the ball or is at the crease we are confident they are able to do the job. Last year in winning the limited overs competition, we used 15-16 players which is a good example of depth we are fortunate to have.
Playing against Sydney CC at Drummoyne Oval will not be a stroll down Eastern Avenue. What are the challenges you expect to face against such a consistent opponent like Sydney?
LR: We expect a tough challenge on Sunday. Sydney have been consistent performers for a number of years now and are definitely a club we respect. They play an aggressive brand of cricket and deserve their spot in the GF on Sunday. They have a good quality bowling attack and a long batting line-up, so we need to be ready to compete for 100 overs.
Does anything change this week in terms of the squad’s preparation for the grand final – physically or mentally?
LR: Nothing changes. Without being cliché, we still have another important on fixture on Saturday that we are also preparing for and so I can’t see our week being any different. There will no doubt be an extra buzz around the squad which is great, and we will have a long overdue team dinner on Thursday evening.
Uni’s 1st Grade has made a habit of getting out of difficult positions to win games consistently and convincingly. What are the key points the squad will go back to, particularly with the bat, should things go awry early?
LR: As touched on earlier, having 11 players capable of winning us the game always helps when it comes to difficult situations. It’s not something we prepare for, but have the confidence to continue playing a positive brand of cricket regardless of the situation we find ourselves in. There isn’t a better example than last year’s Grand-Final where Tim Cummins made a match winning hundred from number 7 after we had lost a few early wickets.
4 From 5 vs Stags
Sydney Uni capitalised on their strong Day 1 performances with 4 wins (including an outright) across 5 grades in their match-up against Gordon. Here is how it happened:
Having set a solid score of 316 on the back of a defiant resistance from the middle and lower order, 1st Grade took their momentum into the morning’s session in the field. However, after a resolute start from Gordon’s openers, Uni were made to wait for their first strike (a textbook caught behind from the persistent length of Ben Joy) before Gordon entered the break only 2 down for 130. After lunch, Joy continued his work to slowly pick-off Gordon’s remaining top order with precision and patience – eventually finishing with figures of 4-65 – to have Gordon 5/200 with the game in the balance. After tea, any semblance of balance was quickly dismissed by Dugald Holloway, who tore through the tail with pace to claim 3-62 – rounding off a terrific bowling performance to secure 1st innings victory for Uni.
With 125 runs to chase and 8 wickets in hand, Uni’s undefeated 2nd Grade resumed the day’s play with confidence. An early wicket proved only a minor hurdle, as Max Hope led the Students with a measured 78 (partnering with Varun George (35) and Nicky Craze (25 not out) – seeing Uni to 1st innings victory just before lunch. In pursuit of further club championship points, captain Dave Miller declared on a deflated Gordon line-up. However, a docile wicket and bad luck meant there was little penetration in the afternoon’s session – the captain’s eventually shaking hands with Gordon 2/128.
An immediate declaration from captain Jack Hill saw 3rd Grade with ball in hand and a lead of 99, having already completed 1st innings victory on Day 1. And, while Gordon’s top order offered slightly more resistance than last week, the odd coupling of Lewis McMahon’s steep bounce and Henry Clark’s extra pace again proved too much. The pair claimed 4-16 and 3-17 respectively, supported well by Will Masojada with 2-25, to bowl the hosts out for 116. The 17-run chase was then ensured by Uni’s openers without the loss of a wicket before celebrations commenced for another outstanding outright victory to 3rd Grade.
At St Paul’s Oval, play resumed with the visitors 4/63 (in pursuit of Uni’s 128) and Uni 4th Grade in need of a strong bowling performance. For one of the few occasions this season, the Students were unable to muster such a bowling effort and spent the morning chasing leather as Gordon’s middle order dictated terms. With a lead of 86, Gordon eventually declared on 5/212 in pursuit of an outright victory. However, despite suffering the 1st innings loss, Uni staved off outright loss with gritty determination, led by captain Ash Cowan and Ed Arnott (39).
Away from home, Uni 5th Grade secured a much-needed victory against a formidable Gordon outfit to edge closer to a top 6 position (currently 7th – 1 point behind 6th). Resuming at 1-24 in chase of Gordon’s 116, the Students made light work of the total in good time, after a classy 55 from James Robertson. Declaring immediately after ensuring 1st innings victory, Uni went in pursuit of further points only to be stifled by the defence of Gordon’s top order. With the hosts 1/57 the captain’s shook hands and the Students sung loud in the Castle Cove changerooms.
Mortimer and Malone take Students into SF
At Sydney University Cricket Club’s inaugural FDC Family Day, the stage was set for a heavyweight clash as 1st grade faced up against an experienced Penrith side in their Limited Overs quarter-final.
And, after winning the toss and electing to bat, the Uni batsman came out with aplomb – the powerplay overs seeing runs flow (Nick Walker providing the entertainment in the first 10 on his way to 43 from 54 deliveries). Liam Robertson then took up the scoring challenge – striking 32 from 34 deliveries (including 2 sixes). With the students at 3/147, an innings-defining partnership between Damien Mortimer and Ed Cowan took the game away from the visitors. Cowan was characteristically at ease during his knock – his long swing saw him deal primarily in sixes (8 to be precise) on his way to 89 from just 70 deliveries. Not to be overshadowed, Mortimer was easy on the eye and simply a class above as he reached his seventh 1st Grade century before eventually finishing the innings not out on 129 from 130 deliveries – a vital display of skill and fitness that took Uni to 4/312 from their 50 overs.
In chase, Penrith felt the pressure of an ever-growing run-rate that was never curtailed throughout their innings. Wickets fell at regular intervals and often to spin. Again, Devlin Malone remained the pick of Uni’s bowlers, as his leg-spin saw him claim yet another 5-wicket haul from his 10 overs, this time for only 34 runs. In support, Ryan McElduff claimed his best 1st Grade figures of 3-34 as his off-spin cleaned up the Penrith tail to bowl Penrith out for 186 – a 126-run thrashing that sees the Students through to a semi-final clash against Gordon this Sunday at Uni No. 1.
Students Dominate on Day 1
A return to the format that will determine the season’s champions saw Uni face-off against Gordon in the first round of two-day cricket for the new year. (This is apart from 1st Grade who have won both of their 2 two-dayers in 2019 – including an outright victory against Penrith last week). And, with daylight established between the Students and the rest on the Club Championship ladder, Uni are now eyeing a new record for Club Championship points in a season.
In 1st Grade, Uni relished the chance to bat first on a batsman friendly Chatswood Oval wicket. However, after a run-stifling opening spell from Gordon’s quicks, the Students lost three of the season’s centurions for only 53 runs. Amidst the carnage, Damien Mortimer capitalised on his flurry of starts – partnering with Ryan McElduff (32) in a vital 85-run stand on his way to a resolute 71. Their twin dismissals threatened the Uni total further, before Tim Cummins frustrated the Stags with a brilliant 80 in partnership with Dugald Holloway (63) and the rest of the tail (combined score of 37). Uni were eventually bowled out for a defendable 316 – an outstanding performance given their early position of 7/161.
At home, 2nd Grade followed the fightback of their brothers to the north – bowling Gordon out for 196 after losing the toss and the first session on a true Uni No. 1 pitch. With (stand-in captain) Dave Miller’s lone wicket the only celebration in the first two hours, Uni primed themselves for an unforgiving day in the field as they entered lunch with Gordon 1/100. But again, the Students hit back hard in the middle session and were led by Josh Toyer who dismantled the Stags’ middle order – claiming 3 wickets in a single destructive spell on his way to 4-35 from his 15 overs. Nahir Ghandi then toyed with the tail to claim 4-25 of his own; Gordon bowled out for 196. With the 30 overs left in the day, Uni made a solid dent as they finished 2/72 with Max Hope and Alex Shaw the not out batsmen on 23 and 12 respectively.
At Killara Park, 3rd Grade continued their form with the ball in a day of comprehensive dominance that sets up a potential outright next week. Led by Murray Watts with 4 wickets, Uni’s fast bowling cartel were rampant in running through the Stags’ line-up as wickets to Lewis McMahon (3), Brody Frost (2) and Henry Clarke (1) saw Gordon bowled out for 60. In response, the Students lost wickets early before Alasdair Grant (32) steadied and Henry Clark partnered with Tom Kiereth (30 not out and 27 not out respectively) to put the Students in prime position heading into next week at 6/159 (a lead of 99).
At St Paul’s Oval, 4th Grade elected to bat on an even wicket that demanded a strong total. However, despite the promising starts from Tom Fullerton, Liam Coehlo and Ed Arnott, none were able to convert, and the hosts found themlseves bowled out for 128 in the 49th over. Despite their disappointing total, Uni were buoyed by the strength of their bowling attack as they took the field. Left arm quick Jazz Rinka delivered on cue with a wicket in his first over to further this energy. Then, crucial wickets from Tom Fullerton and a double-strike from Michael Robinson at the day’s end reduced the visitors to 4/63 with the game in the balance.
In 5th Grade, a commitment to patience from Uni’s bowlers was the key to the Students’ success. After electing to bowl on a difficult wicket, Uni capitalised on the fall of the coin with a wicket in their first over. Regular wickets – 2 each for from Sanjiv Khalkho, Tom Crawford, Billy Barge and Shehan Canagasingham – then saw Gordon bowled out for 116. In reply, the Students are 1-24 with Zahirul Islam and Lewis Ansell the not out batsmen.
Tom Kierath has passed 500 wickets for the club. Only six other players (James Rodgers, Mick O’Sullivan, Chris McRae, Michael Farrow, Tim Ley and Terry Murphy) have reached this milestone since the commencement of Grade cricket in 1893-94, although three other players (Tom Garrett, Joseph Coates and Monty Faithfull) also took over 500 wickets in the years before Grade cricket. Tom actually collected his 500th wicket against Bankstown back in Round Nine, but it passed unnoticed due to a slip in the club’s records (some of his early T20 wickets had not been included in his career figures, although these are now recognised as First Grade wickets). A recount shows that he has now taken 216 wickets in First Grade; 211 in Seconds; 37 in Thirds; 14 in Fourths; 25 in Metropolitan Cup; and one in Poidevin-Gray, for a total of 504.
Damien Mortimer passed 500 runs for the season during his excellent 71 against Gordon in First Grade on Saturday. It was the 26th time he has passed fifty in First Grade (including six centuries).
Tim Cummins’ 80 against Gordon was his 15th score of fifty or more in First Grade (including one century).
A week after recording career-best bowling figures, Dugald Holloway posted his first half-century in First Grade, with 63 against Gordon.
Nihir Gandhi, with 4-25 against Gordon in Second Grade, returned his career-best figures for the club.
Max Hope has passed 1000 career runs in Second Grade.
Murray Watts captured his career-best figures for the club, with 4-10 against Gordon in Third Grade.
And we have two players on Record Watch:
Josh Toyer’s 4-35 against Gordon took him to 218 career wickets in Second Grade. He’s now only two wickets short of the club record of 220, taken by inswing bowler Chris McRae between 1972 and 1987. Next week maybe? No pressure.
Ash Cowan has taken his tally of runs for the club in all grades to 5998. Only eleven players have scored 6000 runs for the club.
