SUCC v Fairfield-Liverpool . SUCC Metro v South Sydney
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6th Grade: Sydney University (4-100) defeated South Sydney(99 all out)
There was much apprehension in the air as Will Shirvington strode out to toss with his opposite number from South Sydney on Saturday morning. It was a must win match for both clubs, if either wanted to progress to the semi-finals. Fortunately for the ‘Uni Boys’ the coin came down on the right side, and Will wisely elected to bowl first on what appeared to be a green wicket conducive to seam movement.
The new ball was taken by Jono Brayshaw and Ben Joy. Jono bowled beautifully without much luck in his first spell. Nonetheless, Ben was creating havoc from the other end. His ability to move the ball both ways off the wicket and in the air highlighted the immense skill he possesses as a fast bowler. He bowled with fire and venom, ripping through South Sydney’s top order. At the first drinks break we had them reeling at 3-27, with all three scalps to Joy. We continued to sustain the pressure with impressive ground fielding, and with Ben and Greg Metcalfe bowling in tandem, the game was ours for the taking. Ben bowled out his ten overs in one spell, and produced two more wickets after drinks. His final one cannoned into the top of off-stump rooting it out of the ground, epitomising the extent to which our bowling attack dominated the game. He finished with the impressive figures of 5-16, his 5th five wicket haul in his last six appearances in this grade! Metro played a magnificent supporting role, claiming two wickets at the other end. At 7-65, we should have wrapped up the boys from the South for under 80. To their credit, the lower order batted with determination. This was before Travis McKenna with 1-13 and Jono with 2-18 finished proceedings off in fine style. We dismissed them for 99 after 40 overs.
The task of chasing 100 looked easier on paper than what it was in reality. The pitch was still conducive to accurate seam bowling. This was illustrated in the Souths new ball attack having us in trouble at 3 for 26. At this time, Will Shirvington strode out to the crease to meet yours truly at the wicket. We carefully picked off the Souths bowlers, slowly but ever surely grinding them out of the game and hence the competition. Will played some crunching pull shots and delicate flicks off his pads. We were cruising with an ever growing partnership before yours truly decided to run himself out on 24. The score was 4-73, and the game well and truly in our hands. Alex Logan strode out on the field, as he and Will accumulated the remaining 27 runs needed for victory. Alex crunched a short ball over cover point to give us the win. He finished 12no whilst Will guided us to victory with a mature 32 no.
Now we march on towards the semi-final against Wests. We are one game away from making it to back to back 6th grade Grand Finals - an exciting prospect indeed.
Virosh Poologasundram