SUCC Metro v Western Suburbs.
Sydney University 347 (Alex Barwick 120, Simon Cowan 85, Cam Hawkins 61) beat Western Suburbs 317 (Sam Mahabady 3-55, Alex Barwick 3-71, Simon Cowan 2-56, Steve Green 1-40, Simon Cowell 1-64).
Day One
Whoever said cricket is a funny game got it wrong, terribly wrong. It’s not just funny. It’s strange, crazy, nerve wracking, hard on the heart and no damn good for the nerves. It causes people (Simon Cowell in particular) to want to kick and curse, turn blue and pull their hair out.
Mind you, Simon wasn’t alone on this one after SUCC almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at St Paul ’s Oval in a semi-final the lads wouldn’t want over again.
Given there is so much (as you will see from the match details up top) to write about regarding this match and because the writer can’t be ersed, there will be no mention of Nash except to say “Low Tide” Waterlow’s second day version of the Hippy Hippy Shake Shake, which rendered him a virtual passenger and hobbling in the field all day looking like a 90-year-old, is not one recommended for anyone.
Needing to bat as long as possible to try and put Wests right out of the equation, Cowell did the right thing, winning the toss and asking his teammates to “bat and bat and bat and bat’’.
It was a bit of a shaky start with Rowdy Barwick going for 6 with the score on 14 before Ash Crasto departed for 15 (after looking solid) with the score on 34. Enter Simon (Cowan) and Garfunkle (Alex Barwick).
If Wests had thoughts of ripping through the Uni batting then they had another thing coming as the Dyanmic Duo taught their hard working bowlers a lesson in quality batsmanship and how to build a score.
Coming together in the just the 11th over, the pair cajoled, placed, smashed and plundered shots to all points of the ground in a remarkable 182 run partnership that lasted 52 overs before Big Simon got an ordinary decision the first ball after tea to be dismissed supposedly LBW, though it could have been bowled or stumped according to the umpire, for 85. It was now 3-216 and things were looking pretty good to say the least.
Alex was joined by Green Shield captain Cam (btw, there is no way you Kiwis are going to claim him Mike) Hawkins and they put on another 44 runs with Alex bludgeoning his way to a brilliant century before he eventually fell for 120 with the score on 260. Paul Bertelle and Jarrod Waterlow came and went leaving skipper Cowell and Hawkins to see out the day with Uni at an imposing 6-304. Dinner and a few cold ales would never have tasted better that night.
Day two
With a good feeling in the air, there was plenty of chatter as the lads got ready to put this game to bed. The intention to get through to lunch was a good one and almost came off. Cam continued his good form from the previous day gliding his way to a well compiled and ultimately important 61. He had done his job. Cowell, Gatt and Slammin Sammy Mahabady did not really trouble the scorers and Uni was eventually dismissed for a very competitive 346 off 113 overs and some 30 minutes to go before lunch. That meant Wests needed to get 447 off a maximum 77 overs. A shoo-in you’d expect for Uni.
The short spell before lunch was enough for Slammin Sammy “Yeah Baby” to claim a wicket as he and Cowell, the male version of the grunting Sharapova, really tore in to their job in a fantastic opening spell of eight overs before lunch. Cowell bowled exceptionally well, extracting plenty of life and lift from the pitch. He deserved a wicket or three. 1-20 at lunch, which no doubt went down well given the state of the game.
Whatever Slammin had for lunch certainly had an effect because he terrorised the black and whites with a ferocious spell that saw him claim two wickets with Steve “Frog” Green also chipping in with a wicket. Wests finished the session at 4-135 and there were thoughts of an early finish and maybe time to get home to watch the footy.
A wicket to the undoubted Man of the match Alex Barwick in the second over after tea had Wests 5-137 and staring down a very, very long tunnel.
An Andrew Symonds look-a-like, who reportedly had played third grade with Hawkesbury at some stage of his career, kept Wests in with a slim hope blasting his way to 108 with sixes and fours to all parts of the ground. Along the way he had gone part of the way to ruining what had been looming as terrific figures for most of the bowlers. When he went caught at the 108th juggling attempt by Crasto on the boundary off Simon Cowan we all sensed the game was over. Wests had now slumped to 9-189 in the 56th over (leaving them to get 158 in 21 overs) and with the last pair at the crease, the lads could taste the now icy cold champagne and beer.
Yes, it was now only a matter of time. Or so we stupidly thought!
The last duo batted like there was no tomorrow, with the number 10 launching an attack that would have made anything that happened in Iraq look tame. Together the pair set about eating in to the big target. As each over passed and with every boundary smashing in to the walls, the Uni bowlers seemed powerless. Aided by several dropped catches and misfields, Wests got closer and closer to the point that, with five overs left they needed just 30 runs. Some sensible batting to tick over the scoring with singles and twos and theirs would be a famous (for them) and infamous (for us) victory. Needless to say, hearts were in the mouths and there was much pacing up and down from the Uni supporters.
Just before the 73rd over, Cowell called a bit of a pow wow amongst the lads. The discussion surrounded about who should take the next over. Suggestions were made and there were some nervous looks. Simon had already bowled six overs straight and was feeling the pinch having now bowled in the last couple of games because of a shoulder injury.
But, there was ever only going to be one decision. Like all skippers worth their salt, Simon took it upon his own shoulders.
Much to the delight of all involved, the number 10 went for the big slog down the wicket on the first ball of the over and it landed safely in the hands of Paul Bertelle. The sigh of relief was enough to blow away the dark clouds that had gathered above St Paul ’s. The last wicket had put on an astonishing 128 in 16 overs – we were informed this was a club record for any grade at Wests.
Now for North Sydney next week and the hope that the sixths graders can bring some glory to SUCC this season.
The Spectator, now off to join Nigel Warerlow and Mike Hawkins at the heart specialist.