By Georgina Pembroke.
SUCC came home with wins across all grades over the weekend and as a result saw improved standings on all ladders, and claimed the Nags Head 'Clean Sweep Jugs' for Round 11.
In the McDonald’s Sydney First Grade Competition, a confident Sydney University outfit narrowly missed out on a much needed outright win in their 2-day match against Sydney. Uni won the toss and with a top 5 brimming with domestic cricket experience, elected to bat. In a strong batting show, Ryan Carters notched 56, Scott Henry reached 96, just shy of another century, and Greg Mail finished on an unbeaten 138. Sean Abbott (28) and Nick Larkin (19) also made starts. Reaching another milestone, Mail hit his 41st century taking him to 14,098 runs, making him the first player to reach the 14,000 run-mark. Uni declared at 4/359 after 80 overs before Sydney came to the crease and lost a quick wicket before stumps on Day 1.
Left with a somewhat daunting task of cracking the university men’s total, Sydney lacked the edge and fell for a dogged 197 from 68.2 overs, before being reduced to 8/126 off 42.5 overs in Uni's desperate attempt at maximum points. In the bowling department, colourful NSW paceman Sean Abbott caused headaches taking 5/40 & 1/19, while B Joy 1/18 & 3/27 and Will Sommerville 1/37 & 2/30 added helpful contributions. Timothy Ley (1/11) snared the important wicket of Sydney’s first innings centurion, Anthony Mosca, to give Uni a chance at the outright. Sydney University’s fielding was also second-to-none with Carters, Mail, Larkin, Joy, Henry and Robertson all taking catches.
Second grade Sydney University produced another performance likely of competition leaders defeating their Sydney equivalent by 4 wickets. Sydney was bundled out in the 49th over for a reachable 199 through the bowling of Tom Kierath (3/36), Dugald Holloway (3/37), and David Miller (2/29). Sydney University then arrived out in the middle and managed 6/201, completing the run chase with 4 wickets and 2 overs to spare. Max Hope with a classy unbeaten 91 and Adam Theobald (62) were the standouts with the bat.
Sydney University was also successful in third grade beating Sydney by 10 runs at home at St Paul’s College. Sydney University batted first and made a solid 6/213 in a complete 50 overs. Opener Ben Larkin (42) set up the team with the bat, and Alexander Shaw (48), James Crowley (31) and Ash Cowan (28) all followed with good scores. Sydney responded with 203 before they were cleaned up in the 49th over of their innings as Lewis McMahon (4/29), Ash Cowan (2/43) and Henry Clark (2/43) got the job done to seal the win.
Out at Ryde Oval, Sydney University also snatched victory in fourth grade defeating Sydney by a mere 6 runs. Uni got the ball rolling making a controlled 7/249 in 50 overs. Suda Sivapalan and Joshua Richards stepped into the spotlight hitting a blistering 78 from 99 balls and 69 from 97 respectively, while Jack Maddocks (45) posted a hefty contribution to the total. Sydney’s chase began poorly but they redeemed themselves to finish with 9/243 just 6 runs short of Uni’s 249. Will Clayton held the pick of the bowlers taking 3/56. Sydney University were just too good on the day and now lie in second place on the ladder ahead of Sydney who sit in a close third.
Fifth grade enjoyed a massive win ousting their Sydney opponent by 106 runs. Sydney University made 6/296 as the middle order of Hayden Kerr (72), Matt Lowen (65) and Jarrod Waterlow (40) batted strongly. Captain Michael Harris also made an unbeaten 26. Sydney University then inflicted pain on Sydney by bowling them all out for 190 in 48.3 overs. Liam Whitaker (4/50), Toby Wheeler (2/27) and Nick Powys (2/41) proved invaluable with the ball.
Finally, in the Triforce Sports Metropolitan Cup, Sydney University defeated Randwick Petersham Green by 4 wickets. Sydney University reduced Randwick to 105 runs in 38 overs and then overpowered their opponents with 6/106 in 27 overs. Captain Harris De Kretser (3/23) and Andrew M Wilkinson (3/25) lead the bowling attack, while youngster, Kobe Carroll top scored with 20 not out.
All in all it was a huge performance all round for SUCC and there are plenty of positive signs ahead of this week's Round 12 against St George.
Remember that this round sees the annual clash for the O'Keeffe - O'Sullivan Trophy between our first grade sides with a lunch function to be held on Saturday 14th February for supporters and friends of both clubs and more importantly, both club legends. The Nag's Head has also promised to supply the clean sweep jugs following this weekend's play at 7:45pm sharp.