One month ago, 14 May 2025, marked the 115th anniversary of the Club's initial, gripping 1st Grade premiership for 1909-10.
University had been readmitted to 1st Grade only in 1902-03, restricted to undergraduates but its young teams were gradually becoming more competitive.
Central Cumberland and University had tied for first place after the final round of the 1909-10 season and University, in its initial 1st Grade final, played Cumberland at the SCG beginning on Saturday 30 April 1910.
Fast medium Roy Minnett (a future Test player), with 4-51, and leg spinner George Willcocks (3-46) caused a collapse on a good batting wicket and Cumberland was all out for 135.
University's powerful batting line-up then succumbed to the medium pacers of "Mudgee" Cranney. By stumps, University was precariously placed at 7 for 74.
The scheduled second day's play (7 May) had to be postponed because of the death of King Edward VII and the game could not resume until Saturday 14 May with Andrew Watson and Walter Stack in occupation.
7 for 74 became 8-91 then 9-107. One wicket to fall; 29 runs to win. First year undergraduate, left hander Lisle Terrey joined Watson.
Terrey was dropped, a difficult chance at fine leg but the last wicket pair continued to scamper singles and to hit lusty boundaries until Terrey mis-hit a shot and the ball evaded "deep slip" for a boundary. The last pair had added 29 to win the game and the premiership.
"The two batsmen...were rushed by their comrades and though they are fairly big fellows, they were carried off the field." ('The Referee', 16 May 1910)
Within eighteen months, Andrew Watson was to set out from Hobart bound for the Antarctic with Sir Douglas Mawson's Polar expedition, one of the heroic journeys of Australian exploration.
University was to win three 1st Grade Premierships from 1909-10 to 1913-14 but this first one, 115 years ago, is worthy of celebration.
James Rodgers