First Grade - scorecard
Toss
Sydney University won the toss and elected to bat first
Result
Sydney University won on first innings by 249 runs
Game scores
Sydney University first innings, 3/383 off 96 overs; Eastern Suburbs first innings 10/134 off 50.4 overs and second innings 3/87 off 33 overs
Notables
Tim Ley 3 for 63 off 17 overs; Will Sommerville 3 for 17 off 9.4 overs; Week 1 - Scott Henry, 200*, Greg Mail, 105
Report
Sydney University flexed its batting muscles on day 1 of this fixture. Not to be outdone in a flexing contest, Tim Ley led the bowlers on day 2 to produce a win and 13 wickets on a batting track that appeared to be an extension of Syd Einfeld Drive.
The wickets were shared and most bowlers produced at least one entry in the highlights package.
Tim Ley squeezed out 3 wickets in 20 overs of high-quality bowling, showing that he is as fit as he is skilful.
Nigel Cowell produced a beautiful outswinger that tickled Ian Moran’s outside edge in the first innings, and a McGrath-like off-cutter that crashed into Peter Nevill’s off-stump in the second innings, proving he can dismiss good batsmen in any conditions.
The spin attack of Will Sommerville and Jonte Pattison claimed 6 of the 13 wickets to fall on the day. Special mention goes to Jonte for making a Sheffield Shield batsman (Peter Nevill) his first, first-grade wicket. Cries of “dangerous ball” were heard about Waverly Oval as Nevill skied Jonte’s only full toss of the day to Nick ‘one roll at lunch makes for better tea’ Larkin on the leg-side boundary.
Sean Abbott also uprooted a top-order batsman with the new ball.
The bowling was supported by one of the slickest fielding displays by a Sydney University side in recent history.
Sydney University’s celebrations of the win were
cut short when Will Sommerville’s wallet went missing, which thankfully turned
up in a very sheepish team mate’s bag later on Saturday night. The team did,
however, get to witness a rare image not seen since the aftermath of the
collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, namely, a Cranbrook graduate looking for money
in the bins of a Woollahra Council park.
Second Grade
Toss
Sydney University won the toss and elected to bat first
Result
Sydney University won on first innings by 113 runs
Game scores
Sydney University 308, Eastern Suburbs 195 & 7/119
Notables
Tom Kierath 4/19, Ben Joy 3/77 & 3/32; Week 1 - Adam Theobald, 94, Alexander Logan 54, Darius Visser 53
Report
The second day commenced with surprising stories from a week at University games. The top six seemed caught up in the commotion and couldn't get a point on the board in nash, failing to trouble the determined bowlers. But the lads managed to refocus before ball one.
Ben "BJ" Joy took little time to find his first wicket for the 2013/14 season, with the help of Dave Miller at third slip. However, Easts found some form and a couple of partnerships had our boys on the back foot. The injection of the skipper proved to swing momentum back into the favour of the students. Tommy Kierath took four wickets, and in the blink of an eye the East's tail end was exposed.
The dents recharged over lunch with some food from Taste Baguette, and caught up with Adam Theobald's newest family member Emily. The wickets continued to fall after lunch with strong contributions from all of the bowlers. The patience and persistence of the Uni bowlers proved too much for the East's batsmen.
Easts were all out for 195 by tea time, leaving a small glimpse of hope for an outright victory. Will Hay sacrificed an early escape, for an unnecessary flight to Canberra, in search of the extra 4 points. And it was almost worth the wait. Josh "Tisler" Toyer bowled a vicious spell and forced some "wobbles" within the opposition camp. Ben Joy was threatening all day and managed to grab 6 by the end of play. But Easts managed to hold out and avoid the outright victory.
It was a quality 6 points with good performances in both the batting and bowling departments.Third Grade
Toss
Easts won the toss and elected to bat first
Result
Sydney University won by 4 wickets
Game scores
Easts first innings, all out 196, Sydney University first innings, 198 for 6 (59 overs)
Notables
Ronit
Lotliker 5/40, Jim Ryan 3/50, Lewis McMahon 2/39. Brendan Pryke 60*, Max Hope
44, Henry Clark 37*
Report
Day 2 of this match saw the ‘dents resume on 2/15 with 182 left to knock off to claim the points. Things began as expected with the youngsters (fresh from a week on the Gold Coast ‘representing’ at Uni Games) bringing back a number of interesting anecdotes of their experiences/exploits. I won’t bore you with the details here, but if you are interested, it’s best to see Alex ‘Ducksy’ Logan for full details (best taken with a grain of salt).
On the field it was a steady start and some good bowling from the Easts opener (who ended up with 5/28 from 16 overs) saw us in a fair bit of trouble early, falling to 5/56. Enter a swashbuckling Max ‘insert nickname here’ Hope, who proceeded to chance his arm well, alternating mainly between two shots that a) would’ve brought tears to our former captains’ eyes (the bus drive) and b) brought a tear to the current captain’s eye (the lofted cover drive). Needless to say Henry ‘Wario” Clark was having the time of his life next in, however Max’s innings turned the tide for the ‘dents and his 44 came in good time to get our innings back on track.
When Henry ‘Luke Morrissey’ Clark strode to the wicket, much to the delight of the opposition (who all appeared to be either his close mates or worst enemies), there was 90 to win and 4 wickets in hand. I am fairly confident in saying that his innings will be one of the best all year from a number 8, he never looking threatened and amassed runs with ease, including a trademark straight horn from a slog sweep.
However the day belonged to the Club Claptain, Brendan ‘tickets’ Pryke who, put simply, completely took the game away from the opposition. His innings was quality, showing shots all around the ground, positive intent and composure. When he entered the arena Easts were well on top, and when he left we had the 6 points secure, with ‘Barney’ Pryke featuring in two partnerships of 140 runs in a match-winning effort for his 60*.
All in all a good start from the Units in 13/14,
with a victory first up and some pleasing performances. Some additional work to
be done during the week –singing training for the new boys, Nash training for
the country boys.
Fourth Grade
Toss
Easts won the toss and elected to bat
Result
Sydney University lost by 63 runs on first innings
Report
To be submitted
Fifth Grade
Toss
Easts won the toss and elected to bat first
Result
Sydney University won by 1 wicket
Game scores
East’s First Innings – all out 144; Sydney University First Innings – all out 147
Notables
Tom Hill 3/19, Kieran Tate 3/34 and Ed Lewis 32, Andrew Devaraj 54
Report
After what could be described as a disaster late in day one, we entered the second week of the game with trepidation, but with a quiet confidence in the men currently at the crease and the lower order to follow. After arriving to the ground only to find Harry "Dunkin' Donuts" Watt half conscious on an unsanitary lounge in the change rooms, the batsmen once again put on a bit of a clinic to down the bowlers in a much more polished Nash performance.With the inclusion of Abbott into first grade the resulting shuffle down of players replaced our stocky leg-spinning all-rounder who was currently at the crease, with another stocky leg-spinning all-rounder. Matt "The Dance" Sunderland looked good early putting on some easy runs with Andrew "Golden Fist" Devaraj before succumbing to the opposition attack. Devaraj however proceeded to score runs with Kieran "Jed Lamb" Tate as we crept ever closer to the Easts target of 144.
Sumptuous cover drives, and some powerful strokes from the pair put on a handy partnership before Tate fell and brought Kalindu "Kaaase" Kayarawasam to the crease, surprisingly before being timed out. He however kicked a very straight delivery shortly after the drinks break to bring Tom "Rissole" Hill to the crease with only a handful of runs to score for an unlikely victory.
With some big blows and well judged leaves outside the off stump, Hill and Devaraj steered us toward the target with confidence and patience. The winning runs scored via a large horn by Devaraj, who described by the East's club as 'chunky' whilst scores were being relayed around the grounds. He attempted to do the same next ball however and was dismissed for 54 well earned runs, and the innings was over with a 3 run lead.
After half an hour in the field and a wise bowling change by the captain (J. Waterlow 0/18 off 1 over), it was decided by the captains at tea that the game was going to fizzle out and an early afternoon was in order. An unlikely victory and a very gritty performance by the boys to start the season was celebrated with a sing (by the few boys who knew the song) and a couple of beers watching the second grade boys having a trundle. Up the 'dents and bring on Raby Oval next week!
