Milestones Monday

Kieran Elley, who took 5-49 against Eastern Suburbs, returned career-best figures in Second Grade while capturing his first five-wicket haul for the Club.

Tom Kierath played a key role in Third Grade’s outright victory over Eastern Suburbs: his seven wickets for only 20 runs (4-12 and 3-8) made this his most successful match with the ball in that grade.

Ryan Danne (52 against Eastern Suburbs) scored his first half-century in Third Grade.

Hugh Kermond followed his highest Fourth Grade score last week with his highest score in Fifth Grade (61 against Eastern Suburbs).

Murray Miles’ 5-29 against Penrith in Metropolitan Cup was his first five-wicket haul for the Club.

Nicky Craze’s 62 against North Sydney was his highest Poidevin-Gray score for the Club.

Dugald Holloway, in taking 5-29 against North Sydney, returned his best bowling figures for the Club and captured his first five-wicket haul in Poidevin-Gray.

In the Sheds... Changing of the guard

In the Sheds - ‘Changing of the guard’

This is my 8th season at SUCC and I can’t help but feel there is a real feeling of evolutionary change about the club. I’m not talking so much about the state of the art new facilities or the integrated fielding/fitness approach to training (which are all great by the way). I’m talking more about the evolution of the playing roster, the natural attrition of the older statesman and the rise of the young pups. I think it is an exciting time for the club and I’m excited to see where it takes us.

SUCC stalwarts Faraday and Theobald have relinquished their playing roles but continue to serve as the fat cats on the board. Hobson has begrudgingly succumbed to family duties despite continuing to enthusiastically suggest catch-ups at the Nags. Kierath is taking more of a backseat role after so many successful years at the helm of 2nd grade. The later start time in the lower grades means he has more time with his better half and little Charlie. Morning family duties are shortly followed by afternoon family duties as he kicks the new ball at 12.16pm.

The increased focus on fitness, physical preparation and player workload management at the elite level is mirrored in our Elite Athlete Program (EAP). The club proudly boasts an EAP program second to none in the country, but disappointingly, some EAP members still display sloppy rigs; look no further than Jack Holloway. These shortcomings are overridden by the successes of the program. Hayden Kerr is a great example - rising from an overweight pre-pubescent boy from Bowral to a premiership winning (ton in the 4th grade final) 2nd grade all rounder (+/- weak achilles/sore back).

In my first years at the club, AJ was the benchmark in the gym. His immaculate (albeit 5 foot) rig turned heads (both male and female). However, his strict dieting habits were controversial – vodka waters and purchasing McDonalds at 2am but refusing to eat it. With AJ’s once immaculate rig now hidden beneath a comforting layer of beer and biltong, Jono Craig-Dibbly-Dobson seems to be the leader of the fitness sessions. His rig definitely doesn’t do him any favours but the boy is strong. He can deadlift 160kg! Lets hope that strength eventually manifests in bowling speed and keepers don’t have to stand up to the stumps anymore.

It is encouraging to see the youthful age of players filtering through the grades. This was evidenced in our Round 2 4th grade side where I was fined for being the only player in the side to not qualify for PG’s the following day. Ironically, I was fined by Brodie Frost who looks like a 45 year old Bigfoot. I was also fined for devon that day and will continue to be. Visual deterioration of hairlines is well noted in my time at the club – TheoBALD, Toyer, Holloway (Jack), Hay and Henry Clark. The latter two have also deteriorated physically. Hayza has gained 20kg since I met him in 2008 and Henry has gained 15kg, lost 15kg (repeat x 3) and contracted multiple viruses.

Another new trend in the club is the rise of the middle tier. For those unfamiliar with the tier system you are most likely tierless (Jack Hill) but here’s a quick summary. Upper tier: high-paying job, married +/- kid. Middle tier: full time job (wage irrelevant), girlfriend +/- engaged, plus Will Hay (because he’s been shunned by the upper tier due to an unfortunate incident in the Hunter Valley). Lower tier: studying, single, poor. While the lower tier flounders and the upper tier remains static, the middle tier is thriving, with many of the members of the middle tier now in leadership roles at the club. Nick is the 1st grade captain, Funky Deef is skippering the scooby doos, Ben Joy has risen from a drunk 6th grader to top 15 all time club wicket taker and the club’s humble accountant and AJ is fostering his premiership-winning young pups in the dippy 4’s. AJ will need to keep on his toes as big Wilko will continue to torment his off stump in the dark on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Despite the changes discussed above, some things have remained static in my time at the club. Smash Cowan is still a single beer mat, we are all still striving to execute our Gary Whitaker disciplines #howgood and the cats continue to congregate on the hill (except when Hayza reaches a batting milestone). Despite the inevitable evolution of the personnel and practices of the club, the vibrant SUCC culture steeped in history and tradition will remain constant for many years to come #upthestudents.

Remembering Roger Forrest Hughes

On Remembrance Day, James Rodgers continues the series in which he commemorates the Sydney University cricketers who died serving in the First World War, a century ago.  Today: Roger Forrest Hughes.

Captain Roger Forrest Hughes was born in Sydney 6 May 1890 and died of wounds near Flers, France on 11 December 1916.

Roger Forrest Hughes was one of the best and brightest of his generation produced by the University of Sydney.  He entered the University in 1908, studying Classics for which he continued to earn distinctions until graduating with a Bachelor of Arts. He immersed himself in undergraduate life in the Debating Society, the Dramatic Society and as Secretary of the University Union. He played Hockey for the University (winning his Blue in 1912) and played every season for the Cricket Club as a batsman from 1908 until 1913 – without great achievements, although he turned out faithfully in the Thirds, for which team he was a selector. In games for which records were kept, he batted 29 times in Thirds for 485 runs and once in Seconds in 1910-11 without scoring. The 1912-13 SUCC Annual Report, however, gives some indication of the continued frustration caused by haphazard organisation of the Club’s lower grades. When Third Grade’s scoring book was again lost, the Club’s secretary, Claude Tozer, allowed himself a restrained but pointed:  ‘It is a matter of concern that the executive part of the team’s work is not looked after as it should be…’

Roger Hughes progressed to study Medicine after graduating in Arts and he thrived, graduating MB ChM in 1915.

He was the second son of Sir Thomas Hughes, 1863-1930 (the first Lord Mayor of Sydney by that title, in 1902, 1903, 1907 and 1908) and Lady Louisa (nee Gilhooley). His uncle was John Francis Hughes (1857-1912), a minister in the NSW Governments of the 1890s and 1900s. His parents sent Roger to St Ignatius’ College Riverview in 1901 and accolades for academic excellence followed him every year until he was Dux of the College in 1907. He won the Gold Medal for Senior Debate, the trophy for Oratory, and sports prizes for athletics as a sprinter, for Rugby as a five eighth in the 1st XV and as a middle order batsman in the 1st XI. His obituarist, writing in the College Magazine for 1916, strikes a poignant note when one realises that this has been a life of great promise cut short:  ‘Roger’s career at Riverview, and at the University, was a brilliant one. It would have been hard to find a brighter or more willing personality. To his old College, he was loyal to the heart’s core.’

In 1915, he served as RMO at St Vincent’s Hospital where he was much admired, before enlisting in December 1915 and being appointed  RMO at No 4 Australian General Hospital, Randwick. He sailed from Sydney on 8 August 1916 on the ‘Wiltshire’, arriving in England on 13 October.

The Hughes family gave so many to Australia’s cause in the Great War.  Five of Roger Hughes’ cousins, all alumni of St Ignatius’ College, were killed. This established and prosperous Sydney family and the College saw it as a duty to encourage their sons to lives of service, even service for war.

Hughes was at the front for only five days. On 11 December 1916, while attending to a wounded soldier, he was hit by a shell that fractured both legs and that killed his patient. Hughes was taken to 36th Casualty Station where his younger brother, Captain Geoffrey Hughes, was, by chance, at his side in his final hours. He was laid to rest in a ceremony conducted by Father Prescott in Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L’Abbe. Geoffrey Hughes and a brother in law, Captain Austin Curtin, said prayers at the graveside.

His loss was felt keenly in Australia. A solemn requiem Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney by Archbishop Michael Kelly with two of his cousins, John and James Hughes, serving the Mass.  James Hughes had played for 1st Grade for SUCC from 1904 until 1909, and three of the brothers (Bryan was later killed in France in August 1918) were representative Rugby players, James and Bryan playing for Australia.

Roger had married Eileen Maher on 2 March 1916 at St Canice’s Church in Sydney. The land had been a gift of the Hughes family to the Catholic Church and there is now a stained glass window in memory of Captain Roger Hughes in the church.  Eight weeks after his father’s death, his son, Peter Roger Forrest Hughes, was born on 4 February 1917.  The family was to be visited by extraordinary tragedy during World War II. In 1942, on an operational flight with the RAAF, Roger Hughes junior was killed over Darwin. Then, his mother was killed in a car accident in May 1946 on her way to visit her son’s grave.

Captain Geoffrey Hughes (1895-1951) was awarded the Military Cross in May 1918 and his line of the family continued the distinguished surname as they contributed significantly to Australian public life. His three sons were Thomas Hughes QC, (1923- ), eminent barrister and  Federal Attorney General of Australia 1969-71, Geoffrey Hughes, a renowned lawyer, and Robert Studley  Hughes (1938-2012), internationally famous art critic. One of Thomas Hughes’ daughters, Roger Forrest Hughes’ great niece, Lucy, followed her great grandfather as Lord Mayor of Sydney, 2003-04. She is married to the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Bligh Turnbull.

Pollock and MacGill joins the Blue & Gold Cricket Luncheon panel for 2016

Sydney University Cricket Club will host it's annual Blue & Gold Cricket Luncheon for the 22nd time next Friday 18th November at the Ivy Ballroom.

The luncheon is one of the best on the luncheon calendar, perfectly placed between the 2nd and 3rd Australia vs South Africa Test matches, and will see international superstars Shaun Pollock and Stuart MacGill, as well as respected cricket journalist Mike Coward, join Adam Spencer's expert panel.

Spencer is one of the best panel hosts in the business, combining intelligence and humour to create a highly entertaining segment, and with over 150 Tests, 300 ODIs and a 5-decade long journalism career between them, this will be one to remember.

There is no better venue for this than the Ivy Ballroom as you dine on a delicious lunch menu together with premium drinks package, before retiring to the Palings Bar for the all important post-lunch conversations on who to pick in the 3rd Test match and where the Aussie batting line-up is going wrong.

Tickets cost $160 per person or a corporate table of 10 for $1,750, so get your old teammates, friends or clients together and make Friday 18th November a lunch to remember.

Bookings can be made by downloading the B & G Lunch Booking Form and returning completed to r.tubbs@sport.usyd.edu.au.

For those former Sydney Uni Cricket members, especially of the 70s, 80s and 90s, join us in celebrating the induction of John Grimble and John Saint into the Sydney Uni Cricket Club Virtual Hall of Fame at the lunch.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to enjoy one of the best cricket luncheons in Sydney.

More runs for Larkin

Sydney University captain Nick Larkin continued his strong early-season form by hitting an assured 56 for New South Wales against Tasmania in yesterday's Futures League match at Blacktown International Sports Park.

After Tasmania declared its first innings closed at 7 for 364, Larkin made a confident start to his side's response, facing 110 deliveries and striking five boundaries and showing the form that made him last season's player of the tournament in the Futures League.

New South Wales had reached 4 for 155 by stumps.  Play continues today.

SU Chairman elected SCA Life Member

The Sydney Cricket Association tonight elected Sydney University's Chairman, Max Bonnell, as its 27th Life Member.

SCA Chairman, Andrew Falk, acknowledged Bonnell's contribution to Sydney Grade cricket, which began in 1979 with the Western Suburbs club, and includes twenty years as a player, and important administrative roles with both of his clubs.  His service to the SCA has included writing (with Richard Cashman and James Rodgers) the centenary history of the Grade competition and acting for 14 years as one of the Code of Conduct Commissioners.

Bonnell becomes the third Sydney University Chairman to be recognised with SCA Life Membership, after James Rodgers and Mick O'Sullivan.

Round 5, day 1 recap V Easts

1st Grade:

Sydney University 7/340 (N Larkin 120, D Mortimer 61, L Robertson 50, Thornton 3/64) Easts 0/15

We arrived at Uni no 1 to another beautiful looking surface prepared by Daryl and the boys, flat, hard and with an even covering of grass.

The Easts skipper called correctly and surprisingly, decided to field first. A tight first session would follow, with captain Nick Larkin and the in form Mortimer taking us to lunch at 1-100. Larkin, not at his most fluent, showed great application while Mortimer continued to stroke them past point and cover. The old man Ian Moran bowled solidly for the boys from the East, in his first spell into the wind at Uni no 1. Easts new man Thornton bowled with good lift and pace in short spells.

Not to miss an opportunity for some mathematical symmetry, the students battled hard through the middle session, and finished at 2-200. Mortimer dragged one on from Thornton to end a bright 61, and was replaced by May, who accompanied skipper Larkin through to the tea break. Nick had periods of easy scoring and at times struggled to break the ring field, but showed great concentration and application to bring up his second ton in three hits, and two in a row at home. Good signs for the skipper.

Post the tea break the students attempted to push the scoring along, with good contributions from May (38), Robertson (50)  and BTJ (21) . Easts quicks Magin and Thornton both toiled hard and gave nothing away with the old ball. An attacking declaration from Larkin allowed us a short stint with the ball. Alas no wickets, but we look forward to working our way through the strong Easts batting line up next week.

2nd Grade: 

Sydney Uni 8/366 (J Holloway 131, W Hay 85, D Holloway 35, U Mehta 3/55) Easts 1/29 (K Elley 1/10)

Much like first grade, the boys arrived to a quality wicket at Waverley Oval, flat, hard and with a good even coverage of grass.  Again similar to first grade, the East skipper won the toss and sent the students into bat.

With the promotion of James Larkin to first grade and the unavailability of James Crowley, Will Hay had yet another opening partner in Jack Holloway. It became clear after the first hour just how good the wicket was, sitting at 0/60 at the drinks break.  The two combined fantastically well, with Hay sweating on anything short and Holloway punishing anything over pitched.  Holloway easily passed his previous highest second grade score before joining Hay with a half century. 

At the lunch break the students sat in a dominant position of 0/134 this continued immediately after the break before Hay was dismissed for 85.  Losing his opening partner did not deter Jack, as he proceeded to bring up his maiden second grade hundred with a quality lofted drive for four, followed by an over-exuberant celebration.  Unfortunately the dismissal of Hay brought about another quick wicket with skipper Miller departing, before Craze joined Holloway and pushed the score pasted 200. When Craze was dismissed for a well-made 30, Arnold and Kerr quickly followed losing these three wickets for 30 with the score now 5/266.  Holloway attempting to resurrect the side from another collapse was eventually dismissed for a nearly chanceless 131, with uni now 6/277.  Enter Jacks brother Dugald and wicket-keeper Ed Arnott (31*) these two put on 50 runs before Holloway junior was dismissed for a rapid 35.  A few lusty blows from Kieran Elley saw skipper Miller happy to declare with 366 on the board and 8 overs left in the days play.

The boys bowled beautiful, with great pace and control.  J Holloway, determined to prove his all-rounder status steamed in bowling aggressively at the body of the batsman making life very uncomfortable. He was well supported by Dugald and Jonathon Craig-Dobson but it was Elley who got the break through, crashing through the defence of the Easts opening batsman in the first over. 

At the close of play Easts are 1/29 still requiring 338 of victory next week.

3rd Grade:

Easts 58 (K Tate 4/20 T Kierath 4/12) Sydney Uni 6/192 (R Danne 52, M Powys 51, A Shaw 48, S Lewis 3/34)

The grand final replay saw a lot of new faces in both sides with only two of the Sydney Uni XI playing.  Easts, much like first and second grade, won the toss however unlike the top two grades, elected to bat.  The green tinge on the wicket had Kieran Tate licking his lips as he struck with the first ball of the game.  Ryan Danne was exceptional in the field with a direct hit throw unlucky not  to grab the 2nd wicket for the students.  Tate continued to terrorise the Easts batsman taking 4/20, he was well supported by the control and consistency of X Frawley and L McMahon, however it was the left arm spin of Tom Keirath that did the late damage, taking 4/12 off his 8 overs.  Easts were reeling, eventually dismissed for a sup-par 58. 

The students passed the total with the loss of just two wickets and proceeded to pile on the pain with the recently recalled trio of Danne (52), Shaw (48) and Powys (51) dominating the Easts attack.  Danne and Shaw played with fantastic control and composure, allowing Powys to play his naturally flamboyant  style, which he attempted to continue at the Crows Nest hotel later that evening. 

At the close of play the students are in a commanding position with a 134 run first innings lead. 

4th Grade:

Sydney Uni 231 (H Kermond 80) Easts 1/39.

A mature and confident knock from Hugh Kermond was the standout for fourth grade on day one against easts.  Hugh was ably supported at times by Suda Sivapalan, before a slight collapse saw the students dismissed for a reasonable 231. 

With a handful over overs to bowl late in the day, fourth grade picked up one wicket and set about an exciting finish on day 2 next Saturday. 

5th Grade:

Easts 272 (M Phoebus 3/43, Islam 4/48) Sydney Uni 1/11.

Fresh off a comprehensive outright victory over Hawkesbury last week, the students arrived at Camperdown full of confidence against the reigning premiers, Easts. 

Losing the toss and being asked to field, the boys needed a strong start, despite the best efforts from Natesh Yoganand and Ethan Clout the students were unable to make early breakthroughs. 

It was only through the introduction of Michael Phoebus (3/43) and Islam (4/48) that brought about some wickets.  The students eventually dismissed Easts for 283, with 5 overs to go in the day. 

Unfortunately Islam was unable to replicate his bowling efforts with the bat, falling just short of stumps as we finished the day 1/11 still needing 272 for victory.   

Metro Cup: Sydney University 135 (P Carfax 44, M Miles 22, B Speechly 6/22) Penrith 6/165) 

A relatively disappointing day 1 against Penrith for Metro Cup.  Playing with 10 men was always going to be difficulty, however PatCarfax Jnr stood above the rest with a quality 44.  Pat was supported by some lusty hitting from Murray Miles. 

Despite valiant efforts with the ball and in the field we were unable to restrict Penrith from passing out total 6 down, and ended the day 30 behind with a massive day two next week needed. 

PGs: Sydney University 204 (K Jacobs 59, H Kerr 35, C Lorenzato 32, D Fallins 4/38) Def By Sutherland 9/205 (S Khan 59, D Fallins 45, T Doyle 37, K Elley 4/26)

The University’s strong PG’s side came up against an equally strong Sutherland side this past Sunday which resulted in an unfortunate last wicket loss for the side out at McGrath oval. The students started the days play off with a powerful 67 run opening partnership between Hayden Kerr and Kevin Jacobs which was then well backed up by Charles Litchfield getting the team to 1 for 97. A middle order collapse after the dismissal of Jacobs (59) saw the side 6 for 132 before young gun Christian Lorenzato (32) and Kieran Tate(17) steadied the ship helping the students post a defendable score of 204.

The home side came out swinging hard with a fast but chancy 96 run opening partnership before deadly Devlin Malone used his ex-home knowledge to make the first break through. Sutherland then continued on to 1 for 152 with only 53 runs to make with ample overs remaining. However the students then made a huge comeback bowling tight lines and lengths taking an astonishing 8 wickets for 34 runs with economical pacemen Kieran Elly and Kieran Tate taking 4 and 2 wickets respectively. The tables had turned and Uni had 19 runs to take the last remaining Sutherland wicket. With multiple LBW decisions turned down to Tate and Dugald Holloway, followed by an edge between the keeper and slip, the opposition scraped to reach the Students total in the 43rd over. An impressive display of fight and ticker from the PG’s squad to nearly bring back a match that was thought surely lost.