ICYMI: Another Sweep + Former Student Displays

THE FLOOR CAN’T GET CLEANER!

After yet another clean sweep, this time against UTS North Sydney, Sydney Uni have stretched their lead in the club championship to 118 points clear of second place. The five wins on the weekend mean the Students have only lost 1 of their 25 NSW Premier Cricket matches (discounting PG’s and 1st Grade T20s) so far this season – proving the free celebratory beverage at the Toxteth to be a well-dangled carrot in incentivising the record. Here’s how it happened:

At North Sydney Oval, after losing the toss and being sent in, 1st Grade found themselves 2/11, before Ed Cowan reverted the pressure with a lively 38 from 35 deliveries (5 fours and 2 sixes). After his dismissal, Nick Larkin took control to post a vital century, scoring 138 from 144 deliveries (15 fours and 2 sixes), taking Uni’s total to 9/258 after 50 overs. With an all-round bowling performance required to defend a par score, Joe Kershaw led the way with 2 key wickets in his opening spell. A textbook performance from Tim Ley (3/36) was complemented by Devlin Malone (2/34) and captain, Liam Robertson, (2/36) to ensure the regularity of wickets – dismissing the Bears for 193 to secure a 65-run victory.

With a line-up that promised a domineering batting performance, 2nd Grade elected to do just that after winning the toss on a well-prepared Uni No. 1 wicket. However – despite each batsman looking comfortable – a slew of 20s saw Uni tenuously placed at 4/95, before Varun George (85) combined with Dave Miller (38) for a crucial stand that saw the Students to a competitive 8/272 from their overs. After the break, a patient bowling performance from Ben Joy and Charlie Cassell put upwards pressure on the required run rate, allowing Ryan Danne to swoop in and claim 4/21 from his 6 overs. 2 wickets each to Ryan McElduff and Max Hope closed out the Bears’ innings 22-runs short of Uni’s total to make it five from five for 2nd Grade this season. Special mention goes to Tim Cummins, who travelled southbound and back in a hurry – sneaking a stint in the commentary box at Uni No. 1, before being called back to put the pads on at North Sydney Oval.

At North Sydney No. 2, 3rd grade continued their excellence with the bat to post 7-284 from their 50 overs. Alex Shaw’s performance was the defining of the innings, as he combined style with grit to score an incredible 140 not out. Alex was supported well by James Crowley, who made a crucial 48. In defence, Uni were economical, with outstanding performances from Josh Toyer (4/19) and Tom Kierath (2/14) reducing North Sydney to 9/132 from their 50 overs.

On an even St Paul’s wicket, 4th Grade were sent in by North Sydney to find themselves in strife early at 3/32. However, a middle order resistance, led by Michael Robinson (57) – supported by Alasdair Grant (49) and Ed Arnott (46 not out) – saw the Students to 7/206 from their 50 overs. With the small ground demanding a strong bowling performance, Henry Clark led the way with the new ball – taking 3/17 – before the wily spin of Nahir Ghandi (3/26) secured a 65-run victory in the 45th over.

On the picturesque Tunks Park, 5th Grade relished the chance to take in the scenery and elected to bat first after winning the toss. After Will Masojada was dismissed for a well-made 30, middle order duo Vince Umbers (89) and Tom Galvin (73) combined for a 130-run stand that boosted the Students total, before being bowled out in the 50th over for 252. Continuing his form with the ball, Brody Frost took 3/40, while the legspin of Will Masojada (3/35) proved a vital contribution in bowling North Sydney out for 213 for a 39-run victory.

Despite the success on Saturday, PG’s were unable to replicate on Sunday, suffering a 9-wicket loss against a strong Campbelltown outfit. In batting first, the Students managed only 167, after being bowled out in the 43rd over. On the docile second day wicket at Uni No. 1, this was far below par – as the Ghosts chased it down comfortably 1-down in the 35th over.

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Former Student Shines in Tasmania

Having secured a rookie-contract with Tasmania for this season, former student Lawrence Neil-Smith starred for his club Clarence, with career-best figures of 8-27 against the Greater Northern Rangers. Initially identified by the Cricket NSW pathways system, Lawrence’s performance will go a long way in his pursuit of a Big Bash debut this season. For a more detailed recount of his day out, see the link below:  

https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/5750741/hurricanes-teen-stuns-hosts-with-giant-haul/?cs=12

William Hilder Gregson (1877-1916)

Cricketer, Engineer, Soldier.

In October 1898, a young Engineering student, resident at St Paul’s College, scored an elegant 107 against Manly in the first round of the season. Will Gregson was actually playing for the Club’s 1st team but the Club was restricted to the 2nd Grade Competition. Acrimonious  years and a continuing enmity drove rifts between the Club and the NSWCA and some of the other clubs.

In 1898-99, University returned to the Grade competition from which it had withdrawn in 1896, and after the NSWCA withdrew its invitation to the Club to play in the 1st Grade competition. The reappearance was on humbling terms and in circumstances that compelled its experienced players to seek out other clubs.

Gregson had first played for SUCC in 1895-96 (1st Grade cap number 46) and earned his Blue in 1896. Aged 21 in 1898, he was still eligible as an undergraduate and was one of the older University players. He continued until 1900-01 when his season’s aggregate of 694 runs remained the Club’s highest in the 2nd Grade competition for 106 years. Included in it was one monumental innings of 207 as Gregson revelled in and contributed to University’s Premiership that season. He was a dominant, patient, focussed, technically sound batsman whose 1102 runs at 42.4 for University are still figures rarely surpassed.

He was born in Waratah, NSW on 16 April 1877, son of Jesse (1837-1919) and Catherine (1842-1899). Catherine was a widow, previously married to Alexander McLean, Surveyor General for NSW.

Will was Head Prefect at All Saints’ Bathurst where he was first a student in 1888. He matriculated to Sydney University with splendid academic results and was awarded  his Bachelor of Arts in 1898 and Bachelor of Engineering in 1901, graduating as a licensed surveyor.

His profession took him to Broken Hill with BHP, then to USA and Canada. He returned to Australia in 1910 and married a widow, Grace Busby, on 5 February 1912. While he was employed at Manning and Griffiths, surveyors, in Bligh St in the city, the family lived in Spofforth St, Mosman, named for the great Australian fast bowler of the early days of Test cricket. There, their daughter, Catherine Grace, was born in 1914.

By July 1915, Will, spurred on by patriotic fervour, enlisted, aged 38, in 7th Company Engineers and he left Sydney in November.

By mid-1916, the Australian troops were engaged in the dreadful battles around the Somme and Will was wounded at Pozieres in August. Returning to the Front, Sergeant William Gregson  was engaged in the battle of Gueudecourt on 14 November. He had just run out with tape to mark out the ground for a communication trench in No Man’s Land when he was hit just above the knee by a bullet. He was carried to a shell hole because of the shortage of stretchers. In the hole, he was hit again and killed. In the confusion and tumult of battle he was first reported as ‘wounded, missing’. In July the next year, Driver Fernee  wrote an eye witness account for the Red Cross:

  “I saw Sergeant Gregson go into the line at Fleurs…he was wounded. Shells were falling near him and when a party went out later to look for him, they could not find him.”

When his body was recovered, he was buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery.

He was killed on the same day, 14 November, as the renowned satirist H H Munro(‘Saki’), a Sergeant in the Royal Fusiliers, who was also attempting to shelter in a shell-crater near Beaumont-Hamel.

Will’s nephew, Jack Busby, also enlisted, aged 19 in 1916 and Will’s younger brother, Edward Jesse (1882-1955) enlisted in Canada and served, eventually with the rank of Lieutenant, from 1915 until the end of the War. Edward was also a SUCC 1st Grader and when he studied at Cornell University in USA from 1906, he opened the batting for the University’s cricket team.

Will Gregson was the oldest SUCC cricketer killed in the Great War and the only one who was married.

The Gregson family  lived for many years at Mount Wilson, famed for its exotic gardens, in the Blue Mountains where Gregson Park now stands in tribute.

A type of eucalyptus tree (the ‘gregsoniana’) was named after Will’s father, Jesse, and his brother, Edward.

Remembrance Day

This is Remembrance Day.

Today the world commemorates the final days of World War I. 100 years ago today, on a railway carriage in a French forest, the Armistice was signed, signalling peace. The guns of war finally fell silent on 11 November 1918. The eleventh hour. The eleventh day. The eleventh month.

And we pause 100 years later during our cricket game to remember all those whose descendants now play for both our Clubs.

In particular, from Sydney University, 15 of our players died in the War. Today we especially remember:

John Nicholas Fraser Armstrong

Robert Barton

Alan Russell Blacket

Norman Broughton

Gother Clarke

Will Gregson, killed 102 years ago next week.

Clifford Dawson Holliday

Roger Forrest Hughes

Eric Leggo

Henry Normand MacLaurin

Alan Mitchell

Roxy Muir

Elliott Slade

Arthur Verge

John Walker

We remember them all. They were once part of us. They once wore our colours. They will never be forgotten.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

Round 5 Teams Announced

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2nd Grade
University Oval
10:00am start

Ryan McElduff
Steven Hobson
Nicky Craze
Ben Trevor-Jones +
Ryan Danne
Varun George
James Larkin ©
David Miller
Max Hope
Charlie Cassell
Ben Joy

3rd Grade
Bon Andrews Oval
10:00am start

Ben Larkin
Jack Hill
Charles Litchfield
Alex Shaw
Hayden Storey
James Crowley +
Ash Cowan ©
Tom Kierath
Josh Toyer
Kieren Tate
Jack Lawson

4th Grade
St. Paul’s Oval
10:00am start

Matt Powys
Tom Fullerton
James Robertson
Michael Robinson
AJ Grant
Ed Arnott +
Nihir Ghandi
Henry Clark
Sanjiv Khalko ©
Jazz Rinka
Lewis McMahon

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5th Grade
Tunks Park
10:00am start

Brayden Dilley
Vince Umbers
Will Masojada
Zohirul Islam
Tom Galvin
Hugh Kermond +
Brodie Frost
Andrew Wilkinson ©
Aiden Peek
Tom Hill
Shehan Canagasingham

Poidevin-Gray Shield
University Oval
10:00am start (Sunday)

Ryan McElduff ©
Varun George
James Robertson
Ben Mitchell
Hayden Storey +
Tom Fullerton
Will Masojada
Michael Robinson
Dom O’Shannessey
Devlin Malone
Aiden Peek

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Lions
Goddard Oval
1:30pm start

Paul Moorhouse ©
Lewis Beard
Jeshwin Prabhu
Kieran McEwan
Pierce Foley +
Tom Aitken
Rob Turnbull
Tim Croft
Ryan Blayney
Kiel Hennessy
Jack Maclaine
Matthew Johns

Metro Cup
Rance Oval
10:00am start

Rakin Rahman
SJ De Silva
Liam Coelho
Azhar Saeed
Cullen Hathurusinghe
Greg Cade © +
Tom Crawford
Shihub Rahman
Murray Watts
Max Shanahan
Murray Miles
Tom Armstrong

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ICYMI: Super Sunday Secures Clean Sweep

5 from 5 against Fairfield…

Last weekend saw the Students complete their second clean sweep of the season – and third undefeated round – against Fairfield Liverpool. With almost all games hanging in the balance overnight, this was a special Saturday for Sydney University, who now sit atop the Club Championship ladder, 63 points clear of Randwick Petersham in 2nd Place.  

Resuming play with Fairfield 0/11 in pursuit of Uni’s 295, 1st Grade opening quicks Dugald Holloway and Tim Ley partnered to remove Fairfield’s top 3 for only 33 runs. After a brief recovery from the middle order, Devlin Malone entered the attack to claim 2 quick scalps, before picking up 3 more to finish with figures of 5-64 and achieve his third 5 wicket haul for the season. Joe Kershaw and Holloway chimed back in to clean up the tail – bowling Fairfield out for 206 to secure another comfortable victory for 1st Grade.

At Rosedale Oval, 2nd Grade played spent the first hour playing cat and mouse with a Fairfield team that retained command of the declaration. After doing so with 300 on the board, Ryan Danne and Steve Hobson knuckled down to commence chase. 4 hours later, an incredible opening stand of 248 was broken – ending a collected yet decisive innings from Hobson, who scored 104 from his 153 deliveries. Ryan Danne demonstrated incredible maturity and patience in his innings of 141 from 236 deliveries, notching up his first 2nd grade hundred with a textbook late cut to the boundary. The 2’s middle order easily dealt with the last 50 runs, and secured a 7-wicket victory to see out celebrations for their fourth consecutive win (3rd victory while chasing) at the Toxteth.

3rd Grade were also witness to an excellent opening-stand, as Ben Larkin and Jack Hill got down to business at St Paul’s Oval in their pursuit of Fairfield’s formidable 288.  Jack Hill was excellent on his way to his 94 (his second almost-hundred of the season), as was Ben Larkin who amassed 89. After a 158-run partnership, Ben Larkin was trapped in front to see Charles Litchfield take control, with a proactive 69 not out (including 5 boundaries and 2 sixes) seeing the students to a 7-wicket win with overs to spare.

Things began inauspiciously for 4th grade, who arrived at Fairfield Oval to find the pitch almost completely unprepared since the week prior. After some confusion, and even threat of match abandonment, the captain’s reached a gentleman’s agreement of only bowling spin from the northern end, as the other half of the pitch did its best to impersonate a Day 7 Eden Gardens wicket. With the students defending 232 the delayed start was of little worry, as Lewis McMahon showed his class in picking up 4/25, supported well by skipper Sanjiv Khalko and Billy Barge (who each claimed 2 wickets), to bowl Fairfield out for 97 in the 42nd over.

At Camperdown Park, and with a potential outright in mind, 5th grade resumed at 2/79 in pursuit of 165, with alacrity. Lewis Ansell continued his strong start to the season, as he scored 91, supported by skipper Andrew Wilkinson who amassed 47, before declaring at 7/204 with a 49-run lead. The students pushed their case for 10 points, with Murray Watts, Will Masojada and Murray Miles each picking up 2 wickets to have Fairfield 8/140 at the end of the day’s play – without an outright, but with 6 points from a comprehensive 1st innings victory.

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Students Clinical in Double-Header…

Uni have announced themselves as contenders for the Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup with back-to-back wins in the tournament’s opening two rounds.

At Uni No. 1, after Wests elected to bat, Ben Joy took the new ball with aplomb to make a dent early – removing both opening batsman to have Wests 2/17. An incredible partnership however, from Wests’ middle order saw them to a strong total of 158 from their 20 overs. Enter Hayden Kerr, who scored an imperious 70 from 44 balls, hitting 6 fours and 5 sixes in the process. When asked to describe his innings, one SUCC Army member said “exuding an air of composure that clearly demonstrated the talent gap between him and all comers” (TF).  Nick Walker continued his form with the bat in smashing 68 not out from 44 balls (8 fours, 3 sixes) – combining deft touch with power in the process – to see the students to victory in only 16.2 overs.

In the afternoon against ACT, Hayden Kerr picked up where he left off, opening the innings with a powerful 40 from 22 balls (6 fours 2 sixes). After slotting into the number 3 position, Ed Cowan returned to again display his class – reaching the boundary only once, but clearing it 6 times on his way to an easy 69 from 36 deliveries. With Liam Robertson (49 from 30) and Tim Cummins (23 from 15) closing out the innings, the students amassed a domineering 207 from their 20 overs. Joe Kershaw was the pick of the bowlers with 3/28, as ACT struggled to get their innings off the ground. Dugald Holloway and Devlin Malone each claimed 2 wickets, to secure a 79-run victory and an incredible weekend of cricket from the students.

Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup Begins!

Sunday 4th November marks the beginning of the Kingsgrove Sports Twenty20 Cup for the 2018/19 season. Sydney Uni has selected a strong squad and will be looking to make an immediate impact on the competition in their first fixture against Western Suburbs at 10:00am. This match will be followed by an afternoon fixture against the Australian Capital Territory side at 2:30pm.

The two leading teams in this year’s competition will have the opportunity to play for the title of the best Premier T20 Team in Australia, thanks to a newly developed national tournament. The inaugural national premier T20 championships will take place in March 2019 in Adelaide, and provide an extra incentive for all sides competing in this year’s T20 Cup.

We are also hosting a function for Old Player’s and Families at the ground throughout the day, as well as hosting many current players who will be sure to make their voices heard. Make sure you get down to Uni Oval to witness some high quality cricket and enjoy a great day out!

ICYMI: Two-Day Patience and T20 Stardom

Saturday Games In the Balance

After a solid performance from both clubs on Day 1 of Sydney University’s 2-day fixtures against Fairfield-Liverpool, all games are poised for an enthralling day of cricket this coming Saturday.

In 1st Grade, after winning the toss and electing to bat on a well-prepared Uni No.1 wicket, the Students lost wickets early. Finding themselves 5/78 before lunch, the resolve of opener Ben Trevor-Jones put a halt to the impending capitulation. Almost carrying his bat, Ben batted for an incredible 345 minutes, striking 124 off 262 balls – partnering with Tim Cummins (55) and Dugald Holloway (48) – to ensure a strong total. After declaring with 4 overs of play remaining, Uni posted 9/295, with Fairfield currently 0/11 in pursuit. Follow the livestream for what promises to be an exciting Day 2.

Having won all 3 of their first 3 games, 2nd Grade remained confident despite losing their fourth toss in a row (perhaps a good sign given previous results) and having to bowl on a docile Rosedale wicket. After a wicketless first hour, Ryan Danne announced his presence with 2 quick scalps, leading to a mini-collapse with Fairfield at 4/86. However, mellow intent from Fairfield’s middle order stalled the flow of wickets – benefitting economies but hurting strike rates. Likely to bat on in search of more runs next week, Fairfield are currently 5/256.

At St Paul’s Oval, 3rd Grade were looking promising after opening quick Jazz Rinka claimed an early wicket, but a strong batting performance from Fairfield saw them to a total of 288 – bowled out with 2 overs to play. On a small ground, Captain Ash Cowan was the pick of the bowlers with a wily 4/23 from his 9 overs, supported well by Tom Kiereth with 2/62 from 19 overs. After negotiating the final 2 overs of play without loss, Uni are currently 0/7 in pursuit of Fairfield’s total.

In 4th Grade, Uni declared on 6/232 after an excellent 129-run stand for the 3rd wicket. Alike in name but not in style, the two Robbo’s combined to grind Fairfield down: James Robertson was all class as he amassed 84 while Michael Robinson tempered patience with power, scoring 61 with five boundaries (including 1 six). Declaring with 2 overs to play, Lewis McMahon struck to ruin another Saturday, and leave Fairfield’s score at 1/11 overnight.

Courtesy of outstanding performances by Brody Frost and Shehan Canagasingham, 5th grade continued their domination with the ball to have Fairfield on the ropes. Brody took 5/26 from his 12 overs and Shehan, 4/23 from 9.3 overs, to dismiss Fairfield for 165 in the 58th over. In chase, Uni are in a commanding position at 2/79 with the whole of next Saturday to pass Fairfield’s total and contest for a possible outright.

Despite the strong performances on Saturday, there was unfortunately little to celebrate on Sunday as PG’s suffered a heavy 141-run loss to a strong Penrith outfit in their final T20 at Howell oval. Their next game is a limited-overs fixture against Campbelltown on the 11th of November.

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National T20 Championships the carrot for NSW Premier T20 Winners

With the NSW Premier Cricket Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup commencing this Sunday, Uni 1st Grade will front up for a double-header against Wests (10AM) and ACT (2.30PM) at Uni No.1. Having named a strong squad that includes former Test and Big Bash cricketer Ed Cowan, current NSW Blues batsman Nick Larkin, and ACT Comets players Joe Kershaw and Hayden Kerr, Uni are strong contenders for the tournament.

Cricket Australia have also increased the weight of the series, with the two divisional winners (Sixers and Thunder Cup) being sent to compete in the inaugural national premier T20 championships in Adelaide next year.

“Using the T20 format to showcase and celebrate Premier Cricket across Australia, the event will give players an additional opportunity to display and enhance their skills and strategy” (Cricket NSW).

We wish the Students all the best in their T20 campaign for 2018/19.