From the Pavilion – vs Ireland and Bankstown

Runs galore in 1^st and 2^nd Grade, while the lower Grades found the going tougher, see an interesting second week ahead against the Dogs…..

1^st Grade: RPC 8-413 vs Bankstown @ Petersham Oval

Bankstown won the toss and surprisingly elected to bowl on a perfect Petersham Oval deck, and it proved to be a poor choice as the RPC batsmen enjoyed the conditions.  Returning to the top of the order, Jake Scicluna was a great form with 64 from 80 balls, and skipper Adam Semple (76 from 88 balls) also made the most of the conditions putting on 111 for the 5^th wicket.  A fightback by the Dogs saw RPC placed at 7-295 with Shaun Eaton contributing a quick 45 from 48 balls, before Nick Stapleton (81 from 136 balls) combined with Soumil Chhibber (41 not out from 57 balls) to see RPC post an imposing 8-413 after 96 overs.  The total is RPCs second best ever total, with the 6-428 scored against Mosman at Petersham Oval in 2002-03 being the best ever.

Link to scorecard: http://www.sydneygrade.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?matchID=1854666&entityID=4

2^nd Grade: Bankstown 345 vs RPC @ Bankstown Memorial Oval

Stand-in skipper Nick Charlwood won the toss and elected to bowl first at Bankstown Oval, and some early movement saw RPC create some early chances.  However, as the wicket flattened out the runs started to flow and the Dogs were able to post 345 after 89.3 overs, with Sam Doggett and Jack Preddey grabbing 4 wickets each.

Link to scorecard: http://www.sydneygrade.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?entityid=4&matchid=1855570&gradeid=62_1

3^rd Grade: RPC 151 vs Bankstown 3-94 @ Coogee Oval

Skipper Rod Stafford won the toss and elected to bat on a flat Coogee Oval wicket.  Karl Schubert (24) continued his good form at the top of the order, but the middle order faltered under some good bowling, with only Stafford (41 in 26 minutes) and Ben Mitchell (24) making any contribution to see RPC all out for 151 after 54 overs.

In replay, an early strike to Andrew Sprowls (2-39 from 6 overs) reduced the Dog to 1-0, but a solid knock from their number 3 saw them finish the day at 3-94 from 26 overs, with Stafford (1-16 from 7 overs) the other wicket taker.

Link to scorecard: http://www.sydneygrade.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?entityid=4&matchid=1860976&gradeid=63_1

4^th Grade: RPC 57 vs Bankstown 3-178 @ Jensen Park

After skipper David Bourke won his 10^th toss in a row, RPC elected to bat first on a flat Jensen Park deck.  A dismal performance saw the side routed for a paltry 57, with only Chris Singh (11) and debutant Savio Gracias Flor (11) getting into double figures.

The Bankstown batting line up showed how good the batting conditions were, racing to 3-178 from 44 overs at stumps, with Oshanka Perera (1-7 from 6 overs), Gracias Flor (1-17 from 5 overs) and Ben Stares (1-6 from 5 overs) grabbing a pole each.

Link to scorecard: http://www.sydneygrade.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?entityid=4&matchid=1861842&gradeid=64_1

5^th Grade: Bankstown 50 vs RPC 161  @ Kensington Oval

A great day for RP 5th grade. Bankstown won the toss and chose to bat on a seemingly flat wicket. Nigel Singh took a wicket in the first over; an over which produced two other chances. Cooper Smith took 2 wickets in his first spell (2/12) – a reward for good disciplined bowling. Consistent wickets fell through some good catching and with good swing bowling and at one stage the visitors lost 5/9 with Grant Rimmer taking 4/4. Singh wrapped up the tail and finished with 4/25. Bankstown all out for 50 in the 29th over. Stuart Parsons and Harry Towler both looked positive from the outset and the target was passed in the 14th over. They pressed on at a solid rate and Parsons wicket for a well-constructed 56 started a steady loss of wickets with RP losing 5/13. Towler was dismissed for a solid 28 but it was Cooper Smith who also looked in fine touch hitting five boundaries and a six in his 48. RP was all out in the last over for 161 – a lead of 110 – with a full day’s cricket to play.

Grant Rimmer

RPC 5th Grade Captain

Link to scorecard: http://www.sydneygrade.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?entityid=4&matchid=1862105&gradeid=668_1

Metro Cup: Fairfield 99 vs RPC Gold 4-58 @ Snape Park

The 3rd skip in as many games won the toss and elected to field despite playing 3 short for the first hour. By the time the fielders arrived, Fairfield had crawled to 30 for none. Mitch O’Loughlin and Charith De Silva bowled consistent lines and were well supported in the field. De Silva got the first breakthrough and from there wickets fell consistently to see the Lions all out for 99 following the resumption of play.

Stewart and Sidney opened the batting with Sidney luckily out  early. Hoffman at 3 worked hard to move thr score along to 31 on a slow outfield before Stewart was out for 13. Another 2 wickets fell to see Gold 4/58 at the close and Hoffman unbeaten on 30 odd.

John Stewart

RPC Gold Captain

Link to scorecard: http://www.smcc.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?matchID=1872844&entityID=2318

Metro Cup: RPC Green 6-144 @ Punchbowl Oval

Western Suburbs Captain won the toss and elected to bowl first at Punchbowl oval. The pitch was ideal to bat first but our Top order batters didn’t use the batting conditions well and failed to fire, 15/4.  Niv Radhakrishnan  and Alexis Coovre played a matured innings, constructed a beautiful 80 runs partnership, and pushed the score 121/6. Niv Radhakrishan (34) and Alexis Coovre (45 not out) both  played over 50+ overs in a day, batted with lot of determination and patience, and took our team to a better position in the match. At the end of the day, we’re 144/6 off 80 overs. .

Bala Mohan

RPC Green Captain

Link to scorecard: http://www.smcc.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?entityid=2318&matchid=1872847&gradeid=1532_1