Round 7 Day 1 – Randwick Petersham (17th Club Championship) v University of New South Wales (12th Club Championship)

Saturday proved our most productive day since way back in Round 1 with effectively three and a half victories from the five Grades. I say three and a half as Fifth Grade still gained another 4 points through a first innings victory, only to lose outright. It was also Day 2 of the much anticipated Green vs Gold Metro Derby down at Marrickville Oval where bragging rights were up for the grabs. Despite losing, First Grade went very close to overturning their result with an excellent performance with bat and ball in Day 2 at Coogee. Second Grade completed a dominant victory while Third and Fourth Grades finally got some luck with a couple of tight victories. The weekend saw us move up from 17th to 14th in the Club Championship and, with another good round against the Bears in the 50-over matches this week, we can set ourselves up at around about mid-table heading into the New Year. Read below about who starred on Day 2 against one of our local rivals, UNSW, across the Grades.

Saturday proved our most productive day since way back in Round 1 with effectively three and a half victories from the five Grades. I say three and a half as Fifth Grade still gained another 4 points through a first innings victory, only to lose outright. It was also Day 2 of the much anticipated Green vs Gold Metro Derby down at Marrickville Oval where bragging rights were up for the grabs. Despite losing, First Grade went very close to overturning their result with an excellent performance with bat and ball in Day 2 at Coogee. Second Grade completed a dominant victory while Third and Fourth Grades finally got some luck with a couple of tight victories. The weekend saw us move up from 17th to 14th in the Club Championship and, with another good round against the Bears in the 50-over matches this week, we can set ourselves up at around about mid-table heading into the New Year. Read below about who starred on Day 2 against one of our local rivals, UNSW, across the Grades.

1st Grade – Randwick Petersham (7th) v UNSW (15th) @ Coogee Oval

Team – A.Sams (+), Scicluna, Price (c), D.Sams, Psarakis, Critchley, Hassan, Eaton, Semple, West, Neser
 
Result – Randwick Petersham 10/123 – 47.5 Overs (Critchley 37) and 8/248 (dec) – 57 Overs (A.Sams 81, Psarakis 40, Scicluna 38, Price 35) Defeated By UNSW 4/124 (dec) (D.Sams 1/30-10, Semple 1/31-8)  and 8/184 – 48 Overs (D.Sams 6/64-15, Critchley 2/51 -12)

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First Grade returned to Coogee Oval on Day 2 keen on playing aggressive cricket and overturning a first inning loss. The Bees declaration on Day 1 had set the scene for an exciting Day 2, with all results possible, as we resumed 35 runs ahead with all ten wickets in hand.

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, it was not to be, as we came up just two wickets short of what would have been an outstanding come from behind victory. UNSW were forced to abandon their quest for outright points, and hold on grimly, 8 wickets down, for the final three overs to preserve the first innings victory after the Randy Petes dominated proceedings on Day 2.

Anthony Sams (81) and Jake Scicluna (38) got Day 2 off to a great start, continuing their fine form with a quick fire 110 run opening stand which put UNSW on the back foot right from the first hour of the day. Once Scicluna was dismissed, Nathan Price (35) kept the tempo going, belting three sixes as we progressed to 1/149. Sams looked set for another ton before he was dismissed. Anthony has now amassed 611 runs so far this season, at an average of 76.

Knowing we needed plenty of overs to have a realistic chance of taking ten wickets, James Psarakis (40n/o)  played a beautiful innings highlighting his class, while Adam Semple (21) played a quick fire hand before we pulled the pin on 8/248, leaving UNSW 48 overs to chase the runs.

Despite picking up wickets at regular intervals, it was always going to prove difficult to get all 10 wickets, especially once the Bees shut up shop in their run chase. Daniel Sams (6/64-15) continued his outstanding form with the ball by ripping through the strong UNSW line up to keep us in with a shout, up until the final oval. Eventually UNSW staggered to 8/184 holding on to a first innings victory. Which mean back-to-back losses for First Grade and a big game against North Sydney at North Sydney Oval to round off the year.

JC Travel Professional MVP Award Points
3 – Daniel Sams
2 – Matt Critchley
1 – Anthony Sams

2nd Grade – UNSW (2nd) v Randwick Petersham (17th) @ David Phillips Oval
 
Team – Everett (+), Moran, Balbirnie, Holland (c), Ram, Sharma, Stares, Hart, Burton, McKenzie, Tyson
 
Result – UNSW 10/157 – 42.2 Overs (Tyson 3/28-16.2, Ram 3/61-15, Burton 2/26-6) and 1/171 – 49 overs Defeated by Randwick Petersham 9/262 – 72 Overs (Balbirnie 121, Moran 49, Ram 27)

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Second Grade had their sights set on outright points as they returned to David Phillips Oval with First Innings points already in the bag. On a flat and hard wicket, it was always going to be a tough task, however the boys had a positive mindset on Day 2 and the plan was to get some more quick runs before inserting UNSW back in to bat with a lead of over 100 runs on the first innings.

Andrew Balbirnie (121) resumed on 85 n/o and never looked in any trouble, bringing up his first hundred for the club. It was an innings probably 6 or 7 weeks in the making as Balbirnie has looked a class above Second Grade, only to not convert some starts. Andrew has one more game left before he departs back home in his quest to get back into the Irish national team.

Some lusty lower order hitting propelled the team to a 105-run lead, before a declaration was made shortly before lunch. With the wicket hard and flat we needed early wickets to have a chance of claiming outright points, however UNSW batted much better in the second innings. With UNSW having reached 1/171 at tea, an early stumps was called to complete our second victory of the season.

Second Grade are now starting to build some momentum in their season, after losing their opening four games, by winning two of the last three matches. Those victories have come against strong outfits in Penrith and now second placed UNSW. A win against the Bears to round off the first half of the season would leave us with 3 wins, 4 losses and a draw and back in the mix heading into the New Year.

JC Travel Professional MVP Award Points
3 – Andrew Balbirnie
2 – James Tyson
1 – Kushaal Ram

3rd Grade – Randwick Petersham (16th) v UNSW (9th) @ Petersham Oval
 
Team – Ahmed, Schubert (+), James, Lyle, McLoughlin, Mitchell, Calder, Stafford (c), McKenzie, Loth, Tsalikidis
 
Result – Randwick Petersham 10/250 – 79.5 Overs (James 105n/o, Ahmed 40, Calder 39, McLoughlin 34) Defeated UNSW 10/222 – 77.5 Overs (Stafford 4/50-23, Tsalikidis 3/65-20.1)

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Third Grade finally got back in the winner’s circle, after a number of near misses, with a 28-run victory over UNSW at Petersham Oval. The victory means the team has won both games at Petersham this year as they look to stay in touch with the Top 6 heading into Christmas. The game proved a tense contest throughout, with all three results looking possible heading into the final hour, before Stafford claimed the final wicket with just half an hour of play remaining.

With conditions at Petersham suiting the batsmen with a flat wicket and fast outfield, it was always going to take a long hard slog to take all ten wickets on Day 2. While our quicks – Loth, Nawaz and Graham – all did a great holding job, it was the spin twins in Stafford (4/50-23) and Tsalikidis (3/65-20.1) who dominated the day.   

Stafford has always gone out of his way at training and at games to help his young leg spinning mates, and it was great to see the two bowling in tandem for well over a session here. Both generate significant turn, with Tsalikadis more likely to give the ball some real air, while Stafford can zip them in and keep batsmen pegged to the crease.

Stafford’s men are now up to 13th and a win against the Bears before Christmas would set up a finals tilt heading into the New Year. Remember, this side was in an even worse position this time last year before peeling off five wins in a row to make the finals. Anything is possible and, with plenty of experience and quality in this team, I envisage a run of consecutive victories are just around the corner.

JC Travel Professional MVP Award Points
3 – Jack James
2 – Rod Stafford
1 – Kyri Tsalikidis

4th Grade – UNSW (18th) v Randwick Petersham (16th) @ David Phillips Oval

Team – Eldridge, King, Murdita, Powell (+) Gracias Flor, Bourke (c), Nawaz, Standing, Boyns, Jenkins, Fowler
 
Result – UNSW 10/259 – 78.5 Overs (Boyns 3/39-12.5, Budwee 2/52-16, Fowler 2/60-13) Defeated by Randwick Petersham 7/261 – 47.5 overs (Standing 86, Murdita 81, King 34)

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Bourkey’s boys secured their first victory since Round 2 with a thrilling three wicket victory over USNW at David Phillips Oval. After some indifferent batting performances in recent weeks, the Bees would have been confident the 259 that they amassed last week would have been plenty. However our batsmen had other ideas on Day 2. In a game that was played at a frantic tempo, a 3-wicket win was achieved just after tea, with the team scoring at over 5 runs an over thanks to a couple of outstanding individual contributions.

Once again we were on the ropes early at 2/8 before youngster Dylan Powell (16) steadied the ship. Jaya Murdita (81) has proved a revelation since his move to the Number 3 position, and once again he starred here by holding the innings together. Murdita has quick hands and good feet, and his 81 came from just 114 balls, with ten 4s and two horns. Murdita is only just starting out as a top order batsman, and with further displays like this might push for higher honours before the season is out.

We still looked to be in a spot of trouble at 5/158 before young tyro Jack Standing (86) strolled to the wicket. Standing produced another devastating blitzkrieg, showing the raw talent and power he has with the bat. Not many Fourth Grade bats can peel off 86 from just 51 balls with eleven 4’s and four horns, but that’s exactly what Standing did, taking the game away from UNSW in a heartbeat.

Murdita and Standing’s 102-run stand brought us close to victory, however when both fell a nervous finish was on the cards. With 14 runs required still for victory, the experienced Gab Budwee (10n/o) and Mac Jenkins (4n/o) saw us safely home to complete a great come from behind victory. Bourke’s men are now up to 13th after their third win of the year, and can get back to square and within striking distance of the top sides with a victory over the Bears in the last round before Christmas.

JC Travel Professional MVP Award Points
3 – Jaya Murdita
2 – Jack Standing
1 – Sam Boyns

5th Grade – Randwick Petersham (5th) V UNSW (13th) @ Kensington Oval

Team – Rushton, De Silva, Mullins,  House (+), Montedoro, Hilder, Sidney, Singh (c), Jones, Waugh, O’Laughlin
 
Result – Randwick Petersham 10/164 – 57 Overs (Hilder 39, Singh 21) and 0/81 – 17 Overs (Montedoro 45n/o, Rushton 34 n/o) Defeated by UNSW 10/79 – 40 Overs (Singh 7/36-21, O’Laughlin 2/21-8) and 5/168 – 35 Overs (Singh 2/48-10)

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Fifth Grade continued their reputation of being the entertainers of the competition, by having a third straight week where outright points were won. Unfortunately this week it was our turn to be on the receiving end of a reversed result as UNSW chased down the target we set them to secure 6 points, while we went home with 4.

Resuming with UNSW in strife at 3/38 chasing our 164, Captain Nigel Singh (7/36-21) destroyed the students’ order with another spellbinding display of controlled medium fast bowling. Singh is romping away as the leading wicket taker in the Fifth Grade competition, with 31 wickets, already 11 wickets ahead of his nearest challenger.

It was great to see youngster Mitchell O’Laughlin (2/21-8) have a great debut after doing a great apprenticeship in Metropolitan Cup. O’Laughlin is a strong and tall fast bowler with ability to nip the ball around, and he starred in last year’s AWGS side that went within one run of making the Grand Final. O’Laughlin has had to be patient to get an opportunity in 5th Grade, however he thoroughly deserved that opportunity and made the most of it here with two key first innings wickets.

After taking a commanding 85-run first innings lead, Singhy wanted his openers to go out and set a total, as the side continues to play a positive and aggressive brand of cricket. Ben Montedoro (45n/o) has had a rough start to his Randy-Petes career, however he got his reward for continuing to work hard and display a positive attitude with an excellent red ink here. Montedoro impressed all at the Under 21s Academy, and I have no doubt, now that he has a score under his belt, that he will start to show the higher Grade talent he possesses in the future. Sean Rushton (34n/o) was also in great nick, and the stocky left handed opener blazed away with some booming drives and pull shots and we reached 0/81 from just 17 overs when the skipper pulled the plug.

Setting UNSW 168 from 35 overs, the Students batted much better a second time around, and claimed the outright points for the loss of 5 wickets. Whilst we were a little down on our high standards we have set with the ball, the skipper can’t be too disappointed with 16 points collected over the last three games. The side remains inside the Top 6 in 6th spot with a game against 17th placed North Sydney before the Christmas break.

JC Travel Professional MVP Award Points
3 – Nigel Singh
2 – Mitchell O’Loughlin
1 – Ben Montedoro

Clovelly Community Bank Branch Bendigo Bank RPC Green (10th) vs Specsavers RPC Gold (4th) @ Marrickville Park

Gold Team: Dean, Bhavsar, Crawford, Saini, Jastrzab, McDonough, Fox, Lee, Stewart, L O’Loughlin, Connolly, Khoo

Green Team: Papathansiou, Batra, Sapariya, M Wall, Marsden, Andonopoulos, Mohan, Coovre, Kashyap, R Wall, Murphy, C De Silva

Result: Randwick Petersham Gold 297 (Crawford 113, Saini 89, Marsden 4/43) v Randwick Petersham Green 160 (Batra 44, Andonopoulos 44, A Lee 4/42, Connolly 4/16) and 3/121 (Batra 54, Papathansiou 27, Connolly 2/40)

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Back at picturesque Marrickville, the rain through out the week seemed to have no effect on the pitch, as we arrived to find it hard and well kept. The Gold bowlers and fielders were going to have to work hard for their wickets, with the Green batsmen taking almost 15% off the deficit before the end of day one. It looked like Gold were staring at a long day in the field, before Adam Lee induced a false leave from Apollo (18) that ricocheted off his gloves onto the stumps, while Bala Mohan followed two balls later, well caught at gully by Ryan Connolly. It was vintage Adam Lee, as he showed all his experience and nouse to dismiss the remainder of the top 4, capping off with the feisty Rohan Batra (44) being spectacularly caught behind by Abbey Bhavsar, to finish with 4/42.

Hayden Fox got one back on Jordan dismissing him in the first innings, before Chintan Sapariya and Peter Andonopoulos rebuilt the innings with steady partnership. Unfortunately, some inexperienced running and calling left Chintan (22) stranded in the middle of the pitch. From there, Green Shield leg spinner Connolly wove a web of mystery around the lower order, cleaning up the tail to finish with tidy figures of 4/16 on a pitch not offering much assistance. Peter (44) provided some solid and mature resistance before being the second last man out. Green ended up falling well short for 160. The players were then treated to a exhibition batting masterclass from Big Marn Charith De Silva who showed the rest of the Green team what they had been missing by pumping a few boundaries down the ground.

Gold skipper John Stewart enforced the follow-on, to give his team a 43 overs to have a crack at full points. But with the pitch and outfield having settled well enough for the nearby planes to use as an emergency run way, the Green batsmen made a much better fist of their second round. Again led by Batra who brought up 50 the second time around (54), while Apollo (27) played some very aesthetically pleasing drives and Bala (18) got away some cathartic slogs. Ryan added a further two wickets to his match tally, before stumps were called at 3/121. Gold consolidate their spot at 4th, while Green can take heart from their late fightback and sterling performance from several youngsters.  

JC Travel Professional MVP Award Points

RPC Gold
3 – Neale Crawford
2 – Vishwas Saini
1 – Adam Lee

RPC Green
3 – Rohan Batra
2 – Jordan Marsden
1 – Mark Wall