Round 9 Day 1 – Randwick Petersham (11th Club Championship) v Bankstown (15th Club Championship)

After a clean sweep against the Bears before Christmas, the Randy Petes headed into the New Year with momentum on their side. Having recently moved to 11th in the Club Championship, a spot in the Top 10 was up for grabs as we took on Bankstown. The Bulldogs have had a mixed start to the season being in 1st place in First Grade, however down the table in every other Grade. PG’s were also in action with their Round 5 clash taking place on Sunday against Mosman. Unfortunately, Third Grade was abandoned which could prove costly in the side’s push for a final berth. However, the other Grades were evenly contested with each game proving a tough game. Read below to see who starred in the resumption from the Christmas break.

After a clean sweep against the Bears before Christmas, the Randy Petes headed into the New Year with momentum on their side. Having recently moved to 11th in the Club Championship, a spot in the Top 10 was up for grabs as we took on Bankstown. The Bulldogs have had a mixed start to the season being in 1st place in First Grade, however down the table in every other Grade. PG’s were also in action with their Round 5 clash taking place on Sunday against Mosman. Unfortunately, Third Grade was abandoned which could prove costly in the side’s push for a final berth. However, the other Grades were evenly contested with each game proving a tough game. Read below to see who starred in the resumption from the Christmas break.

1st Grade – Bankstown (1st) v Randwick Petersham (7th) @ Jenson Oval

Team – A.Sams (+), Kemp(c), Price, Sangha, D.Sams, Psarakis, Scicluna, Critchley, Semple, Neser, West

Result – Bankstown 10/182 – 42.2 Overs (Semple 3/25-8, Critchley 2/24-7, West 2/21-6.2) Defeated By Randwick Petersham 6/183 – 39.4 Overs (Sangha 60, Psarakis 30, Scicluna 25 n/o, Semple (22 n/o)

http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2362231 

First Grade returned from the Christmas break for a massive game against table topping Bankstown. The Bulldogs are the defending Two-Day and One-Day Champions and, despite Bankstown Oval being unavailable, taking them on at Jenson Park would be our biggest test of the season. Outside of Soumil Chhibber who was unavailable, we were able to call upon a full strength line up from the team that belted North Sydney in our last 50-over game before the break.

In a typically hard fought contest, Kempy’s men came away with an outstanding 4-wicket victory to get them back into the Top 6 heading into the final six rounds of the season. After dismissing the Bulldogs for a below par 182, we wobbled to 4/40 and the match looked to be slipping away. However, an outstanding partnership of 72 between Jason Sangha (60) and James Psarakis (30) helped steady the ship against a quality Bulldogs’ attack containing the likes of Claydon, McAndrew, Bird, Burke and Alistair McDermott. Sangha, promoted to Number 4, showed outstanding poise under pressure, before he was finally dismissed with 42 runs still required for victory. Under real pressure, Jake Scicluna (25n/o) and Adam Semple (22n/o) held their nerve in an ice cool unbroken partnership of 42 to get us home for a big win away from home against the Number 1 ranked side.

Earlier in the day it was an outstanding ram performance from the bowlers which set up the victory. After taking a wicket in his opening over, Semple (3/25-8) continued on his merry way to claim three big wickets. Semple has always been a crucial bowler over the years, however he has taken his skills to another level this year, taking regular wickets opening the bowling. Both Greg West (2/21-6.2) and Matt Critchely (2/24-7) bowled tight and picked up a couple of wickets each, as we really tightened the screws on a strong Bulldogs’ batting order. James Psarakis (1/14-6) also kept things tight in the middle overs to make sure the Bulldogs didn’t get up towards 200.

First Grade are now sitting in 5th place, with a big game against Parramatta coming up at Petersham Oval this week. Round 10 will be the first back-to-back Two-Day game, with First Grade in action on both Saturday and Sunday. Parramatta sit just 3 points behind us on 34 points so it’s another big game as we look to solidify our place in the Top 6.

JC Travel Professional MVP Award Points
3 – Jason Sangha
2 – Adam Semple
1 – Matt Critchley

2nd Grade – Bankstown (17th) v Randwick Petersham (18th) @ Petersham Oval

Team – Everett (+), Moran, Hassan, Eaton, James, Holland (c), Mackay, Ram, Hart, Magann, Tyson

Result – Bankstown 10/200 – 43.3 Overs (Tyson 3/45-10, Hart 3/47-8) Defeated By Randwick Petersham 5/204 – 46.4 Overs (Hassan 57, Everett 38, James 29 n/o, Holland 24)

http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2366825 

Second Grade probably wished there wasn’t a Christmas break, having won three of their past four games heading into the New Year. Depite still sitting in a lowly 17th spot, the boys were less than two full games outside the Top 6, so all was still to play for after a slow start to the year. Resuming against 18th placed Bankstown, it was must win game for Tom Holland’s men. With the departure of the prolific Andrew Balbirnie, in-form youngster Jack James made his Second Grade debut, coming after a century and a half century in his most recent Third Grade games. With Suffan Hassan and Sean Eaton having played First Grade recently, and with the return from injury of left arm quick Pat Magann, the side was looking particularly strong.

After bowling out the Bulldogs for an even 200, the Randy Petes barely blinked during the chase, winning comfortably 5 wickets down, with 3 overs left to play. Opener Matt Everett (38) and first drop Suffan Hassan (57) have had terrific seasons to date, and they continued where they left off before Christmas, combining for a crucial 58-run 2nd wicket partnership. Hassan was particularly strong, belting three massive 6s once he passed 50, before departing with 66 runs still required for victory. However, debutant Jack James (29n/o) and Captain Tom Holland (24) really took the attack to the Bulldogs combination for a quick fire 51-run partnership, before a mix up saw Holland unfortunately run out. The tempo of the partnership took all the air out of the Bulldogs as the ever reliable Sam Mackay (7/no) and James saw us home.

Earlier in the day, the Bulldogs looked up for a big score at 2/71 before leg spinner Joe Hart (3/47-8) was introduced. Hart took wickets with consecutive balls and ripped through the Bulldogs’ middle order as they slumped to 6/87. After a strong 7th wicket partnership of 85 threatened to take the game away from us, James Tyson (3/45-10) returned to claim another 2 wickets, to give him 3 for the day. Pat Magann (1/23-6.3) and Kushal Ram (1/25-8) both bowled economically as the Dogs lost their final 4 wickets for just 28 runs.

The victory sees us assume our highest position on the ladder so far, sitting in 15th, but only 7 points behind 6th placed Penrith. Having won four of our past five games, Second Grade are building momentum at the right time of the season, and they face a crucial clash against 13th placed Parramatta at Old Kings Oval next week.

JC Travel Professional MVP Award Points
3 – Suffan Hussan
2 – James Tyson
1 – Joe Hart

 
3rd Grade – Bankstown (19th) v Randwick Petersham (13th) @ Graham Thomas Oval

Team – Ahmed (+), Stares, Mitchell, McLoughlin, Calder, Lyle, Graham, Stafford (c), Wallis, Nawaz , Loth,

Result – Match Abandoned

http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2370333 

4th Grade – Randwick Petersham (10th) v Bankstown (20th) @ Coogee Oval

Team – Powell, Schubert (+), Murdita, King, Bourke (c), Hilder, Mahony-Brack, Budwee, Jenkins, Sprowls, Fowler

Result – Bankstown 10/201 – 49.2 Overs (Bourke 5/15-7, Jenkins 1/29-10, Sprowls 2/53-9.) Defeated Randwick Petersham 10/159 – 41.1 Overs (Schubert 59, Mahony-Brack 27n/o, Sprowls 22)

http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2370949 

Fourth Grade were another side that probably would have preferred not to have a break, having had two dominant victories in Round 7 and Round 8 to get them within one point of the Top 6 heading into Christmas. Heading to their seaside home Coogee Oval to take on last placed Bankstown, Bourke’s men were looking for their first 3-game winning streak of the season. With Matt Willis called up to Third Grade and Jack Standing unavailable, the team was missing some of its strike power. However, we were able to call upon all-rounder James Mahony-Brack for the first time this season. Mahoney Brack played plenty of 3rd Grade last season and has recently completed his schooling at Waverley College. Matt Hilder was also rewarded for his fine form in 5th Grade with a call up to play with long time team mate, going back to the Petersham Marrickville days, in David Bourke.

Unfortunately, it proved a missed opportunity for 4th Grade as the Bulldogs claimed their first victory of the season with a 42-run victory. Having bowled the Bulldogs out for 201, the game looked evenly poised at halftime, however we lost wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for 159 with still nearly 9 overs of our chase to go. Opener Karl Schubert (59) played a terrific innings opening the batting, bludgeoning anything wide as he watched wickets fall around him. When Schubert was the 7th man to fall with the score on 92, we looked headed for a big defeat, however James Mahony Brack (27n/o) and Andrew Sprowls (22) had other ideas. After combining for a 45-run 9th wicket partnership, we looked to have fleeting hopes before the Dogs claimed the final two wickets and, with them, the match.

Earlier in the day we didn’t quite take advantage of the conditions with a tinge of green and plenty of early seam movement in the Coogee wicket. Mac Jenkins (1/29-10) was typically tidy in an excellent spell in the middle overs, however the shock star of the day was Captain David Bourke (5/15-7). Bourke has told all and sundry over the years about the 6-wicket haul he claimed in a First Grade match back in about 1981 against Fairfield, however he relived the glory of that day as he turned back the years and ravaged the Bulldogs’ middle order in a devastating spell. Bourke bowled stump to stump and was rewarded with three LBW’s and it will be interesting to see how he pulls up and whether he is fit to resume his bowling exploits next week.

Despite the defeat we remain well placed in 9th spot, just 6 points behind St George in 6th place. However, next week becomes a must win now against 11th placed Parramatta at Merrylands Oval.

JC Travel Professional MVP Award Points
3 – David Bourke
2 – Karl Schubert
1 – James Mahony Brack

5th Grade – Bankstown (20th) v Randwick Petersham (2nd) – Kensington Oval
Team – Gracias Flor, Eldridge, Hart, Saini, Mullins, De Silva, Montedoro, Singh (c), Jones, Boyns, O’Laughlin

Result – Bankstown 10/199 – 46.2 Overs (O’Laughlin 3/29-9, Boyns 2/16-9, Montedoro 2/30-6) Defeated Randwick Petersham 10/178 – 47.4 Overs (Gracious Flor, Hart 37)

http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2372871 

Fifth Grade were flying heading into the Christmas break, sitting in second position, as the highest ranked Grade throughout the Club. Nigel Singh’s men were meant to be at Graham Thomas Oval, however the unavailablily of Bankstown Oval saw a flow on effect, which allowed us to host this important 5th Grade game, with the Bulldogs stranded without a third home ground to play on. The team had an air of familiarity about it, with all eleven players named having played plenty of 5th Grade this year, as we looked to continue our momentum into the New Year.

However like 4th Grade, despite Bankstown sitting in last place, they managed to produce their best performance of the season to claim an upset 21-run victory. After bowling the Bulldogs out for 199, the game looked evenly poised through much of the afternoon with plenty of twists and turns, until a couple of middle order collapses consigned us to defeat. Both Savio Gracias Flor (37) and Chris Hart (37) had helped get us off to a really solid start, but they both fell just as they looked set for half centuries.

Earlier with the ball Mitchell O’Laughlin (3/29-9) continued his excellent 5th Grade form, claiming another three wickets, while Sam Boyns (2/16-9) was as reliable as ever. On a flat Kensington wicket, Ben Montedoro (2/30-6) chipped in with a couple of wickets to keep the Dogs just under 200. The loss wasn’t too costly with the team still sitting in 4th place, just 7 points behind competition leaders Penrith. Next week we are back at Kensington Oval for another 50-over match against 16th placed Parramatta.

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

PGs – Randwick Petersham (19th) v Mosman (14th) @ Coogee Oval
Team – Everett (+), Moran, Psarakis, Critchley, James, Calder, Maloney, Hart, Nawaz, Mahony-Brack, Jenkins

Result – Mosman 8/231 – 50 overs (Critchley 3/30-10, Nawaz 2/36-9, Jenkins 0/25-10) Defeated Randwick Petersham 10/128 – 44 Overs (Calder 39, Hart 27)

http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2373456 

Our Under 21’s side were hoping the New Year would bring about a change in fortunes after losing our opening four games in November and December. While we were well out of the running for the finals, pride was on the line as we took on Mosman at Coogee Oval. Mac Jenkins became one of the youngest debutants PGs has ever seen, with the 14 year old left arm orthodox bowler called into the side. James Mahony Brack was available for his first PG game of the year after completing his HCS. Jono Maloney was also fit to make his debut for the Club after recovering from a serious groin injury. Maloney has played his cricket in Newcastle, and the hard hitting all-rounder impressed in our Under 21’s Academy before injury intervened.

Sadly things didn’t go to plan right from the get go as, for the fifth consecutive time, we were sent into the field after losing the toss. Reehan Nawaz (2/36-9) made the most of his return to the side after finishing his coaching commitments with SEJCA by taking two key wickets and pulling back the Whales after they had made a great start. Mac Jenkins (0/25-10) was outstanding on debut, being by far our most economical bowler and unlucky not to have picked up a wicket. Our most experienced bowler, Matt Critchley (3/30-10) has bowled beautifully this season in First Grade and PG’s and he was rewarded with three wickets. In the end, things slipped away a bit with Mosman reaching 8/231 from their 50 overs.

In reply we were reduced to 4/24 early as a heavy defeat loomed. Matt Calder (39) and Joe Hart (27) held the innings together as they fought right until the end when we were bowled out for 128. It’s been a tough season for the boys, but with everyone available again next season this is a very young side. We wrap up our campaign at Bensons Lane against Hawkesbury on Sunday week.

Clovelly Community Bank Branch Bendigo Bank RPC Green vs UNSW @ Snape Park (Sunday)

 Team: Papathansiou (+), Jastrzab, Mohan, M Wall, Marsden, Finkelstein, Andonopoulos, Sapariya, Bhavsar, Coovre, Deller

 Result: UNSW all out 168 in 44.2 overs (Bhavsar 3/39) defeated by Randwick Petersham Green 5-172 in 44.3 overs (Papathansiou 53)

 http://www.smcc.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?matchID=2418918

 For the first time in possibly forever, captain Alexis Coovre was going to give his team first use of the ‘third day wicket’ Snape Park, only to lose the toss and be asked to bowl. The opening bowlers were tight, and the fielding was more spritely than recent times, as the UNSW batsmen seemed to throw away their wickets to wild swipes and suicidal running. Abbey Bhavsar (3/39) was the pick of the bowlers, using raw pace and clever variations to keep the middle order in check, while 3 run outs also helped the cause. The Greens managed to reduce the students to 5/56 in the 19th over, but a few older hands steadied the team to 168 – a competitive total on the usually torpid Snape Park pitch.

Apollo Papathansiou (53) drove the reply with his first half century for the club by building a series of handy partnerships, including 60 for the 3rd wicket with Mark Wall (22). The total was also greatly helped by 45 wides and some flat fielding. After a quick start, the Greens managed to keep with the run rate the whole way, and even with Apollo dismissed with the score at 127, they needed 30 runs off the last 10 over with 6 wickets and big hitters in the shed. UNSW faltered and the runs were peeled off in less than half the time, as Adam Finkelstein (13*) back cut a four to get Green’s season back on track with a win first up in 2017.
Jeremy Jastrzab

JC Travel Professional MVP Award Points
3 – Apollo Papathanasiou
2 – Mark Wall
1 – Abbey Bhavsar

Specsavers Marrickville RPC Gold vs Sydney University @ Snape Park (Saturday)

 Team: McDonagh, Crawford, House, Rushton, Stewart (c), Sidney (+), Fox, Connolly, Lee, L O’Loughlin, Waugh, Khoo (12th)

 Sydney University all out 196 in 49.1 overs (Fox 3/40) defeated Randwick Petersham Gold all out 122 in 34 overs (Fox 34, McDonough 33)

 http://www.smcc.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?matchID=2418919

 Aside from the trenches marking centre, the wicket was holding up well at Snape for a second day pitch, and the visiting captain for the students chose to make first use of the wicket. The pitch remained characteristically slow and difficult to score off, with Hayden Fox (3/40) picking up two early wickets, along with one from Adam Lee (2/56). Spin twins Ryan Connolly (2/17) and Liam O’Loughlin (1/37) tightened the screws through the middle overs, while Liam also picked up his first catch in over two years and a direct hit run out. At 8/120 going into the final 10 overs, the USyd number 10 swung for the hills and peeled off a quick 50. Once the fielding had calibrated, the Golds finally restricted the opposition for 196.

With the pitch holding up better than expected, the Golds fancied their chances to chase down the slightly inflated total. Alas, the USyd number 10 wasn’t finished, as he cut a swathe through the top order to reduce them to team to 4/36. Dale McDonagh (33) and Hayden Fox (34) made a fist of the chase but were each eventually done by the vagaries on the pitch. While the run rate was still in check, the wickets eventually petered out as the Golds were bowled out in the 34th over for 122. They hold onto their top 4 position for now but will be looking for a much improved performance to stay in contention for finals.
Jeremy Jastrzab

JC Travel Professional MVP Award Points
3 – Hayden Fox
2 – Ryan Connolly
1 – Liam O’Loughlin