From The Pavilion – Rd 13 vs Sydney University

Match Reports Round 13

1st Grade to 5th Grade – 50 Over Matches v Sydney University 

Metropolitan Cup v Georges River & Mosman

It was back to business this week with a round of 50-over fixtures against Sydney University in Round 13 after Day 1 was called off because of the extreme heat. There has always been a strong rivalry with Sydney University over the years given the strength of both Clubs and the fact the Clubs had contested several hard fought finals, particularly in First Grade. Sydney Uni were up to 4th in the Club Championship, less than 50 points off the outright lead, so it was always going to be a tough test for all five Grades. With our 1st, 4th, 5th Grade and Metro Gold all in contention for the finals, there was plenty to play for on another hot and humid day. Read below to find out how things panned out and who of our players starred on the day.

Match Reports Round 13

1st Grade to 5th Grade – 50 Over Matches v Sydney University 

Metropolitan Cup v Georges River & Mosman

It was back to business this week with a round of 50-over fixtures against Sydney University in Round 13 after Day 1 was called off because of the extreme heat. There has always been a strong rivalry with Sydney University over the years given the strength of both Clubs and the fact the Clubs had contested several hard fought finals, particularly in First Grade. Sydney Uni were up to 4th in the Club Championship, less than 50 points off the outright lead, so it was always going to be a tough test for all five Grades. With our 1st, 4th and 5th Grade all in contention for the finals, there was plenty to play for on another hot and humid day. Read below to find out how things panned out and who of our players starred on the day.

 Beastwear 1st Grade – Sydney University (1st) v Randwick Petersham (6th) v @ Coogee Oval

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

Result – Randwick-Petersham 7/229 – 50 Overs (D.Sams 42, Kemp 37, Psarakis 36, Eaton 33, Semple 26n/o) Drew with Sydney University 0/28 – 10.5 Overs 

http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2362278

First Grade had another massive game in store with a showdown against rivals Sydney University, coming fresh off the back of the disappointing defeat in the Limited Over Semi-Final against Hawkesbury last Sunday. Returning to Coogee Oval just six days later, the side welcomed back Nathan Price after his stellar performance leading NSW in the National Indigenous Carnival. They were forced into a couple of late changes with Club bowling coach, Nick Warren, being injected back into the side for the injured Greg West. Jason Sangha also pulled out injured on the morning of the match, paving the way for Sean Eaton to retain his place in the team.  

Unfortunately, it was to be another frustrating day as the persistent storms forced both sides to settle for a rain reduced draw which could be particularly costly for Kempy’s men in the final wash up. The game was very evenly poised with Sydney University making a steady but slow start at 0/27 from 10 overs in reply to our competitive 7/229. With the newish rules regarding thunder and lightning, the players were unable to put the covers back on as the rain belted down with only 5 more overs being required for the match to constitute a result. 

After being inserted into bat, our trusty opening pair of Captain Alex Kemp (37) and Anthony Sams (25) once again put on an unbroken 50-run partnership to get the day off to solid start. However, we were quickly in trouble at 4/97 with our first 4 batsmen back in the pavilion before Daniel Sams (42) continued his recent good form with the bat.  He teamed up with the ever consistent James Psarakis (36) and the boys rebuilt the innings with a 52-run partnership for the 5th wicket. However, the story of the innings was all our batsmen looking in great nick without going on with the job, as both Sams and Psarakis were dismissed just as they were threatening to cut loose. Sean Eaton (33) and Adam Semple (26n/o) did a fantastic job in the last 10 overs to get us to a defendable score against a really strong batting line up. 

Our fast bowlers were right on the money early, particularly Nick Warren (0/6-5), as Sydney University played cautiously with rain looming. After the second storm rolled in, all chances of a result went out the window and our finals’ chances took a significant hit with both Manly and Parramatta winning. We are now in 8th spot, just 4 points outside the Top 6, with two rounds remaining. Next week is a must win 2-day fixture against lowly placed Campbelltown at Raby Oval. 

Frankie & Swiss 2nd Grade – Sydney University (11th) v Randwick Petersham (15th) @ Sydney University Oval 

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

Result – Randwick Petersham 10/123 – 36 Overs (Mackay 40, Ram 34) Defeated by Sydney University 3/127 – 25.2 Overs 

http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2366872

Second Grade were looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats against Manly and Mosman as they took on 11th placed Sydney University at Sydney University Oval. With Sean Eaton called up on the morning of the match to First Grade, Captain Tom Holland was forced to scramble around to get eleven players to the ground by 10am ready to start the match.  Promising all-rounder Jono Maloney made his Second Grade debut for the Club after some encouraging displays in 3rd Grade and PG’s over the past month. 

Unfortunately, after being sent in to bat, Sydney University dominated the game from the outset as we were bundled out for just 123 in 36 overs. Sam Mackay (40) once again played a really gutsy and determined innings, opening the batting and holding things together as wickets fell around him. Mackay played a sensible and disciplined innings, leaving with authority and putting away the loose balls. Kushal Ram (34) came in and started taking the attack to University, hitting a number of boundaries and threatening to change the momentum of the game. 

With the ball, whilst we tried hard, University were always in control of the run chase, losing just 3 wickets while passing our score in the 26th over. This leaves 2nd Grade in 16th place and, while the finals are out of reach, the table is very congested with the boys only 14 points behind the 6th placed side. With two games to go, a win next round against 13th placed Campbelltown can help us climb the ladder as we look to finish the season on a high. 

Petersham RSL 3rd Grade – Randwick Petersham (13th) v Sydney University (1st) @ Petersham Oval 

Team – Ahmed (+), Stares (c), King, Calder, Lyle, Burton, De Silva, Stafford (c) Nawaz, McKenzie, Loth

Result – Randwick Petersham 10/198 – 44.1 Overs (De Silva 83, Stafford 27, Ahmed 24) defeated by Sydney University  4/200 – 44.2 Overs (Nawaz 2/39-8) 

http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2370380

Third Grade were looking to bounce back from another heartbreaking defeat last round at the hands of Mosman. While the boys are out of finals contention, this side has been extremely competitive every game this season and were looking to spring a bit of an upset against 1st placed rivals Sydney University back at Petersham Oval. With Jason Sangha’s late exclusion from 1st Grade all lower grades were forced into a late reshuffle, with promising young batsman Ravin DeSilva called in from the clouds to come and play 3rd Grade after thinking he was playing Metro Cup in the morning. 

Once again, this game went somewhat to the script of our season, with the side being competitive again without being able to pull off a victory. After winning the toss and batting, we managed to put up a respectable 198, however crucially were bowled out with still 6 overs up our sleeve. Sydney University have a very strong batting line up and they managed to pass our score for the loss of 4 wickets in the 45th over. 

While Rod Stafford (27) and “Rocky” Ahmed (24) made solid contributions the story of the day was the amazing innings played by late inclusion Ravin De Silva (83). De Silva showed no nerves despite playing up three grades to completely dominate the experienced University attack with a brilliant 83. De Silva has always been an outstanding talent, especially strong in AWGS where he captained our side to a quarter finals spot three seasons ago. However, he hasn’t quite managed to produce the results his batting talents bestowed until Saturday where he made a real statement of intent. De Silva is a very silky player with ability to play all round the wicket with real aggressive intent with his lightning feet and fast hands. This is the sort of innings that can propel a young player with belief and confidence having grasped this opportunity.

With the ball, again, it was a really even contribution from all the bowlers who battled away manfully without getting any crucial double breakthroughs which might have sent a tremor through the University camp. Rehaan Nawaz (2/39-8) once again took the scalps of a couple of top order players and was the best of the bowlers on a Petersham wicket that had really flattened out and was now a paradise for batting. Third Grade are now in 14th place, and while the finals are out of reach we can still climb that ladder with a game against 17th placed Campbelltown next week. 

Sydney City Toyota 4th Grade – Sydney University (8th) v Randwick Petersham (7th) @ St Paul’s Collage 

Team – Eldridge, Schubert (+), Murdita, Mitchell, Mahony-Brack, Bourke (c), Graham, Wallis, Budwee, Ali, Tsalikidis 

Result – Randwick Petersham 10/95 – 45.3 Overs (Bourke 28, Tsalikidis 16n/o, Ali 15) Defeated by Sydney University 4/96 – 28 Overs (Wallis 1/16-10, Ali 1/22-7)

http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2370996

Bourkey’s men were searching for four straight victories and a potential place in the Top 6 with a huge clash against 8th placed Sydney University at St Paul’s Oval. With Club bowling coach Nick Warren back in 1st Grade, it was a relief to get Gab Budwee back fit and available to take Warren’s place. Omair Ali was also back in 4th Grade after his brilliant bowling display in 5th Grade in Round 12, replacing the unavailable Andrew Sprowls. 

Sadly this game did not go to script for the boys losing by 6 wickets in a result that saw our finals chances take a significant hit. After being inserted in to bat, we never really recovered from collapsing to 6/25 early as we scrambled our way to 95 all out in the 46th over. Once again Captain David Bourke (28) dug in and showed a lot of character and fight as wickets continued to tumble around him. Last wicket pair Omair Ali (15) and Kiri Tsalikidis (16n/o) also did an excellent job putting on 31 for the final wicket. 

With the ball we came out firing to reduce University to 2/12 and put them under some early pressure. However, despite some outstanding bowling from Matt Wallis (1/16-10) and Omair Ali (1/22-7), we were unable to keep the momentum going as University passed out total for the loss of 4 wickets in the 28th over. The loss sees us slip to 8^th place on 44 points, but only 6 points behind 6th placed Penrith. Next week is simply a must win clash against 14th placed Campbelltown as Bourkey’s men look to continue on their fine season. 

Adina Apartment Hotel Coogee 5th Grade – Randwick Petersham (8th) v Sydney University 13th @ Kensington Oval 

Team – Gracias Flor, Saini, Powell, Hart, Hilder, Wood, Jordan, Montedoro, Waugh, Singh (c), Boyns 

Result – Randwick Petersham 10/210 – 49.3 Overs (Powell 51, Hilder 45, Gracious Flor 41, Montedoro 20) Defeated Sydney University 10/149 – 42.2 Overs (Montedoro 2/23-9, Singh 2/29-10, Waugh 2/47-8) 

http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2372918

Fifth Grade were looking to build on some patchy New Year’s form, having finally broken through for a victory last week against Mosman after a worrying sequence of three straight losses.  With the boys in 8th place, but less than 6 points from 2^nd, this was a huge game back at Kensington Oval with the side forced into a few changes. With gun all rounder Jack Standing unavailable, 5th Grade were very lucky to be able to call upon young Tyzac Jordan, the wicket keeper batsman who is about to embark upon a career with Randwick Rugby. With Omair Ali in 4th Grade, young left arm quick bowler Mac Waugh was given another opportunity to impress.  

Finally we have some good news to report, with the fighting Fives overwhelming University for a comprehensive 61-run victory to get us into the all-important 6th spot with two rounds to play. After winning the toss and electing to bat, we put together one of our better batting displays of the season to muster 210 before bundling out University for 149. 

Opening bat Savio Gracias Flor (41) was in a typically aggressive mode and really set the tone for the day by giving us the early momentum and putting University on the back foot. It was great to see youngster Dylan Powell (51) break through with his best innings of the season in a really important game. Powell has been a regular contributor this season with several starts, however has failed to really go on with the job until Saturday. Powell is a feisty competitor and one of those guys that relishes the challenge, so it was great to see him do well with so much at stake. Veteran batsman Matt Hilder (45) has been an absolute rock for the side this year in the middle order and once again held the fort down here with a gritty and determined innings against a decent young University side. With Ben Montedoro (20) chipping in with another handy score we were able to put together one of our better scores of the season in 210 and, with a strong bowling line up, we were really confident of getting the chocolates. 

With the ball the result was never really in doubt as skipper Nigel Singh (2/29-10) gave us control of our defence immediately by bowling tightly and picking up wickets. Ben Montedoro (2/23-9) has proved a very useful bowler particularly in the limited overs games this season, and his ability to dart balls in and build pressure let us dominate them through the middle overs. Mac Waugh (2/47-8) also chipped in with a couple of wickets to complete a dominant victory. The boys now have destiny in their own hands, sitting in 6^th place with two rounds remaining, and looking forward to a trip to Raby this weekend to take on 18th placed Campbelltown. 

Specsavers Marrickville RPC Gold vs Georges River @ Bland Oval

Team: Mullins, House, Crawford, McDonagh, Stewart (c), Sidney (+), Jastrzab, Fox, L O’Loughlin, G Standing, M O’Loughlin 

Result: Georges River 173 in 44.1 overs (L O’Loughlin 4/55, M O’Loughlin 2/31 Fox 2/53) def by Randwick Petersham Gold 3/91 in 25 overs

http://www.smcc.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?matchID=2458927

Play was delayed 75 minutes and with Stewart finally calling correctly Georges River were invited to bat. The quicks M. O’Loughlin, Fox and Standing bowled well to keep the top order in check. As the wicket dried out, the batsmen chanced their arm and the small boundaries came into play. With the scoreline 5/104 LJ O’Loughlin was introduced and he bowled good areas taking 4 wickets and was unlucky not to take 5. A stubborn 10th wicket partnership delayed the inevitable until McDonagh’s extremely slow bowling knocked over the final batsman. 

With Kel Mullins delayed at lunch House and Crawford opened and took the attack to River from the outset. When rain hit Gold were 1/47 (9) and well in front on run rate. An hour and a half delay was sat out and with the clouds parting the field was retaken with a revised target leaving 41 to get in 16 overs. Mullins and Crawford resumed the attack pushing the score past 60 before Mullins (21) was run out. McDonagh (13) showed his attacking class in one day cricket before unluckily falling LBW (sorry mate). Damo Sidney (12*) and Crawford (22*) were there when the target was passed with the former depositing the leg spinner’s first ball inches short of the M5 to win. Interestingly this is the second time this season Gold have won against River with a 6 just short of the motorway. With 2 more matches finals cricket is again within reach for Gold. Next up leaders Gordon at Marrickville.

John Stewart

Clovelly Community Bank Branch Bendigo Bank RPC Green vs Mosman @ Balmoral Oval

Team: S Rushton, Genner, Mohan, Andonopoulos, Sapariya, Finkelstein, M Wall, Coovre (c), Bhavsar, Deller, C De Silva

Result: Mosman 9/218 in 50 overs (Deller 3/31, C De Silva 3/35) drew Randwick Petersham Green 1/73 (Genner 33*) in 9.2 overs

http://www.smcc.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?matchID=2458925

On a glorious morning the Greens won the toss and elected to bowl on a pitch with a few wet spots and a recent bad reputation. Bhavsar removed the angry opener in the 12th over, who skied one to Rushton at a deepish mid-wicket, who took a very good catch. Mosman then plodded along, and different bowlers were used, but no wickets were had, and they were 1/135 in the 35th over. Charith was brought into the attack, and in the 36th over he removed the number three who was well-set on 55, another catch going to Rushton. This opened the floodgates, as Genner removing the stubborn opener three overs later with his left-arm Chinamans, Bhavsar pulling-off a nice stumping. Charith then removed batsmen four and five, and death bowlers Deller and Mohan then removed all but one of the tail – with Mosman 9/218 after 50 overs.

In reply, Rushton was the first to fall, snicking-off in the 6th over, the score at 25. When Mosman’s angry opening bowler wasn’t bowling wides or no-balls, his half trackers with heat were getting gleefully hit for fours and sixers over deep square-leg by other opener, Genner. This just made the bowler angrier, and the words he subsequently uttered brought the match to a temporary stand-still. When that settled-down, the storm they had predicted, indeed came, marching-in from the northwest like a fleet of black warships. After much waiting around, and mopping-up, the players were just about to head back-out, when the second fleet of warships arrived from the northwest, and that, my friends, was that… the northwest to a stand-still.  

Alexis Coovre