Round 6, Day 1 v Hawkesbury, PG’s + Metro
MATCH REPORTS
1st to 5th Grade – Round 6 v Hawkesbury (Day 1 – 2 Day Match)
PG’s – Randwick Petersham v Bankstown at Petersham Oval (50 Over Match)
Metropolitan Cup – Randwick Petersham v Penrith & Easts
The Randy Petes were looking to bounce back in Round 6 after our first tough week of the season, winning just one from five Grades against the Sharks, with a couple of close losses hurting us. We remain in a very strong position in the Club Championship, in 4th place behind just Sydney University, Bankstown and Penrith, with 377 points to our name. Our opponent this week Hawkesbury are sitting in 17th place in the Club Championship, however lead the Fourth Grade table and would have been bouyed by a victory in First Grade last week. Our PG’s also faced a must win game against Bankstown at Petersham Oval after a narrow lost to the Bears last week. Read below to see who starred over the weekend across the Grades, PGs as well as in Metropolitan Cup.
1st Grade – Randwick Petersham v Hawkesbury @ Petersham Oval
Team – Warner, Bell-Drummond, Everett A. Sams (c+), Ayre, Eaton, Kemp, Semple, D. Singh, Jenkins, Ralston
Result – Hawkesbury 6/377 – 92.1 Overs – (D. Singh 2/56-17. Warner 2/48-12)
http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2926093
First Grade were looking to maintain their spot in the Top 6 as they played their first home game of the season at Petersham Oval on Saturday. Sitting in sixth spot after the narrow defeat to Sutherland, the team took on a Hawks side in 19th spot with just one victory this year. David Warner was available for his sixth game this season, however with Jason Sangha away on Shield duty, Matt Calder was called into the side once again after some brilliant form this season. With Soumil Chhibber a late withdrawal due to having appendix surgery, youngster Mac Jenkins came into the side alongside Jason Ralston.
It was a long day of toil for the Randy Petes in the field as the Hawks amassed 5/376 on a baking flat wicket and lightning fast outfield down at Petes. The boys threatened to turn the momentum of the game when they picked up Hawks’ captain Peter Forrest without scoring, and reduced the visitors to 3/146. However, 147 from McKay batting at Number 3 kept us at bay as the Hawks piled on a big score in ideal batting conditions.
Daya Singh (2/56-17) took two big wickets in the middle session as he removed Josh Clarke and Forrest in consecutive overs. With Anthony Sams suffering from an injury Matt Everett took the gloves after lunch and took two nice catches behind the wicket. David Warner (2/48-12) also showed his versatility by putting together a good spell of leg spin bowling, picking up a couple of wickets and keeping the scoring rate down throughout. Ralston bowled with good pace without much luck, and youngster Jenkins (1/48-13) bowled tidily throughout, considering one of his overs went for 14 where the long handle approach was taken with a degree of luck.
Whilst the Hawks have an imposing score on the board, there have been plenty of high scoring First Grade games at Petersham over the past couple of years. With a deep batting line up, and Jason Sangha back in the side, if we can bat out the 96 overs we have more than enough fire power to mow down the Hawks’ total.
PG’s Round 8: Randwick Petersham v Bankstown @ Petersham Oval
Team – Mahony-Brack, James, Tector, Matt Calder, De Silva, Montedoro, Jenkins (c), Wood, Standing, Powell+, Kenzie, Jenkins
Result – Bankstown 10/249 – 49.2 Overs (Kenzie 3/46-10, Mahony-Brack 3/46-9, Montedoro 2/18-5.2) Defeated Randwick Petersham 10/235-49.2 Overs (James 53, Calder 41, Mahony-Brack 38, Wood 25, Standing 21)
Our PG’s team faced a must win clash against Bankstown at Petersham Oval on Sunday looking to avenge a heartbreaking loss to North at the same venue seven days previously. The loss had put a big dent in our finals’ prospects with the side now sitting in 13th spot with only two rounds remaining, however only 3 points outside of the Top 8. Bankstown have traditionally been an excellent Under 21’s side and that was no different this season with the Bulldogs sitting in 4th spot. There were a couple of changes to the team this week with Jason Sangha away on Shield duty, however the side was boosted by the return from injury of leading seamer Jason Ralston and batting all-rounder Ben Montedoro.
In an enthralling game, we suffered yet another heartbreaking defeat going down narrowly by 14 runs to a strong Bankstown team in a high quality game of cricket. In pursuit of the Bulldogs 10/249 we were in good shape at 2/150, before some great middle to death bowling from the visitors saw regular wickets fall and we were eventually bowled out for 235 in the final over of the game.
We made a great fist of a difficult run chase against a top side, with Jack James playing a brilliant innings to get things off to white hot start. James made 53 from just 31 balls with some of the cleanest striking you will ever see as he pulverised the straight boundaries in an innings which showed how destructive a player he can be when in the mood. James Mahony-Brack (38) played more of a subdued innings, sensibly dropping anchor as roles were reversed from what is usual with these two players.
Matt Calder looked in complete control of the run chase taking the singles and punishing the odd ball with two towering sixers. Unfortunately, he was caught at short fine leg trying to lap a ball for 4 off the medium pacer which swung the momentum of the game. We lost 4/10 in a quick period before Wood (25) and Standing (21) tried valiantly to drag us back, but their dismissals sealed out fate.
Earlier in the day out bowlers had done a great job to restrict the Bulldoga after we looked to be staring down the barrel of a 300+ run chase at one stage. James Mahoney Bracks (3/40 from 9) and Bailey Kenzie (3/46 from 10) were the pick of the bowlers with both bowling tightly and picking up wickets at regular intervals. Middleton brutalised our bowling in a run-a-ball 83 and Dignam a more circumspect 56 from 80 balls. This partnership took Bankstown to 2/158 after 30 overs. Excdleltn death bowling from Ben Montedoro (2/18 from 5) helped restrict the Dogs alongside Mahony-Brack and Kenzie.
Coach Wood PG’s lads who showed so much promise in the early rounds, are now left to fight it out for vital Club Championship points only in the last round on January 13th 2019 vs Blacktown at Joe McAleer Oval. Whilst finals cricket has eluded us this group could have easily won all their games this season with 3 painfully narrow losses.
Bailey Kenzie took 3-fa and has impressed in PGs this year
2nd Grade – Hawkesbury v Randwick Petersham @ Owen Earle Oval
Team – Mahony-Brack, James, Tector, Hunter, Holland, Lyle, Mitch Calder, Ram, Wood, Hemphrey,
Result – Hawkesbury 10/117 (Hemphrey 3 wickets, Mahony-Brack 2 wickets) v Randwick Petersham 4/193 – (Calder 95n/o, Hunter 38, Mahony-Brack 25)
http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2927987
Second Grade were looking to continue their rampaging start to season 2018/19 when they made the long trek out to Hawkesbury to take on the 20th placed Hawks. Our boys were flying high on the ladder sitting in 2nd spot behind only Sydney University, having won 4 from our 5 opening fixtures. Matt Calder was called up to First Grade with Tom Holland returning to the side after having made a half century in his last appearance in Second Grade.
In what was another stand out day of cricket, we were in complete control at the end of Day 1 with the Randy Petes 4/193, already 76 runs ahead on the first inning after rolling the Hawks for 117.
The fielding display was highlighted by two brilliant direct hit run out by Harry Tector with Ram and Hemphrey doing a great job with the ball early in innings. In the end Hemphrey made it 7 wickets in 2 weeks by taking 3 poles whilst JMB made it 6 combined in 2 weeks by taking two wickets.
In reply with the bat Matt Calder is having a season to remember and he continued on his merry way here with a brilliant 95 not out, as he took his time early before demolishing the Hawks’ attack. Calder is playing with extreme confidence, as well as outrageous talent, as he seems to have the ability to hit every single ball for a boundary to all areas of the field. If he continues on like this, his progression to First Grade and potentially BBL cricket down the track awaits a player with such power and devastatingly quick hands.
One of the great things about Second Grade’s start to the season is players have been contributing across the board and it wasn’t just a one-man show with the bat. Dylan Hunter (38) once again looked in great touch. Hunter has contributed a decent score in nearly every game this year without quite nailing a big score and James Mahony-Brack got things off to a brisk start with a typically aggressive innings.
Captain Mitch Calder was once again delighted with his sides performance and wanted to give a wrap to the Hawks on the day for fantastic afternoon team and general hospitality at Owen Earle Oval. Next weekend the goal will clearly be to get 10 points and force our way towards the top the table after six rounds. With Calder on the verge of a century, and a 150 plus run lead beckoning, our bowlers will be chomping at the bit to put the Hawks back under pressure again in the afternoon.
3rd Grade – Randwick Petersham v Hawkesbury @ Coogee Oval
Team – Montedoro, Powell,, Burton, Eldridge, Bourke (c), Graham, Standing, Fox, Dellar, N Stares, Loth
Result – Randwick Petersham 10/198 – 77 Overs (Burton 63, Montedoro 38, Powell 23)
http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2931261
Third Grade were making their first appearance of the year at Coogee Oval, after two home games at Petersham, as they looked to rebound from a narrow 2-wicket defeat to Sutherland last week. The side was in good shape overall with 3 wins from 5 and sitting in 7th spot, and had a few changes when taking on the 18th placed Hawks. Retired veteran Club legend David Bourke was back for one week, with Jackson Eldridge also promoted after his 87 last week and to skipper the side.
The Randy Petes fought hard all day but ultimately could only muster a moderate score of 198 as the Hawks fought back in the latter part of the day to strangle our attempt to put a big score on the board. Whilst Coogee was a great batting surface, the outfield had been cored as per usual this time of year, which meant it was slower than usual but still even and consistent.
Ashley Burton has shown in the past couple of weeks he is a class above Third Grade as he continues to rise in stature as a player. Whilst he might have a laid back demeanour as a player, Burton is an intelligent and disciplined batsman who has the ability to bat time which is a rare commodity these days. He played patiently here and to the conditions as he amassed another half century to continue his push to play higher grades. Once again the dynamic duo of Montedoro (38) and Powell (23) contributed here, with no sign of the drama when they ran into each other mid pitch. Montedoro is making a good fist of opening the batting this year and climbing the grades steadily, and if he can convert some decent starts into bigger scores, he can see himself progressing further.
The middle order did a good job batting around Burton, with Corey Graham getting a quick 20 odd, before wicket keeper batsman Kel Mullins got 18 not out to drag us up to 198 with the total probably worth about 30 runs more than usual given the cored outfield. Veteran Bourke described it as a solid batting effort and a very defendable total, despite leaving a few runs off the board.
Next weekend the boys have 200 to defend against a side that hasn’t quite put it together with the bat so far this season. With the chance to start the season with 4 from 6, there is plenty at stake as we head towards the halfway point of the season.
4th Grade – Hawkesbury v Randwick Petersham @ Bensons Lane
Team – Lopes, Eldridge, Murdita, Mullins, Ahmed, Crawford, Sachs, Fox, Stirling, L. O’Loughlin, M. O’Loughlin
Result – Hawkesbury 10/143 – 45 Overs (Radford 6/50-18) v Randwick Petersham 3/79 – 33 Overs (Lopes 44n/o, Murdita 15n/o)
http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2936159
Fourth Grade were going in search of their second victory of the season as they made the long trek out to Bensons Lane to take on the high flying Hawks. While the Hawks were struggling in numerous Grades, they were flying high in Fourth Grade being led by former First Grade bat Jay Dyball, sitting in first position on the ladder. Rocky Ahmed would captain the side, with Luke Radford back playing as a batsman only, and Sam Boyns rewarded for some good form in Fifth Grade with a promotion.
In what was perhaps our most impressive day of the season, we really took it to a side at the top of the table, ending the day in a strong positions at 3/79 requiring another 65 runs for first innings points, after bowling out the Hawks for 143. Captain Ahmed noted there was plenty of grass on the wicket and elected to bowl. The star of the day was gun all rounder Luke Radford (6/50-18) who went into the game as a batsman only, but pushed through the pain barrier to deliver a stunning performance of 6 wickets. Whilst Radford bowled within himself with injury, he still hurried on the Hawks’ batsmen with his pace and bounce and proved unplayable at times. Fellow quicks Fox and Stirling bowled tightly throughout to keep the pressure on a batting side which has dominated at times this season.
With the bat, we were under some pressure early at 3/43 when Murdita came to the crease to join young opener Lopes. Lopes (43 n/o) played a very good innings here, being aggressive early and hitting some boundaries before playing resolutely and sensibly late in the day, as we looked to survive without the loss of further wickets. Murdita (15 n/o) relishing his role as a senior player got through to stumps with a fired up Hawks’ side throwing everything at the boys in the final 10 overs. Whilst the Hawks were up and about they had to be careful of mollies coming from the other field, as Matt Calder sent a few balls towards Bensons 2!
The Fourth Grade boys wanted to send a shout out to the Second Grade boys who played next door for hanging around for the final 40 minutes of play to watch Lopes and Murdita navigate their way to stumps. Next weekend it remains all to play for, with the Hawks desperate to stay at the top of the table, and our boys looking for a second win in 6 weeks. Whilst first innings points is the probability, it will be interesting to see how the day pans out with the game already being at an advanced stage.
Luke Radford took 6-fa including a hat-trick!!!
5th Grade – Randwick Petersham v Hawskbury @ Kensington Oval
Team – Segal, Jedwood, Stares, Sulton, Heaton (+c), Sapariya, Lee Hutchinson, Coombs, Gibson, Imroze
Result – Hawkesbury 9/138 – 74.4 Overs v (Sultan 3/26-16, Imroze 2/39-20,) Randwick Petersham 0/7 – 7 Overs
http://www.premier.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?locx=MATCH&matchID=2940453
Fifth Grade were hoping to bounce back from two straight losses when they returned to Kensington Oval on Saturday to take on the Hawks. The Randy Petes were sitting in 10th position and within striking distance of the Top 6 with 2 wins and 3 losses, whilst Hawkesbury had just 1 win and sat on 6 points in 18th spot.
This game was especially special for one of Randy Pete’s player who reached a great milestone. It was Adam Lee’s 100th game for the club. After the warm ups a special momento in the form of the Randwick Petersham Cricket Club baggy green with “100” etched on the side was handed to Adam. Well done Adam!
In what was a painstakingly slow day of cricket, the boys managed to bowl the Hawks out late in the day for 138 from 74 overs, as the scoring rate crept along at marginally above 1.5 runs per over for the majority of the day on a slow outfield. Redwood and Segal then did a great job to negotiate the final 7 overs of play without losing a wicket.
Ben Stares (0/10-9 overs with 4 maidens) opened the bowling and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket or two with the ball, beating the bat several times. Jack Gibson (1/6 – 5 overs, 1 maiden) continued his fine form from the previous game, once again showing great maturity, and struck in his 4th over, beating the batsman with pace and a nick to the keeper.
Unfortunately, Staresy suffered a side strain and had to leave the field to get treatment at the first drinks break, which had the Chairman of Selectors searching for a substitute.
Will Hutchinson (0/10-6 overs, 1 maiden) and Adam Lee (1/25-12 overs, 3 maidens) bowled tight lines and kept the batsmen quiet with plenty of dots. Sayem Sultan (3/26-16 overs, 2 maidens) in his first grade game, showed absolutely no nerves and bowled a great line into the wind and got drift and turn on the slow wicket. We are going to see a lot more of Sayem in the future.
This game was especially special for one Randy Petes’ player who reached a great milestone. It was Adam Lee’s 100th game for the Club. After the warm-ups a special memento in the form of the Randwick Petersham Cricket Club baggy green with “100” etched on the side was handed to Adam.
Big thanks to Greg Small (Head Coach) for helping as sub fielder when Ben Stares was off the field due to an injury. Also special thanks to Belinda Gibson who took the photo of the cap handover. Besides the photography duties, Belinda was also lumped with co-ordinating the making of the drinks, setting up the teas and scoring without breaking a sweat. The three mums, Mrs Gibson, Mrs Hutchison and Mrs Segal, did fantastically well and we cannot thank them enough.
Next weekend it is all to play for with 5’s going in search of a third win of the season, needing a further 132 runs with all 10 wickets in hand.
Skipper Fabian Heaton presents Adam Lee with his ‘100 matches’ RPC Cap – Congrats Adam!
Metropolitan Cup – Randwick Petersham Gold v Penrith @ Rance Oval
Team – Stewart (c), Ganesh, W Deller (+), Apostalakis, Bugti, C De Silva, Wanzare, Khoo, Partol, Antaw, Dharman, Rushton
Result – Penrith 328 – 78 Overs (E Khoo 4-45, A Bugti 3-100)
http://www.smcc.nsw.cricket.com.au/common/pages/public/rv/match.aspx?matchID=2963708&entityID=2318
The Gold team’s trip down the M4 to Rance Oval was not an ordinary one – the match also marked the 200th match for Randwick Petersham for club CEO and Gold skipper John Stewart. Joining the club not long after the merger, JS started off as a tear away fast bowler – good enough to be the second bowler for the club to reach 100 wickets in the Metropolitan Cup – before injury forced him to convert to a rock-solid opening batsman. 7 out of his 200 games came playing grade cricket, including 2 games as an interim 5th grade skipper. He marked the occasion by winning the toss and send in the Cats on a green Rance wicket that usually provides assistance up-front.
Anis Bugti (3-100) snagged an early wicket, and came back to take out the other opener, before batsmen 3 and 4 dug in for Penrith. Conditions began to ease and batting got a lot easier. The Cats took tea at 2-120, slightly ahead in a hard fought session. As is the wont of western pitches, conditions were ideal to bat in and the young Penrith side took advantage of a flagging Gold attack. Batsmen 4 and 5 made hay in the shining sun, cranking the run-rate up a few notches and enjoying a flat pitch and fast outfield. In between, Charith De Silva (1-71) produced his requisite ‘seed’ to take the number 4’s off-stump and left him with a few choice words.
It was up to the returning E-Young ‘Pingu’ Khoo (4-45) to clean up the tail. Reverting back to the off-spin he first showed when he turned up at the club, Pingu made use of the batsmen looking to make quick runs at the end of the day, to finish with his best figures for the club. Gold will have a lengthy task ahead of them next week, but if there’s anywhere that’s good for batting in Metro, it’s Rance Oval.
Jeremy Jastrzab
Metropolitan Cup – Randwick Petersham Green v Easts @ Waverley Oval
Team – Jastrzab (C+), House, Iosifidis, Besgrove, Hussain, Mohan, Chaudhary, Robertson, Awati, Brennan, Thomas
Result – Mosman 179 – 72.1 Overs (B Thomas 3-18, J Robertson 2-20, R Chaudhary 2-36, A Hussain 2-40) v Randwick Petersham Green 1-8 – 5 Overs
Once a batting paradise, Green turned up at Balmoral to find a tacky wicket and thick outfield – a stark contrast to the last time a Metro team played here and piled on 300 on day one. Finally winning a toss, Mosman were sent in, and as the first ball whistled past the batsman’s nose, the decision seemed vindicated. Joel Roberston (2-20) made a long awaited return to the wickets column by picking up the first two batsmen, Jack Brennan kept things tight, and Ben Thomas got a batsman to snick off. Once the prodigal Raj Chaudhary got a shooter to take out the off stump, Mosman were staring down the barrel at 4-27.
The talented number 5 for Mosman steadied the ship, but also sacrificed his partner for a needless run-out, while Akther Hussain (2-40) picked up two in two balls leading into tea, to have Mosman 7-77 at the break. After tea, conditions completely flatten out and young Mosman 5 shepherded his team with uncanny maturity. Lurking at 9 for Mosman was an Inzamam-Ul-Haq look-alike, who supported his mate with an unconventional technique, but holed out after gassing himself for too many singles. A very solid 13 year old walked in at 10, while Jay Patel occupied his standard 11 spot, with both ushering their main scorer to a fine century. Ben Thomas (3-18) returned to clean up the tail, leaving the Greens 180 to chase in for the six points.
Opening with spin, Mosman extracted prodigious turn late in the day, where the Greens were unfortunate to lose Marley Besgrove before the close. But as they would have learned from watching Mosman bat, there’s plenty of batting as long as they see out the tough opening stanzas.
Jeremy Jastrzab
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