Lyall’s Preview Round Round 2 v Parramatta and Metro Cup Round 2
It was not a good start to our 24th season with more losses than wins. Our Twenty20 Cup campaign in defence of our fifth premiership win was wound up last Sunday with a narrow loss to Northern District. A one run loss and two super over matches in the four games didn’t produce the luck and good fortune we needed to be a force in a competition this season. The good news is that our under 21 boys have had two good wins in the Poidevin-Gray competition.
It wasn’t a good start for our lower graders last Saturday, losing all four grades to Eastern Suburbs. The only match played in Metropolitan Cup resulted in a loss for our Green team, as well.
It’s back to “normal” cricket this Saturday with all grades lining up against Parramatta in 50 overs matches. All games on Saturday start at 9.30am, while Gold on Sunday will start at 10.00am.
1st Grade is at Old Kings, Parramatta Park. We last played at Old Kings in the semi-final of 2022-23 and got a drubbing. We retaliated last season at Coogee with a good win. In our past 10 clashes we have won 5, they have won 3 with 2 matches drawn. We have played 9 times at Old Kings with honours even at 2 wins apiece with a massive 5 draws.
Our champion wicketkeeper/ batter, Anthony Sams, will create club history when he steps out on Saturday in his 311th 1st Grade game for the club—one more than the previous record holder, Adam Semple. With 7,941 runs, he also needs just 59 for 8,000.
Congratulations to Riley Ayre and Daya Singh brought up milestones as well with 200 and 150 wickets for us in 1st Grade during the Twenty20 comp.
2nd Grade is at Coogee. In 14 clashes we have won 8 to Parra’s 6 although they have won the last 2. At Coogee it’s 3 all although we bowled them out for just 70 when we last played there against them in 2019-20.
3rd Grade is at Merrylands. We have had 5 draws at Merrylands with 2 wins and 2 losses. The last time we played there was in the 3rd Grade semi-final of 2022-23 when they held on for a draw at 8-191 chasing 253 then went on and won the premiership.
Skipper Ben Stares and Adam Docos both brought up 2,500 runs for the club last Saturday. Ben now has 2,502 while Adam has 2,513. Ross Elliot has 1,467 for the club after his 83 last week, needing just 33 for 1,500.
4th Grade is at Petersham. We have beaten the Eels 4 times out of 5 games at Petersham with an overall record of 8 to 5. Our batting will be the key if we are to add to that record.
5th Grade is at Snape. Our record is 5 wins to 6 with 5 draws against Paramatta. This will be the first time we have played them at Snape. Like 4th Grade, our batting is the key.
Metropolitan Cup. Having taken on the reigning Premiers Sutherland last week, Green now knows the standard required to take on the competition – and will need to regroup quickly against Gordon, who they play on Saturday at Marrickville Oval. The team shared an important bonding exercise earlier on the week in covering the Marrickville deck, which should ensure no repeat of last week’s washout. After a false start, Gold will take on Auburn on Sunday at Mike Wood Oval. Batters will do well not to be too suckered in by 40-odd metre square boundaries, and the game also marks the first official match as Gold captain for Dale ‘Tex’ Walker.
RESULTS: While reports will appear on the club’s facebook page at the end of each playing day, team results may be viewed by clicking on https://matchcentre.premier.cricketnsw.com.au/. If you scroll down and click on a match involving any of our teams, the scorecard will appear.
GO THE RANDY PETES!!!
Lyall Gardner OAM
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