Lyall’s Preview Round 4 v Western Suburbs and Metro Cup
This weekend is the start of the two-day matches with all grades playing over the next two Saturdays against Western Suburbs while our two Metro teams play over the next two Sundays against Sutherland and Penrith.
Two good wins in 1st and 2nd grades last week (with a bonus point in 2s) got us on the points board after a disastrous first round. It also got us off the bottom of the Club Championship ladder, moving up from 20th to 18th. We’ve got plenty of work to do to get into a position which reflects the ability of the club, particularly in the lower grades. However, this could be the round that gives them the kick-start they need.
The big news from the last round was Anthony Sams passing the 8,000 1st Grade runs milestone for the club. He now has 8,017. With his 609 at Bankstown before he joined us in 2010-11, he presently has a career total of 8,626. That puts him 58th on the highest scorers list since the 1st Grade competition was established in 1893-94—132 seasons ago. And when you consider he has 519 wicketkeeping dismissals to date, the second highest in all that time behind the 542 by St George’s Ernie Laidler, Anthony is clearly one of the greatest cricketers ever to play 1st Grade Cricket in Sydney. Without doubt–a legend in his own lifetime.
Daya Singh plays his 125th 1st Grade game for the club this round while Jason Ralston brings up the same number with the club.
The scores of 7-272 in 1st Grade and 8-254 in 2nd Grade last Saturday, were the highest scores by each grade against Manly-Warringah in a limited overs match. And in 2s, the 107 runs opening partnership by Josh Mellick (64) and Cam Hawkins (83) against Manly at Manly Oval was the best since Matt Everett and Adam Docos put on 182 against Sydney University at Coogee in 2019-20.
Saturdays 19-26 October: 1st Grade is @ Pratten; 2nd Grade is @ Coogee; 3rd Grade is @ Blick; 4th Grade is @ Petersham; 5th Grade is @ Punchbowl. 1st and 2nd grades start at 10 am with the three lower grades commencing at 11am.
Last season, Wests beat us in all 5 grades for the first time. It was 1st Grade’s first loss to the Magpies since 2015-16 and just the second since 2011-12 with 8 wins in between. In 2s, we have lost 6 of the past 7 clashes with one drawn. Not a good record but if the boys play like they did last week—winning with a bonus point—Wests will know they have a game on their hands. Our 3 lower grades have lost to Wests in each of their last 3 matches, so we are due to turn that record around. Batting is the key.
Metropolitan Cup: Both matches this round are two-day fixtures played across the Sundays of Oct 20th and 27th. Unlike grades 3 to 5, these games will be commencing at 12pm on both days. Green will play at Petersham Oval against Penrith – who are a much-changed outfit from the side that won the competition two season ago and made the finals last season. That said, the Cats can always be expected to be a tough challenge. Gold will travel to the Shire, to take on Sutherland at Tonkin Oval. The defending premiers put on a commanding performance against Green in Round 1, but have since had many of their core players move up the grades. With the HSC in full swing, both Green and Gold will be up against it for troops, but no doubt will put up a fight, in the very least.
A highlight from Gold’s win last weekend Aviraj Pal at 14 years, 9 months and 19 days, became the youngest ever player to score a century for Randwick Petersham Metro beating the previous record from Jordan Segal in Feb 2021, who scored a century at 14 years, 10 months and 5 days.
Avi took to the crease at 1-11 chasing Blacktown’s 210 at Marrickville Oval. In his debut innings for the club, he scored 106 hitting 16 fours and 4 sixes. Together with Marcus D’Ambrosio, the pair put on 173 for the 2nd wicket which was just 16 short of the club record of 189 set in 2002-03 by Alan Wright and Grant Frakes. The target was achieved in 38.2 overs giving the team a win by 5 wickets.
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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