Round 4 UTS North Sydney vs Sydney University (Week 2)
1st Grade UTS North Sydney vs Sydney University at University No.1
UTS North Sydney 7/163 (dec) (R Aitken 44, B Bryant 35, O Knight 35*) and 2/148 (J Avendano 78*, B Bryant 44*) def Sydney University 111 (J Aitken 3/6, J Campbell 3/26) and 196 (M Alexander 4/49 R Aitken 2/36 W Graham 2/36, J Campbell 2/55)
UTS North Sydney gained maximum points in a clinical display against Sydney University on their opponents’ home ground.
After starting the day at no wicket for 6, opening bowlers Will Graham (2/36) and James Campbell (2/55) wasted no time ripping through Sydney University’s top order taking the first four wickets between them to have the Students 4/37 after 14 overs. The first two were caught by young keeper George Lavelle, followed by an LBW, and then an absolute screamer taken at mid on by Matt Alexander who leapt off the ground and plucked the ball out of the air with his left hand before it had an opportunity to go to the boundary. Lavelle then grabbed his third caught behind of the day off Alexander to have Uni 5/67. An 80 run partnership developed between B Trevor-Jones and T Cummins before Trevor-Jones skied the ball off Alexander well over mid wicket and was brilliantly caught by Jack James (pictured), chasing after the ball and taking it with a full length dive. With the tail exposed, Alexander struck again claiming his 3rd wicket of the day to have the Students 7/162 and a lead of 110. Cummins went past 50 but soon ran out of partners as Robbie Aitken (2/41) and Alexander (4/49) finished off the lower order with Lavelle affecting a sharp stumping and achieving four dismissals for the day.
The Bears were set 145 runs from a minimum 45 overs to secure their second outright victory of the season. Campbell was promoted to open and lasted two balls and James looked good before copping a good ball from C Cassell. However, Ben Bryant (44*) was determined to see the chase through slowly chipping away at the total, with partner Justin Avendano. Avendano finished unbeaten on 78 with 10 fours and 2 straight sixes, the second 6 to win the game. The pair put on 131 runs. The win elevates the Bears to 3rd on the NSW Premier Cricket table and as a side note it has been six seasons since Sydney University has been outrighted and ten years since North Sydney has achieved one outright let alone two in a season.
The boys were joined in the change rooms by a jubilant fifth grade team to sing the team song with gusto after fifth grade had used 77 overs to successfully chase 203 for victory at St Paul Oval.
After a round of Milestones we take on Sydney in a one day fixture for round 5.
2nd Grade UTS North Sydney vs Sydney University at Bon Andrews Oval
UTS North Sydney 347 (G Aitken 93, RD Alexander 86, B Hardy 60, C New 28) drew Sydney University 7/292 (N Naguleswaran 3/76, J Aitken 2/52)
After batting on to be all out 347, second grade looked to take 10 Sydney University wickets in the remaining 90 overs.
It was tough work early with the University openers putting on 88 runs in the first session. It took 51 overs for the first breakthrough courtesy of a Mac Jenkins bowled in his 20th over and Sydney Uni were 1/156 after 51 overs. University continued to build the runs, but at some stage needed to lift the rate to reach the Bears target. With three overs to tea Niranjan Naguleswaran stuck (also in his 20th over) removing the other opener and one over later Sam Alexander claimed a wicket, caught by Glen Aitken, and the Bears were back in the hunt at 3/180 after 63.
With two wickets falling just after tea, both bowled Naguleswaran, caught Jake Hardy, victory was looking possible. However a partnership developed to slow the momentum. James Aitken took the 6th and 7th Sydney Uni wickets at 7/276, leaving a further 9 overs to get the last three wickets. Unfortunately the no 8 and no 9 held on and the game ended in a draw.
Naguleswaran was the pick of the bowlers with 3/76 from 26 overs. While a win proved just out of reach, the team is yet to taste defeat.
Picture - captain Glenn Aitken gets his players ready for the day's work at Bon Andrews
3rd Grade UTS North Sydney vs Sydney University at St Pauls
UTS North Sydney 237 (A Amir 62, JJ Ninness 56, D Thorat 29, F May 25) def by Sydney University 9/238 (N Whyte 4/42, F May 2/54)
Fletcher May (2/54) and Nuwan Whyte (4/42) got 3s off to a good start, keeping the runs down and claiming the first two wickets to have Sydney Uni 2/30 off 14 overs. Young leg spinner Ben Knox continued the momentum with a wicket in his 2nd over and Uni were 3/34 off 17. A match winning partnership of 114 then developed between batsman 4 and 5.
The partnership was broken when Whyte started his second spell dismissing both batsman caught behind. Ahmer Amir also chipped in for a wicket and Whyte claimed another to have the Students 7/167 in the 50th. Unfortunately, the tail wagged keeping the opposition in the game. May was reintroduced into the attack claiming the 8th wicket, with Jacob Graham taking the 9th Sydney University wicket with the score on 223. The equation was simple - one wicket or 14 runs.
Ultimately, the tail enders did the job for Uni with the Bears falling agonisingly short.
4th Grade UTS North Sydney vs Sydney University at Tunks International Sports Park
UTS North Sydney 126 (J Shaw 26, T Robson 26, A Cavenor 25) def by Sydney University 7/273 (dec) ( T Robson 3/54, H May 2/66)
The 4th Grade side were set 274 for victory at Tunks Park. The openers got off to a steady start before two quick wickets fell and UTS North Sydney were 2/8 after 7 overs. Youngsters, Jamie Shaw (26) and Adam Cavenor (25) attempted to consolidate, putting on 48 for the 3rd wicket. However, a mini collapse saw the team go from 2/47 to 5/64. Things did not really improve from there as wickets continued to tumble and we were all out 124 after 54 overs.
5th Grade UTS North Sydney vs Sydney University at Camperdown Oval
UTS North Sydney 7/205 (H Reynolds 50, C Savage 49* O Jennings 26) def Sydney University 203 (P Lindsay 5/39 P Brazel 2/20, M Nelson 2/32)
5s arrived at Camperdown Oval needing 152 runs for glory with 8 wickets in hand. The team welcomed back Izaak Merlehan and hoped after his 72* the prior round vs Mosman, that he would make the difference at the chase.
Nightwatchman Chris Savage and Green Shield player Hamish Reynolds batted patiently from the off, keen to blunt the attack and make it to first drinks unscathed. And that they did, taking the score to 108 before Reynolds was dismissed for his maiden grade 50. Quite an achievement for this U14 player.
Unfortunately Merlehan and Gotsis fell cheaply and things were looking shaky at 5/132. A nice partnership between Green Shield debutant Oliver Jennings and Savage steadied the ship somewhat. Savage eventually departing for 49 - an innings of great focus, determination and concentration.
When Jennings (26) fell with the score on 169 the Bears still needed 35 runs with 3 wickets in hand - game on! However Lindsay (19*) and Nelson (17*) were able to ride their luck and got 5s home to their 3rd win of the year and entrenched in the top 6.
Special shoutout to Peter Brazel who did not play day two, but was present the whole day, running drinks and generally supporting the side - great clubmanship! Onto Sydney next round in a one dayer at Tunks.
Pictures courtesy of Tony Johnson, David James and Luke Smith