Round 5 UTS North Sydney vs Sydney
1st Grade UTS North Sydney vs Sydney at North Sydney Oval
UTS North Sydney 215 (B Bryant 59, JN James 58, R Aitken 26*) def by Sydney 4/216 (M Jenkins 2/38, JN James 1/12, W Graham 1/39)
After losing the toss UTS North Sydney were asked to bat under overcast skies in the second of the One Day fixtures this season against Sydney Cricket Club. Ben Bryant opened the batting with Tom Jagot. The pair reached 20 before Jagot lost his off stump. After a short rain delay, captain Justin Avendano, fell without scoring, and the Bears were in a little trouble at 2/21 after just 5 overs. Bryant then combined with his regular opening partner Jack James (pictured taking evasive action) for an important 102 run partnership from 122 balls. Bryant was caught after scoring 59 of 70. His innings included 8 fours and a cracking six, described by Justin Avendano as the best six he’s ever seen. He has been in great form over the past few weeks and has moved into 7th place in the 1st grade batting aggregate. James scored 58 runs from 71 balls, including 8 fours. It is his third 50+ score of the season in just four 1st Grade appearances. James sits just behind Bryant in 10th spot in the batting aggregate. When Bryant was dismissed, James was joined in the middle, by fellow teenager, Tim Reynolds. Both lads fell the same way taking on the pull shot and North Sydney were 5/142 with 19 overs remaining. Robbie Aitken (26*) was next man in. He played a sensible innings and looked to manage the innings, but things deteriorated for the Bears as Sydney Sixer, Ben Manenti claimed three quick wickets to have UTS North Sydney 8/180 with 8 overs remaining. The tail contributed but the team could only manage 215 runs.
There were no heroics in the bowling this week, and although it was a solid all round bowling performance, it was always going to be difficult to defend a moderate total. Will Graham bowled with good pace claiming the first wicket of the day. He had Ryan Felsch caught at deep square by 18 year old Mac Jenkins who was playing his first game of longer form first grade cricket for the club, after debuting in the T20 competition a few weeks back. Jenkins had a good game in the field taking two catches in the deep and bowling ten overs for 2/38. His second catch was off Jack James who returned figures of 1/12 off 4. In the end a run a ball century by Justin Mosca was the difference between the two teams as Sydney cruised to victory in the 41st over.
UTS North Sydney slip to 6th on the ladder and will be keen to bounce back in the next round when they take on Western Suburbs in another One Day fixture.
2nd Grade UTS North Sydney vs Sydney at Birchgrove Oval
UTS North Sydney 8/167 (RD Alexander 56*, C New 35) def Sydney 162 (J Aitken 3/17, N Naguleswaran 2/37, S Alexander 2/42)
The picturesque setting of Birchgrove Oval, was the location for the Round five One Day match between North Sydney and Sydney. Norths won the toss and sent Sydney in on a wicket they hoped would hold together for the duration of the game. At first glace, the outfield looked barren, rough and lightning fast.
Norths’ bowling was consistent and tight at the start of the game with James Aitken removing one opener without offering a shot, leaving Sydney 1/6 off 4. A partnership formed and Sydney consolidated before Niranjan spun one through to hit the stumps, Sydney 2/87. The spinners continued to choke the middle order. Sam proved more deadly over the wicket, his cousin Ray making the simplest of catches look hard. Both spinners Sam Alexander (2/42) and Niranjan Naguleswaran (2/37) troubled all batsmen. This bowling pressure, combined with a brilliant piece of fielding and direct hit from Broc Hardy had Sydney 6/146. Our seam bowlers closed out the match decimating their tail order. Sydney were all out for 162 in the 44th.
What should have been an easy target for our strong batting line up proved tricky. This is often the case with small totals. After losing an early wicket, there was some consolidation between Cameron New (35) and Broc Hardy (19). The Bears worked their way to 1/59 on a pitch that was deteriorating faster than expected and offering a lot of inconsistency. We then lost 4 for 5 and a further 2 wickets shortly after to collapse to 7/77.
With only three wickets in hand and 86 runs to win, the game was in the opposition’s favour and a win was looking quite doubtful. Enter, Ray Alexander, who combined with Niranjan Naguleswaran to form a crucial 43 run partnership in extremely difficult conditions. Under extreme pressure from the opposition, and keeping in mind the wicket and game situation, both players showed great maturity and control as they steered the team closer and closer to victory. When Naguleswaran was dismissed for 19, there were still 40 runs left to score. Luckily Second Grade have a long middle order. Ali Shaikh, who scored his first second grade 50 in round three, joined Alexander at the crease.
With the run rate required at 6 an over, it would require something special. Both men were up for the task executing control and grace under pressure as they struck the ball into gaps and pressured the fielding side with excellent running between the wickets. Over by over they got ahead of the rate and the victory looked more and likely. Needing 23 off 24 balls, then down to 12 off 18. The last 8 runs were pressure-filled moments that were touch and go. In the end Alexander secured an amazing win with a 6 down the ground!! A match winning 56no off 54 balls, ably supported by Shaikh who was unbeaten on 13.
Second grade had done it. It was a great victory and Ray Alexander was cheered from the field for one of the great second grade innings (pictured). Winning is a good habit. At this stage second grade are yet to lose a match. It is hope that the lessons from this game are taken into their next match as they look to improve their record.
3rd Grade UTS North Sydney vs Sydney at Bon Andrews
UTS North Sydney 110 (D Thorat 23, C Lloyd 22) def by Sydney 220 ( N Whyte 3/19, JD Graham 2/22, C Lloyd 2/38, F May 2/47)
After winning the toss and sending the opposition in with favourable cloud cover about, things didn’t go quite to plan as the Sydney openers put on a 50 run opening stand in the first 10 overs. The Bears then knocked over numbers 1, 2 and 3 with the score at 55. Nuwan Whyte (3/19 off 8) made a double breakthrough with two wickets in two overs, while Jacob Graham (2/22) grabbed the other. Sydney were 3/55 from 14 and the momentum was swinging in our favour. Fletcher May’s (2/47) second spell was far more fruitful as he took out the next two batsmen to have the Tigers 5 down for 104 in the 29th. A sixty run partnership developed before leggie Ben Knox took a wicket. Chris Lloyd returned figures of 2/28 off 4 as the Sydney tail scored at around 5 an over for the last 10 to reach a very gettable score of 220.
At the lunch break the boys were confident. Unfortunately, the batting innings never really got going with wickets falling regularly, including two at 87 and two at 100. Only Dhruva Thorat (23) and Chris Lloyd (22) managed to score more than twenty. There will be plenty of batting practice before next week’s fixture against the Magpies.
4th Grade UTS North Sydney vs Sydney at Ryde Oval
UTS North Sydney 4/163 (C Spratt 52, J Shaw 49) def Sydney 162 (H May 3/27, W Abbott 2/21, A Cavenor 2/22, B Kumar 2/50)
4s got off to a perfect start courtesy of Harrison May, who bowled an outstanding first spell, sending three of the top four packing. This is typical of Harry, who has bowled well all season with 12 poles already at an average of 14.8. May combined with Baran Kumar (2/50) who has also been impressive opening the attack this season, to blast out the top order. The opening pair ripped out the first 3 wickets before Sydney had scored and a fourth wicket with the score on 13.
A loose period leading up to the drinks break allowed a 64 run partnership to develop before big Will Abbott (2/21) got us back on top with 2 quick wickets right after the interval. Sydney continued to put together partnerships to give themselves a chance and there didn't appear to be too many demons in the pitch. With the score at 122, Kumar snagged his second pole of the game. Young offy Adam
Cavenor grabbed the next Tigers batsman and it was 8/123. Cavenor (2/22) varied his pace beautifully finishing off the innings with some controlled spin. He took the out the no 7, who had just reached 50 and 5 runs later Sydney were all out 162. Wickets were shared around, there were some nice catches, and it was a pleasing team effort. The boys were confident and 162 didn’t feel like it would be enough.
It was a cracking start by the openers, Jamie Shaw (49 off 73) and Chris Spratt (52 off 71) to put the opening bowlers under pressure from the get go. A huge 6 from Spratt off the opening bowler over square leg was a highlight. Shaw and Spratt attacked and spread the field nicely to control the innings and get us past 100. From there the result wasn't in doubt with 20s from Cavenor and Adi Nigul. It was a terrific win and the team will be buoyed as they head to Blick Oval against Western Suburbs next week.
5th Grade UTS North Sydney vs Sydney at Tunks International Sports Park
UTS North Sydney 151 (F Nixon Tomko 60, H Reynolds 28) def by Sydney 8/208 (C Savage 3/35 N Stokes 3/39)
Skipper Pat Lindsay lost the toss for the 5th time in succession and the Bears were asked to field first - something we would have done had we won the toss. The deck looked like it would offer some assistance and with overcast conditions, bowling seemed fortuitous.
Alas, the Bears were unable to harness the conditions with Sydney racing to 0/30 off 4. The momentum was halted momentarily with a wicket to Nathaniel Stokes caught Hamish Reynolds. The captain was disappointed with some slack fielding and wayward bowling that let the Tigers get away. Chris Savage took out the other opener in the 18th over, but at that stage Sydney had accumulated 73 runs. From there the Bears were chasing their tails to keep the score manageable. Stokes (3/39 off 10) took the next two wickets with the score at 119 and 133. When Izaak Merlehan chipped in for a wicket, Sydney were 5/134 in the 36th. Savage (3/35 off 9), who bowled particularly well, also claimed three poles and at the close of the Sydney innings it was 8/208, which was slightly above par.
The Bears started brightly with the bat putting on 35 for the first wicket. Finn Nixon-Tomko (60) and Hamish Reynolds (28) put on a good partnership for the 3rd wicket, with Finn batting very nicely, and looking solid in defence whilst rotating the strike and putting away the loose ball. However, wickets fell steadily and the Bears were bowled out for 151. A disappointing performance and back to the drawing board before Wests in Round 6.
Poidevin-Gray Shield UTS North Sydney v Sutherland at Bon Andrews
Sutherland 235 (M Jenkins 2/29) def UTS North Sydney 9/214 (M Jenkins 69 N Whyte 26, J Hardy 25)
After winning the toss, Sutherland decided to have a bat on what looked like a pitch that may offer a bit early. There were plenty of inside edges as Nuwan Whyte (1/34) and Fletcher May (1/44) tightened the screws on the Sutherland openers. However, it was a stunning direct hit run-out from Broc Hardy throwing at one stump that was to be the first breakthrough, with the batsman cursing as he rued his bad decision. May was given one more over and it proved a winner as he took out the no 3. Former NSW U19 wicket keeper Aiden Bariol was next to go, courtesy of a Nuwan Whyte special that stayed low and ripped out the off stump. When Ben Knox came on to bowl and took an early one, Sutherland were struggling at 4/42. The sharp catch at first slip off the leg spinner by Tim Reynolds was the second fielding highlight of the day. Sutherland then consolidated and we just couldn’t seem to remove the opener. Mac Jenkins (2/29) also bowled a tight opening spell, but it was in his second spell that he claimed the 5th Sharks wicket. Jack James had two consecutive throws at the bowlers end, the first missing by millimetres, with the batsman short of his ground, the second hitting the base of the stumps, but not given out, as the Sharks batsman started to take on the field. Jenkins finally removed the opener, Ethan Deal, who scored 90, with an excellent piece of glovework by George Lavelle. From there the bowling was loose and the batting team took control scoring 135 from the last 17 overs. Kobe Allison took a consolation wicket off the last ball with a nice catch on the fence by Jenkins.
Sutherland had scored 20 or 30 more than they should have, but still it was a realistic chase. Both openers were out without scoring and the Bears were in a similar position to Sutherland at 3/26. Lavelle (18) combined with Jake Hardy (25) for a 49 run partnership to put the team back on track. However, when the Hardy brothers where both dismissed the score was 6/85 and plenty of work was needed. Mac Jenkins burdened most of the load compiling an excellent 69 off 96 balls and giving us a glimmer of hope as we passed 200. Jenkins hit 4 fours and cleared the rope three times. Kobe Allison (20 off 28) made a strong contribution as did Nuwan Whyte (26 off 31), with both boys hitting 3 fours. With the game gone, Ben Knox provided some entertainment as he ramped the opening bowling for four off his first delivery. We finished 9/216 – 21 runs short and will need to win our remaining games to have any chance of playing finals.
Pictures courtesy of Tony Johnson and team captains