Round 9 saw UTS North Sydney face Parramatta in one-day fixtures through the grades . First, third and fourth grades enjoyed strong victories. Second and fifth grade ended on the wrong side of the ledger while the Poidevin-Gray side ended their season with a hard-fought loss against the strong Northern Districts.
First Grade
Toby Lester reports
UTS North Sydney 4/348 (T Jagot 130, A Crosthwaite 104, J Crosthwaite 90) def Parramatta 299 (J Aitken 3/38, M Alexander 2/47, J Campbell 2/48, T Lester 2/59)
So here we are back at North Sydney Oval after a nice Christmas break and what better way to blow away the cobwebs than a One-Day game v Parramatta in the blistering heat. The boys warm up well and everyone is feeling fresh and up for what was going to be a very crucial game for the climb into the top 6. Parramatta, the defending champions, won the toss and put us into bat on what was a lovely looking wicket but our thoughts were it may be a bit slow and the outfield looked heavy, so an understandable decision. However, an in-form Tom Jagot and James Crosthwaite stroll to the middle and end up proving that the decision to bowl first may have been a questionable one as they took the attack back to the bowlers. The heat blared down on Parramatta as they found themselves 30 overs in, wicketless and struggling to contain TJ and James who at this stage were making batting look easy. James then gets out for a well-played 90 with the score on 1-179. In comes the man who is feared across the whole comp, Adam Crosthwaite. The partnership builds between TJ and Crossy as they both start to kick things on nicely. The Parramatta bowlers had no answer as TJ brings up another 100 but then finally out on a wonderful 130. Crossy kept things ticking over nicely and reached an incredible 104 off 58 balls! That’s his 5th ton of the season so far. It all comes to an end and North Sydney end up on 348-4 off our 50 overs. It’s now time for the bowlers to go out and carry on the great momentum provided by the batsmen. We start well as Lester and Campbell both pick up early wickets, getting the white ball to swing and nip in the first 10 overs. One of which was the in-form Bertus who nicked Lester to Crossy at 2nd slip who produced an absolute screamer of a one handed catch. The bowlers keep the pressure on with good disciplined bowling and backed up by the energised fielders, Parramatta find themselves under the pump with the score 6-87 after tidy bowling from both Matt Alexander and James Aitken. The push for a bonus point win was on! We just had to bowl them out for under 210 and it looked a likely result, but the visitors had a late resurgence and got themselves up to 8-198, quickly followed by getting over the 210 total and then kicked on. They were now striking the ball impressively and actually getting close to looking like they could win. The score moved to 9-285 and then Jimmy Campbell picked up the last for us to claim a 49-run victory. Go the bears!
Second Grade
George Lavelle reports
Parramatta 5/236 (S Alexander 3/30) def UTS NSDCC 174 (T Reynolds 76, N Naguleswaran 33)
On a sweltering day the Second-Grade side travelled out to Old Kings Oval to take on Parramatta. A delayed start due to the overnight rain which had leaked through the covers meant the game would be reduced to 40 overs per side. North Sydney won the toss and chose to bowl. Parramatta started the better of the two sides with an opening stand of 76 before they were pegged back well by three wickets from Sam Alexander, the pick of the bowlers with 3/30 off his 8, who bowled well in partnership with Niranjan Naguleswaran. These two helped bring the rate back down and brought the game back into the balance going into the last 15 overs of the Parramatta innings. This was a good effort in testing conditions. However some late hitting from the Parramatta middle order helped take the hosts to a score of 5/236 despite a wicket from Ali Shaikh and a run out from the deep by Adam Docos. The run chase didn’t get off to a great start, losing both two early wickets of Adam Docos and Adam Wigglesworth. George Lavelle and Glenn Aitken soon followed leaving North Sydney struggling at 4/28. However a partnership between Tim Reynolds and Olly Knight steadied the innings bringing us to 4/90 at a good rate before Olly picked out the man on the fence for 19. Tim carried on his aggressive approach against the spinners hitting 5 sixes in total and was joined by Niranjan who backed up his bowling with 33 vital runs, including the shot of the day with a six over extra cover. These two rattled along at better than the rate needed and put us into a position where we hopeful of a win. Unfortunately, as they tried to come back for a third run of a Niranjan sweep, Tim slipped, dropped his bat, and was run out. It was an excellent knock with some cleanest striking seen all season. Despite a late six from Sam Alexander the chase never got going again and we lost by 62 runs. The collapse at the top of the order meant it was always going to be a tough challenge to chase down the runs.
Third Grade
Jack Thomas reports
UTS NSDCC 7/202 (D Barber 100*, R Shirazi 65) def Parramatta 139 (F May 3/22, J Ninness 3/43, P Lindsay 2/21)
After a resilient display for a draw against a tough Eastern Suburbs outfit in the final game before Christmas, 3rd grade came into the new year with some fighting momentum. Back on home soil, Parramatta won the toss and elected to bowl on a wicket that had some moisture on it. Despite the loss of an early wicket, both David Barber and Rafay Shirazi dug in to provide a solid platform at drinks. After drinks the pair pushed on, but both a mix of tight bowling and a very slow outfield made scoring tough to come by. When the opportunities did come to score however, they were taken, with Rafay providing 3 huge 6’s which resulted in 2 new balls having to be brought out. Unfortunately, when the score was at 128, Rafay was caught for 65. He and Barber put on 126 as a pair, a tremendous effort. From there Parramatta had a strong period, as while the North Sydney batsmen looked to increase the scoring rate, higher risks were taken, and chances given. Barber remained the rock of the innings, but North Sydney slid from 2/128 to 5/145 in a short period. Ammar Shirazi came out and followed in his brother’s footsteps putting on a very important 40 run partnership with Barber. Despite a few more wickets falling, North Sydney continued the scoring, focused on Barber, who with one ball remaining in the innings was on 98. With thanks to some speedy running from Fletcher May and a misfield in the deep, he scampered through for the second completing a fantastic hundred, exposing how highly he valued his wicket. North Sydney finished the innings at 7/202. The second innings began with Jack Thomas and Ammar Shirazi opening the bowling, with a plan to restrict. Considering the pitch conditions and the toughness at which scoring was made available, this plan payed off with an early wicket falling and the scoring clamped down to below the required run rate. When Ninness came on to snare the 2nd wicket, which came on the back of a handy diving catch by Barber at first slip, North Sydney were in control with the visitors at 2-42 after nearly 20 overs. Skipper Pat Lindsay came on and grabbed another with tight bowling being backed up by some classy fielding, notably of Cameron New and Josh Joseph either side of the wicket. James Leary was also in the action, providing the much-needed vocals to keep the team up and about. However, in a fiery 8 over spell from Fletcher May the game was seized control of, as he took 3 wickets on the way to claiming 3/22 off 8, including the prized wicket of the set Parramatta batsmen on 57. With the score at 6-100 and the scoring rate needed sliding up to 7 + an over, the boys did not let off the accelerator, with Anmol Singh dining out on silly batting to grab a stumping off Shirazi and Lindsay grabbing another. Eventually, Ninness cleaned up the tail as North Sydney bowled out their opposition for 139, grabbing themselves 6 very handy points. It was an emphatic performance from 3rd grade, having out-batted, out-bowled and out-fielded Parramatta to come away with the win. All credit must go to Barber and Shirazi who were impressive in their batting displays to set up the win, but it was a true team performance in the field that should set the tone for the next few weeks of one day cricket. With 2 local rivals in the next two rounds, it is imperative that 3rd grade take momentum from the past two games to continue the climb up the table.
Fourth Grade
Chris Lloyd reports
Parramatta 172 (N Whyte 3/29, I Merlehan 2/27) def by UTS NSDCC 8/177 (L Cork 68, I Merlehan 39, L Heffernan 34*)
The start of the 4th grade game at Merrylands Oval was delayed due to a wet pitch and outfield. Play began at 11:15am with the Bears sent in on a still very soft wicket. It was slow going as the top order struggled to survive, with the score 4-13 after 14 overs. Lachlan Cork then came in and counterattacked, forming partnerships with Michael Oliver (7) and Lucas Heffernan (34*) along the way. He was eventually out for 68 with the score 6-113. After another quick wicket Izaak Merlehan (39) joined in, hitting some superb bombs to push the Bears to 8/177 off their 50 overs. The bowling unit started well, taking an early wicket before Parramatta settled in for some grinding cricket. Another fell, but Parramatta were well placed at 2/127, needing a further 61 runs off 15 overs. It was at this point that the gas truck started backing up. A maiden over by skipper Tim Robson was followed by their set batsman holing out to mid on. More tight bowling and a good catch in the outfield saw the rate push up with Parramatta needing 27 runs off the last 6 overs. This then forced another poor shot and a good catch, followed by the moment of the match. The ball was pushed to backward point, where Ray Alexander gathered and made a wild throw over the keeper. The batsmen set off for a single, but some great work by Tim Robson backing up had the striker run out by half the pitch. The gas truck had now exploded. Parramatta players were yelling at each other from the sidelines, while the Bears were pumped and ready to push for victory. 17 runs off 18 balls with 4 wickets in hand became 11 off 12 balls with 3 in hand. A great over from Nuwan Whyte (who finished with 3/29 off his 10 overs), left them needing 9 off the last with only 2 wickets left. Lachlan Cork, who had made crucial runs earlier in the day, bowled his over for just 2 runs and a wicket, and with a runout off the last ball the Bears had completed a great comeback win. The game had finished at 6:45pm, but there was still time for a great rendition of the song in the sheds.
Fifth Grade
Shivam Vohra reports
UTS North Sydney 107 (FC Gallagher 35) def by Parramatta 8/154 (S Balbi 3/41, F Atshan 2/47)
The sun was shining upon Tunks park as UTS North Sydney 5th grade captain Fudge Atshan won the toss and chose to bowl as the wicket looked like it would do a bit early. Sol Balbi and Harrison May started off brilliantly with the new ball picking up both the Parramatta openers early and putting some early pressure on the batting line up. Their spells were followed by the two right-arm off-spinners, Colby Gallagher and Shiv Vohra, who continued to strangle Parramatta by only going for 20 runs in their combined twenty overs with Colby also picking up a wicket. The Parramatta middle order showed some resistance by ensuring they didn’t lose another wicket setting them up for a late innings charge. The Bears lost a bit of intensity in the last 10 overs by letting Parramatta reach 150 after having them 6/80. Fudge Atshan showed some excellent composure at the death picking up a couple of important wickets. The Bears started off their run chase positively, not losing a wicket in the first 10 overs. However we then lost a few quick wickets to be reduced to 3/50 after 20 overs. Colby Gallagher backed up his bowling with a well-made 36 but unfortunately had no support until Jono Aylward joined him (19). The Bears gave away their wickets and copped a couple of rough decisions as the game was in the balance at 5/70. Parramatta brought on their spinners and at first the bears found it easy as Johno showcased his hitting ability, whacking a huge six over long-off. However, as he was dismissed for 19 the tail failed to wag and captain Fudge Atshan found himself out of partners. In true Aussie fashion we showed we lacked the ability to play spin as the Bears were all out for 105 falling 50 runs short.
Poidevin-Gray Shield
Adam Docos reports
UTS North Sydney 244 (T Reynolds 93, G Lavelle 40, J Hardy 26) def by North Districts 9/293 (W Graham 4/64, F MAy 3/53
With the Bears losing yet another toss, ND's decided to bat on a very flat Bon Andrews wicket. ND's attacked early with success, putting the pressure back on the Bears bowlers. With Fletcher, debutant Broc Hardy, Ben Knox & Will Graham all bowling well in partnership, they were able to draw it back with a few quick wickets. With the Rangers having wickets in hand late, they attacked hard in the last 10 finishing with a very competitive score of 293.
The Bears started in good form, with Jake and George combining for a very steady 2nd wicket partnership taking the score to 1-60. With the second wicket falling, this brought big Timbo Reynolds and this is when the carnage began. Tim showed his strength, taking the ND's spinners down town with numerous bombs. The run chase was looking very promising with Wiggs and Timbo playing smart cricket, keeping the scoreboard ticking over. With 2 quick wickets, Tim (93) and Adam (21), this brought a collapse and resulted in the Bears going down by 50.
Big mention to Pat Lindsay for helping the boys out over the season.