Week 10 Wrap vs Penrith, Universities, St George-Sutherland and Easts
1st Grade Round 6: UTS North Sydney vs Penrith at Howell Oval
UTS North Sydney 4/324 (96 overs) (J Greenslade 114, T Reynolds 70*, M Jenkins 69, B Atherton 33) vs Penrith
For a man who hadn’t reached three figures before this season, Jimmy Greenslade sure is making a habit of making hundreds - and his third ton in four rounds was the highlight of a first day dominated by the Bears at Howell Oval.
In the early exchanges after we were sent in, it was Brent Atherton who was dominant, taking a liking to former team-mate Henry Railz’s bowling in particular and racing to 33 inside ten overs before edging behind. In his first sub-50 score in whites for the Bears, James Rew had already been dismissed for 6, and Justin Avendano was out for day 1 with a neck injury sustained playing for the NSW Country 2nd XI, so it could have gone either way from 2/47.
Promoted to numbers 3 and 4 respectively, Mac Jenkins and Jimmy Greenslade combined for an exceptional partnership of 145 that lasted two thirds of the first session and all of the second. After a watchful start and being 16 off 58 at lunch, Greenslade opened up after the break with five fours in the first six overs back that saw him overtake Jenkins’ runs tally. After another quieter period when the Panthers re-introduced their premier bowlers, Hunar Verma and Luke Hodges, Greenslade brought up a fourth successive 50+ score with a flicked six over mid-wicket off his 117th ball. Having been content to play the supporting role, Jenkins then reached his own 50 off 152 balls, and proceeded to take 10 off the following over.
The young pair went to tea at 2/192 with Greenslade 77* and Jenkins 69*. But unfortunately that was the score where it ended, as Jenkins was caught in the gully in the first over after the break. This brought in Tim Reynolds, still in pain after a thumb injury in the field last week. But the pain wasn’t a barrier, as Reynolds played a mature innings with superb acceleration towards the end of the day. His first job was to accompany Greenslade to three figures, a mission that was accomplished in the 80th over when Jimmy guided his 195th delivery to third man for two. Cue the deserved celebration for Greenslade, who’s enjoying an extraordinary run of form.
Greenslade was dismissed for 114 with the score 4/267, and Robbie Aitken joined Reynolds for the final nine overs of the day. The partnership provided the icing on the cake of a superb day, adding 57 at a run a ball, with Reynolds reaching 50 with a reverse sweep and finishing 70* and Aitken making 22*. Assuming Avendano is fit for Day 2, he will replace Aitken, with a choice to make between having a bat himself and declaration to maximise our chances of bowling the Panthers out. A tantalising second day awaits!
2nd Grade Round 6: UTS North Sydney v Penrith at Tunks International Sports Park
UTS North Sydney 4/181 (A Cavenor 52, S Gumbs 44, J Aitken 26*) def Penrith 91 (H May 3/20, J Aitken 3/24, J Hedges 2/11, J Rodgie 2/16)
2nd grade turned up to a flatter looking Tunks Park than the previous week. Stewart lost the toss and the Bears were told to field. It didn't take long for the big Horse Harrison May to hit the shoulder of the bat in the 1st over with Glenn Aitken using his vertical leap from the Sydney Boys High Gym to great use to take a sharp catch. A few overs later with a few dropped catches from both ends in between Horse collected his second wicket a nick behind to remove Bayliss.
Some further pressure was built and would result in two wickets in two overs to Justin Rodgie removing, Griffith bowled and last week's hundred scorer Browne to make the score 4/35 at drinks. Jamieson Hedges & James Aitken joined in the act with one wicket apiece both caught behind the wicket as Penrith played rather loosely through the first session. The captain Collins was riding his luck but punishing bad balls. After some sustained pressure Penrith ended up roughly 7/70 at the luncheon interval.
Lachlan Roughley was brought into the attack after lunch and for the first time this season wasn't as successful no doubt hampered by an ankle injury sustained while playing the world game Soccer in the warm up. Hopefully Roughers will be back at full fitness this week. Collins was riding his luck well. James Aitken struck followed by Horse inducing the edge of the number 10 to second slip and Penrith were 9 down.
It only took one ball as Collins holed out to the deep mid wicket boundary off James Aitken. All out for 91 Penrith no doubt were looking at Easts being bowled out for 86 last week and hoping to make amends.
North Sydney returned with Gumbs and Mares positive from the outset. It took a brief amount of time until Mares was removed for 11 with a leading edge back to the left armer Fletcher. After a briefly positive start Adam Cavenor entered and was lucky to be dropped early on by the keeper. Penrith immediately turned to spin and both Gumbs and Cavenor really cashed in on a flat Tunks wicket. Gumbs was removed rather timidly by the leg spinner De Kretser and Harri Lee – Young came and went with 18 with only three scoring shots, no doubt the Truckie is hitting the ball well and looks forward to those shots counting for 12 on Bon Andrews in a few weeks. Cavenor was removed after a well constructed 52 which contained many cross bat paddles to the boundary square and nice use of the feet to put the off spinner straight and over mid wicket. The day was finished with both Glenn & James Aitken constructively rotating strike and punishing loose balls to finish at 4/181 off 54 overs.
The game is set up for the bowlers to take responsibility on a flatter Tunks wicket than last week, having been used for PG's on Sunday as well.
3rd Grade Round 6: UTS North Sydney v Penrith at Bill Ball Oval
UTS North Sydney 9-185 (B Kumar 67*, H Reynolds 39) (80 Overs) v Penrith
3s were on the road again, this time making the trek out to St Mary’s to take on the Panthers at Cook Park.
The wicket looked flat, so Skipper Lindsay had no hesitation batting first.
Unfortunately we lost Finn Nixon Tomko LBW in the first over. John Nevell and Max Clark steadied things before Nevell ran himself out and Clark was bowled. 3-26 and things were looking decidedly average. Furthermore, the outfield was thick and the complete opposite to last weeks billiard table at Trumper Park.
Oscar Jago-Lewis looked very comfortable for his 23 before he was caught at point and Hamish Reynolds also looked at ease for his 39 including 2 big bombs.
However, only Baran Kumar (66*) made it to 50. It was a typical Baran innings mostly watchful but ready to pounce on anything full at any moment. He was confident to the spinners and always looked to score.
Nuwan Whyte again showed his value with the bat for his 16, as we made it to 9-185 off our 80 overs. The Bears are well in this game owing to the slow pitch and slow outfield and are ready to do the business with the ball on Day 2.
Women's 3rd Grade Round 8: UTS North Sydney v Universities at Tunks International Sports Park No.2
UTS North Sydney 2-251 (A Dongre 50*, E Aitken 50*, E McKay 50*, A Gibbons 50*) def Universities 166 (A Williams 2/20, M Jawanda 1/0, C Blackwell 1/11, A Dongre 1/12, E McKay 1/29)
After a close win in round seven, we wanted to capitalise again this week against Universities. We won the toss and sent Anushka Dongre (50*) and Emily Aitken (50*) to open the batting. Both girls hit mandatory retirement off 69, and 62 balls respectively. After the amazing start, Evy McKay (50* off 45) and Amy Gibbons (50* off 42) followed in Anushka and Emily’s footsteps. Chloe Blackwell (3*) and Anna Lucas (5) picked up some quick runs in the last few overs, leading to the most number of 50s for us in one game, and the team’s highest-ever total of 251 runs.
We went into the field with a positive mindset, but wickets proved hard to come by as Universities top-order batters got stuck into us with plenty of boundaries. Abby Williams had the first breakthrough with a brilliant caught and bowled. Emily Aitken (0/26 off 8 overs) and Anushka Dongre (1/12 off 8 overs) slowed the run rate right down. After another wicket from Abby Williams and one from Evy McKay, Chloe Blackwell and Manvek Jawanda took one wicket each to finish off the game. Universities ended up on 166 with just a few overs left.
4th Grade Round 6: UTS North Sydney v Penrith at Bon Andrews Oval
UTS North Sydney 8/270 (80 Overs) (A Thomas 83*, A Nigul 51, A Amir 32, R Adabala 32, R Broom 26) v Penrith
An absolute treat for fourth grade this week, getting to run on the hallowed turf of Bon Andrews. The early 930am start time gave plenty of options at the toss for many reasons, however ultimately Perry lost the toss and the Bears were asked to bat.
This ended up working in the home sides favour, with the opening pair of Nigul and Amir getting through the open hour unscathed. The pair playing flamboyantly during their opening stand, and Nigul brought up his swashbuckling 50 in style.
The opening stand fell nine runs short of a 100, when Amir was dismissed for 32 sweeping. Nigul followed shortly after, receiving some hard luck, hitting the ball into his foot and it trickling back onto the stumps. Nigul dismissed for a well complied 51. Enter Aiden Thomas and newly promoted Karan, looking to back up his century from last round at the same venue. Karan’s swash buckling style saw a few quick boundaries but ended up being dismissed prior to tea, Thomas and Perry saw the bears to the major break 3 down for 131, and looking to launch post tea.
The skipper got done first ball after tea in calamitous scene, which brought the hard hitting Robin Broom to the crease, who didn’t disappoint, with a whirlwind 26. Thomas kept his cool, slowly building his innings and being the back bone of the side, picking his balls and hitting some glorious drives and cuts on his way to 50.
Ravi Adabala and Aiden put on an important 80 run partnership to lift the bears over 250 late in the day. Thomas finished the day 83 not out, and the Bears 8-270 after the allotted 80 overs. An innings of class from Thomas fuelled his sides total, and the innings may not yet be over depending on conditions come Saturday, as the Bears look to put the foot down and press for 6 points.
5th Grade Round 6: UTS North Sydney v Penrith at Rance Oval
UTS North Sydney 234 (C Lloyd 59, O Jennings 50, D Singh 45, N Desai 27) v Penrith 0/13
A warm and sunny day greeted the Bears on their arrival to Rance Oval. A dry and already cracking deck encouraged the skipper to bat first and make the most of whatever was left in it. Openers Olly Jennings and DIlraj Singh made the most of the early conditions, sharing a first wicket stand of 79. Jennings passed 50 and then chipped a full toss straight back to the bowler.
After losing another wicket, Singh then fell stumped, trying to smash their leg spinner into the adjacent suburb. 3/101 off 37 at drinks and the Bears were set to push towards a large total.
After tea, that expected push sputtered under the consistent loss of wickets. The bears found themselves 8/162 after Penrith’s spinners cut a swathe through the middle and lower order, with only Nihal Desai’s spritely 27 standing out in this period of play.
Enter the hero. Shiv Vohra might be known as a off spinner who lives rent free in his own head, but today he played the role of batsman. Eschewing any kind of positive play, he played a mixture of blocks, leaves, and then more blocks, while Lloyd took the long handle to the now tiring spinners at the other end. His 1* as part of a 52 run partnership saw the score progress to 216 before Lloyd was finally caught for 4-bomb 59. Vohra then opened his shoulders, taking the score to 234 before being bowled, a mere 89 runs short of his hundred.
The Bears then had 7 overs at Penrith, who survived this testing period at 0/13. The pitch was starting to show both serious spin and variable bounce and with a number of quality spinners in the line up, the team will look to push hard for victory in Week 2.
Poidevin-Gray Shield Round 5: UTS North Sydney v Eastern Suburbs at Tunks International Sports Park
UTS North Sydney 7/188 (43.5 Overs) (J Rew 59, S Gumbs 36, M Jenkins 27, F Nixon Tomko 25) def (DLS) Eastern Suburbs 8-206 (cc) (T Laybutt 3/22. M Jenkins 2/40)
The Bears arrived at Tunks looking to go 5/5 and wrap up a finals position. The team welcomed back Toby Laybutt and Hamish Reynolds as our leggie pairing of Brunker and Roughley were unavailable.
The Bears lost the toss and were sent into the field. Laybutt struck early on two occasions. Jenkins grabbed one just before drinks to leave the dolphins 3 down for not many. The middle hour proved pivotal for the dolphins as they went about getting 1’s and 2’s and hitting the bad ball away.
Jamison struck to get the in form batter out before Jenkins got the left hander. This left easts 5 down for 140 with about 8 overs remaining. A wicket to Everett slowed down the run rate but some late hitting from easts gave them a very respectable total of 206.
The bears innings started off on fire with the English pair of Rew and Gumbs slapping the ball along the turf of Tunks. The opening partnership of 70 off roughly 12 overs put the Bears in an almost perfect position. 2 quick wickets shifted momentum a bit but Rew kept trucking on. With Rew the next to fall Finn Nixon-Tomko came in and played a smart and quick 25 which was perfect for the conditions of the game.
Jago Lewis and Reynolds then fell shortly after FNT, which made the game even tighter. Jenkins who was trying to play the anchor roll was caught for 27, bringing Jamison and Harry lee young to the crease. Both batters played extremely smart and ran well, with some typical HLY power hitting which was much needed.
The boys were brought off early due to lightning and we’re 9 runs ahead. Another close win for the boys but we go 5/5 with a home final at Bon Andrews on the 18th of December. Next and final round game is a 20/20 on Sunday against Sydney at Drummoyne.
Brewer Shield Round 8: UTS North Sydney v St George Sutherland at Olds Park
UTS North Sydney 3/109 (L Buckley 43, S Julien 26*) def St George Sutherland 106 (S Julien 4/9, I Selems 4/16)
The wide expanses of Olds Park – Penhurst greeted our Brewer girls for their Round 8 clash with St George – Sutherland CC on a flat (& very white) pitch that was almost concrete like in appearance. Winning the toss, the slayers chose to bat showing sound early form before the brewer bears took complete control of the game with a great run out to Liz Buckley. Seizing the opportunity - Isabel Selems returned her career best ever figures of 4/16 to have Saints in all sorts of trouble whilst the ever-consistent Shiloh Julien once again demonstrated why she is one of the brightest young talents in the competition snaring an impressive 4/9. Emily Aitken chimed in with early wicket & the slayers were dismissed in 29.3 overs for 105. Overall, an excellent team effort to restrict St George - Sutherland to a low total with many runs saved by fine fielding & tight bowling.
In response the Bears decided that attack was the best form of defence and launched into the chase with great energy. A feature of the Brewer Bears batting this year is their power hitting & the ability of multiple girls to hit the rope. Opening the batting - Liz Buckley smashed an impressive 43 including 6 boundaries & her opening partner Shiloh Julien finished 26no with 5 boundaries. This excellent opening partnership laid the foundations for a quick run chase. Sam Kuncham came in & was out to a sharp piece of bowling before Adelaide Hicks continued the assault with 19 off 19 deliveries including 4 boundaries. Kayla Robson then joined her skipper to see the Bears win the game decisively in only the 21st over.
Media courtesy of Tony Johnson, Malcolm Trees, Jeff Williamson, Greg Buckley Adam Cavenor and UTS North Sydney members.