Week 3 Wrap vs Sydney and Manly

1st Grade Round 2: UTS North Sydney v Sydney at Drummoyne Oval

UTS North Sydney 7d/322 (J Avendano 152, M Jenkins 42, T Jagot 35, R Aitken 30*, O Knight 27) drew with Sydney 2/77

Despite an abysmal forecast and plenty of rain during the week, the sun was shining on Saturday morning, and Drummoyne Oval’s renaissance as one of NSW Premier Cricket’s best draining grounds was confirmed with an on-time start.

Tom Jagot had no hesitation about declaring on our overnight 7/332, to see how much damage we could do with the new red ball before the rain came. When Olly Knight drew the edge from Justin Mosca in the fourth over, into the safe hands of Justin Avendano at first slip, hopes were high at 1/7.

Unfortunately, it took until the 27th over, when Robbie Aitken was introduced to the attack, for a second breakthrough, Rodgers caught by Tom Jagot at short mid-off with the score on 62, despite a huge lbw shout and a run out chance in the same over from James Aitken rather earlier. A slow pitch offered little, and a slow outfield meant the Sydney batters didn’t get a lot of value for their shots. In the four and a half overs between the second wicket and the interval, the Tigers mustered just one run, and with the threat of rain growing stronger. it felt like the game was petering out.

The heavens held out until shortly after the interval, with the umpires initially electing to play through the drizzle, but players were taken from the field and the covers put on at 1.05, at 2/77 off 36. And that was all she wrote – a couple of hours later, there had been no improvement and the captains shook hands on the inevitable draw.

It was more play than most games had this weekend, with all clubs in First Grade sharing the points (and one club yet to get on the park at all in two rounds). Next up is a big one: a local derby against reigning champions, Mosman, over the next two Saturdays at North Sydney Oval, and we’re excited for the debut of English wicketkeeper-bat, James Rew.

2nd Grade Round 2: UTS North Sydney v Sydney at Bon Andrews Oval

UTS North Sydney v Sydney 7/293 (E Oxenham 3/67, F May 2/52)

No further play due to rain.

3rd Grade Round 2: UTS North Sydney v Sydney at Birchgrove Oval

No play due to rain

Women's 3rd Grade Round 1: UTS North Sydney v Manly-Warringah at Balgowlah Oval

UTS North Sydney 7/94 from 20 overs (A Gibbons 30*, B Robson 30*) lost to Manly-Warringah 2/99 from 20 overs

Third grade arrived at Balgowlah Oval with the prospect of being one of the few Premier Cricket matches to beat the weather.

Manly won the toss and elected to bat first. Eva Jenns (0/15 from 4 overs) and Anjali D’Cunha (1 for 10 from 4 overs) took the new ball and did a great job of keeping the Waratahs’ batters under control. Wickets proved hard to come by but all the bowlers did a terrific job of keeping the run rate under control. Manly continued to accumulate through their top order and the total of 2/99 looked a challenging one, but not insurmountable.

New Bear, Bernie Robson, joined Evy McKay to get the chase underway. A strong start slowed and UTS North Sydney were 24 off 7 overs. Evy fell which brought Amy Gibbons to the crease. Bernie and Amy accelerated and Bernie soon earned her retirement for 30 off 34 balls. Amy lost skipper Hetti Blackburn and Kayla Robson in quick succession however Sarah Gibbons joined in to help Amy control the chase.

The scoring rate kept rising and the game was tight – 69 runs off 14 overs, 75 off 15, 79 off 16. Amy took full toll of the 17th over, hitting 4, 2, 4 to earn her retirement for 30 off 32 balls. The Bears needed 11 from the final three overs however that was when the heavens truly opened.

The decision was made to forge on however the skiddy pitch and sodden outfield made it hard to find runs and a maiden from the second last over left 8 required from the last. Unfortunately, it proved too steep an ask and the Waratahs recorded a 5 run win. Nonetheless, it was a mighty effort from the Bears against the perennial finalists and no doubt the team can build on such a promising initial performance.

4th Grade Round 2: UTS North Sydney v Sydney at Tunks International Sports Park

No play due to rain

5th Grade Round 2: UTS North Sydney v Sydney at Ryde Oval

No play due to rain

Media courtesy of Tony Johnson, Malcolm Trees and Adam Cavenor.