Poidevin-Gray Shield Round 2: UTS North Sydney v Sutherland at Glenn McGrath Oval
Sutherland 9/172 (B Hardy 3/26, M Jenkins 2/37) def by UTS North Sydney 5/174 (T Reynolds 97*)
Through the eyes of Chris Savage
After a convincing win against Randwick-Petersham in Round 1, the Poidevin-Gray side headed out to Glenn McGrath Oval to face off with another T20 victor in Sutherland. There were some brief thoughts of last year's fixture, where the Bears couldn't reach Sutherland's competitive total of 235, a game in which Mac Jenkins top scored with 69 and gave the team hope in a narrow run chase. However, the team was eager to continue their good form, and with ex-Sutherland skipper Aiden Bariol donning the bear on his chest, we knew we were in good hands. The team was also buoyed by the inclusion of the Hardy brothers, both returning to the U21 side from minor injuries.
After Bariol chose the wrong side of the coin at his once home ground, the Bears gathered together to display yet another quality bowling and fielding display - something that this team has built its success on. The overcast conditions enabled the new white ball to move sharply both in the air and off the wicket. Chris Savage and Fletcher May opened the bowling with Fletcher (0/17 off 5 overs) bowling an incredibly tight opening spell keeping the opening batsmen in between the front and back foot.
At no wicket for 25 after 8 overs, Nuwan Whyte (1/12 off 5 overs) was introduced into the attack to dislodge the dangerous opening batsmen Ethan Deal and Nick Amos. His dot ball pressure, along with tight inner ring fielding, brought the first wicket of the match, a spooned catch from Amos to a running James Leary at mid-on. Fortunately, the wicket struck before Amos could began his assault on the aging ball, a critical wicket that placed more pressure on the Sutherland batsman.
Once the pace trio ran through their spells, Jack James (1/20) and vice-captain Mac Jenkins (2/37) bowled in tandem to suffocate the top order. James started his spell by testing the batters with his stock of variations. With faster balls skidding through, and slower balls tearing off the pitch, Bariol knew that spin was crucial for keeping the run rate low. James and Jenkins bowled only dots and 1s in their opening spells – a credit to their accuracy. In his 7th over Jack took the wicket of Hawkesworth with a nice catch by Fletcher May and Sutho were 2/66 off 24 overs.
Savage (1/28) came back in his second spell to knock over Deal for a conservative 26, with the catch taken by Bariol. Ben Knox (0/31) was given an opportunity, but it was Mac who grabbed the next pole in the 39th over as Sutherland, who were 3/118, looked to accelerate, with a sharp stumping to Bariol. In the 40th over, part-time spinner Broc Hardy (3/26) rolled his arm over. Broc was the seventh bowler used and his inclusion proved very handy as he utilised his finger spin to great effect, causing edges and miscued shots that brought about three wickets. Hardy was so effective that he continued to bowl to the final over in tandem with Jenkins, restricting the Sharks and preventing them from pushing the total above 200. They finished 9/172 off 50 overs.
Although there is still some work to do in the field, there were moments of brilliance, exemplified by Tim Reynolds quick reactions and accurate throw to combine with his captain for an essential run out to take the 9th wicket in the final over, as Sutherland finished with a mediocre 9/172. The team can view their first 50 over bowling innings for the season as a success. Although there are many areas for improvement, the team unified to produce a pleasing performance against a fierce rival.
The chase began with our 1st Grade opening pair of James and Reynolds coming to the crease with the possibility of a bonus point in their minds. Both batsmen did well in keeping out the in-swinging Andrew Ritchie and speedster Flynn Parker until James caught a thickish edge to the Sutherland keeper. Bariol came in next, and he was the scalp the Sharks wanted the most. Parker brought a spring into his step when his ex-captain marched to the crease. The extra energy he transferred into his delivery was misplaced into a low full toss, which Bariol took delight in depositing through the covers, with its final destination being the western fence line. The delight was short for Bariol and his Bears, with Ritchie claiming the edge and having the last laugh. The Bears were now 2 down with only 20 on the board. He may not have known it then, but the stage was set for Reynolds to continue his outstanding form from the previous day, and replicate it with the white ball.
Jake and then Broc Hardy also departed early and after 15 overs we had slumped to 4/66, and with dark clouds rolling in, also behind on Duckworth Lewis. James Leary, much to the dismay of the opposition, held firm and combined with Reynolds for a 59 run partnership to steer us out of trouble and open the door for the bonus point once again.
Timbo’s tidy, chanceless innings was composed from start to finish. Although the boundaries were a treat to witness, the most impressive part of his game was his ability to turn dot balls into singles and keep the runs ticking over. Finishing in a flurry with 6-4-4 he scored a magnificent 97* off 96, including 10 fours and 3 sixes. Reynolds certainly deserved a long rest after pushing through multiple runs both on and off the field.
It would be remiss not to mention lower-order maestro Jenkins (22*), who worked with Reynolds to knock off the remainder of the target in style, timing the ball with perfection from his first ball till his last. The team ticked over the Sutherland total with 14 overs to spare, claiming the win, but missing the bonus point.
The PGs side moves to second place in the Sixers Conference whilst still being undefeated on 9 points. Manly-Warringah earnt a bonus-point win against UNSW, positioning them in an outright 1st place. Now the junior Bears face four weeks off until a tough encounter with an in-form St. George side at Bon Andrews.