Sydney University opener Nick Larkin produced one of the best innings of his career when he racked up 183 on day one of the two-day, Round 5 NSW Premier Cricket Belvidere Cup match against Gordon at University Oval on Saturday.
The 32-year-old NSW representative cracked 23 boundaries and seven over the ropes in his 223-ball stay and was the last wicket to fall as the Students totalled 269 off 76.5 overs.
Skipper Tim Cummins (24), Charles Litchfield (20) and Rex Greaves (10) were the only other University batsmen to reach double figures, with Gordon quick Tym Crawford collecting 5-55 off his 20 overs after he had won the toss and elected to bowl. The visitors were in a handy position at 1-65 at stumps with No.3 Dale McKay and opener Taj Brar having shared an unbeaten 59-run partnership. Sydney University will be hoping leg-spinner Devlin Malone can reproduce his Round 4 efforts and turn in another match-winning performance next Saturday.
Sydney University Seconds are in a similar position after day one of their Albert Cup match against Gordon at Chatswood Oval. Having won the toss and elected to bat, the Students were all out late in the day for 263. Don Butchart topscored with 67, which included 14 boundaries, and received solid support from Daniel Gauci (51), Ravi Wikramanayake (46) and George Barlow (36). The hosts were 0-10 at stumps.
Sydney University Thirds finished day one of their Mitchell Cup match against Gordon at St Paul’s College Oval on 8-286, while Fourth Grade were 2-38 (Ash Cowan on 27 not out) at stumps after Gordon had posted 174 in their Reid Cup match at Beauchamp Oval. Raveen Ganesh was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 5-41 from his 16 overs.
Sydney University Fifth Grade were a precarious 5-56 at stumps, with James Chan unbeaten on 19, in their David Sherwood Cup match against Gordon at Marrickville Oval. They’re chasing Gordon’s first innings total of 92 which was kept in check by Hugo Fraval who finished with 4-26 off 13 overs.
Bankstown collected the points in the Round 4 Poidevin-Gray Shield (Under 21) match against Sydney University at Howell Oval on Sunday. Having won the toss and batted, the hosts clocked up 208, with skipper Zeeshaan Ahmed (52), Rahid Alam (40), Ethan Deal (37) and Ryan Freeman (29) the main contributors and Darcy Manners (3-23) and Hugo Ikeda (3-32) the best with the ball.
The Students replied with a tantalising 198. Hoah Bloch posted a 92-ball 80, including six boundaries, and opener Daniel Gauci cracked a 71-ball 68, including nine boundaries. Jake Smith caused most damage with 4-37 off his 7.5 overs.
And Sydney University’s Metro Blue side were 3-45 at stumps on Sunday having bowled Blacktown Gold out for 155 off 56.4 overs. Flinders Zhang-Langley was the main destroyer finishing with 5-22 off 11.4 overs.
The University’s Metro Gold side were 5-178 at stumps in their match with Randwick Gold, with Ben Crawford unbeaten on 70 and Avijay Maharaj unbeaten on 60. Meanwhile, Bankstown edged out Universities by seven runs in their tense Round 6 NSW Premier Women’s T20 match at Bankstown Oval on Sunday. The hosts amassed 5-110 off their 20 overs before holding Universities to 6-103. Opener Tahlia Danne topscored for Bankstown with an unbeaten 57 off 61 deliveries, while Erica James cracked 54 off 45 balls for Universities.
Northern Districts Seconds claimed a five-wicket win over Universities in their T20 fixture at Storey Park. Universities won the toss and batted but could only muster 69 off 17 overs. India Keating, with 11, was the only willow wielder to reach double figures, while Lara Robertson (3-13) and Charlotte Waring (3-14) caused most of the damage. Northern Districts replied with 5-72 off 11 overs, with skipper Emma-Jayne Howe leading the way with an unbeaten 30.
Universities Third Grade clocked up a three-wicket win over Campbelltown Camden at Harrington Park Public School on Sunday. Having been given first use of the wicket, Campbelltown Camden were all out for 103. Leanne Wardale topscored with 17, while Bernice Harpley collected 4-11 and Hetvi Patel took 3-22. The Students replied with 104 for the loss of seven wickets. Opener Patel cracked 46, with Harpley contributing 24.
