Graham Croker
An unbeaten 100 off just 88 balls from David Warner helped Eastern Suburbs to first innings points in the two-day Sydney Grade Cricket fixture against second-placed Sydney University being played at Waverley Oval.
Warner, who represented Australia in shorter versions of the game this season, cracked 10 boundaries and three sixers in his 129-minute stay.
He combined with opener Peter Nevill (69) in a 160-run partnership as the hosts overhauled Sydney University’s first innings total of 113. Fast bowler Anthony Pratt kept the Students in check with a miserly return on 6-33.
Easts declared at 2-182 and the Students were 0-52 at stumps, with Ed Cowan (22) and Nick Larkin (29) to resume next Saturday.
An Adam Theobold century and 96 from Mark Faraday has Sydney University Second Grade in a strong position to take the points over Eastern Suburbs at University No.1 Oval.
Theobold scored 105 of the University’s total of 306, with Easts to resume at 0-0. The visitors were well served by seamer Angus Palmer, who finished with 7-86.
Sydney University Thirds have the task ahead of them when they resume battle with Easts at Trumper Park on Saturday.
Michael Culkoff (52) and Mark Hackett (47) provided the only resistance as the Students were dismissed for 180. The hosts were 0-23 at stumps.
Matt Skinner top-scored with 70 in Sydney University Fourth Grade’s big tally of 7(dec)-306 at University No.2 Oval. The visitors were 0-10 at stumps on day one.
Sydney University Fifth Grade were dismissed for 115 at Snape Park, despite the efforts of Aaron Hickey (42) and Dan Bragg (27).
Hickey (4-33) and James Rodgers (3-13) had the visitors at a precarious 7-102 at stumps on day one. The first over on Saturday could provide some interesting moments.
Meanwhile, Sydney University will play Bankstown at Jensen Park on this Sunday in a semi-final of the Poidevin-Gray Shield.
Sydney Grade Cricket – Round 14 (Two-day fixtures)
First Grade: Sydney University 113 (David Miller 25, Nick Larkin 20; Anthony Pratt 6-33, Ed Zelma 2-47) and 0-52 (Ed Cowan 22, Nick Larkin 29) v Eastern Suburbs 2(dec)-182 (Dave Warner 100 not out, Peter Nevill 69) at Waverley Oval. Toss won by: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University.
Second Grade: Sydney University 306 (Adam Theobold 105, Mark Faraday 96; Angus Palmer 7-53) v Eastern Suburbs 0-0 at Sydney University No. 1 Oval. Toss: Sydney University.
Third Grade: Sydney University 180 (Michael Culkoff 52, Mark Hackett 47; Dave Richards 3-34, Bernie Balin 3-46, C Coen 2-21) v Eastern Suburbs 0-23 at Trumper Park. Toss: Sydney University.
Fourth Grade: Sydney University 7(dec)-306 (Matt Skinner 70, Nick Burke 38; Dave Dunne 4-34) v Eastern Suburbs 0-10 at Sydney University No.2 Oval. Toss: Eastern Suburbs. Batted first: Sydney University.
Fifth Grade: Sydney University 115 (Aaron Hickey 42, Dan Bragg 27; T Brown 5-10, B Murphy 3-28) v Eastern Suburbs 7-102 (G Black 27, R McDowell 26 not out; Aaron Hickey 4-33, James Rodgers 3-13 at Snape Park. Toss: Eastern Suburbs. Batted first: Sydney University.
