A handy last-wicket partnership and two stints of tight bowling helped Sydney University to a semi-final win over Randwick-Petersham at the weekend and a berth in the 2013-14 Sydney First Grade cricket final.
Having been sent in to bat on an overcast day at Coogee Oval, Sydney University were 9-101 before Will Somerville and Nigel Cowell pulled off a rescue mission with a 78-run stand that took the Students to a respectable 179 in their first innings.
Somerville’s 63 not out off 99 balls included three boundaries and a six, while Cowell stuck around for 82 balls before being bowled by Adam Semple for 26.
Cowell then joined with Sean Abbott to rip through the Randypetes batting line-up, with the hosts all out for 77. Cowell finished with 4-24 and Abbott collected 4-29 on a rain-interrupted second day.
The Students were 4-150 in the second innings before the game was called off.
Sydney University will meet Bankstown in the three-day final at Hurstville Oval on April 4, 5 and 6.
The Students will also contest the Second Grade, after accounting for St George in their semi-final at No.1 Oval at the weekend.
Sydney University racked up 255 in their first innings, with Liam Robertson (37), Darius Visser (35), Adam Theobald (31), Tom Kierath (31), Steven Hobson (25) and Josh Toyer (25) all making useful starts, before Ben Joy collected 7-39 as the visitors posted 175 in reply.
Joy has now claimed 56 wickets for the season at the remarkable average of 13.6, with two hauls of six to go with his bag of seven at the weekend.
Sydney University Seconds will meet Northern District in the final at Blacktown International Sports Park on April 5 and 6.
Sydney University Thirds missed out on a finals berth after losing their semi-final to Sydney at No.2 Oval at the weekend.
The Students racked up 197 after being sent in to bat, but Sydney reeled in the total with seven wickets in hand.
Scoreboard
Sydney Men’s Grade Cricket – Semi-finals (Two-day matches)
First Grade: Sydney University 179 off 76 overs (Will Somerville 63 not out, Scott Henry 29, Nick Larkin 28, Nigel Cowell 26; Nathan Ellis 5-37, Adam Semple 2-25) and 4-150 (Mark Faraday 65 not out, Greg Mail 37 not out; Daniel Sams 1-13) d Randwick-Petersham 77 46.2 overs (Daniel Sams 21; Nigel Cowell 4-24, Sean Abbott 4-29) on the first innings at Coogee Oval. Toss: Randwick-Petersham. Batted first: Sydney University. In the other semi-final Bankstown d Manly-Warringah. Final between Sydney University and Bankstown at Hurstville Oval on April 4, 5 and 6.
Second Grade: Sydney University 255 off 87.2 overs (Liam Robertson 37, Darius Visser 35, Adam Theobald 31, Tom Kierath 31, Steven Hobson 25, Josh Toyer 25; James Green 4-75, Terence Howes 3-28) d St George 175 off 80.4 0vers (Nathan Catalano 47, Luke Stanton 33, James Green 24 not out; Ben Joy 7-39, Darius Visser 3-21) on the first innings at Sydney University No.1 Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University. In the other semi-final, Northern District d Gordon. Final between Sydney University and Northern District at Blacktown International Sports Park on April 5 and 6.
Third Grade: Sydney 3-198 off 66 overs (Matt Rodgers 60, Justin Mosca 57, Shaun Mill 27 not out, Matthew Pasternatsky 25 not out; Max Hope 1-37) d Sydney University 197 off 96.2 overs (Ed Arnott 45, Alexander Shaw 39, Suda Sivapalan 39, Jack Holloway 28; Benjamin Manenti 4-47, Matthew Pasternatsky 3-13) on the first innings at Sydney University No.2 Oval. Toss: Sydney. Batted first: Sydney University. In the other semi-final, Northern District defeated Gordon. Final between Sydney and Northern District at Mark Taylor Oval on April 5 and 6.