Opener Nick Larkin’s patient 157 not out helped Sydney University to a strong position at stumps on day one of their two-day match against Eastern Suburbs at Sydney University No.1 Oval.
The Students ended day one at 4-271 off 96 overs. Larkin hit nine boundaries and a six in his 298-ball knock in which he shared a 108-run third-wicket stand with Greg Mail (55).
It was Larkin’s eighth century for SUCC since he joined the club in the 2009-10 season. It was also his highest score for SUCC, surpassing the 133 he notched against Northern District in Round 12 last season. He now has 4211 runs in all grades and formats for SUCC at 34.24.
Larkin accumulated 1055 runs for the club last season at an average of 42 and was named in the Sydney first grade team of the year.
It was his first match back for SUCC this season, having spent the off-season playing in the Ireland inter-provincial competition. It was while playing for the Northern Knights in the 2013 season that Larkin became the first player to score a double century in the history of the Irish inter-provincial competition when he blasted a career-high 247 not out against Leinster Lightning.
Hailing from Taree, on the north coast of NSW, but with an Irish passport in his kitbag, Larkin recently achieved his aim of gaining selection for Ireland when he played in a one-day series against Sri Lanka A.
His goal now is to win selection in the Irish team for the World Cup to be played in Australia and New Zealand next January and February.
Having missed out on any points throughout the five grades in the opening round of the 2014-15 Sydney grade competition, Sydney University teams have put themselves in some reasonable positions to push for points in Round 2.
Second Grade made a considered declaration late on Saturday, pulling the curtain on their first innings at 8-254 on the back of solid contributions from Will Hay (63), Steven Hobson (57), Jack Hill (55) and Ben Trevor-Jones (31). Easts survived a short onslaught to be 0-9 at stumps.
In a low-scoring affair, Sydney University Thirds were rattled for 74 after winning the toss and batting at St Paul’s College Oval. Easts were 5-104 at stumps, so the Students will be looking for quick wickets, quick runs and more quick wickets in a push for outright points next Saturday.
In an even lower-scoring affair, Easts Fourth Grade were dismissed for 74 after winning the toss and batting at Trumper Park. Sydney University were 1-25 in reply going in to day two.
The Fifth Grade fixture at Snape Park is interestingly poised with Sydney University 3-53 in reply to Eastern Suburbs 114.
Sydney University’s Metropolitan Cup side, the only ones to earn points in the first round, will be pushing for quick wickets against Blacktown at Whalan No.2 Oval on Saturday.
The hosts are 2-44 in reply to Sydney University’s first innings of 135.
Scoreboard
Sydney Men’s Grade competition – Round 2 (Two-day matches)
First Grade: Sydney University 4-271 off 96 overs (Nick Larkin 157 not out, Greg Mail 55; Nathan Rowe 3-77, Ian Moran 1-26) stumps, day one at Sydney University No.1 Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: First Grade
Second Grade: Sydney University 8-(dec)-254 off 93 overs (Will Hay 63, Steven Hobson 57, Jack Hill 55, Ben Trevor-Jones 31; Nicholas Kershaw 6-65) v Eastern Suburbs 0-9, stumps, day one at Waverley Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University.
Third Grade: Sydney University 79 off 45.5 overs (Brodie Frost 27 not out, Jack Holloway 19; Christopher Hulston 3-17, Samuel Powell 2-6, Angus Palmer 2-20) v Eastern Suburbs 5-104 off 35 overs (Sam Mullens 29 not out, Alex Tunnadine 26) stumps, day one at St Paul’s College Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University.
Fourth Grade: Eastern Suburbs 74, off 27 overs, and 1-25 v Sydney University 83 off 36 overs (Matt Lowen 40) stumps, day one at Trumper Park. Toss: Eastern Suburbs. Batted first: Eastern Suburbs. (No details available.)
Fifth Grade: Eastern Suburbs 114 off 45 overs (Sam Hulston 26, George Black 25) v Sydney University 3-53 off 31 overs) stumps, day one at Snape Park. Toss: Eastern Suburbs. Batted first: Eastern Suburbs. (No details available.)
Metropolitan Cup competition – Round 2 (Two-day match)
Sydney University 135 off 55 overs (Eshan Khot 35, Chris De Krester 27; Jay Prakash 3-40, Curtis Lucas 2-3) v Blacktown 2-44 (Alex Lind 25 not out) stumps, day one at Whalan No.2 Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University.
