A 143-run partnership between Alex Blackwell and Leah Poulton steered Universities to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Gordon in their Round 4 women’s Limited Overs clash at Chatswood Oval on Sunday.
Opener Blackwell returned to club cricket after a busy round of international duties and soon made her intentions clear as Universities chased down Gordon’s 9-200 off 50 overs.
The Australian representative hit eight boundaries in her 81-ball knock to remain unbeaten on 85 as Universities collected the points and remained unbeaten in the 2014-15 season.
But it was Poulton, batting at No.3, who really took to the Gordon bowling attack, hitting 75 off 58 deliveries, including 10 boundaries.
In two Twenty20 matches and four Limited Overs innings this season, Poulton has amassed 345 runs at 88, including a whirlwind 129 against Bankstown in a 20-over game.
Having won the toss and batted, Gordon were restricted to 9-200, with useful contributions from Claire Jones (46 not out) and Hannah Trollip (37), while Rachael Haynes collected 4-31 from 10 miserly overs.
Universities lost Haynes early on for nine, but Blackwell and Poulton took up the challenge. Poulton departed with the score on 160, and Kara Sutherland (16 not out) and Blackwell steered the ship home.
Universities head the First Grade ladder on 24 points, with Bankstown (18), Penrith (12) and Gordon (12) making up the top four. They also head the Twenty20 ladder on 18 points, from Bankstown (12), Penrith (12) and St George-Sutherland (7).
The Second Grade Limited Overs competition will resume on February 1, 2015, with St George-Sutherland on top on (18) points after three rounds. Northern District (18), Universities (9) and Sydney (9) make up the top four.
St George-Sutherland head the Third Grade Limited Overs competition on 48.8 points after seven rounds, with Universities Blue (42), Gordon (41.9) and Campbelltown-Camden (24.9) making up the top four. Universities Gold lie in seventh position.
Universities also lead the Brewer Shield (Under 17) competition on 46.1 points after seven rounds. St-George-Sutherland (38.8), Campbelltown-Camden (28.7) and Northern District (15.2) make up the top four.
And Universities head the coveted Club Championship on 539.9 points, with St George-Sutherland (441) and Bankstown (316.60) the main contenders for the crown.
Scoreboard
Sydney Women’s Grade Cricket competition – Round 4 (Limited overs)
First Grade: Universities 2-204 off 28.2 overs (Alex Blackwell 85 not out, Leah Poulton 74; Taryn Heddo 2-46) d Gordon 9-200 off 50 overs (Claire Jones 46 not out, Hannah Trollip 37, Mary Molloy 28; Rachael Haynes 4-31) by eight wickets at Chatswood Oval on Sunday. Toss: Gordon. Batted first: Gordon. Points: Universities 6, Gordon 0.
Third Grade: Universities Blue 127 off 28.2 overs (Katrina Serena 38, Brooke Atkins 31; Mai Nguyen 4-9, Jemma Still 4-34) d Universities Gold 90 off 27.5 overs (Karen Broczek 34; Brooke Atkins 5-27, Katrina Serena 2-12) by 37 runs at Tempe Reserve on Saturday. Toss: Universities Blue. Batted first: Universities Blue. Points: Universities Blue 6, Universities Gold 0.
