Sydney University and NSW opener Nick Larkin opened the 2015-16 season in style, top-scoring in the Students’ rain-shortened limited overs win over North Sydney in the first round of the Sydney grade cricket competition at Tunks Park on
Saturday.
The University skipper hit 72 in a 98-run opening stand with Will Hay (38) after the Students had been sent in to bat.
His 84-ball stay only included one boundary and a six, but he continually turned over the strike to accumulate quick runs in the wet conditions.
He also put on a 35-run stand with Ed Cowan (58 not out) as the Students amassed 4-216 in their 37 overs.
Cowan has returned to the fold after a six-season stay in Tasmania, during which he played 18 Tests for Australia.
His unbeaten 53-ball effort included a boundary and three sixes, while quietly plying his trade at the other end was Greg Mail, whose 12 off six balls included two boundaries.
Wet weather shortened North Sydney’s chase to 33 overs, with Sydney University taking the six points on offer when they reduced the hosts to 4-171.
Justin Avendano (53), Thomas Jagot (49) and Robert Aitkin (29) kept Norths in the hunt, but tight spells from Ben Joy (1-26) and Nigel Cowell (1-32) put the shackles on, while leg-spinner Jonte Pattison chipped in with 1-45.
Mark Faraday (92) and Ben Larkin (75) helped Sydney University Seconds to a solid win over North Sydney in their season opener at St Paul’s College Oval.
Sydney University amassed 2-244 off their 45 overs after being sent in, and then restricted Norths to 9-167 off 40.2 overs, with Tom Kierath (4-28) and Joe Kershaw (3-25) causing the damage.
The Third Grade fixture at Camperdown Oval was abandoned because of the wet weather, but Sydney University collected the points in Fourth and Fifth grades to help the club to a solid start in the Club Championship.
Meanwhile, Universities also got away to a good start in the Sydney Grade women’s competition, with Firsts posting a 10-wicket win over Penrith at Howell Oval on Sunday.
In a rain-shortened match, Universities restricted Penrith to 82 off their 26 overs, thanks to good spells from Qanita Jalil (3-9), Claire Brown (2-8) and Emily Mifsud (2-29).
Universities didn’t lose a wicket in response with Georgia Redmayne (33 not out) and Claudia Johnston 25 not out) – and 25 extras – taking them to 83 in 13.3 overs.
Bankstown defeated Universities by seven wickets in their Second Grade clash at Grahame Thomas Oval.
Scoreboard
Sydney Men’s Grade competition – Round 1 (Limited Overs)
First Grade: Sydney University 4-216 off 37 overs (Nick Larkin 72, Ed Cowan 58 not out, Will Hay 38, Tim Ley 22; Ben Wallis 2-25) defeated North Sydney 4-171 off 33 overs (Justin Avendano 53, Thomas Jagot 49, Robert Aitkin 29; Ben Joy 1-26, Nigel Cowell 1-32; Jonte Pattison 1-45) in rain-shortened result at Tunks Park. Toss: North Sydney. Batted first: Sydney University. Points: Sydney University 6, North Sydney 0.
Second Grade: Sydney University 2-244 off 45 overs (Mark Faraday 92, Ben Larkin 75, Max Hope 30 not out, Steve Hobson 22 not out; Sam Baker 1-57) defeated North Sydney 9-167 off 40.2 overs (Sebastien Reid 57 not out, Alastair Fitzpatrick 34, David Guthrie 29; Tom Kierath 4-28, Joe Kershaw, 3-25) in rain-shortened result at St Paul’s College Oval. Toss: North Sydney. Batted first: Sydney University; Points: Sydney University 6, North Sydney 0.
Third Grade: Match abandoned at Camperdown Oval due to weather conditions.
Fourth Grade: Sydney University 6-323 off 50 overs (Jack Holloway 74, Ryan Danne 51, Alasdair Grant 51) defeated North Sydney 216 off 46 overs (no details available) at Bon Andrews Oval. Toss: North Sydney. Batted first: Sydney University. Points: Sydney University 6, North Sydney 0.
Fifth Grade: Sydney University 2-47 off 11.2 overs (Jarrod Waterlow 24 not out, Michael Harris 13 not out) defeated North Sydney 43 off 20.3 overs (Jack Gibson 4-9, Liam Whitaker 2-5, Michael Counsell 2-19) with a bonus point at Sydney University No.1 Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: North Sydney. Points: Sydney University 7, North Sydney 0.
Metropolitan Cup – Round 1 (Limited Overs)
Randwick-Petersham Green versus Sydney University at Marrickville Oval – Match abandoned due to weather conditions.
Sydney Women’s Grade competition – Round 1 (Limited Overs)
First Grade: Universities 0-83 off 13.3 overs (Georgia Redmayne 33 not out, Claudia Johnston 25 not; Naomi Stalenberg 0-24) defeated Penrith 82 off 26 overs (Rochelle Davis 25; Qanita Jalil 3-9, Claire Brown 2-8, Emily Mifsud 2-29) by 10 wickets at Howell Oval on Sunday. Toss: Universities. Batted first: Penrith. Points: Universities 6, Penrith 0.
Second Grade: Bankstown 3-138 off 33.1 overs (Ellie Newsome 57, Madeline Penna 25 not out; Alexandra Bridle 1-9) defeated Universities 137 off 47.3 overs (Madelaine Bing 23, Anastasia Sims; Kellie Gauci 3-12, Madeline Penna 2-19) by seven wickets at Grahame Thomas Oval on Sunday. Toss: Bankstown. Batted first: Universities. Points: Bankstown 6, Universities 0.
