Three Sydney University Cricket Club batsmen saved their best for last to help secure the Third and Fourth grade titles in the premier Sydney competition for the 2015-16 season.
Tom Decent cracked 119, his first century for the club, to help Third Grade secure a first innings win over Eastern Suburbs for the Mitchell Cup, while centuries from Matthew Powys (109) and Hayden Kerr (106) helped Fourths to the Reid Cup for Fourth Grade.
Decent has had a consistent season with the bat, totalling 454 at 34.9, but made the most of his opportunities in the grand final with a knock that included 15 boundaries and a six.
With Sydney University reeling at 3-31 after winning the toss and batting at No.1 Oval, he put on a 151-run stand with opener Ben Larkin (73).
Larkin, who has also had a solid season at the crease with 563 at 33.1, played the anchor role in a 348-minute stay that included four boundaries.
Henry Clark (40) and Ash Cowan (27) pitched in to help the Students reach 287, with Samuel Powell (3-56) and Harry Brooks (2-30) the best of the visiting bowlers.
The Eastern Suburbs run chase started badly, with Henry Clark (4-25) and Jack Gibson (3-36) removing the top four with just 22 runs on the board.
Sam Pointer (71) and Matthew Sarkies (36) steadied the ship but wickets tumbled around them and Easts were all out for 160.
Penrith’s decision to send Sydney University Fourths in at Howell Oval looked like a good one when the Students were 4-29, but Matt Powys and Hayden Kerr shored up the middle order with centuries to push the score out to 304.
Powys hit 13 boundaries and a six in his 172-ball stay, while Kerr tonked 14 picket finders and a Dorothy Dix in his 121-ball innings.
The Students then rolled Penrith for 238, with Lawrence Neil-Smith snaring 5-63 off his 20 overs, while Jacob Apicella (88) and Jacob New (60) were the best with the willow.
Scoreboard
Sydney Men’s Grade competition – Grand Finals
Third Grade: Sydney University 287 off 92.2 overs (Tom Decent 119, Ben Larkin 73, Henry Clark 40, Ash Cowan 27; Samuel Powell 3-56, Harry Brooks 2-30, Matthew Sarkies 2-44) defeated Eastern Suburbs 160 off 71.5 overs (Sam Pointer 71, Matthew Sarkies 36; Henry Clark 4-25, Jack Gibson 3-36) on the first innings at Sydney University No.1 Oval on the weekend. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University.
Mitchell Cup Third Grade Premiers for 2015-16: Sydney University.
Fourth Grade: Sydney University 304 (Matthew Powys 109, Hayden Kerr 106, Charles Cull 27; Daniel Miklosz 4-69, Edward Brown 2-21) defeated Penrith 238 (Jacob Apicella 88, Jacob New 60, Edward Brown 26, Connor New 24; Lawrence Neil-Smith 5-63, Jake Day 2-27, Lewis McMahon 2-61) on the first innings at Howell Oval on the weekend. Toss: Penrith. Batted first: Sydney University.
Reid Cup Fourth Grade Premiers for 2015-16: Sydney University.
