A five-wicket second innings haul from quick Caelan Maladay and a seven-wicket match haul from leg-spinner Devlin Malone helped Sydney University to a 70-run win over UTS North Sydney in their Round 11 NSW Premier Cricket fixture at University Oval.
In a low-scoring match where the bowlers ruled over two Saturdays, UTS North Sydney were set a second innings target of 141 for outright points, but were bundled out for 70 thanks to Maladay’s 5-15 off 13 overs and Malone’s 3-16 to back up his 4-9 in the first innings. Day one saw 24 wickets fall after Sydney University had been sent in for first use of the wicket. They were all out for 119, with the bulk of those runs coming from No.7 Max Hope (52) and No.9 Malady (36 not out). The hosts were 6-22 before Hope and Malady came to the rescue. Oliver Knight (4-38), Fletcher May (3-23) and James Campbell (3-42) shared the spoils.
Sydney University then routed the visitors for 57, with Malone continuing his fine season, claiming four wickets from his 4.3 overs. Hugo Ikeda (3-28) and Kieran Tate (2-11) helped joined the parade, with James Greenslade (20) and James Aitken (11) the only UTS North Sydney batsmen to reach double figures. Sydney University were 4-54 in their second innings – a lead of 116 – when stumps were drawn on day one. They lost six wickets while adding just 24 runs on day two, finishing all out for 78, with No.3 Damien Mortimer (25), opener Jordan Gauci (19) and No.4 Ryan McElduff (12) the only batsmen to reach double figures. Campbell backed up his first innings form claiming 6-24 from his 12 overs.
Given the low scores, a target of 141 proved insurmountable, with UTS North Sydney all out for 70 in their second visit to the crease. Number three Thomas Jagot (28) and opener Dylan Mares (13) were the only players to post double figures as Maladay and Malone held sway. The outright points lifted Sydney University to second behind Manly Warringah on the Belvidere Cup ladder. Their Round 12 opponents will be Blacktown Mounties in a two-day fixture at Joe McAleer Oval.
