Universities captain Alex Blackwell has statisticians checking the record books after she smashed 181 in the team’s 20-run win over Gordon in the Sydney Women’s Grade competition match at the Village Green on Saturday.
Blackwell cracked 22 boundaries in the 139-ball knock and combined in an opening partnership of 224 with Rachel Haynes (79) as Universities posted 4-349 off their 50 overs.
It is believed to be the highest score and the highest opening partnership in the Sydney Women’s Grade competition.
Blackwell has a well-earned a reputation for her big scores. Batting for NSW against Tasmania last year, she hit the second-highest score in the Women’s National Cricket League competition when she posted 157 (17 boundaries and a six) off 111 balls.
While Universities set an imposing target, Gordon caused them some concern in the run chase.
Opener Hannah Trollip (141 off 145 balls) and former Universities captain Lisa Sthalekar (126 off 96 balls) combined in a first wicket partnership of 244 before Sthalekar was out with the score on 311. The visitors then lost 8-18 to fall 20 runs shy of the target.
Universities also earned the points with a 68-run win in the women’s Third Grade 20-over match.
The news was not so good for Sydney University in the Sydney Men’s Grade competition where First Grade, the defending premiers, lost their second game on the trot.
Chasing Manly-Warringah’s modest 204, the Students were all out for 169 in the two-day fixture.
Manly-Warringah also earned first innings points in Third and Fifth grades, while Sydney University won Second and Fourth grades.
Scoreboard
Sydney Women’s Grade competition – Round 3 (Limited overs)
First Grade: Universities 4-349 off 50 overs (Alex Blackwell 181, Rachel Haynes 79) d Gordon 329 off 48 overs (Hannah Trollip 141, Lisa Sthalekar 126; Fraser Wunsch 3-49) by 20 runs at the Village Green. Toss: Universities. Batted first: Universities. Points: Universities 6, Gordon 0.
Third Grade (20 overs): Universities 2-173 (Rachel Li 33 retired. Lisa Molden 33 retired) d Northern Districts 4-105 (Elena Martin 33 retired, Taya Ashelford 27) by 68 runs at Warrimoo Oval. Toss: Northern Districts. Batted first: Universities. Points: Universities 6, Northern District 0.
Sydney Men’s Grade competition – Round 2 (Two-day matches)
First Grade: Manly-Warringah 204 (Cameron Merchant 92,Tim Cruickshank 44, Nicholas Watkins 26; Greg Mail 7-12) and 1-149 (Nicholas Watkins 58 not out, Jack Ritchie 46) d Sydney University 169 (James Crowley 32, Nick Larkin 31, Mark Faraday 23; Andrew Lindsay 5-58, Mitch Coombs 4-28) on the first innings at Manly Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Manly-Warringah. Points: Manly-Warringah 6, Sydney University 0.
Second Grade: Sydney University 172 (Adam Theobald 35, Will Hay 23; Matthew Mee 6-66, Dylan Marshall 2-13) and 9(dec)-164 (Adam Theobald 49, Will Hay 29, Ben Larkin 27; Javed Badyari 3-21, Nick McLachlan 2-14, Michael Visser 2-33) d Manly-Warringah 136 (Joel Mason 70, Nathan Hill 25; Michael Culkoff 5-43, David Miller 2-8) and 7-159 (Jarrod Walter 32, Joel Mason 31, Matthew Alexander 30 not out; Michael Culkoff 3-36, Tom Keirath 2-15, David Miller 2-48) on the first innings at Sydney University No.2 Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University. Points: Sydney University 6, Manly-Warringah 0.
Third Grade: Manly-Warringah 194 (Lance Stewart 74, Craig Little 26, Dean Readett 26; Jimmy Kazaglis 4-43, Jonathon New 2-27, Kerrod McPherson 2-28, Brendon Pryke 2-32) d Sydney University 97 (Jonathon New 24; Craig Little 4-16, Reece Hodge 3-31, Mickey Edwards 2-15) on the first innings at Graham Reserve. Toss: Manly-Warringah. Batted first: Sydney University. Points: Manly-Warringah 6, Sydney University 0.
Fourth Grade: Sydney University 5(dec)-191 (Charles Arcus 79, Ash Cowan 29, James Larkin 24) d Manly Warringah 120 (Louis Anderson 35, Stuart McLean 2-17, Ash Cowan 2-19, Hasi Balasuriya 2-24, Charles Cull 2-33) and 4-72 (Thomas Kaye 27; Stuart McLean 2-4) on the first innings at St Paul’s College Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Manly-Warringah. Points: Sydney University 6, Manly-Warringah 0.
Fifth Grade: Manly-Warringah 5(dec)-186 (Bill D’Arcy 61, Rowley Alexander 44, Codey Bruce 31 not out; Callum Fursman 2-36) d Sydney University 152 (Henry Clark 51, Sam Alexander 5-50, Cameron McCallum-Toomey 2-34) on the first innings at Mike Pawley Oval. Toss: Batted first: Sydney University. Points: Manly-Warringah 6, Sydney University 0.
