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Century Opening Partnership Fails To Avoid Loss
The Premier Men commenced the second day of their match against East Shirley at Sydenham with a real battle on their hands similar to their previous match against Saints on the same strip. However, the Easts first innings lead of 70 after the first day was more modest and with only one East wicket still to be taken, there was the prospect of a good match and a result for either side. Surprisingly Easts elected to bat on, and although only adding handful of runs to their tally, with a lead of 79 they remained in a strong position and Sydenham venerable if early wickets were lost in our 2nd innings at bat. Connor Marshall and Matt Day made sure that didn’t happen. Connor parked his more aggressive shots for at least the first hour and played his best innings since arriving in NZ – his 64 off 110 balls was exactly what was called for and set the early tone of the innings.
At the other end Matt Day was doing exactly what a new player should be doing, taking his chances. His 47 off 123 balls was the second time in consecutive matches that he has shown the technique and decision making ability to bat for time, something that has been in short supply at the top of the order this season.

Connor Marshall & Matt Day during their 109 opening partnership
The two rightfully maintained caution right from the start with Connor eventually getting on top before he finally fell with the score at 109/1 in the 35th over - what unfolded from there didn’t do justice to the quality of that partnership. Although Ryan Wallace went quickly with an expansive shot, at 125/2 into the early afternoon Sydenham were well placed to set at least a modest target and still have a chance to grab a win. But from there the rout started with no player in the next seven making it to double figures as the two East spinners Coburn and Muir dominated. Tom Agnew struck a nice 20 at no. 10, but when Sydenham were dismissed for 185, the last nine wickets had been lost for a mere 76 and Easts left with a modest 106 target with plenty of time available.

Tim Johnston’s 3-34 not enough to stop the Easts win
The Easts chase never really looked threatened despite some excellent bowling by TJ Johnston against his old club. The opening bowlers got a couple of overs each before TJ came on and picked up 3-34 which certainly lifted the spirits. However, despite Ryan Wallace’s removal of the dangerous Ken McClure, Easts coasted to the total only four down. https://www.crichq.com/matches/718068/1st_innings
Next week will be another tough challenge against Lancaster Park at Garrick.
The Prem Women couldn’t quite match OBC in their game at the Polo Grounds. OBC batting first compiled 166/3 (Alana Topping 1-22 & Jenna Waghorn 1-40) then made a spirited reply with Eden Pettigrew striking 33 from opening, and together with Jenna Waghorn who scored a valiant 68* got the side into a chance of a win before the 16 overs run out with the score at 136/4.
Division 1 & Suddenly Sydenham – no match details available


Div 1 match against Lancaster Park on Sydenham 3
The Div 4 Goats have a new found pressure as they now find themselves leading their Div4 competition, and that cause was assisted by another tense win, this time against Marist at Bradford Park. Batting first Sydenham complied a competitive 156/7 thanks to useful scores from Alex Brailey (35), Tony Danenburg (24) & Ollie Philpott (41). In reply Marist started poorly but then a big middle order partnership put Marist in the box seat before the stumbled again finally pulling up 5 runs short at 152 all out. Main wickets takers were Alex Brailey (7-4-29) & Nadeem Aslam (8-3-29). https://www.crichq.com/matches/721176/1st_innings
Div 6 Cardinals – no match details available
The Div 6 All Stars went down to OBC on Sydenham 2. Although getting a very poor start the lower middle order and tail managed to scramble some runs together toward the end of the innings to be finally bowled out for 109 (Abhishek Kumar 32). However, it was a modest score in the context of recent high scores on that wicket and OBC comfortably made their way to the total for the loss of only five wickets (Abe Atherton 6-2-12). https://www.crichq.com/matches/721165/1st_innings

The All Stars on Sydenham 3
The Div 8 Tamils XI took on Lancaster Park at Woolston Park and completed a comfortable victory when they held Park to 60/7 in their innings (Chidambaram Palaniappan 5-4-6). In reply the Tamils easy achieved the target with the loss of only two wickets. https://www.crichq.com/matches/721429/1st_innings
The Presidents Cardinals took on East Shirley at Burwood and came off second best. The ever reliable Craig Gibb set his East’s side off with a 62, and then a mid-innings 93 from Iggo saw Easts through to a challenging 231/8 (JK 8-2-48 & Phil Walker 8-2-44). In reply Sydenham lost both openers early, and despite Matt Loose’s 46, and Warren Guy (35) and Phil Walker (27) the side ended up well short at 142/9. https://www.crichq.com/matches/721156/1st_innings
Our other President’s side Hospital, suffered a similar fate against Merivale Papanui on Centennial Park. Hospital faltered right from the start of their innings and only Brian Bunz with 29 batting at No. 5 offered any resistance as Hospital were barrelled out for 100. MP made easy work of it in reply with Kelum Mendis’ two wickets the only wickets taken as MP coasted to the win. https://www.crichq.com/matches/721158/1st_innings
The T20 Womens Stars were well beaten in their match against Heathcote at Ferrymead Park. Boadicea Lynch (30) and Amelia Tainui (20) were the best of the batting which saw Sydenham through to 101/4, however Heathcote were untroubled in reply reaching the target without the loss of a wicket. https://www.crichq.com/matches/721047/1st_innings
In contrast, the Youth Women Stars relished their opportunity to play on Sydenham 2 when they comfortably overcame OBC. Sydenham openers Casey Liddington and Boadicea Lynch both scored 50’s to set up a good total, and with Emma Begg (30) and Kate Cameron (13) finishing off the job the girls set OBC 165/3. Boadicea and Emma with two wickets each had the best of the figures and the team held OBC to 127/7 taking the victory. https://www.crichq.com/matches/721047/1st_innings
Youth Awards Night
Last Wednesday night, the 2018 calendar year Youth awards were presented. Sydenham Youth were well represented, with both the First XI and 9A being present to collect their grade trophies. Isaac Milne also picked up the individual batting award for the 9A grade.

Grade Winners – 2018 9A One Day Champions

Grade Winners – 2018 First XI (Bowl II)

9A Batting Award – Isaac Milne (9A)
First XI – Loss
Sydenham Youth 1st XI set Christs College 2nd XI a competitive chase of 144 in 39 overs in the second day of their 2 day match. A superb batting performance from Oliver Smith with 58 (off 155 balls), Henry Boyd-Tibbotts with 36 early on, supported by Sam Prasad & Daniel Watt with 19 & 11 respectively, lead to a second innings total of 157 off 61 overs. Sydenham couldn’t restrict the runs or take enough wickets early on in Christ’s chase to build enough pressure, and Christ’s were able to maintain a consistent run rate to knock off the total with 6 overs & 7 wickets to spare - this despite reasonable bowling efforts by Daniel Watt (2/29 off 11), Thomas Owens (0/14 off 5) & Ollie Smith (0/12 off 4). Overall a much better effort all round in this game than the first match and the team did battle hard to put themselves in a position to take points from the game - just a few runs short and a little untidy in the field on the second day, seemed to be the difference. https://www.crichq.com/matches/717995/1st_innings

Oliver Smith goes over the top.

Hound stops play
Year 10 Colts – Loss
The Year 10 Colts had a 3 run lead over St Bedes Colts starting day 2 of their 2 day game. Problem was they only had 3 wickets left in hand in their second innings. Caleb Webb 27 and Jamie Ehau 23 pushed this lead to 46 before the last wicket fell. Jamie Ehau then took the sole wick in St Bedes second innings as they knocked off the Colts score. https://www.crichq.com/matches/717706/1st_innings

Jamie Ehau gets his man.
2nd Grade - Win
The 2nd team took on the St Thomas 2nd XI at St Thomas. With a rather woolly outfield scoring was tough initially with Sydenham batting first after losing the toss. Jermone Crichton, Ben Wasley, Henry McMecking and Loki Smith made some good runs for the team, getting them through to 110 all out. Into bowl, the boys pulled out and outstanding fielding and bowling performance skittling St Thomas for 48. The stand out bowers Henry McMecking (3-11), Joel Wilson (2-7) and Ben Wasley (2-10). https://www.crichq.com/matches/721313/1st_innings
Year 9/10 Team – Loss
When you can’t find your pitch because it hasn’t been mown or prepped is never an ideal start to the days play. The team arrived at Waltham Park to find the no.2 block nowhere near ready. Thinking on their feet, they started their game on the vacant number 1 block against a highly drilled Northwest Colts team than played 9A grade last year. Not exactly even on paper and with the pitch keeping very low the boys got reduced to 13/7 before the 2pm adults’ teams showed up and (nicely) said “you’re on our pitch – shoo!”. A call to Metro and the subsequent rush job from a groundman say the no.2 block marked, and play resumed but no further runs were added sadly. Northwest lost 1 wicket in their chase. https://www.crichq.com/matches/720933/1st_innings
9A – Loss
The 9A’s meet Christs College at Christs College. Batting First, Christs progressed to 274/6 off of their allotted over which included a 30 minute mid-innings break to seek cover from the 6 bombardment that was raining down on them form the adjoining pitch! Regular wickets were taken, and regular extras were conceded – so that’s one of the teams work ons this week to try and reduce that.

Into bat, Sydenham Youth took the game deep into the day, batting out their entire 45 over allocation against a very strong Christs attack. Sydenham got through to 198/8 with Alex Boot scoring a classy 74 and being well supported by Taine Parfitt 26 and Leon Beumelburg 21. https://www.crichq.com/matches/720846/1st_innings