Although there were some good matches amongst them, all four morning grade sides lost on Saturday with the Prem Men unable to chase down BWU’s total on Sydenham 1, and the Prem Woman and Div1 one both unable to successfully defend their totals. Div 2 likewise lost but down to 9 men at one stage after the injury to Andrew Reynolds who took a nasty blow to the head through the visor whilst batting.
The lower grades saw yet another century, in a season where the Sydenham wickets are producing alot of them, when Anthony Wild struck exactly 100 in the Presidents Cardinals win over their fellow Sydenham side, Hospital. The youth sides had an unusually tough day as well with the First XII losing the final of One Day Bowl competition, but the highlight was undoubtedly Louis Honey’s massive 255* for his Year 9B team.
Premier Men
The 2nd day of this match started with BWU holding a 70 run first innings lead and no doubt keen to get a good start in their 2nd innings to enable them to set a target on their terms in the afternoon. However, Mitch Gardner and Tom Agnew ensured that wasn’t going to be the case as they knocked the top off the BWU innings to have them 31-4 within the first 12 overs and in danger of letting the match slip out of their control. However the BWU middle order of Harman and Hay (the latter eventually out to a smart boundary catch by Zack Scott–Howman) played well and resurrected the position somewhat, and at lunch at 152-7, looked well set to dictate terms. The balance then changed again immediately after lunch when Tom and Mitch returned to extinguish the tail taking the last three wickets for the addition of just one run as they bowled BWU out for 153.
Matt Hay strikes Ryan Wallace to the boundary
It was an excellent comeback by Sydenham and the resultant target of 224 in about 60 overs looked a good even contest in a match that to date had mostly favour BWU. Although losing its first wicket at 16 Sydenham looked on track at 49-1, but from the fall of Adi Edekar’s wicket at that point the innings started to stagger. Dave Simpson left early, and then Ryan Wallace who had been well in command in his innings, was a little unlucky with his LBW which extinguished a promising innings of 38. When Lane Tutty was then nicked out at 72-5 the balance had tipped solidly in BWU’s favour. The teams two youngsters in Tom McDonald and Zack Scott-Howman initially stemmed the flow of wickets and took the score through to 112-6, but Tom’s dismissal for 18 was later followed by Zack’s run out that ended a very promising innings of 27 which was promising of much more.
Ryan Wallace and Zack Scott-Howman
The skipper Tim Johnston had not given up the battle however, and aided initially by Zack and subsequently by Tom Agnew, he kept the score ticking over and closing the gap to something that could be accelerated from towards the end. At 163-7 with 7 overs to go, the required RPO of 9 was doable until Tom got a good one and was comprehensively bowled. TJ tried to push on but then lost his stumps to end a very calculated innings of 39 from 56 balls. With the score at 171-9, and a win no longer a realistic possibility, Mitch Gardner and Carl Hopper were left with around four overs to survive for the draw. However much to the delight of the BWU players they manage to winkle out the last batsman in the final over with 4 balls left to bowl and with the score at 173.
Tim Johnston the mainstay of the second half of the run chase
Although BWU had held the upper hand for much of the match and were worthy winners, Sydenham had done well to fight its way back into the match in the afternoon and earn itself the opportunity to win it.
The next match is another 2-dayer this time against East Shirley at Burwood Park.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/795509/1st_innings
Premier Women
Sydenham took on OBC at Elmwood Park in the 16 over Kirsty Bond series. Sydenham won the toss and batted first, and despite the loss of an early wicket, Casey Liddington (37 off 45 balls) and Eden Pettigrew (47 off 48 balls) batted through the remaining overs to complete the innings at 98-1.
However, OBC batted well in reply with the opener Aburn remaining unbeaten on 54 as OBC worked their way to the total at 100-4. Best of the Sydenham bowlers were Boadicea Lynch (4-2-17) and Eden Pettigrew (3-2-26).
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/799320/1st_innings
Division 1
The Sydenham Div1 clash with East Shirley on Burwood 2 was always going to be hotly contested match as the winner was likely to go directly through into the 1-day final. Sydenham won the toss had no hesitation to bat first on a track renowned for big scores. The start didn’t go according to plan, and at 35-4 Sydenham appeared in serious trouble until Pankaj Bhagat and James Barnes got together and put on 159 for the 5th wicket with PK scoring 70 and James desperately unlucky not to score his first century for the club when he fell for 95. With James’ dismissal at 247-9 with less than 5 overs to go, a good finished ensued with Charlie Finnie (45 off just 20 balls) and Scottie Grose (15 off 12 balls) doing an excellent job in getting the side through to 295 before being bowled out in the final over.
Charlie Finnie smashes a six over long-off
It was a solid score, but on batting haven of Burwood 2, and against a Easts side at full batting strength no one doubted that it still a big challenge to get the result. So it proved to be as their two key batsmen Duncan (130) and Entwisle (62) were the key providers in Easts reply that saw them through to the total with four overs to spare and seven down. The Sydenham bowlers suffered in the conditions, and some average fielding , but Charlie the best of the bowlers with 3-51 off 10 overs, and a very creditable 1-29 off 9 from PK.
Scottie Grose on the drive
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/798874/1st_innings
Division 2
No details are available for this match which Sydenham lost
Division 3 Goats - Lost
The Goats went down to the competition’s top team East Shirley on Burwood 3. Sydneham batted first compiling 169 all out with Alex Brailey (35), Tony Dannenburg (29*) and Satpreet Singh (25) the main scorers. In reply Easts started strongly to be 154-2 at one point, but lost wickets and eventually reached Sydenham’s total at 174-8. Alex (3-35), Daniel Laughton (2-27) and Nadleem Aslam (2-35) the main wicket takers.
Full scoreboard - not available
Division 7 All Stars - Won
Abe’s boys had another good win when they took on bottom placed Scotts Raiders on Spreydon Domain. Batting first Dan Linden (46 from 58 balls), Paul Jensen (42 from 50 balls), Elliott Hitchings (44 from 44 balls) and Devin Coates (38 from 27 balls) were the key contributors in the Sydenham score of 224-9. The opposition in reply never really got going with Mark Flowerday (2-12), Devlin Coates (2-11) and Jordan McCormick (2-32) eventually bowling them out in the 35th over for 150.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/799697/1st_innings
Division 8 Tamils - Won
The Tamils continued on their winning ways when they played Heathcote at Ferrymead Park. Winning the toss and batting first they lost early wickets but then Balkaran Singh, the now leading run scorer in the grade, hit a fine 81. Together with Selva Ganapathy (33) and John Emmanuel (20) they got the Tamils through to a competitive total of 188-7. Heathcote faded early in the run chase to be 132-9 at the end of the 40 overs with the wickets spread around the Sydenham bowlers with B Anand (2-20), Jayaharish Balachandran (2-21) & Balkaran Singh with 1-16 off 8 overs the best of them.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/799820/1st_innings
Cavaliers Cardinals - Won
Details not available
Presidents Cardinals Vs Hospital
The Cardinals retained their hold on the Noel Moorhead Trophy when they beat Hospital in their local derby on Sydenham 3. After a few years in the wilderness, Anthony Wild’s growing return to form was none better illustrated in this match as the Cardinals won the toss, elected to bat first, and Wildy proceeded to peel off a an excellent century, his first since 2015. Wildy and Skipper Phil Walker backed up their 150 partnership the previous week with another 120 for the 2nd wicket partnership in this match that eventually saw the Cardinals through to a competitive score of 233-7. The other major contributor was Paul Mathews with 23. The Hospital bowlers were under pressure at times but Frank Walsh with 3-46 off his 8 overs bowled well, back by some tight overs from John van den Brink (8-1-34) and a couple of wickets from Eugene Hawyn with 2-41
Anthony Wild – finally a return to century making
The Hospital innings got off to a bad start when opener Bruce Day couldn’t avoid a chest high full toss that floored him for a period, and from that point only Eugene Hawyn (23) in his first match of the season, and Richard McKinlay (14) made it to double figures as the run rate climbed and eventually Hospital were dismissed for 82.
Bruce Day felled by one that got away on the bowler
Dave Fleming got the figures of the match with 4-13 off his 6 overs, but there were also good contributions from the parsimonious duo of Julien van Dyk (8-2-13) and Ken Julian (8-1-18)
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/799878/1st_innings
Women Youth Stars – Lost
The Sydenham Stars struggled with the bat today on Sydenham 3, scoring 62 runs off 20 overs against North West with only Darcy Rose Prasad (not out on 24 off 50) and Iesha Bruce (10 off 20) getting a start. Too many dot balls created pressure on the batters leading to 4 run outs but we resolved to turn out batting frustrations into a great effort in the field. We only gave away 1 bye, 4 wides and 3 no balls - a great effort when compared with the very good fielding and bowling of North West who gave away 17 extras.
Dakoda Potter put in an awesome effort in the field after being unfortunately run out early in the match.
Sophie George opened the bowling and again bowled tight at the start of the innings giving away just 4 runs in her first 2 overs, ending with figures of 1 for 14 off 4. Kate Cameron bowled tightly again with a wicket maiden and ended on 1 for 7 off 4. Jaimee Cartwright was unlucky not to have a catch next to her name and finished with none for 17 off 4. Emma Begg bowled very well ending on none for 3 off 2 overs and Livvy Crowe took a wicket for 9 runs off 2. Maddie Iro Bowled 1 over for one run with 1 wicket before North West overtook our score.
Full scoreboard:
First XI – Lost
The First XI were hosted Christ Boys High First XI in the final of the One Day Bowl competition on Saturday. The team had requested this game to be played on Hagley Oval (if available) but were declined, however SYD2 proved to be more that a suitable ground with a hard bounce wicket. Both team got their own way when CBHS won the toss and elected to have a bowl.
Into bat the first wicket fell with the score on 3, however Daniel Watt and Archie Goodrick rallied and got the team through to 45 before the dreaded cry of yes-no-wait-sorry say Daniel out for 22 and Archie out for 18 not long after with still 30 overs to go. Isaiah Prasad (18) ad Ollie Smith (17) steadied the ship and batted some time before two quick wickets brought Preston Genet (26) to the wicket and he added 35 valuable runs with Ollie. Ideally 190-200 would have been ideal, 150 looked marginal at one stage, but thanks to some clean hitting by Sam Coughlin (25 off 18) the team amassed 164 all out in the last over.
Wides and glides (off the edges) saw CHBS get through to 96-2 after only 20 overs so scoreboard pressure couldn’t be mounted and the boys new they had to bowl out CBHS to get the win. Last weeks spinning hero Liam Jenner was brought into the attack and struck early with a wicket, and in doing so impressed the senior selectors (Congdon, Nicolson and Thompson) with his flight and drift. Sadly, there weren’t enough runs to defend and Tama Hamilton’s first ball of the day, and last ball in Youth cricket was dispatched over cow for six and CBHS won in the 41st over.
The loss ends the First XI’s season. Having won the grade round robin, the team will be promoted a division when the new Youth season starts on February 1st. The end of the season sees three players depart the Youth ranks, and we thank Archie Goodrick, Ryan Lightfoot and Tama Hamilton for their contributions over recent seasons. Archie and Ryan will immediate move to adult men’s cricket. Other Youth players will fill in over the Dec/Jan window also.
The First XI – season done!
The team thanks all the fill in players who ensured they always had 11 on the field in Term 4, the parents and friends who come down and support their games and give their utmost “thanks” to Trevor Watt for his managerial and scoring expertise.
Year 10 Colts – Lost
After losing the toss and being sent into bat the Sydenham Colts got off to a shaky start finding themselves 11/3 in the 8th over against Christs College White.
Fresh off his unbeaten 46 from last week Zack Howe joined Rhys Thyne at the crease and and steadily built a partnership that would last for the next 20 overs and see the score through to 95 before Rhys (54) was out. Zack (40) would last till the 47th over with the targeted score of 150 in sight but the Colts lost their last 3 wickets quickly to be all out for 141.
Rhys Thyne 54.
After very nearly defending 105 on the same wicket a fortnight ago the Colts started with a wicket to Toby Hull in the first over and had their tails up and college on the back foot. In his last game for the club (for a while) Ben Breitmeyer bowled one of his most economical spells ending up with figures of 1/13 off his 8 overs and keeping the game alive
Some exceptional fielding from Zack Howe diving to stop a certain boundary through the covers was backed up by Charlie Hickey who returned with a missile of a throw to cause a run out and have college in a bit of trouble at 54/4. Some marginal calls from the umpires would deny what looked like certain wickets for the colts and would see one of their batsmen hold his wicket through till the end the Colts season with a loss.
A season of being in the hunt of all but one game can be parked now and used as a learning tool for the lads .... onwards and upwards.
A special thanks to Graham, Fergus and all the other club members as well as parents for enabling the Youth section to be the competitive force that it has been and will continue to be in the new year.
Year 9-10 – Lost
The 9-10s boys met at St Andrews at the Polo Grounds, won the toss and put STAC into bat. A great start saw STAC 15/3 before a solid 5th wicket partnership saw them extend the score to 83/3 at 20 overs. Some dropped catches and solid last minute partnership saw STAC get through to 151. Asten Hickford took 3/9 off 3 overs.
Into bat and consistent partnerships, including a solid 22 from Max Burford, enabled Sydenham to chip away at the total. Needing 13 off the last 4 overs with 3 wickets in hand the boys were confident, but a hattrick to STAC saw our boys snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
It was a vast improvement from previous innings so despite the loss, the boys feel like a win is just around the corner.
Year 9A – Day 1 of 2
Sydenham and Shirley Boys High are playing off for 7th and 8th in the Year 9 2 day competition.
SBHS won the toss and chose to bat on the Polo Grounds. After a slow start, they then lost wickets steadily. There was a spread of wicket takers and all bowled economically resulting in SBHS being all out for 69 after 37 overs. 12 extras was a record low number for this team in an innings and shows the progress the boys have made with their bowling this year. "Aim small, miss small".
Sydenham made a slow start as well, which showed how hard it was to bat in the blustery conditions. After losing the openers, Jonty Bowman held the middle order together with a quality 41 giving the lower order the chance to take a few risks and Sydenham finished on 115/8 after 45 overs. A good lead going into the second day next Saturday.
Year 9B - Won
Sydenham won the toss and elected to bad in very blustery conditions at the Polo Grounds.
In an unbelievable batting display Sydenham posted 369 for 0. Louis Honey topped scored with a career high of 255 (yes, that is Two Hundred and Fifty Five) off just 131 balls, this included 34 fours and 6 six’s and a strike rate of 191.66. Jacob Bennet played a very solid knock to finish 59 not out off 84 balls, Jacob did a great job of feeding Louis the strike.
Louis Honey 255*
In reply College were never in the hunt being bowled out for 52 in just 15 overs. Wickets were shared around with Jacob Sharp taking 3 for 13 off 3 overs. Adam Anderson had his best bowling figures for the season taking 2 for 19 and Liam Price bowled his best spell to take 2 for 11 off 4 overs.
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