On miserable cold days like these, when every side would dearly love to wrap up their match early and make for the shelter of the pavilion, two sides managed to get their wish on Saturday.
The Sydenham Division 1 side was one of those as they took not much more than an hour on the morning of the second day to collect their outright win against Park, unfortunately the other side that did was the Lancaster Park Premiers who completed their rout of the home team on Sydenham Park by 2.30pm.
The lower grades and youth teams generally had a successful day with the President Cardinals’ Anthony Wild’s innings of 115 against competition leaders BWU perhaps the highlight.
Premier Men
If being 144 runs behind on the first innings, with only two wickets left in hand, wasn’t bad enough, it just got tougher with news that Lane Tutty, one of the two not out batmen after the first day, had broken a finger and was unable to take further part in the match. So the last pair were now in at the start of the day but lasted less than 5 minutes before the final wicket fell without another run scored - Sydenham found themselves following on still that 144 behind on the first innings, and all day to bat.
To add to the pressure, opening bowler Mitch Gardner had a mid-afternoon wedding to attend, and accordingly kept the pads on and was shuffled out again to open the batting - that move in itself was a success because Mitch proved to be the best of the batsmen facing 62 balls, problem was though, his score of 11 was only two runs off the top score as the batting again capitulated in the 2nd innings. Opener Toby Mowatt was nicked out first ball, Adi Edekar was strangled down leg side off the glove, Ryan Wallace was taken at first slip, and Jackson Hemingway caught in front second ball - suddenly at 16-4 in the 9th over, and certainly by 24-5 in the 18th, avoiding humiliation was the only objective left.
A day of play & miss as the Park bowlers dominate
Park’s Ben McCord made sure that wasn’t achieved either as he bowled superbly to finish with the outstanding figures of 15 overs 6-11. On a wicket refreshed by passing showers, and moving the ball both ways at pace with the occasional unplayable one, McCord ensured that the Sydenham innings never recovered as the side was bowled out for a mere 54 by 2.30pm.
Although there was little positive for Sydenham to take out of the match, there was some encouragement that compared to the first innings when shot selection in the context of the match situation was poor, in the second innings all of the batsmen generally got out to good balls whilst trying to bat within themselves and for their team.
Now without a win in their first three 2-day matches, and knowing that they are a far better side than what they showed in this match, the side will be desperate for some success next week, be it a tough assignment taking on leaders St Albans away at Hagley – a chance for absolution.
Full scoreboard & video highlights https://www.crichq.com/matches/817172/1st_innings
Premier Women - Lost
The ladies lost a competitive 50 over match against Lancaster Park on Garrick Park. Sydenham won the toss and asked Park to bat and then struggled to make the initial break through as the Park openers put on 102 for the first wicket at just over four an over. Megan Meltzer finally took the first wicket, and then Gina Aldersley a quick second one, but Park kept batting solidly with Sydenham generally keeping the run rate under control. Park eventually finished with a competitive 189-4 with Gina Aldersley (2-28) and Megan (a tight 1-17 off 9 overs) the best of the Sydenham bowlers.
The Sydenham reply started well with Isla McKenzie (33) and Jenna Waghorn (22) getting the side through to 51 before the first wicket fell. They both gone, and the score at 89-2 in the 28th over, the earlier delays for rain caught up with Sydenham when Megan Meltzer, who had been batting well on 22, then had to retire to catch a plane home. Broadicea Lynch scored a 19, but other than Hannah Morrissey (14*) the rest of the batsmen struggled to get established and Sydenham were eventually bowled out for 158 in the 45th over.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/819756/1st_innings
Division 1 - Won
Fresh from the euphoria of their T20 finals win on Thursday evening, the Division 1 boys returned to the 2nd day of their 2-day match against Lancaster Park at Garrick intent on following through on their strong 1st day position.
Frankly it couldn’t have gone better - two down and 141 runs behind, Lancaster Park couldn’t improve much on their first innings score of 63 as they were bowled out for 70. Skipper Dave Simpson was probably the best of the bowlers on he day with 4-28 but not overshadowing Carl Hooper with his 3-27 which gave him a commendable 10-52 for the match.
Sydenham are back on Sydenham 1 next week with a tough but vital match against Merivale Papanui as the promotion race heats up.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/817173
Division 2 - Lost
Div2 lost to Halswell - No details available
Division 3 Goats - LOST
The Goats were never really in the hunt in their match against Easts at Burwood Park after Easts won the toss and batted. With one Easts opener getting a 90, and the no.3 a century, East then cruised through to a challenging 266-9. Chris Douglas [8-2-41] and Heath Sanders [8-2-52] were the best of the bowlers. Any run chase is possible at Burwood at this time of the year but requires at least one player to score big, and unfortunately the Sydenham reply saw batsmen getting starts into the 20’s & 30’s but not carrying on. The main contributors were Heath Sanders (32), Satpreet Singh (26) and Andrew Douglas (22) but Sydenham were well short when bowled out for 128
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/820689/1st_innings
Division 7 All Stars - WON
The All Stars had a comfortable win when they took on Scotts Raiders on Spreydon Domain. The opposition won the toss and elected to bat but faltered from the start as Gourav Saini [8-4-17], Dan Linden [5-2-16], Devlin Coates [6-2-30] and Paul Jensen [2-2-2] held the innings in check. With the Raiders bowled out for 83, Sydenham chased down the target with ease with Dan Linden always in control with his 48*. The All Stars remain in the top three in their competition and still well in contention for the title.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/820399/1st_innings
Division 8 Tamils - WON
The Tamils had a hard fought win over Heathcote at Ferrymead Park. Winning the toss and batting first, the Tamils put a good score of 208-8 on the board thanks to B Anand (58), Gopinath Karuppiah (44) and Mohanasundaran Kumar (31*) batting at no. 10. Heathcote started well in reply but could only get through to 183-7 in their 40 overs with B Anand also starring with the ball taking -17 off his eight overs. The win leaves Sydenham still comfortable atop of their competition.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/820749/1st_innings
Cavaliers Cardinals - WON
The Cardinals got a win against St Albans at Centennial after Saints batted first and scored 115-4 off their 20 overs, and Sydneham chased them down with the loss of three wicket. It was a tight finish with Sydenham needing 9 off the last 4 balls and getting home with a ball to spare. Main run getters were Kieran Williams (44*) and Ben Larter (43). The Cardinals are another Sydenham side currently leading their competition.
Full scoreboard: Full details not available
Presidents Cardinals - WON
The Cardinals had a rare win against one of competition leaders BWU at Hagley. BWU won the toss and elected to bat, then got off to a good start and batted solidly through their innings to finish with a challenging 210-7. Evergreen Dave Fleming with 3-42 off eight overs, and Julien van Dyk with 1-23 off his eight were the best of the Sydenham bowlers.
The Sydenham reply was dominated by opener Anthony Wild. Wildy’s 115 set the momentum for the innings with next best Matt Loose’s 24 plus a series of mid-teens scores in the middle order that saw the side through to the win six down and with 10 balls to spare. Wildy’s innings now sees him a close 3rd in the Presidents grade competition’s batting aggregates, and the Cardinals remaining in 3rd spot and within touch of the two sides above them.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/820401/1st_innings
Presidents Hospital - LOST
Hospital played East Shirley on a very “tuffy & crusty” Bradford Park pitch. Batting first Sydenham could only compile a score of 122-7 with Richard McKinley top scoring with 55. Easts then chased down that total for the loss of only three wickets inside 22 overs
Full scoreboard: Full details not available
Women Youth Stars – ABANDONED
The game started perfectly for Sydenham Stars with a loss at the toss and Halswell sending us into bat on a damp and tricky wicket. Dakoda Potter and Darcy Rose Prasad opened the batting cautiously going at 2 an over for the first 3. Then - boom, it was suddenly 18 off 3, 25 off 5, 65 off 10, 108 off 15, ending up at 131 off 18 at 7.3 an over when Dakoda Potter retired having reached 51 runs off 63 deliveries, hitting 4 boundaries at a strike rate of 81. It was a perfect display of straight hitting, concentration and aggression and it was great to see Dakoda walk off the field with a huge smile on her face under the archway of her team mates.
Darcy Rose Prasad fought her way through the nervous forties to register her first retirement of the season. A well compiled 50 off 50 deliveries with 5 boundaries, leaving the field at 144 off 19 under the archway also with a big smile on her face. Unfortunately the rain hit Halswell Domain, turning a warm day into a freezing, windy and wet one. To Halswell's credit, they soldiered on through the atrocious weather but after 26 overs the innings was closed at 184 for 3 with Livvy Crowe not out on 10 off 16 and Kate Cameron not out on 4 off 7.
After a lengthy break the second innings started in cold but dry conditions and it couldn't have gone better for the opening bowlers. Maddie Iro claimed 1 wicket for 6 runs off 3 overs and Rosie Pentecost with figures of 4 wickets for 3 runs off 3 and enacting a direct hit run out. Halswell bravely batted on through the rain but the game had to be called off after 7 overs, with Halswell on 25 off 7 for 6.
Well done to the team for securing a win but a big thank you needs to go to Halswell for continuing the game under the driving rain, all the while having a huge amount of fun and laughing the whole time. Halswell's positive attitude was a real testament to their coach Mark Pringle, allowing the game to continue while his team was enjoying themselves. I hope no one caught a cold.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/819545/1st_innings
Youth First XI – Won
In order to fit 10 playing days in before the end of March the First XI had to play Waitangi Day and Saturday in their match against the Rangiora High First XI on SYD 3.
Being inserted on Thursday after the loss of Dallas Crowe, Rhys Tyne (77) and Isaiah Prasad (54) helped build a solid first innings score of 209, which on a lush outfield probably was more like 250. In reply, Rangiora brought up their first 50 in 5 overs, with some flush hard hitting by their openers who tried to lose the ball in the Council yard several times with some lusty sixes. Fortunately the openers departed and were followed on regular intervals by the middle and lower batsman. Daniel Watt 3 for 47 and Toby Hull 3 for 19. The First XI had to face 3 overs to close out the day and the regular openers demanded night watchmen!. First day close saw the score and 0/0 and an overall lead of 70.
Isaiah Prasad who produced a fine double of 54 & 53 in the match
On Saturday the night watchmen openers hardly troubled the scorers, but with another 50 from Isaiah on day 2, an overall lead of 227 was built and Rangiora had about 55 overs in which to get them. Their openers again came out swinging and with 50 up quickly it was game on. Fortunately the openers were removed and Zack Howe and Ollie Smith bowled tightly to see the match situation come down to 88 off 54 being required with 7 wickets being available .Rangiora threatened to go for it, but the wickets started to fall until they were all out 40 short. Dallas Crowe 4 for 16.
Year 10 Colts - WON
Sydenham Year 10 Colts played Shirley Boys at Burwood No2. After winning the toss Shirley Boys decide to bat on what looked a great batting strip. Sydenham’s open bowlers Ben Cranfield and Sam Crossland bowled a great opening spell to have the home team 7 for 3 . Sydenham continued to take wickets at regular intervals to bowl the home team out for 164 in 33 overs. Best of the bowlers were Billy Duncan who bowled with great pace and bounce to finish with 4 for 53 off 8 overs and our opening pair of Ben Cranfield who took 2 for 26 of 7 overs and Sam Crossland who took 3 for 24 off 7 overs.
In reply Sydenham got off to a quick start but seemed to lose wickets just as they were getting on top of their opposition. Henry Cuthbertson played a great roll at No3, being prepared to bat time he was the rock at the top of the order finally being out caught behind for a well compiled 26. Louis Honey looked to be in great nick until he was run out with a direct hit as he tried to steal a single. Sam Stalker batted at No 6 and played a very mature inning to finish 25 not out to see the Sydenham home for a 1 wicket win. This win was even more special for Sydenham as they played with only nine players in the field due to injuries and players being unavailable. Special credit also goes to Taine Parfit who was prepared to bat 11, even with his thumb in a cast – fortunately he wasn’t needed.
T20 – WON
Sydenham won the toss and elected to bat first at Cashmere High. We started of fast but lost a couple of early wickets. Then Andrei Tomkinson and Joel Wilson came in and made a partnership with both of them retiring with 44 runs from Andrei Tomkinson and 40 of 13 from Joel. Asten Hickford made a quick 24 runs, then Andrei came back in and ended up with 64. Sydenham ended up with 234 after the 20 overs. Boys High then came into bat and never got started with them getting all out for 42.
Year 10 – LOST
The Year 10s met St Andrews at Cashmere High on Saturday afternoon. With quite short boundaries set, St Andrews amassed 250, after the home side were guilty of bowling too short and wide at times. Into bat, Sydenham fell 100 runs short getting through to 150. Matthew Fairhall on debut for the club posted a debut half century.
9A – ABANDONED
The 9A team meet St Andrews at Westlake Reserve in Halswell. With this game kicking off at 10.30am in what it seems was the worst affected part of town by the showers and rain that crossed the city, the match had to unfortunately be abandoned after St Andrews had progressed to 66/1 after the players, pitch and outfield got drenched.
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