The Prem Men took first innings points against St Albans on Saturday but neither side was able to push on to an outright win which fortunately was also the case in the other key match in the competition where Easts and Lancaster Park also fought out a draw at Garrick.
The Championship side had another good win away at Elmwood and have now completed the first half of the 2-day competition with three wins out of their four matches.
The Prem Woman had a win and a loss, as did the Div 2 men (despite the golden bat of Paddy Wickes), but Div 1 wasn’t so fortunate losing both of their matches. The Cardinal Cavaliers were the only winners in a horror day in the afternoon grades, and it wasn’t much better in the Sydenham Youth grades where there was only one victory out of five completed matches.
Runacres Insurance Premier Men
It was second day of our match against St Albans at Sydenham Park. At 154-4 Saints were handily placed to reach Sydenham’s 226 and take first innings points, and then to either attempt to bowl Sydenham out, or put the onus back on them to set a declaration to keep the match alive. Saints started comfortably enough and quietly put on another dozen or so before Adi Edekar threw down Ben Langrope’s stumps to get the important initial break through.
The rest of the Saints batsmen produced small partnerships but couldn’t retain their wickets as Tom Agnew took charge over the remainder of the innings. Tom took another four wickets in the morning session to give him 5-49 for the innings, thus taking his season tally to an impressive 30 wickets and retaining his position as the leading wicket taker in town currently. And then when Jackson Hemingway took a nice caught and bowled to finish the innings St Albans were 12 short at 214.
Tom Agnew bags another 5 wicket haul to take him to 30 for the season
The onus then indeed went onto the Sydenham batsmen, but with more than an hour to go until lunch, and the ball still nipping around in the air, a solid start was needed. It came from another top innings from Chad Bowes with 88 off 97 balls, and Matt McCall with 32 off 56. When Matt fell caught & bowled to spinner Holstein right on lunch, the side were well placed at 86-1. The afternoon session didn’t go a smooth as the side would have liked with Holstein bowling a marathon spell to take 6-74, picking key wickets and slowing the run rate. Amongst those, Adi Edekar, Ryan Wallace, Jackson Hemingway and Srirag Harish all failed to get starts.
However, Chad was well set looking for his second century in the match, something that would have sent both the Sydenham and Canterbury historians shambling. He finally found a partner in Toby Mowat who played some beautiful boundary shots through the cover region in his 35 off 50 balls that set the innings on course again.
Chad Bowes (top) & Matt McCall put on 86 for the 1st wicket
When Chad fell with the score at 143-4 in the 35th over, Toby took over and got the side to 187-7 before he too was out. With a target in mind and available time quickly running out, fast runs were required and those came from Zack Scott-Howman who came in at no. 8. Given a licence to play freely Zack played aggressively to score an invaluable 21 off 18 balls to get his side through to 206-8.
Zack Scott-Howman on the charge
When the declaration came Saints were left with a target of 219 in 39 overs on a good batting wicket. Sydenham then got the early wicket it was looking for when Mitch Gardner had opener Paltridge caught behind before a run was scored, but it was a struggle from there. The Saints batsmen mostly got starts but couldn’t press on as Sydenham chipped away at the wickets without ever really getting on top in a very similar manner to the earlier BWU match. The scoring rate slowed and St Albans struggled to 79-4, and then 84-5. With the required run rate now getting above 7, and Saints cognisant of the top of the table clash, they closed up shop and comfortably played out the remaining overs until play was called off in the 36th over with the score at 140-5. Wickets were shared around with each of the four medium pacers getting one each.
The match ends the pre-Christmas section of the 2-day competition with the 1st innings points and draw from this match seeing Sydenham sitting in 2nd place but in a very compressed table following draws for the four higher placed sides on Saturday. The Prem’s next match is a T20 at 5.00pm on Tuesday night against Canterbury A at Sydenham, which will be some valuable practice for the official club T20 competition that commences next Saturday.
Full scoreboard & video highlights https://www.crichq.com/matches/867175/1st_innings
The Birdwood Premier Women
It was a case of a win and a loss for the Prem Women as they commenced the Kirsty Bond series. Both matches were at Hagley with the first against St Albans. Sydenham won the toss and batted first compiling 95-4 in their 16 overs thanks mostly to Eden Pettigrew (31 off 37 balls), Jenna Waghorn (21 off 25) and Jodie Dean (14 off 12). However, Saints were reasonably untroubled reaching that total, also four down, with Boadicea Lynch’s 2-14 the best of the bowlers.
The second match against OBC was a real contrast. OBC choose to bat first and were bowled out for 83 in the 15th over thanks again the Boadicea’s 2-6, and a wicket apiece to Jodie Dean, Rachel Davidson and Amelia Tainui. Sydenham then managed to knock the runs off inside 8 overs without losing a wicket thanks to Jodie Dean (34*) and Casey Liddington (18*), plus 32 extras from the OBC bowlers.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/870836/1st_innings & https://www.crichq.com/matches/871040/1st_innings
Runacres Insurance Championship
Over at Elmwood Park the Championship boys completed the job on the 2nd day of their match against OBC. Sydenham started the day at 144-4 chasing down OBC’s 1st innings total of 169 and intend upon establishing a useful 1st innings lead. The two overnight not out batsmen who had created Sydenham’s strong position last week, Nathanael Paltridge and Lane Tutty, initially pushed on with Lane eventually out for 75, and Nate for 84. From there it was just a series of modest individual efforts (Pankjai Bhagat the best of them with 16) that got the side through to 233-9 at the end of the 60 overs.
The it wasn’t until their 4th wicket fell at 64 in the 23rd over that OBC started to compile a positive 2nd innings lead as the initial part of their innings saw Charlie Finnie and Carl Hooper take out the top order. OBC were soon 72-6 and in danger of an early afternoon finish, however, they fought back strongly again, as they had in the first innings when in trouble, with their lower middle lower eventually getting them through to 164 all out. The Sydenham wickets were mostly shared between Charlie Finnie [11-2-41], Carl Hooper [15-2-32] and Josh McArdle [7-2-30].
Charlie Finnie (top) and Carl Hooper featured in Championship win
Set 101 to win, Sydenham probably lost 2-3 more wickets than they would have liked to have but were never really troubled after Nathanael Paltridge completed a fine double for him with a 35 in the 2nd innings. A 25 from skipper Kelvin Scott and 16 from Lane Tutty then saw the side home at 101-6.
The win looks like it leaves Sydenham in a close 2nd place at the end of the initial phase of the 2-day format, with the T20 competition also starting for them next week.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/867096/1st_innings
Division 1
It didn’t go so well for the Div1 boys when they lost both of their matches at the start of their T20 campaign. Both were at Burwood Park where in the first match Merivale Papanui won the toss and compiled a solid 164 all out in their 20 overs. The wickets were shared around with the best of them D Vaveen [2-2-10], Preetham Pagadala [4-2-15] and Sahan Perera [3-2-39].
Preetham Pagadala taking 2-15
The Sydenham reply fell well short at 101 all out with only opener James Barnes (22), Brent (27) and Vijay (14) managing double figures
Sahan Perera cuts behind square at Burwood.
Things didn’t improve in the second match against Halswell when Halswell won the toss and asked Sydenham to bat first. Sydenham lost both openers cheaply but Sahan Perera (21), Anand Bandaru (18) and Vishvash Singh (36). Sydenham’s 95-9 was never going to be enough on Burwood 3 and Halswell quickly knocked off the runs without the loss of a wicket and with 3 overs to spare.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/870323/1st_innings & https://www.crichq.com/matches/870940/1st_innings
Division 2
The Div 2 lads started their T20 series with a win and a loss on a day where the star performer was surely a Paddy Wickes impersonator. “Paddy” scored 99 runs over the two matches starting with a 45* effort off 24 balls in the initial first up win over OBC on Sydenham 2. OBC had scored 78-6 with Andrew Moulton having the best of the bowling stats with 2-10 and then Paddy and Marty Crook (25* off 20) comfortably took out the win in 10 overs for the loss of just one wicket.
Paddy Wickes in destructive mode
The 2nd match was a tougher affair when Riccarton arrived onto Sydenham 2, were asked to bat, and proceeded to put on 193-2 in their 20 overs – message to Sydenham captains playing on Syd2, when you win the toss there is no assessment to make, just bat. None of the Sydenham bowlers were spared the sword other than perhaps Paddy who was having a golden day and went at mere 7’s.
Although it was runs on the board, 193 was very achievable on that wicket and “Paddy” and Alex Lankeswar did their very best to set their side up for the win. Together they put on 111 for the 1st wicket off just 10 overs. Alex was certainly not the junior partner, much more cultured and especially strong through the off side, whilst Paddy was in the process of perfecting the six over mid-wicket, and occasionally if he was a bit early on it, over long-on. When a tired Paddy eventually ran himself out for 54 off 30 balls, Alex was soon gone also for an equally aggressive 50 off 35 balls.
Alex Lankeswar (left) & Paddy Wickes in full flight against Riccarton on Syd2
However, from there, whilst Jono Bennett also scored an excellent 41 from 27 balls, the required run rate which had started at nearly 10, became repressive, and whilst Andrew Moulton (a run a ball 16) and Dan Unwin (14 off 8) tried hard, they couldn’t quite mange the total and fell short by 9 runs at 185-6. It had been a commendable effort from the batsmen to recover from a disappointing bowling and fielding effort.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/870540/1st_innings & https://www.crichq.com/matches/871018/1st_innings
Division 3 Goats - LOST
The Goats were the unfortunate ones to play on Bradford Park this week when they took on Lancaster Park. They bowled first and thanks to Ollie Philpott’s 4-23 and Chris Douglas’ 3-17 bowled Park out for just 99. Unfortunately 99 can be a competitive score at times at Bradford and so it proved to be with the Goats succumbing badly to one Park bowler who took 9-6 off 8 overs (to clarify, 9 wickets for 6 runs) to bowl Sydenham out well short for 49. Indeed it could have been worse with the batting side 25-9 at one point before Daniel Loughton scored a 17 batting at no.8.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/871625/1st_innings
Division 6 All Stars – LOST
Abe’s boys went down when took on OBC away at Elmwood Park. When asked to bat first, Sydenham had Gourav Saini’s innings of 66* solely to thank for their total 108 all out with no one else reaching double figures.
Gourav Saini on his way to 66* on Elmwood
The lack of contribution from anyone else really hit home when the bowlers, Mark Flowerday in particular [8-4-19], nearly pulled the match out of the fire by getting OBC down to their last wicket before the winning run were scored. The other wickets takers were Abe Atherton [8-3-22], Dylan Marriott [8-1-14] and Jacob Koster [5-1-19]
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/871274/1st_innings
Division 6 Tamils - LOST
The Tamils took on Riccarton on Spreydon Domain, won the toss and elected to bat. They then proceeded to put up a very competitive 222-6 thanks to Gowtham Sakthivel (61), David Jayapaul (46), Raghuram Gudimetia (36), Gopinath Karuppiah (24) and Gowtham Puttakari Rajendrababu (20).
However, the Riccarton reply was equally assured with their middle order getting on top early and taking them through to the win at 223-6 with the Sydenham wickets equally shared around.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/871582/1st_innings
Cavaliers Cardinals – WON
The Cardinals overwhelmed Halswell in their T20 match at Halswell Domain. Batting first Halswell scored an otherwise competitive 154-7 with Luke Woolf the best of the Sydenham bowlers with 4-20. But in reply Sydenham coasted to the total losing just the one wicket with Ben Larter (41 retired), Kieran Williams (45 retired), and Luke Woolf completing a fine day with 40*, being the main run getters.
Full scoreboard Not available
Presidents Cardinals – LOST
Unfortunately the Presidents lost their top of the table clash against the always strong BWU side at Burnside Park. Batting first BWU’s top order all fired getting themselves through to a strong position at 128-2, and then 193-3, before finishing at 208-5. Warren Guy had the best of the bowling figures with 2-23 and the rest were a wicket each to Brenden Winder, Jeremy Brown, Dave Fleming and Bill Nicolson.
The Sydenham effort in reply started well with opener Paul Matthews (50*) and Phil Walker (36) getting them to 94-1, however Paul fell ill and had to retire and the Sydenham batting then fell away from that point with the side finishing 133-6 at the end of 40 overs.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/871423/1st_innings
Hospital – UNKNOWN
No details available
Sydenham Stars Div1 Women – WON
Sydenham got their 2nd consecutive win when they took on Halswell on Halswell Domain. Winning the toss and batting first, Sydenham’s 127-8 off its 20 overs was largely due to the contributions from initially Darcy Rose-Prasad (28 off 35 balls) and in the middle order by Madeleine Iro with 29 from 39 balls. There was also run a ball 12 from Caitlyn Davidson and 8 from Rachel Davidson.
Halswell were immediately on the back foot when they then lost their first three wickets for just six runs, got themselves up to 81-6 at one point, then finished well short at 91-8. Amelia Tainui was the best of the bowlers with 3 wickets for just one run, but well backed by Gina Aldersley [3-2-10], and a wicket apiece from Rachel Davidson, Madeleine Iro and Dakoda Potter.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/869810/1st_innings
Women Youth Stars – LOST
The Sydenham Youth Women ventured to Elmwood Park to take on the OBC Youth Women’s team in the T20 competition. Winning the toss Sydenham bowled first and OBC compiled a handy total of 161-4 with Millie Rule taking 2 wickets for 11 runs.
In reply Sydenham lost an early wicket before Ruby Turner (45) and Boadicea Lynch (43) put on an 82 run partnership for the 2nd wicket. With 70 runs required from the remaining 6 overs, wickets fell regularly with the score finishing on 115 for 6 wickets at the completion of the 20 overs. A loss by 46 runs for the Sydenham Youth Women.
Full scoreboard https://www.crichq.com/matches/869926/1st_innings
First XI – LOST
The First XI meet St Bedes Second XI at Cashmere high and were afflicted by the curse of extras and the results that they can have on the game. Batting first Bedes were afforded quite a few wides and no-balls in the first few overs of their innings. Bedes capitalised on the free hits that come after any no-balls that are bowled and managed to deposit several balls over the boundary including one that went over a neighbour’s fence. Bedes managed to score 158 all out in only 36 overs.
Batting second, regular wickets from as early as 3-1 meant the home teams were chasing the game throughout their innings. Ghofran Shasawar anchored the middle of the innings with a patient 46 (off 87 balls) but the team was eventually out for 147 in the 48th over to record a 11 run loss.
Year 10 Colts – Day 1 of 2
The Colts are underway in their two day match at Christchurch Boys High school and will report in next week with a match report.
T20 – Won
The T20 team met St Bedes on the Polo Grounds and amassed an impressive 184/5 at an impressive run rate of 9.2 runs per over in their allotted 20 overs. In response, they quickly disposed of Bedes who were all out in the 12th over for 91.
Year 10 – Lost
Sydenham Y10 lost the toss and were sent in to bat by a primed and on-form Shirley Boys Team. Things didn’t go so well for Sydenham being bowled out for 84 off 22 overs., however the highlights was two excellent timed 4’s from Jack Weller, and a solid 20 off 18 balls for Murphy McMillan.
The bowling innings was equally difficult, but a couple of excellent wickets were taken. Despite the loss the lads remained upbeat and played well, and hats off to a thoroughly sportsmanlike team in Shirley. Shirley won by 8 wickets.
Year 9A – Lost
The 9As were also playing on the Polo grounds against yet another St Bedes team. Sydenham bowled first and bowled well for the first 18 overs restricting St Bede’s to 93/4, but then some good batting, and a slightly off par bowling and fielding display allowed St Bede’s to get to 240/9. A great display from Rohitash Rai with his best figures of the season of 5-1-15-4.
Having got larger scores in the previous matches, Sydenham were always behind in this game. A top score of 50 off 49 balls for Freddie Winsor, and some 20s took Sydenham to 166/10 off 29.3 overs. A good game and a strong opposition but definitely a winnable game on another day!
Year 9B – Lost
At Westlake Reserve the 9B team meet St Bedes Black who had a handy bowling attack who took a wicket with the first ball of the innings. Unfortunately, Bedes kept taking wickets at quite a rate and the 9Bs were bowled out for 46 on the 13 over. Bedes then knocked off the required total for the loss of no wickets in the 8th over.
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