Senior Cup History Season 2023-24 In a first-of-its-kind state-wide tournament, Cricket NSW organised a T20 knockout competition for senior cricket clubs across NSW. The aim of this tournament is to bring together the senior cricket community in NSW and provide non-elite cricketing squads with the exciting prospect of being crowned the inaugural NSW Community Cup champions. In 2023/24, 25 teams entered in the Inaugural NSW Community Cup, with Wollongong DCC emerged as winners with the story of finals day captured below. Finals Day 2023/24 Four of the finest club outfits in the state converged on Kanebridge Oval, Rouse Hill on Sunday February 11th 2024, to vie for top honours in the inaugural Cricket NSW Community Cricket Cup. Two metropolitan clubs, Epping Bulls Cricket Club and Berowra Cricket Club, qualified through separate pools, while Wollongong District Cricket Club and Wallsend District Cricket Club, representing regional NSW, also progressed through their respective brackets. The day did not disappoint and provided three high quality T20 fixtures, here is how it all played out. Semi-Final 1 Wallsend District Cricket held their nerve and ultimately proved too strong Berowra Cricket Club in the end for Club in a low scoring final over thriller to book a place in the final. Semi-Final 2 Wollongong District Cricket Club came out on fire with the willow after electing to bat first, amassing 6/145 against Epping Bulls Cricket Club. The Bulls were chasing the game from there and could only muster 8/131 in reply. Grand Final Wallsend District Cricket Club won the bat flip in the Big Dance and took first use of the facilities. The innings never really got moving with several batters reaching double figures but not going on with the task, finishing all out 105. Wollongong opening duo Jayden Zahra-Smith and Ethan Debono took the game away from a tiring Wallsend with a 62 run opening stand and Wollongong coasted home from there to finish 2/106. A huge congratulations to Wollongong District Cricket Club becoming our inaugural NSW Community Cup winners. All in all, the day was a huge success, CNSW would like to thank all involved and look forward to an even bigger and better shown for season 2024/25. Season 2024-25 The NSW Community Cricket Cup 2024-25 went bigger and better in its second year. An exciting finals day at Cricket Central was held on Sunday 19th January 2025 with the Semi Finals and Grand Final played back-to-back. In a Massive win for community cricket across the state, and for the first time, the Grand Final was streamed live on Kayo Freebies, thanks to FrogBox, who provided an enhanced production with multiple cameras and commentary. Finals Day 2024-25 The 2025 NSW Community Cup finals day on January 19 showcased the best of senior community club cricket in NSW with a Grand Final that came down to the wire, forging a victory for Wollongong District Cricket Club as the undefeated back-to-back champions of the first two editions of the Cup. This was the second year of Cricket NSW’s exciting T20 knockout competition for senior cricket clubs across the state, with both metro and country clubs vying for the coveted NSW Community Cup. Like last year, the competition followed a triple header format on finals day, the two semi-finals leading into the Grand Final between Wollongong and Lindfield DCC. While the semi-finals were streamed on Cricket NSW’s YouTube channel, the Grand Final, for the first time, was broadcast live on Kayo Freebies, thanks to FrogBox, who provided an enhanced production with multiple cameras and commentary. Semi-Final 2 In the second semi-final, Wollongong faced The Entrance DCC, who put up a fight with a big total of 139/8 on the board, but the reigning champions answered with a knock of 143/6. Grand Final Wollongong’s Toby Dodds was named Player of the Final as his quickfire 50 off 30 balls steered Wollongong to a total of 136/6. They did not defend their total with ease, though, with Lindfield steadily inching towards the total throughout their innings until the penultimate ball of the match when Lindfield needed 5 off two to win but Wollongong took a crucial wicket to stem the flow and won by three runs. *************************** Martin Gleeson, Chief Community Cricket Officer, Cricket NSW, said: “Our congratulations to Wollongong District Cricket Club for winning this edition of the NSW Community Cup. “The quality of cricket in both the semi-finals and Grand Final was a great showcase for the cricket community and all four clubs rose to the occasion, playing on the first-class wicket and outfield at Cricket Central. “Wollongong were highly energetic in the field and held their nerve in both their finals with key batting and bowling contributions at crucial stages taking them across the line. “This has been a great tournament. We are heartened by the positive feedback from participating clubs with tough and competitive cricket being the hallmark. “We are looking forward to the Cup being an important event on community cricket calendars every season.” Entry Draw Winners Season 2024-25 Upon entering the Community Cup all clubs were entered into a draw for some Prize Giveaways for the 2024-25 Competition. CNSW are excited to announce the winners below: Cricket experience with a player from NSW Blues or NSW Breakers or Sydney Sixers or Sydney Thunder – Orange City Cricket Club Signed Sydney Thunder Bat – West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook Cricket Club Signed Sydney Sixers Shirt - De La Salle Kingsgrove Cricket Club 12 x SCG Test Match Tickets (Aus vs India) - The Entrance Cricket Club Team training and tour experience at Cricket Central Indoor Nets - Kenthurst Upper Hills Cricket Club Congratulations to all winners, CNSW will distribute any physical prizes via the local Cricket Managers.
