Pictured: Sydney's Hayley Zauch and Holly Toms who combined for 206-run opening partnership.
First Over
First ball – Sydney’s Opening Pair Dominate
Sydney secured a decisive victory over Bankstown in women’s second grade, to go three points clear at the top of the table. Hayley Zauch (102) led the charge for Sydney, scoring her maiden century and combining with Holly Toms (89) for an opening partnership of 206. Toms went on to pick up two wickets off her 10 overs as Bankstown finished at 4/199 – 50 runs short of the target.
Second ball – Anthony Sams Equalizes 67-Year-Old Record
Anthony Sams continues to etch his name into the record books, this week holding three catches to equal the record (542) for most dismissals in the history of men’s first grade. Sams began the match against UNSW with a total of 530 dismissals, comprised of 479 catches (including five with Bankstown) and 60 stumpings. Luke Callanan caught the edges of Nihal Desai, Tyler Grainger-Balding and Jared Humprephys, where they were snapped up by the safe hands of Sams. Having been set by Ernie Laidler of St George in 1958, the record has stood for 67 years.
Third ball – Haddin's Maiden Century Seals Green Shield Glory
The apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree, with the son of Test great Brad Haddin hitting a maiden century for Northern District in the AW Green Shield final. Zach Haddin hit an unbeaten 112 and combined with opener Lachlan Bartlett (84) to ensure Northern District could capitalise on a strong start. Bartlett would claim three wickets, but the day belonged to Haddin who was awarded the Kevin Cunningham Medal for Player of the Final for his stellar knock.
Fourth ball – Shivra Shines with Seven
Shivra Vohra of UTS North Sydney has delivered a standout performance in men's fifth grade, taking seven wickets while conceding just 53 runs from his 26 overs. The spell maintained immense pressure on Northern District, who were all out for 149 after 63.5 overs. North Sydney ended the day 3-38 after 16 overs, as they look to settle and build on their innings heading into day two.
Fifth ball – Clarke’s Century Streak Continues
Josh Clarke continues to dominate men’s first grade, with his third score of 150+ not out for the season. Clarke scored 156 not out (222 balls, five sixes and 15 fours) against Eastern Suburbs to notch up his 27th first grade century and see Western Suburbs declare at 5/346. The performance sees Clarke fourth on the first grade ladder for runs this season, accumulating 669 runs across 15 matches. The stellar form with the bat hasn’t gone unnoticed, with the Western Suburbs skipper called in to the NSW Men’s Second XI vs QLD this week.
Sixth ball – Weather Woes: T20 Cup Grand Final Abandoned
Drummoyne Oval hosted the women’s Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup finals on Monday. Despite two hard-fought matches to determine the final clash, Mother Nature stepped in. Campbelltown Camden defeated St George-Sutherland to secure their final spot before Manly had a dominant 10-wicket win over Sydney to progress through. Unfortunately, the final was abandoned following Campbelltown Camden’s first innings of 5/141 due to heavy rain and thunder/lightning. The SCA Women’s Sub-Committee will look to meet this week to discuss and explore options for a rescheduled grand final.
Second Over
First ball – Brynn Blasts 231
Manly’s Brynn Mendel went BOOM in men’s second grade, blasting 231 runs in the first innings against Sydney. The innings was marked by an impressive 13 boundaries and a mammoth 21 sixes as Manly declared at 7/418. Mendel’s session with the bat propels him into the top 20 second grade run scorers for 2024/25 and sees him as the leading willow wielder across all grades on day one of round 13.
Second ball – CNSW Inks Global Deal
As part of a five-year memorandum of understanding between Cricket NSW, Sydney Cricket Club and the Chinese Cricket Association, the Chinese Men’s and Women’s National Cricket Teams have been living and training in Sydney over the past two months, utilising CNSW’s facilities at Cricket Central and Bankstown, along with Sydney Cricket Club’s Drummoyne Oval and Sydney University. The Chinese National teams have embedded themselves within the NSW cricket family over recent months, playing a range of friendly games against Premier Cricket Clubs including Manly, Penrith and Randwick Petersham.
Third ball – Double 6-Fer Delight
Wickets were flying over the weekend, including a pair of 6fas in men’s third grade. Nicholas Freedman excelled for Bankstown, claiming 6-56(25.3) against Hawkesbury as they were bowled out 165. At stumps, Bankstown are 34 without loss. Across town, Om Sah delivered a six-wicket haul for Sutherland, to see Gordon bowled out for 199 with Sutherland 0-61 at stumps.
Fourth Ball - Pocklington Shines with Hat-Trick and Half-Century
Gordon’s Joe Pocklington is flying in round 13 of men’s second grade, delivering an all round performance for the ages. With the ball in hand, Pocklington finished his first innings spell with figures of 5-31, including a hat trick. After bowling Sutherland out for 184, Gordon are 2/115 at stumps – with Pocklington set to resume on an unbeaten 60.
Fifth Ball – Men’s Club Championship
The NSW Premier Cricket Club Championship race is heating up and here is how things stand in the men’s competition:
Sixth Ball – Women’s Club Championship
And the women’s: