Dominant displays, record-breaking knocks, droughts broken and finals confirmed in this edition of The Opening Spell.
Pictured: Manly's Henry Rogers was named Player of the Final following his performance in the Poidevin-Gray Shield // Ian Bird Photography
First Over
First ball – Kingsell makes history with record-breaking knock
Riley Kingsell has made history by becoming the youngest cricketer to score a double century in first grade. At just 19 years and 163 days old, Kingsell’s blistering knock of 227 runs off 196 balls included 8 sixes and 25 fours, guiding Bankstown to a dominant win over Eastern Suburbs in the final regular season match of the Belvidere Cup. However, his feats didn’t stop there. On the Sunday between the two days of the first grade fixture, Kingsell notched up a century in the Poidevin-Gray semi final. His reward for an outstanding season? A call-up to the NSW Men’s Second XI this week.
Second ball – Breakers dominate first grade semi finals
The NSW Breakers, riding high from their WNCL victory, continued their impressive form in the women’s first grade semifinals. Tahlia Wilson put in a match-winning performance for St George-Sutherland, smashing a brilliant 107 runs to guide them past Manly Warringah, despite a ton to Anika Learoyd. In the second semifinal, Campbelltown Camden emerged victorious over Sydney, thanks to the combined efforts of Sarah Coyte (50 runs and two wickets) and Lauren Cheatle (32 runs, one wicket and one run out).
Women’s First Grade Grand Final
Who: Campbelltown Camden vs St George-Sutherland
Where: Cricket Central
When: Sunday, March 16 from 10:00am
Third ball – Eight-wicket haul powers Western Suburbs to big win
Bilal Khan delivered an extraordinary performance for Western Suburbs in men’s second grade, claiming 8 wickets for just 41 runs in 18.1 overs. His remarkable spell played a pivotal role in Western Suburbs’ crushing victory over Hawkesbury by an innings and 50 runs. Despite the victory, Western Suburbs failed to finish within the top six to secure a finals berth.
Instead, Bankstown, Campbelltown Camden, Manly Warringah, Northern District, Parramatta and Sydney University have progressed, with matches to take place on Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16, starting at 9:45am as follows:
Sydney University v Bankstown at Sydney University
Northern District v Parramatta at Mark Taylor Oval
Campbelltown Camden v Manly Warringah at Raby Sports Complex
Fourth ball – Blazing 98 secures St George’s final spot
St George secured a decisive 186-run victory over Sutherland in men’s third grade, with Manraj Singh Kahlon taking centre stage with a blistering 98 runs off just 57 balls – including four sixes and 11 boundaries.
The win propelled St George into the third grade qualifying finals, where they will be joined by Manly Warringah, UNSW, and UTS North Sydney and Parramatta this weekend.
Parramatta v Sydney University at venue tba
St George v Manly Warringah at Harold Fraser Reserve
UNSW v UTS North Sydney at David Phillips Memorial Fields
Fifth ball – Parramatta and St George-Sutherland battle for third grade glory
After dominant performances in their semifinals, Parramatta and St George-Sutherland will clash in the women’s third-grade final. Parramatta defeated Manly Warringah, while St George-Sutherland triumphed over UTS North Sydney.
Who: Parramatta v St George-Sutherland
Where: Belmore Park
When: Saturday, March 15 from 12:30p
Sixth ball – Turner and Zhang-Langley shine with seven-wicket hauls
A pair of seven-fa's have been dished up in men’s fifth grade, with Northern District’s Oscar Turner picking up 7-47 and Sydney University’s Flinders Zhang-Langley returning fire with 7-32 to see his side notch up an 89-run victory. Unfortunately for Oscar and Flinders, both Northern District (7th) and Sydney University (10th) missed out on a spot in the qualifying final.
Instead, Eastern Suburbs, Fairfield-Liverpool, Manly Warringah, Parramatta, Penrith and St George will play for a place in the semifinal. Matches will take place on Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16, starting at 10:00am as follows:
Manly Warringah v Fairfield Liverpool at LM Grahams Reserve
Parramatta v Eastern Suburbs at venue tba
St George v Penrith at venue tba
Second Over
First ball – Six-wicket performance sends UNSW to finals
Nishanth Regulagedda has stolen the show in men’s fourth grade, picking up six wickets and conceding just 43 runs over his 19 overs. Regulagedda efforts were pivotal in UNSW’s 20-run victory over Sydney, where they secured their place in the qualifying finals. Matches will take place on Saturday March 15 and Sunday March 16, starting at 10:00am as follows:
Manly Warringah v Penrith at Manly Oval
Sydney University v UNSW at St Pauls
St George v Parramatta at venue tba
Second ball – Manly Warringah end Poidevin-Gray Shield drought
Manly Warringah has lifted the Poidevin-Gray Shield for the first time in 39 years, defeating Bankstown by 173-runs at Bankstown Oval. Henry Rogers was the star of the show, top scoring with 80 runs, while Joel Davies (63), Bertie Foreman (38), and Myles Kapoor (42) contributed valuable runs to help set a formidable target. Foreman’s brilliant bowling performance, which saw him take four wickets for 20 runs in 7.3 overs, was crucial in dismantling Bankstown's chase and securing Manly’s long-awaited victory.
Third ball – Maiden title up for grabs
The next generation of cricket superstars will be in action on Sunday, as the Southern Swans and Manly Warringah battle it out for Brewer Shield glory, with both sides eyeing their maiden title.
Who: Southern Swans v Manly Warringah
Where: King George V Oval
When: Sunday March 16 from 10:00am
Fourth Ball – Qualifying finals loom
The race to the Belvidere Cup is getting tighter, with the top six teams finalised ahead of the qualifying finals this weekend. Matches will take place on Saturday March 15 and Sunday March 16, starting at 10:00am as follows:
Parramatta v Hawkesbury at Old Kings Oval
St George v Penrith at Hurstville Oval
Fairfield-Liverpool v Western Suburbs at Rosedale Oval
Fifth Ball – Second grade showdown
The women’s second grade final will see UTS North Sydney and Parramatta go head-to-head after both teams triumphed in their respective semi finals. UTS North Sydney will be full of confidence after their dominant performance, led by captain Bella Johnson, who has amassed 539 runs this season. However, Parramatta, with in-form Jaaniya Shah, who has been a standout performer with both the bat and ball, will be aiming to spoil the party.
Who: UTS North Sydney v Parramatta
What: Tunks Park
Where: Sunday, March 16 from 10:00am
Sixth Ball – Young guns shine
In pursuit of Fairfield-Liverpool's 391 in men's first-grade cricket, UTS North Sydney saw stellar centuries from opener Adam Thomas (110 off 150 balls, featuring 19 boundaries) and number four Addison Sherriff (101 off 104 balls, with 16 fours and one six). Sherriff's knock marked his second century of the season and the third of his first-grade career. Thomas, who made his first grade debut in round 15, had already been in strong form this season, having notched up seven half-centuries in second grade and Poidevin-Gray matches. For these 18-year-olds, it’s been an impressive start to their first-grade careers, showing real promise for the future.