Men's Premier Cricket ready for Grand Final weekend

First Grade Limited Overs Cup winners, Eastern Suburbs, will vie for their second piece of silverware this season when they take on Manly-Warringah in the three-day Belvidere Cup decider at Cricket Central Oval, beginning Friday. 

The match shapes as a high quality contest, with six current and former First-Class players – Daniel Hughes, Nic Maddinson (Eastern Suburbs), Joel Davies, Ollie Davies, Jay Lenton and Charlie Stobo (Manly) – set to take the field. 

Under the leadership of Hughes and new coach Daniel Smith, Eastern Suburbs have turned their 17th place finish in the 2024-25 First Grade competition on its head, securing their spot in the 2025-26 decider after a stellar campaign. 

Hughes pinpointed the side’s newfound confidence as the driving force behind its push for a first Belvidere Cup title in 22 years. 

“We’ve had Dan Smith come in, plus Harry Conway, Nic Maddinson and I have been around for most of the year. We’ve tried to instil a bit of belief in the guys and it seems to be paying off,” Hughes said. 

Standing in the Dolphins’ way are five-time First Grade premiers, Manly-Warringah. After last tasting Belvidere Cup success in 2014-15, the Waratahs have lost their last two First Grade deciders, adding to their motivation to secure redemption. 

Manly captain Joel Foster believes his side’s mix of First-Class stars and up and coming players will give their opponents plenty to think about over the three days. 

“Having Ollie (Davies) back from his First-Class duties has been great, especially for our young guys to bounce ideas off,” Foster said.  

“And then someone like Roop Dhillon, in his first full year in First Grade, has been knocking the door down with plenty wickets and breaking games open for us.” 

Fans can attend the 2025-26 First Grade Grand Final at Cricket Central Oval free of charge or follow online via the link below. 

First Grade Grand Final (Belvidere Cup) 

Eastern Suburbs v Manly Warringah at Cricket Central Oval.  

March 27, 28 & 29, 2026. Play begins at 10:00am each day. Live scores & stream. 

Eastern Suburbs: Daniel Hughes (c), James Moore, Trystan Kennedy, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Moran, Johnny Connell, Max Glen (wk), Marcus Atallah, Sam Greenland, Josh Seward, Nick Palmer, Everett Oxenham. Coach: Daniel Smith 

Manly Warringah: Joel Foster (c), Matt Brewster, Ahillen Beadle, Roop Dhillon, Ollie Davies, Joel Davies, Jay Lenton (wk), Charlie Stobo, Andrew Boulton, Tom Kaye, Lewis Evans, Harry Kershler. Coaches: Mickey Edwards, Roy Vumbaca 

Umpires: Gerard Abood & Ben Treloar.  

Second to Fifth Grade Grand Finals 

March 27, 28 & 29, from 10:00am each day 

Second Grade (Albert Cup): Manly Warringah v Northern District at Manly Oval. Umpires: Sharad Patel & Troy Penman. Live scores & stream. 

March 28 & 29, from 10:00am each day 

Third Grade (Mitchell Cup): Western Suburbs v Northern District at Pratten Park. Umpires: Bob McGregor & Andrew Yarad. Live scores & stream. 

Fourth Grade (Reid Cup): St George v UNSW at Hurstville Oval. Umpires: Darren Goodger & Nic Warburton. Live scores & stream. 

Fifth Grade (David Sherwood Cup): Fairfield-Liverpool v Parramatta at Rosedale Oval. Umpires: Daniel Marshall & Marc Nickl. Live scores & stream. 

McDonalds NSW Men’s Premier Cricket Premiers 2025/26 

Men’s Limited Overs Cup: Eastern Suburbs 

Men’s Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup: Western Suburbs 

Poidevin-Gray Shield (Under 21): Mosman 

AW Green Shield (Under 16): Northern District 

Club Champions: St George