(Pictured: Blacktown & Sydney University Brewer Shield teams during a barefoot circle to mark First Nations Round)
Tight battles, big wickets and a historic run chase in this issue of The Opening Spell.
First Over
First ball – Randall rocks Parramatta
Manly’s Sophia Randall delivered a sensational spell, taking 3-1 from her two overs in women’s third grade, setting the tone for a 19-run victory over Parramatta. Backed by Daisy Addison (2-7) and Hannah McPhail (2-1), Manly’s disciplined attack restricted Parramatta to 54. The chase was a formality as Manly cruised to victory with overs to spare, showcasing their depth and teamwork.
Second ball – Manly’s Mammoth Chase
Ahillen Beadle was the star of the show for Manly in men’s first grade, smashing 158 off 196 balls with 21 boundaries and 3 sixes in a monumental 449-run chase against Gordon. His all-round contribution, including 2-82 with the ball, was complemented by Joel Davies’ unbeaten 123, propelling Manly to a historic victory. The chase etched Manly into the history books over the weekend, with the second highest run chase in the competition’s history. Bested only by Eastern Suburbs (7-469; A Jeffrey 104; B Haddin 111*) who chased down 7-66d by Western Suburbs (Michael Clarke 104) in October 2003 with three balls remaining.
Third ball – Sydney Edges Ahead
In a commanding display in women’s second grade, Sydney secured a convincing victory over Penrith, chasing down their target with ease. Sydney's batting display was anchored by Kate Barry, who hit 88 not out from 89 balls, including 12 fours. The win sees Sydney sit just .5 of a point clear at the top of the table after 7 rounds.
Fourth ball – Masterclass and Heartbreak
Leading from the front in men’s fifth grade, Steve Kourouche delivered a masterclass in bowling for Sutherland, claiming six wickets while conceding only 24 runs across his nine overs. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Penrith’s opener Jacob Thompson weathered the wickets of Lachlan Bowles (37) and Lachlan Hood (2) at the hands of Kourouche before eventually falling to the same fate on 94. Despite Kourouche’s exceptional performance with the ball, there was no such heroics for Sutherland with the bat as they fell 48 runs short of the target.
Fifth ball – Abela’s Breakout Month
Bailey Abela commenced his first-grade career just over a month ago and has already notched up his maiden first-grade century. The 2024/25 Basil Sellers Tier 1 Scholar hit 114 off 221, including 11 boundaries, against Blacktown. Abela added116 for the 3rd wicket with Nick Appleton (64), propelling Campbelltown to 311 to ensure the Mounties faced an uphill battle from the outset.
Sixth ball – Gordon’s Got Grit
Gordon secured a 26-run victory over Manly Warringah in the women’s Brewer Shield competition. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Gordon struggled to start before but rallying to post a modest 107. Jorja Horan with ball in hand emerged as the standout performer, finishing with an impressive five-wicket haul for just 17 runs across her 7.3 overs.
Second Over
First ball – Parramatta’s Guilded Glory
Parramatta secured a commanding 140-run victory over Sydney in men’s third grade, thanks to Damien Guild and captain Matthew Giumelli. Guild anchored the inning with a masterful 122 off 147 including 14 fours and a six while partnering with Giumelli who smacked 81 off 57.
Second ball – Captain Fantastic!
In a women’s first grade match dominated by Sydney, they secured a resounding victory over Sydney Uni by 194 runs - driven by an outstanding performance from captain Kira Churchland, who remained unbeaten on 121 runs off just 111 balls, peppering the boundary with 20 fours. Adding to her all-round brilliance, Churchland took 2-4 in a three-over spell, to cap off a stellar performance and claim POTM and lift the Ann Mitchell Cup with her team.
Third ball – Zaidi’s Spell Dismantles Sydney Uni
Batting first in women’s third grade, UTS North Sydney posted a competitive 120 runs, thanks largely to the efforts of Eva Jenns (33) and Bernadette Robson (30). However, it was UTS’s bowlers who stole the show and saw their team across the line. Sadaf Zaidi was exceptional; her figures of four wickets for just five runs from four overs were instrumental in derailing any hopes Sydney University had of chasing down the target. Complementing Zaidi's performance was Eva Jenns, who chipped in with two wickets alongside Violet Crowe's (1-6) tidy spell.
Fourth ball – Ryan’s Running Hot
Sydney University’s Ryan McElduff is in red hot form, and the latest round was no different. His 79 against Mosman in men’s second grade was his sixth innings above 50 in his seven innings this season. When he scored his first run, he passed 600 runs for the season.
Fifth ball – Babu’s Blitz
UNSW’s Yeshwanth Babu delivered a match-winning performance in men’s fourth grade, smashing 73 not out off just 48 balls, including nine fours and a six as Ilankumaran Murugappan supported with 72 from 84 deliveries. After booming with the bat, Babu took three tidy catches in the field to help his side to a 112-run victory.
Sixth ball – Solway’s Century Streak Soars to Seventh All-Time
Bankstown first-grade captain, Dan Solway, in at 1-11 against Western Suburbs, produced 178 not out off 279 balls with two sixes and 15 fours. It was Solway’s second century of the season and the 26th of his first-grade career, seeing him move into equal seventh on the all-time list of century makers. Solway added 155 for the second wicket with Riley Kingsell (91) and 105 for the fourth wicket with Ethan Deal (50) to see Bankstown romp to a 170-run victory.