McDonald's Women's Premier Cricket resumes, dominant allround displays and finals fixtures confirmed in this edition of The Opening Spell.
First Over
First ball – Breakers Star in Round 12 Victory
Manly Warringah’s contingent of NSW Breakers made a triumphant return in round 12 of women’s first grade, delivering match-winning performances with both bat and ball. Lauren Kua anchored the innings with a composed 23 off 31, while Hannah Darlington hit 20 from 13. Anika Learoyd added a steady 15 runs to guide Manly to 100 runs after 19 overs (DLS). In response, Sydney’s batting order crumbled under relentless pressure from Manly’s disciplined bowling attack. Georgia Adams (2-5), Hannah Darlington (2-6), and Sam Bates (2-8) delivered devastating spells, dismantling the opposition’s lineup with precision. Sydney faltered in their chase, managing just 68 runs.
Second ball – Sheehy Surpasses 1k
Sutherland’s Green Shield skipper Lucas Sheehy has passed 1000 career runs, which includes a debut ton in fourth grade. Sheehy was left just short of a Green Shield century with an unbeaten 96 in a reduced overs match against Randwick in round one.
Third ball - Fixtures Confirmed for Women’s Kingsgrove T20 Cup Finals Day
Following the final preliminary women’s first grade T20 matches on Sunday, the semi final positions for the Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup have been finalised. Congratulations to Campbelltown Camden, Sydney, Manly Warringah and St George-Sutherland on qualifying for the final four.
The women’s finals day will take place at Drummoyne Oval on Monday, January 27 as follows:
SEMI FINAL 1 - 9:30am - Campbelltown (1) v St George-Sutherland (4)
SEMI FINAL 2 - 1:30pm - Sydney (2) v Manly Warringah (3)
FINAL – 5:30pm – Winner SF1 v Winner SF2
Fourth ball – Super Over Drama
Sydney hosted Manly at Drummoyne Oval in a thrilling women’s second grade clash that ended in a dramatic super over after the teams were deadlocked. Manly’s Mia Nel delivered the match-winning performance, dismissing both Kate Barry and Grace Keating for golden ducks in Sydney’s super over, restricting them to just two runs. Needing just three runs for victory, Manly held their nerve, securing the win off the first two balls.
Fifth ball – Captain’s Knock
Sutherland’s Nick Amos showcased his leadership with a stellar captain’s knock in men’s second grade, propelling his team to a seven-wicket victory over Eastern Suburbs. Amos hammered an impressive century, combining with opener Lachlan Ball, who contributed a commanding 90, to ensure a Sutherland win.
Sixth ball – Dillon Dominates
St George-Sutherland’s Samantha Dillon showcased her exceptional all-round abilities in women’s third grade, dominating both with the bat and ball to cement her status as the grade’s leading run-scorer and wicket-taker in round 12. Dillon was unplayable with the ball, delivering a stunning spell that claimed two wickets without conceding a run. Opening the innings for St George-Sutherland, Dillon continued her commanding form, with an impressive 30 off 28 balls before retiring, as her team raced to victory in just 9.2 overs.
Second Over
First ball – Semi Finals for Men’s First Grade Limited Overs Locked In
The race to the men’s first grade Limited Overs Cup title is getting tighter, with Gordon, Parramatta, Randwick Petersham and St George progressing through to the semi finals.
Matches will take place on Sunday, February 2, starting at 10:00am as follows:
- Parramatta v St George at Old Kings Oval
- Randwick Petersham v Gordon at Coogee Oval
Second ball – Leading Run Scorers: Men’s First Grade Limited Overs Cup
Heading into the final games, the leading run scorers in the men’s first grade (Limited Overs Cup) are:
JA Clarke | Western Suburbs | 420 runs | 175* top score
JRK Attenborough | Sydney University | 371 runs | 100 top score
LP Ohrynowsky | Fairfield Liverpool | 360 runs | 109 top score
Third ball – Leading Wicket Takers: Men’s First Grade Limited Overs Cup
The leading wicket takers in men’s first grade (Limited Overs Cup) are:
M Sullivan | Parramatta | 14 wickets | 4-13 best bowling
P Francis | St George | 13 wickets | 5-40 best bowling
AJ Van Den Nieuwboer | 13 wickets | 4-20 best bowling
Fourth Ball – AW Green Shield Edge Closer to Crowning Champions
Congratulations to Northern District, Western Suburbs, Sydney University and Parramatta on advancing to the semi finals of the AW Green Shield competition.
Semi finals will take place on Thursday, January 23, starting at 10:00am as follows:
- Northern District v Western Suburbs at Mark Taylor Oval
- Sydney University v Parramatta at University Oval
Fifth Ball – Leading Run Scorers: AW Green Shield
With the semi finals in AW Green Shield upon us, it gives us a chance to look at the top five run scorers in the competition so far:
N Patel | UNSW | 466 runs | 167 top score
A O’Hara | Sydney University | 342 runs | 135* top score
L Bartlett | Northern District | 315 runs | 108 top score
Sixth Ball – Leading Wicket Takers: AW Green Shield
The top five wicket takers are:
A Yadav | Sydney University | 22 wickets | 4-17 best bowling
T Walker | Manly Warringah | 19 wickets | 5-7 best bowling
J Mendis | Western Suburbs | 18 wickets | 4-14 best bowling