History books re-written, mammoth efforts, tight tussles and top performers in this edition of The Opening Spell.
Pictured: Nicola Hudson (Southern Swans) was named Player of the Final for her efforts in Brewer Shield.
First Over
First ball – All-Round Brilliance Not Enough for St George-Sutherland
Helen Williams had a great day in the women’s third grade final, despite St George-Sutherland's loss to Parramatta. Williams claimed five wickets while conceding just 25 runs, before going on to top score for her side with 26. Williams finishes atop of the third grade wicket takers list, with 29 at an average of 7.72 and best bowling figures of 5-17. Additionally, she sits within the top 20 third grade run scorers for the season.
Second ball – Earl’s Standout Performance Sends Parramatta to Belvidere Cup Semifinals
The race to the Belvidere Cup is getting tighter, with the semi final fixtures now locked in. Isaac Earl scored 54 not out of Parramatta’s 231 and took 6-30 (21) to restrict to Hawkesbury to 128. It was the 19-year-old's first five wicket performance in first grade and saw his side progress through to the semi finals alongside St George, Fairfield-Liverpool and Penrith.
Matches will take place on Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23, starting at 9:45am.
Parramatta v St George at Old Kings Oval
Fairfield-Liverpool v Penrith at Rosedale Oval
Third ball – McElduff, Danne Rewrite History
Ryan McElduff and Ryan Danne have rewritten the Sydney University record books with their partnership against Bankstown. The unbroken third wicket partnership of 230 between McElduff (114*) and Danne (107*) set a new club record in second grade, passing the 223 compiled by Adam Theobald and Steve Hobson against Hawkesbury in 2011/12. During his innings, McElduff become just the second batsman to pass 1000 runs in a second grade season, passing Dave Butchart’s record of 1019, set in 2006/07. When he moved from 12 to 16, Danne passed 5000 runs for the club in all grades before going on to record his sixth ton for the club and fifth in second grade.
Drawing the match with Bankstown, Sydney University managed to remain in the hunt for the Albert Cup. Matches will take place on Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23, starting at 9:45am.
Northern District v Campbelltown Camden at Mark Taylor Oval
Sydney University v Manly Warringah at University Oval No. 1
Fourth ball – Moors’ Heroics Lead St George Into Semifinals
In men’s third grade, St George’s batting order flourished under finals pressure, led by an outstanding century from Joshua Moors, who scored an impressive 155 of just 153 balls, including three sixes and 19 boundaries. Supporting Moors was Max Dunne (78) and Evasio MacMillan (67) as St George went on to post 419.
While Manly’s Kai Croft (101) attempted to spearhead Manly Warringah’s chase, the rest of the batting order faltered under pressure as Moors wreaked havoc with the ball in hand. Claiming 7-51 (11), Moors steered his side directly into this weekend's semi finals.
St George v UNSW at Hurstville Oval from 10:00am
Parramatta v UTS North Sydney from 10:00am
Fifth ball – Sydney University Storms Into Fourth Grade Semi final
Sydney University have recorded a 135-run win over UNSW to secure their spot in the men’s fourth grade semi finals. Six of the University batters recorded their highest scores in fourths – Mitchell Cotton (79), Tusar Sharma (84), Lewis Wells (51), Shuv Banerjee (32), Darcy Manners (18) and Aryan Menon (13*). Matches will take place on Saturday, March 22 and Sunday, March 23, starting at 10:00am.
Manly Warringah v Parramatta at Manly Oval
Sydney University v St George at St Paul’s Oval
Sixth ball – Newman’s 129 Guides Penrith to Semi final
Penrith have clinched a one wicket win over St George to progress to the men’s fifth grade semi finals. With a 243-run victory and a 291-run victory record in the other qualifying finals, Penrith and St George grinded out a thriller at Olds Park.
Rahid Alam (69) led the charge for St George, supported by George Kazakonis (59) and Harrison Brown (31) as the side went on to post 242. In reply, Penrith skipper Brett Newman smacked an unbeaten 129 including five boundaries and two sixes. Contributions from Raymond Dent (24) and Rahil Prajapati (20) though modest compared to Newman’s fireworks, provided just the right amount of support to see Penrith chase down the target.
Penrith will take on Parramatta while St George will face Manly Warringah for a spot in the grand final.
Second Over
First ball – First Wicket Stand Breaks 60-Year-Old Club Record
Joel Brockley (98) and Riley Kingsell (164*) have etched their name into Bankstown’s history books, breaking the club’s highest first grade first wicket partnership. Their round 16 partnership of 286 (off 260 balls) beat the record of 246 set by Grahame Thomas (151) and Alan Kelly (85) in 1962/63. This was the longest standing record at the club.
Second ball – Hudson Leads Southern Swans to Historic Brewer Shield Victory
Despite early wickets in their grand final clash against Manly Warringah, Southern Swans captain Nicola Hudson anchored the innings with an impressive 59. Supported by Georgia Lovegrove (35), Ava Dragovic (22) and Ella Yates (18), the Swans posted a competitive 166. Manly fought back hard, but Hudson led from the front with the ball in hand – taking 3-17 of 10 and locking in Player of the Final honours. Needing 11 runs off the final over and with no wickets left in hand, Lily Crabbe hit to cover and attempted a second run on a misfield – Hudson fired the ball back to Yates who smashes the stumps before Manly reached the crease. As the story goes, the Swans in their first grand final appearance in just their second season, have lifted the Brewer Shield and claimed their maiden title.
Third ball – Kingsell Tops Leading Run Scorers
As the McDonald’s Men’s Premier Cricket enters their final fixtures for the 2024/25 season, here’s the overall leading run scorers:
R Kingsell | Bankstown | 1147 runs | 227 top score
B Fitton | Mosman | 1135 runs | 164 top score
N Patel | UNSW | 1112 runs | 167 top score
Fourth Ball – Francis, Ayre, and Sullivan Top the Wicket Tally
The overall leading wicket takers in McDonald’s Men’s Premier Cricket are:
P Francis | St George | 57 wickets | 5-24 best figures
RR Ayre | Randwick Petersham | 55 wickets | 8-29 best figures
M Sullivan | Parramatta | 53 wickets | 5-58 best figures
Fifth Ball – Top Run Scorers in Women’s Premier Cricket
With McDonald’s Women’s Premier Cricket wrapped for the season, here’s the overall leading run scorers:
A Shidore | Campbelltown Camden | 728 runs | 77 top score
EM McCaughan | Manly Warringah | 664 runs | 140* top score
K Robson | UTS North Sydney | 658 runs | 75 top score
Sixth Ball – Leading Wicket Takers in Women’s Premier Cricket
The overall leading wicket takers in McDonald’s Women’s Premier Cricket are:
L Hughes | Manly Warringah | 39 wickets | 5-8 best figures
V Vinay | UTS North Sydney | 34 wickets | 5-17 best figures
B Millican | St George-Sutherland | 30 wickets | 4-13 best figures