Sydney University First XI will be calling on big performances from their middle order batsmen next Saturday if they are to secure points against Eastern Suburbs at University Oval.
The Students were 3-44 at stumps on day one, chasing East’s 215, with Nicky Craze (0), Damien Mortimer (0) and Hayden Kerr (16) back in the sheds.
The good news for Sydney University is Liam Robertson, Ryan McElduff and Steven Hobson will be batting at five, six and seven.
Robertson, who will join opener Ben Trevor-Jones (27 not out) at the crease on Saturday, is coming off a first round 50 in the win over Manly-Warringah.
McElduff posted 63 in the same game, while Hobson cracked 122 in Sydney University Third Grade’s first round win.
Eastern Suburbs openers Adam Ezekiel (47) and Henry Hunt (24) got their team off to a solid start on Saturday with a 65-run stand, while Baxter Holt (34) and Harry Dalton (27) also held sway with the timber.
But it was leg-spinner Devlin Malone who kept the visitors in check with a stunning 6-73 in a 27-over spell, including six maidens.
Malone wasn’t introduced into the attack until late but picked up the wickets of Ezekiel and Hunt, first drop Angus Robson and No.4 Dalton in his haul. The young leggie took four wickets in the first round limited overs fixture.
Sydney University Second Grade will be chasing a big tally in their fixture at Trumper Park, where Eastern Suburbs finished day one at 7-290 on the back of solid contributions from William Lawrance (59), Udit Mehta (56) and Nicholas Taylor (48).
Sydney University’s Third and Fourth grades featured century-makers in their fixtures against Easts. Hayden Storey posted 100 and Jack Hill 92 in Second Grade’s 9-292 at Camperdown Park, while Matthew Coles cracked 103 and Alex Brooks contributed 71 in Fourth Grade’s 8-276 at Snape Oval.
The Fifth Grade fixture at St Paul’s College Oval is evenly poised with Eastern Suburbs 1-8 at stumps in reply to Sydney University’s 256. Zohirul Islam (72), William Masojada (60) and Liam Coelho (44) were the main contributors with the willow.
Scoreboard
NSW Premier Cricket competition – Round 2 (Two-day fixtures)
First Grade: Eastern Suburbs 215 off 76.2 overs (Adam Ezekiel 47, Baxter Holt 34, Harry Dalton 27; Devlin Malone 6-73, Ben Joy 2-38) versus Sydney University 3-44 (Ben Trevor-Jones 27 not out; Jack Preddey 1-1) stumps, day one, at Sydney University Oval on Saturday. Toss: Eastern Suburbs. Batted first: Eastern Suburbs.
Second Grade: Eastern Suburbs 7-290 off 96 overs (William Lawrance 59, Udit Mehta 56, Nicholas Taylor 48; Josh Toyer 2-54, Charlie Cassell 2-54) versus Sydney University, stumps, day one, at Trumper Park on Saturday. Toss: Eastern Suburbs. Batted first: Eastern Suburbs.
Third Grade: Sydney University 9-293 off 80 overs (Hayden Storey 100, Jack Hill 92; Mark Morley 4-74) versus Eastern Suburbs, stumps, day one, at Camperdown Park on Saturday. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University.
Fourth Grade: Sydney University 8-276 off 80 overs (Matthew Coles 103, Alex Brooks 71; Aidan Peek 2-31) versus Eastern Suburbs, stumps, day one at Snape Oval on Saturday. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University.
Fifth Grade: Sydney University 256 (Zohirul Islam 72, William Masojada 60, Liam Coelho 44; Sam Greenland 5-32, Jack Mahony 3-44) versus Eastern Suburbs 1-8, stumps, day one at St Paul’s College Oval on Saturday. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University.
Metropolitan Cup – Round 2
North-West Sydney 5-154 off 42 overs defeated Sydney University 9-153 off 45 overs at Castlewood Oval on Saturday. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University. Points: North-West Sydney 6, Sydney University 0.
