Universities remain unbeaten in the Sydney Women’s First Grade cricket competition after a close call with Bankstown at Grahame Thomas Oval on Sunday.
Chasing 157 for victory in the 50-over match, the Students were 4-37 before England representative Laura Marsh (41) and Australian representative Rachael Haynes shared an 80-run, fourth wicket stand to steady the ship.
But when Marsh departed on 133 and Haynes followed on 146, Universities re-entered stormy waters, losing another three wickets before Maisy Gibson (19 not out) and Melissa Norup (seven not out) guided them home with a wicket to spare.
Universities head the ladder on 40 points after six rounds, with Bankstown (31), Gordon (24) and St George-Sutherland (22) making up the top four.
The Second and Third grade fixtures were abandoned due to weather conditions on Saturday, but Universities Under 17 Brewer Shield side extended their unbeaten run to five with a five-wicket win over Northern District in a 40-over match at David Phillip South on Sunday.
Universities rolled Northern District for 77 after the visitors had won the toss and elected to bat.
Isabelle Afaras (27) was the mainstay of the innings, while Darshana Kannan (2-10), Zoe Benjamin (1-2), Jemimah Keelan (1-4), Dharshia Srivinas (1-8), Stella Campbell (1-8), Nell Gibson (1-9) and Olivia Porter (1-12) kept the wickets tumbling.
Universities rattled up 5-158 in reply, with Maddy Darke (50 ret), Olivia Porter (34 not out), Claudia Johnston (23) and Zoe Benjamin (23) getting some useful time at the wicket.
Universities head the Brewer Shield ladder on 38 points, with Campbelltown-Camden (28.4), St George-Sutherland (26.8) and Northern District (24.7) making up the top four.
Scoreboard
Sydney Women’s Grade competition – Round 5 (Limited Overs)
First Grade: Universities 9-157 off 33.4 overs (Laura Marsh 41, Rachael Haynes 41, Maisy Gibson 19 not out; Emma Newman 3-26, Sarah Aley 3-43) defeated Bankstown 156 off 47.2 overs (Ashleigh Gardner 37, Rhiannon Dick 27; Alice Davidson-Richards 3-16, Qanita Jalil 3-18, Emily Mifsud 2-19, Laura Marsh 2-36) by one wicket at Grahame Thomas Oval on Sunday. Toss: Universities. Batted first: Bankstown. Points: Universities 6, Bankstown 0.
Second Grade: Universities versus St George-Sutherland at David Phillips North: Match abandoned due to ground conditions.
Third Grade: Universities Gold versus Bankstown at Grahame Thomas Oval on Saturday: Match abandoned due to ground conditions.
Brewer Shield (Under 17) – Round 4 (40 over match)
Universities 5-158 off 40 overs (Maddy Darke 50 ret, Olivia Porter 34 not out, Claudia Johnston 23, Zoe Benjamin 23; Alisha Bates 1-11, Lucie Vayriot 1-13) defeated Northern District 77 off 39.5 overs (Isabelle Afaras 27; Darshana Kannan 2-10, Zoe Benjamin 1-2, Jemimah Keelan 1-4, Dharshia Srivinas 1-8, Stella Campbell, Nell Gibson 1-9, Olivia Porter 1-12) by five wickets at David Phillips South on Sunday.
