AW Green Shield: Round four wrap from NSW’s premier U16 cricket tournament
After a dry holiday season the weather closed in as play returned in round four of the U16s Green Shield. Stars, tons and more, 30+ GALLERY.
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The race towards the finals hit uncertain ground as persistent showers undermined play at several venues in round four of the U16s AW Green Shield.
Parramatta maintained their unbeaten start to the tournament after their match with Blacktown at Merrylands was abandoned without a ball bowled. Gordon also shared the points with St George after Beauchamp Oval was deemed unplayable.
Here’s how the action unfolded at the other eight venues.
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BATTLE OF THE BIG BATS
In a battle between two undefeated teams, UNSW run-machine Neel Patel notched another century as the Bees made it four on the bounce with a seven-wicket victory at Sydney University.
Hot on the heels of a dashing 167 in round three, Patel struck gold again, this time in the second innings as UNSW reeled in the home side’s 8/180 with just over 10 overs to spare.
In frantic scenes as the victory target loomed, the dashing right-hander appeared destined to fall agonisingly short of back-to-back milestones. But with 92 against his name and with seven runs required, the Bees all-rounder conjured a miracle.
After finding the fence off Max Hildebrandt, the clever opener then launched the paceman’s follow-up delivery high over the mid-wicket boundary to kill two birds with one stone.
Unbeaten on 102 from 110 balls, Patel’s second ton heroics increased his Green Shield aggregate to 331 at a remarkable 110.3.
The loss was Sydney Uni’s first of the season and came after Illawarra opener Archie O’Hara struck 74 off 129 balls, extending his tally at the top of the run scorers list to 338 runs at 112.7.
But it was Patel’s day. Before picking apart Uni’s attack with the bat, the off-spinner took the new ball and choked the innings with 3/19 from 10 quality overs.
“Neel opened the bowling because we were missing a player to injury,” said UNSW manager and director of junior development, Aaron Crofts.
“But it was his temperament with the bat and ability to shift through the gears that stood out.
“Not many players in this age group can score a century in a run chase. It’s a point of difference that sets him apart.”
While Patel’s knock dominated the scorecard, Crofts was equally delighted with his teammates’ ability to chip in with crucial partnerships, and also praised the efforts of O’Hara.
“It was good to see two opening batters in exceptional form,” he said. “Both read the situation to perfection, and the way they rotated the strike was an impressive lesson for the players on both teams.”
GHOSTS HOLD ON
It was a near thing at Raby, but Campbelltown Camden held off a fast finishing Penrith to keep their finals hopes alive with a slender eight-run victory.
Led by a fine opening knock from Cohen Kvackovski (68 off 116), the Ghosts reached 9/179 from their allotted 50 overs in an innings where speedster Archer Sproule stood tall with 4/28.
At 3/93 in reply, the visitors looked headed for a third straight win. But when Yuvraj Khabra trapped Fletcher Byrne (22 off 55) in front with his left-arm orthodox, the Ghosts spin attack grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.
Offie Joshua Garner (3/19, 10 overs) quickly landed a double blow in consecutive deliveries. However, the Panthers weren’t done and moved to within 27 of the target when Ryan Burfitt (33 off 76) and Jayden Brasier (21 off 32) added 34 for the eighth wicket.
The Ghosts’ second win leaves then in 14th spot, just four points shy of St George in 8th.
DRIZZLY ENCOUNTERS
Northern District and North Sydney both did enough to collect the points in rain marred encounters.
On a challenging Kensington Oval wicket, NDs restricted Randwick Petersham to 6/113 from 29 overs before reaching a reduced target at 4/106 in the 23rd over.
For Randy Petes, Junaid Mansoor held the innings together with an unbeaten 44 off 78 balls. Finn Bailey did the damage with the new ball (3/23, six overs) taking three early wickets.
Bailey (27 off 25) then propped up the chase alongside Xander Carstens (41 off 51) as the pair guided the Rangers to a fourth straight victory with a third wicket stand of 48.
It was tough going at Tunks Park where Hawkesbury scrambled to 2/72 from their allotted 15 overs. Despite the loss of two early wickets, Kaviru Karunaratne (53* off 46) powered Norths to their second victory as the Bears reached a revised target to finish on 3/85 in the 14th over.
FLIP THE SCRIPT
Manly returned to winning form against Sutherland, while Fairfield-Liverpool came crashing back to earth against Mosman at Rosedale Oval.
In another rain reduced contest at Weldon Oval, Darcy Horstead (43 off 46) was one of six Manly batters to reach double figures as the home side posted 9/152 from 31 overs.
In a losing cause, Sutherland’s Archies Selmes had a magic day. After bagging 5/23, the all-rounder returned to score 20 with the bat as the visitors fell seven shy of the target. Of the Manly bowlers, opener Thomas Walker took the honours with 3/33.
Another consistent performance from the top order was enough for Mosman to get the better of the Lions by 56 runs. After being sent in, Oliver Freeman led the way with 56 off 71 as four of the top six scored 20 or more in a competitive 223.
After putting on a big score in their exciting round three win over Manly, the Lions couldn’t back it up and were bowled out inside 47 overs for 167.
Simon Charles top scored with 49 off 94, while opening bowler Jagbir Singh Malhi (2/17, 9.1 overs) was the best of four multiple wicket-takers in the Whales’ second win.
NERVOUS MOMENTS
Sydney landed it’s third win, but the 38-run victory wasn’t without drama against a resurgent Eastern Suburbs at Drummoyne Oval.
Hamish Malone (73 off 112) and Daniel Mackay (46 off 30) saw Sydney to a formidable 232 from 50 overs. It looked to be plenty against the winless Dolphins until Juhith Rajesidhiraju returned serve with a blazing 66 from 69.
At 7/193, an upset loomed until Liam Gammone removed the dangerous Rajesidhiraju in the 45th over. The remaining two wickets fell for the addition of one run with Gammone landing another to finish with 5/31 from eight overs.
Wests made the most of the conditions at Pratten Park, posting a round high 6/247 in their victory over Bankstown.
Invited to bat, Rajveer Masrani (64 off 78) and Jack Jobson (54 off 88) led the way as all seven Wests batters reached double figures.
Bankstown responded with 8/123 from 39 overs. Opener Aarav Daddikar carried his bat with a defiant 52 not off 107 balls.
ROUND 5: SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2025
Mosman v Blacktown at Allan Border Oval
Eastern Suburbs v Randwick Petersham at Waverley Oval
Hawkesbury v Gordon at Bensons Lane No.1
Bankstown v Northern District at Bankstown Oval
Parramatta v Sydney at Merrylands No.1
St George v Campbelltown Camden at Harold Fraser Reserve
Sutherland v UTS North Sydney at Sutherland Oval No.1
Sydney University v Manly Warringah at Sydney University Oval No.1
UNSW v Penrith at Cahill Park
Western Suburbs v Fairfield-Liverpool at Blacktown International Sports Park No.1
PHOTO GALLERY
Randwick Petersham v Northern District, Kensington Oval
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