AW Green Shield: Round six wrap from NSW’s premier U16 cricket tournament

On the doorstep of the finals, a couple of heavyweights raised the bar in round six of the U16s Green Shield on a day that featured two centuries. Results, wrap, ladder, 30+ GALLERY.

Jason Hosken

@HoskenJason

4 min read

January 14, 2025 - 9:55PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Advik Ajithkumar played an important role in Parramatta’s narrow round six victory. Picture: Sean Teuma

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Knocking on the door of the finals, a couple of heavyweights raised the bar in round six of the U16s Green Shield on a day where a couple of rising stars showed their class with triple figure scores.

Here’s how the penultimate round played out.

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TONS OF FUN

In a day that featured two centuries, Xander Carstens’ 117 helped Northern District finish the round as the only unbeaten side, after the Rangers overpowered Sutherland by 114 runs

In a major statement ahead of the finals, the right-hander piled on the hurt as his side racked up 8/248 from their allotted 50 overs. The only player from either side to top 30 runs, the Trinity Grammar student cleared the boundary on six occasions in a commanding 103-ball knock.

Xander Carstens following his innings of 117 for Northern District at Sutherland Oval. Picture: Jason Hosken – News Corp

“It felt good out there, it’s good to get some runs under my belt before the finals,” said Carstens after belting out the club song with teammates at Sutherland Oval.

“I rode my luck at times. I got dropped on about 25 and then a couple of times after passing 100, but I was able to find my rhythm and started to hit the ball better towards the end.”

Named in the u17s NSW Metro squad for the upcoming National Championships in Tasmania, the Penrith recruit’s golden form is a bittersweet moment for NDs, who are one win away from replicating last year’s unbeaten run to the finals.

“It’s good to get some confidence under my belt before heading down to Launceston,” he said. “But it means I miss the quarter and the semi finals, all going well I should be back for the final.”

On a day big scores, Mosman skipper Noah Quayle led from the front with a ton as the Whales climbed to sixth on the ladder with their fourth successive victory.

In a stunning opening stand of 170 that lasted 29 overs, Quayle (108 off 129) and Aidan Kurtis (79 off 98) dispatched the Saints attack to all parts of Allan Border Oval.

With milestones on offer, Julian Harrison derailed the chase with 5/37 as St George were bowled out 94 short of Mosman’s 8/251.

Mosman’s Noah Quayle in full flight back in round two. Picture: Julian Andrews

GENUINE CONTENDERS

In a contest that didn’t deserve a loser, Parramatta outlasted a fast finishing UNSW by five runs in a thriller at David Phillips.

Parra set the early running as three players reached fifty in a mammoth 4/272. Advik Ajithkumar (68 off 104) paved the way at the top of the order before Cameron Knight (52* off 58) and Reyansh Sharma exploded in the final 17 overs, blasting an unbeaten stand of 147.

In what proved a matchwinning innings, Sharma unleashed in spectacular fashion. With one score above 30 in his four previous knocks, he dazzled in a 62-ball blitzkrieg that yielded an incredible 92 runs.

UNSW players celebrate following the dismissal of Ronav Aparajit for 18. Picture: Sean Teuma

Undeterred, the Bees doubled down in reply. Out to protect their unbeaten run of five wins, Neel Patel continued his magic campaign with 84 off 106. And when quick runs were needed, Jack Edwards struck 58 off 45 as UNSW fell within a whisker of the perfect chase.

Sydney University locked down second spot with a seven-wicket win over Easts.

Experienced leg-spinner Arnav Yadav bagged 3/22 in a Dolphins total of 158. In a perfect tune up ahead of the finals, Edward Shand (53 off 76) and Aminda Weerasooriya (70 off 76) saw the students home inside 30 overs.

COSTLY SLIP UP

Manly’s quest for back-to-back titles could be over after they were humbled by a desperate and in-form Randwick Petersham at Manly Oval.

Following the 101-run defeat, Manly slipped to 12th – five points shy of the top eight. As for Randy Petes, a fourth win has them in 7th place ahead of Thursday’s final round clash with Hawkesbury.

With 90 off 132 in a final score of 229, Junaid Mansoor was the star of the match. Returning with the ball, he took 2/22 – second behind Guneet Kalra’s 4/31.

Randwick Petersham’s Junaid Mansoor is finding form at the right end of the season. Picture: Sean Teuma

On paper, the Gordon and Sydney clash seemed an even contest. On the park it was another story, as Gordon kept it’s finals hopes alive with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory at Beauchamp Oval.

Charlie Chippendale (3/17) and Stags skipper Vivaan Gandhi (3/30) did the damage with the ball. Set a target of 168, openers Satva Shah (44 off 65) and Sean Twining (65* off 82) added 98 before Cooper Williams closed out the innings with a stylish 45 from 34 balls.

With the loss, Sydney find themselves clinging to eighth spot and needing to defeat Manly in the final round.

Penrith’s season appears to be over after the Panthers were swept aside by a confident Wests outfit at Howell Oval.

Captain Rehaan Shyamsundar bowled Wests to their fourth win. In 10 overs, the leggie dismantled Penrith’s middle order to finish with 4/29. Chasing 9/137, opener Martis Johri (50* off 75) top scored as the visitors jumped to fifth with an eight-wicket win.

CLUTCHING AT STRAWS

Fairfield-Liverpool were clinical in a seven-wicket win over UTS North Sydney. Still four adrift of the top-eight, the Lions will need to be at their very best against a strong Parra combination at Merrylands on Thursday to be any chance of winning through to the playoffs.

In a race to open their season account, Hawkesbury got the better of Bankstown in an interrupted affair at Bensons Lane. After posting 111, Bankstown then restricted the home side to 9/111 – but it wasn’t enough and it was Hawkesbury who collected the points via DLS.

In another first, Blacktown scored their opening victory with a confidence boosting 68-run win over Campbelltown Camden. Aarav Thakker was best with the willow, scorching to 75 not out from just 37 balls.