Randwick Petersham v Campbelltown-Camden First Grade - Round 2 NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24
Randwick Petersham Cricket Club | October 09, 2023
The World Cup may be where the big cricket is, but for pure cricket excitement, Coogee Oval was the place to be on Saturday. It was a 50 overs-per-side clash between Randwick Petersham and Campbelltown-Camden. And it ended in a spectacular win to Randwick Petersham in a match showcasing the magic talent of Daniel Sams.
An Australian T20 cricketer and a world-traveller in T20 league matches these days, Dan made a rare 1st Grade competition appearance leaving in awe those who witnessed his performance. With his team seemingly on the ropes at 6-115 chasing 248 runs to win, the dashing right-hander finished the day with 130 not out hitting 12 fours and 6 sixes off just 89 balls in a final tally of 8-253 off 45.3 overs. His 50 came up in 45 balls and his 100 in 72. But he was not alone, sharing the plaudits with debutant all-rounder Connor O’Riordan, who made 42 off 55 balls with 5 fours and a six. Together the pair put on an amazing 110 for the 7th wicket to take the game away from The Ghosts. And while the visitors were still in it when O’Riordan was dismissed with 23 still needed and only 3 wickets in hand, the best they could do was grab one wicket while Sams collected the runs, typically scoring the win with a towering six.
Earlier, Campbelltown-Camden had posted a competitive total after being 0-71 then 6-143. Their tail rallied, putting on 104 in the last 18 overs. The star for the locals was stand-in skipper Riley Ayre, who spun his way to a return of 4-31 off 10 overs. But the real highlight was the display by O’Riordan, stepping out in his first 1st Grade match as capped player no. 153. Given the ball in the 14th over, it was one he won’t forget. His first ball was a no-ball which allowed the batter a free hit. He then hit the stumps next ball, but being a free-hit ball, he couldn’t claim the wicket. Next ball, however, he enticed an edge and wicket-keeper Anthony Sams snapped up the chance to give the debutant his first wicket in 1st Grade. He obviously enjoyed the experience as he then took the next three for figures of 4-24 off 5.1 overs. He finished with 4-38 off 9 overs. With his match-winning partnership contribution of 42 runs, it was a debut match to savour.
Sams’ 130* was his highest score in his 149th match for Randwick Petersham. During the course of his innings, he passed the 3,500 runs milestone taking his career total to 3,545 runs with the club in 1st Grade. He has also hit 128 sixes.
Photo Courtesy of Peter Bannigan
