Randwick Petersham v Northern District - Round 5 NSW Premier Cricket 2023-24
Randwick Petersham Cricket Club | November 12, 2023
Randwick Petersham completed a comprehensive first innings victory over 1st Grade competition leaders Northern District at Asquith Oval today. The scores were Randwick Petersham 122 and 8-207 declared to 69 and 8-229.
Most of the action occurred last week with NDs 9-65 at stumps in reply to Randwick Petersham’s 122. Today, it took Angus McTaggart, who celebrated his 21st birthday two days ago, just 4 balls to complete the Northern District innings for 69, finishing with the magic figures of 7-35 from 9.4 overs. That performance equalled the club’s best-ever 1st Grade bowling figures set by Englishman Jonathan Lewis against Mosman in 2003-04 – 20 years ago. Lewis played Test and ODI cricket for England shortly after.
The Northern District score was also their lowest against us, the previous being 140 in a limited overs match at Coogee in 2011-12. Bowling out a team for 69 was Randwick Petersham’s s fourth lowest on record with only the 53 and 57 by Hawkesbury in 2019-20 and the 68 by Wests in 2013-14, lower.
Star of our batting was Alex Ross who showed why he has been one of the BBL Sydney Thunder team’s main attractions in recent years, finishing with 80 not out off 92 balls in Randwick Petersham’s second innings. Earning the tag, “The Sweepologist”, many of his 11 fours came from the sweep shot with at least 4 from the reverse sweep. His 3 sixes all came in the last over of the innings when he took 26 from the NDs leg-spinner which brought about the declaration.
An outright result in the final session looked a tough task but with 56 overs to chase down 261, the ND bats gave it an almighty shake and with almost 8 overs left, they were 3-198 with Chris Green (71) and Corey Miller (45) on fire. But a breakthough by Riley Ayre brought about a complete change with the bowlers again on top. In the end, the 9th wicket pair played out the 56th over surrounded by fielders, finishing 32 short of the target. Hero of the attack was 1st Grade debutant, Luke Callanan who was impressive finishing with 4-46 off 12 overs after taking a wicket with his 3rd and 10th balls. Angus McTaggart also chipped in with 3-53 from 14 overs, giving him 10-88 for the match, only the 5th bowler to take 10 wickets in a match for the club in 1st Grade.
In lower grades, 2nds were soundly beaten; 3rds lost after NDs chased down 280; 4th Grade played a draw while the 5th graders won. But spare a thought for Josh Segal in 3rd Grade who, after being left on 99 not out last weekend when the rain set in, missed out on his century today after nicking an early ball to the ‘keeper.
