824 runs….18 wickets….197 overs….no points - Randwick Petersham v St George 2010-11
Randwick Petersham Cricket Club | December 17, 2024
It was round 12 of the 2010-11 season and the Saturday/Sunday weekend clash was between Randwick Petersham and St George at Coogee Oval. The Randy Petes were 1st Grade competition leaders while Saints were in front in the Club Championship. A win to the locals would maintain their competition lead and put them ahead of the Hurstville boys in the Club Championship. It was going to be a close match.
In the absence of skipper Scott Coyte, Adam Semple called correctly at the toss and not surprisingly, chose to bat. A good start. But with Eddie Otto and Anthony Sams going for ducks, Damian Wall lbw for 25 and John McLoughlin caught for 5, the scoreline of 4-46 in 40-degree heat was not what the doctor…or any other profession, for that matter…ordered. That brought no. 4 Adam Coyte, in his first season with club, and no. 6 Semple together. It was history in the making as the pair put on a record 232 runs for the 5th wicket.
At 278, Semple raised his bat in signalling his maiden 1st Grade century, but one run later, he edged to ’keeper Kevin Pillay who gleefully snapped up the chance. Coyte went on to hit the highest score in 1st Grade for the club with 223 not out, followed by some tail-end support which enabled a declaration at a huge 9-427–one run short of the club record of 6-428 made against Mosman in 2002-03 when Simon Katich hit 177 with 9 sixes. At 19 years of age, Coyte, a former Australian and NSW under 19s representative, became the youngest player in the history of Sydney Grade Cricket to score a double century.
MoneyQuest Randwick is a proud sponsor of Randwick Petersham Cricket Club
In the next day Sunday run chase, Saints were doing it well at 2-248 with Kurtis Patterson on fire. But when match hero Coyte picked him up for 123, it started a slide of 4 wickets falling for 29 and a scoreline of 6-277. The end looked nigh, but the tail responded well getting the tally within striking distance of the target. However, at 9-376 and 28 minutes remaining with the last two at the crease, it looked all over. Defiance and determination though, won over, with the opening bowlers Steve Green and David Williams hanging on resolutely for a fascinating draw. It had been a 12-hour battle with lots of runs, few wickets and ending with not a single point for either side. One of the classic cricket draws.
At season’s end, Randwick Petersham were Club Champions with St George third while in the 1st Grade Belvidere Cup, Sydney University defeated Randwick Petersham in the Grand Final with St George in third place on the points ladder.
